Forget Joe Wilson: Barack Obama called Sarah Palin, Sean Hannity and Mark Levin Liars Last Night

The AP reports that Joe Wilson violated Congressional decorum last night:

South Carolina Republican Rep. Joe Wilson shouted "You lie!" after Obama had talked about illegal immigrants... it wasn't the only interruption during Obama's speech to a joint session of Congress in the House of Representatives. Earlier, Republicans laughed when Obama acknowledged that there are still significant details to be worked out before a health overhaul can be passed.

But Obama specifically called politicians like Sarah Palin, talk show hosts like Sean Hannity and radio pundits like Mark Levin liars:

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.

The New York Times calls Joe Wilson's outburst "a rare breach of protocol." One need only play the videotape of President Bush's 2005 State of the Union address to prove that statement untrue (hint: when Democrats shout at and boo the President during a speech, it's appropriate dissent).

More importantly, have the American people ever experienced a President who is this divisive, this bitterly partisan before? Spun so many painfully obviously lies in a major speech before?

This President is 'historic', alright. Just not for the reasons he'd hoped.



Update: Mark Levin sets the President straight. (MP3)