FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Congressman Joe Wilson has raised over $2 million since he called President Obama a liar. It hasn't even been two weeks since the Republican from South Carolina carried on like a child on the floor of the House during the president's health care speech before a joint session of Congress.
Rep. Joe Wilson shouts, "You lie!" after President Obama denies the health plan would cover illegal immigrants.
In fact, Wilson's outburst has been a money-maker for both parties. Wilson and his Democratic opponent in next year's election, Rob Miller, each raised more than $1.5 million in the week following Wilson's stunt.
Initially, Wilson was quick to apologize to the president for his behavior; but since then he's become more defiant. In videos on his campaign web site, Wilson says he's "under attack by liberals" and vows not to be "muzzled."
The House voted last week to formally reprimand Wilson, but that hasn't stopped the congressman from raking in the big bucks from all around the country. In fact, he's become somewhat of a hero to conservative activists - being invited to speak in other states.
But there's a darker side to all this... Some people, including former President Jimmy Carter, say Wilson's actions were racially motivated. Wilson insists that's not the case, although critics point to his past actions - like a 1999 vote against removing the confederate flag from South Carolina's Capitol dome.
Here’s my question to you: What does it say when the congressman who called the president a liar before a joint session of Congress has since raised $2 million?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Ted from Aloha, Oregon writes:
Representatives who act like children are supported by men and women who also act like children. It most clearly shows the U.S. needs more grownups.
Richard writes:
Jack, It’s not surprising at all: the GOP is very good at using fear, smear and denigration in order to rule the day. Wilson's cash influx is nothing more then a financial "attaboy" from the right.
Stephen writes:
It says that a lot of people agreed that the president was lying at that moment. The outburst was terribly impolite and inappropriate, but that doesn't make the statement untrue.
Jack from Nice, California writes:
Jack, it means that ignorance, greed and racism is worth about $71,428.57 a day in South Carolina.
Scott from San Diego writes:
The country is becoming more divided… Those of us who disagree with the direction in which the country is being taken are very upset over the less than honest information coming from the White House. Joe Wilson stood up for us when we felt like the Democrats didn’t care.
Michael from Atlanta writes:
It says that fools and their money are, indeed, easily parted.
Mark from Seattle writes:
Simple. It means a whole lot of Americans from across the country agree with Wilson. Wake up, Cafferty.
F. from Manchester, New Hampshire writes:
This means that there are a lot more creepy people in the U.S. than I wanted to know about and I don't know what to do about them.
Mike from Armstrong, Texas writes:
If this guy can get $2 million for calling Obama a liar, just think how much he could have gotten if he threw his shoes.