Cngressman Joe Wilson’s outburst during the president’s speech last night has prompted consternation from his own party–as well as overwhelming national attention today. He spoke for the first time to a throng of media just before noon today:

Listen to Congressman Joe Wilson comments  comments MP3   1:50

Another South Carolina Republican thrusts himself into the national spotlight during President Barack Obama’s speech on health care reform to a joint session of Congress Wednesday night.  Breaking from acceptable congressional decorum, South Carolina Second District Congressman Joe Wilson shouted “You lie” at President  Obama .  The reaction came  after Obama said, “There are also those who claim that our reform effort will insure illegal immigrants. This, too, is false. The reforms I’m proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally.”

“You lie!” South Carolina’s Joe Wilson shouted from his seat on the Republican side of the chamber.

Wilson’s shout drew immediate condemnation from both sides of the aisle.

Following the president’s speech, Congressman Wilson called the White House to personally apologize to President Obama.  He spoke with Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and expressed his apologies.  By then, Wilson’s House Web site had crashed and he had taken candid criticism on his Twitter page for the breach of protocol and lack of manners during a presidential speech to a joint session of Congress.

Wilson’s official apology reads as follows:

“This evening I let my emotions get the best of me when listening to the President’s remarks regarding the coverage of illegal immigrants in the health care bill. While I disagree with the President’s statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the President for this lack of civility.”