There was a lot riding on President Obama's primetime speech on health care reform. Billed as a "make or break" moment, his address before Congress was designed to bring clarity and calm nerves. Sources say he was editing until the final hours, right around when new polls showed a jump in disapproval ratings on his handling of the issue. The stage was set for a pivotal moment in the contentious debate.
Some highlights:
Tough crowd
Standing ovations abounded during Obama's speech, but blogs are buzzing most about N.C. Republican Rep.-turned-heckler Joe Wilson who loudly yelled "You lie!" after the president said health care reform wouldn't cover illegal immigrants. The moment threw Obama off track, if briefly. Michelle Obama was reported to have shaken her head in dismay from her seat.
Standing ovations abounded during Obama's speech, but blogs are buzzing most about N.C. Republican Rep.-turned-heckler Joe Wilson who loudly yelled "You lie!" after the president said health care reform wouldn't cover illegal immigrants. The moment threw Obama off track, if briefly. Michelle Obama was reported to have shaken her head in dismay from her seat.
Wilson quickly apologized in a statement to CNN, saying, "I let my emotions get the best of me when listening to the President's remarks…my comments were inappropriate and regrettable." For better or worse it's raised his profile. As one piece of evidence, his Twitter following doubled shortly after the speech wrapped.
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