The GOP's New Hero

Just when town-hall mania was fading, an obscure congressman from South Carolina hijacked Obama’s big week. Will Joe Wilson’s outburst help the GOP or turn them into a party of cranks? Love him or hate him, The Daily Beast’s columnists weigh in on the repercussions of the heckle heard round the world.

In Praise of Joe Wilson
by Alex Massie

In Britain, boorish behavior like Rep. Joe Wilson’s is a cherished part of the political culture. Why American politicians are a bunch of wimps. MORE >>

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Send Him Home
by Mark McKinnon

Former Bush and McCain strategist Mark McKinnon wants the congressman who shouted at Obama out of office and out of his party—and he's donating $1,000 to his opponent. MORE >>

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The Congressman’s Strange Friends
by Max Blumenthal

Joe Wilson has been a member of Sons of Confederate Veterans. Max Blumenthal, author of the just-published Republican Gomorrah, asks: Did he remain so even after it became a hate group? MORE >>

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White House Done With Wilson
by Richard Wolffe

The White House hits the road for health care reform, proclaims the town-hall meetings didn’t matter, and brands the Wilson flap “a pimple on the ass of progress” MORE >>

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Meet the ‘You Lie’ Guy
by Samuel P. Jacobs

Wilson’s outburst embarrassed the GOP on the president’s big night. But it wasn’t out of character—and it could make him a star. MORE >>

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Seven Outrageous Political Outbursts
by The Daily Beast Video

From a political brawl in South Korea to Margaret Thatcher doing verbal combat in the House of Commons, here are six videos that make Joe Wilson look polite. MORE >>

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18 Outrageous Conservative Quotes
by Max Blumenthal

Republican Congressman Joe Wilson made a name for himself by shouting “You lie!” during President Obama’s health-care speech to Congress, but he’s hardly the first conservative to spark controversy with a crazy statement. MORE >>

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