Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) told reporters today that he supports a resolution for disapproval for Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) because Wilson’s remarks are instigating a racist sentiment that could lead to a resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan.
“It did not help the cause of diversity and tolerance with his remarks. If I was a betting man, I’d say it instigated more racist sentiment, feeling that it’s OK, that you don’t have to bury it down,” Johnson said.
“I guess we’ll probably have folks putting on white hoods and white uniforms again and riding through the countryside, intimidating people,” he said. “That’s the logical conclusion if this kind of attitude is not rebuked.”
On that attitude, he said, Wilson “represents it. He’s the face of it.”
The House is scheduled to vote on a resolution of disapproval this afternoon. During President Obama’s speech to Congress last week, Wilson yelled out, “You lie!” when the president said a public plan wouldn’t cover illegal immigrants.
