Shimkus gets dose of national attention after walking out on Obama speech

Legislator criticizes president's health plan

BY MIKE FITZGERALD - News-Democrat

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U.S. Rep. John Shimkus, R-Collinsville, is receiving a sudden dose of national attention after walking out in frustration a few minutes before President Barack Obama finished his health care reform speech Wednesday night.

A photo of Shimkus walking past his fellow lawmakers is featured prominently on the Chicago Tribune's Web site, along with a brief story under the headline, "Why Shimkus walked out on Obama."

Shimkus spokesman Steve Tomaszewski downplayed the exit, saying that if the congressman were "trying to make a big statement, he would've been touting it."

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What's your take on a congressman yelling at the president, or another one walking out on his speech?

It's disrespectful to the office of the presidency, whatever you think of the president.

It's OK: They have a right to express their views that way.

Who cares? Not that big a deal.

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A few minutes after Obama's speech ended, Shimkus criticized the president's health reform plan, branding it a program to set up a single-payer, government-run health insurance system that could drive private health insurers out of business.

"Republicans will not turn health care decisions over to the federal government," Shimkus said.

Another lawmaker who was unhappy with Obama's speech, Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., has apologized to the president after interrupting his speech Wednesday by shouting, "You lie."

Wilson's outburst, which has been widely condemned as a breach of House rules, occurred when Obama promised his health care plan would not provide health insurance to illegal immigrants.

Tomaszewski blamed Shimkus' decision to bail on the speech on frustration felt by the six-term congressman after hearing the president repeat "an accumulation of rehashed talking points that have been stated before."

In a prepared statement, Tomaszewski wrote that Shimkus' frustration stemmed from Obama's failure to offer "any new ground" and that the president's tone "did not bring Republicans on board."

Contact reporter Mike Fitzgerald at mfitzgerald@bnd.com or 239-2533.

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