Smith Seated Next To Joe ‘You Lie’ Wilson By Jessica Bauerkemper jessicab@suntelegraph.com Politicians react on the heels of President Barack Obama’s speech Sept. 9 on the ongoing issue of health care reform, an issue that has brought forth a flood of strong responses as was displayed Rep. Joe Wilson, a South Carolina Republican, when he shouted “You lie” when the president said illegal immigrants would not benefit from his proposals. Wilson later apologized for “this lack of civility.” Nebraska Congressman Adrian Smith was sitting next to Wilson during the outburst during the president’s speech Wednesday to Congress. Wilson quickly apologized but has been criticized for his behavior. Smith said he was “very surprised” by the outburst and is glad that Wilson has apologized. He says he did not have the opportunity to speak to Wilson before or after the outburst. Smith notes that seating at such addresses is random, but says that at the next presidential address, “I’ll probably ask those sitting beside me not to burst out.” Nebraska politicians had their own thoughts on the president’s address. Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns said the president’s proposal on health care falls short of earlier campaign promises. “President Obama continues to press for a government-run option and I cannot support that,” Johanns said. “He has talked for months about health care reform that reins in high health care costs, yet nonpartisan analysis tells us costs will go up under the House proposal he has endorsed. He has said reform must absolutely be deficit neutral, yet nonpartisan budget analysts tell us this bill will add $239 billion in debt over ten years.” Johanns expressed concern over government cuts on Medicare, stating Obama supports a plan to cut $500 billion in Medicare spending. Nebraska’s Sen. Ben Nelson made comments after Mr. Obama addressed a joint session of Congress on Wednesday night. “The President is clearly determined to achieve bipartisan health care reform this year, and I was pleased he outlined more specifics of his plan. I applaud him for embracing ideas pushed by both Republicans and Democrats as he reaches toward consensus on one of the most troubling, costly and long-delayed problems for Nebraska’s families, workers and small businesses,” Nelson said. “In Nebraska, thousands can’t afford insurance, hundreds of small business can’t afford to cover their employees and many people struggle to pay ever-increasing medical bills. Health care is eroding the American dream.” He said he is committed “to work with the President and my colleagues for a bipartisan bill that doesn’t undermine the coverage people have now but actually improves it.” “We don’t need more partisan distractions,” Obama said in remarks at the White House, speaking again on the issue just 14 hours after his Wednesday night address to Congress and a national television audience. “We have talked this issue to death...” The White House event was organized with the American Nurses Association, to showcase the group’s backing for Obama’s drive to revamp the nation’s health care system. Obama says his plan would give people who have health insurance greater security, set up a marketplace for affordable access to coverage for those without and reduce health care costs for all. Before a crowd of cheering nurses in an office building adjoining the White House, Obama said that too many people are being cut off from coverage. “It is heartbreaking and it is wrong and nobody should be treated that way in the United States of America. Nobody!” the president said. Sen. John McCain, also interviewed Thursday morning, said he agreed that something needs to be done about health care. But he also said that if the administration wants to see legislation realized, it must reach out more aggressively to minority Republicans. “We need to do it, but it has to be bipartisan,” McCain said. Obama’s speech spelled out where he stands on key issues on reform. While some of his explanations were incomplete, he left no doubt he’s taking ownership. Under Obama’s plan, insurance policies could not be canceled if people get sick. Insurers would not be able to deny coverage for pre-existing conditions. For the millions who lack insurance, Obama’s plan would set up a new marketplace in which consumers could pool together. Government subsidies would be available to make premiums more affordable. However, individuals would be required to get coverage, and employers would have to contribute. - The Associated Press Contributed to this report