Headline in The State newspaper (Columbia, SC):
Instant fame for S. C. Republican who heckled Obama
Congressman later apologizes for lack of 'civility'
Wilson, a former senior Justice Department lawyer under President Ronald Reagan, delivered his catcall when Obama said his health-care plan wouldn't extend benefits to illegal immigrants.
Heads swiveled in the ornate House of Representatives chamber as senators, representatives, Cabinet members and other dignitaries turned to see who'd broken decades of solemn protocol for the rare occasions when the president addresses a joint session of Congress.
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Wilson, 62, a former military officer who over a quarter century in politics has carefully honed his image as a courteous warrior, said he called the White House and apologized to Rahm Emanuel, Obama's chief of staff.
snip...
Wilson's outburst made him instantaneously famous - a scourge to many, a hero to some.
Wilson's congressional Web site crashed and hundreds of calls started flooding into his office.
More at link:
http://www.thestate.com/154/story/935924.html?storylink=omni_popular