Andrew Sullivan sums up the speech last night....
One side was engaged in a civil conversation; the other was engaged in an uncivil protest. The Congress became an unruly town hall meeting - because conservatives made it one.Anyone who watched the speech must have seen it for what it was, a partisan speech meant to marginalize the conservatives... From the Whitehouse... a transcript of the speech at a key moment.
Some of people's concerns have grown out of bogus claims spread by those whose only agenda is to kill reform at any cost. The best example is the claim made not just by radio and cable talk show hosts, but by prominent politicians, that we plan to set up panels of bureaucrats with the power to kill off senior citizens. Now, such a charge would be laughable if it weren't so cynical and irresponsible. It is a lie, plain and simple. (Applause.)
There are also those who claim that our reform efforts would insure illegal immigrants. This, too, is false. The reforms -- the reforms I'm proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally.
AUDIENCE MEMBER: You lie! (Boos.)
So who called who a liar first? Moments before Joe Wilson shouted out "you lie" Obama calls the opposition liars. Now Wilson was wrong to shout out, as it is protocol to remain silent... Obama is the one who set the tone, that put the loyal opposition on its hackles with partisan attacks.
