Wilson a no-show at rally

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), under fire for heckling President Obama, was a no-show at a rally Thursday protesting Obama's health care plans.

 

Wilson had been on the list of speakers for a rally sponsored by the conservative group FreedomWorks along with a half dozen other Republican congressmen. But he did not address the gathering next to the Russell Senate Office Building, which is part of the Tea Party March on Washington.

 

FreedomWorks Chairman Dick Armey, a former Republican congressman from Texas, said Wilson didn't contact his group to let them know he would miss the event or why. But Armey offered a defense of Wilson's "You lie!" outburst.

 

"It was unfortunate, he shouldn't have expressed himself that way, but it is equally unfortunate, but the president of us stood before the Congress of the United States stuck his finger in their face and said that was a boldface lie. Unless you're willing to call the president out cut Mr. Wilson a little slack."

 

Had Wilson shown up, he likely would have gotten a warm greeting from the crowd, where protesters were focused on Obama's health care plan, but protested a range of issues including tort reform, cap-and-trade and the number of White House "czars."

 

"People need to stop being afraid and not bite their tongues," said Cynthia Voorhis, who came from Charleston, S.C. for the "9-12" march with friends. "Sometimes you have to call a spade a spade. We read the bill and it does cover illegal immigrants."