'You lie!' - Washington turns into Westminster?

Tuesday, 15 September 2009 5:25 PM

By Ian Dunt

American pundits have been thrown into a debate over decorum in Washington, with some suggesting the US should not follow Westminster's example of shouting and outright abuse.

Last week, president Barack Obama's speech on healthcare reform was interrupted by congressman Joe Wilson, who shouted "you lie" when the president assured his audience illegal immigrants would not be covered by the new system.

An interruption to the president during a joint session of Congress is almost without precedent, and the nature of the words led the representative to make an immediate apology.

The apology was accepted, but the pressure on Mr Wilson remains, with the House voting on Tuesday on a resolution of disapproval of the South Carolina Republican.

A House Democratic meeting last night led to the motion being carried forward, with Kristie Greco, spokeswoman for house majority whip, Republican James Clyburn of South Carolina, stressing: "We're not the British parliament for a reason."

CNN reported her as saying: "This speaks to the breach of decorum alone, and not addressing the issue sets a precedent for bad behaviour."

American politics is traditionally far more reverential than the UK, due in no small part to the president's multiple roles as head of state and commander in chief, together with his political duties.

The social effect of the multiple roles is to reduce direct attacks on him, because of his position as representative of the nation, not just a political party.

Any abuse is especially rare when the president is addressing both Houses of Congress, a rare and important occurrence in US politics, which some commentators claim was too easily used by President Obama to take the upper hand on the healthcare debate.

Mr Wilson does have supporters, however. Republican House member Steve King of Iowa circulated a letter last weekend urging him not to apologise on the House floor.

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• foreign policy
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• north america