In fundraising video, Joe Wilson seeks to shore up GOP support

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Harry Hamburg/AP
Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina, pictured here, has asked supporters to pour money into his re-election campaign. 'I will not be muzzled,' he says in a new fundraising video.

A day after he officially apologized for an outburst during President Barack Obama's speech to congress, Republican Rep. Joe Wilson has vowed to continue to "speak up loudly against" the Democratic healthcare reform proposal. In a new fundraising video, which hit the Internet last night, Wilson says that he "will not be muzzled," and he asks supporters to donate money to his 2010 congressional campaign. (Video below.)

"The supporters of the government takeover of healthcare and the liberals who want to give healthcare to illegals are using my opposition as an excuse to distract from the critical questions being raised about this poorly conceived plan," Wilson says, repeating a GOP talking point which has since been dismissed by journalistic fact-checking organizations, including factcheck.org and PolitiFact.

The video has been greeted by many progressives as a sign that Wilson is worried about his chances for reelection. Before his outburst, the Wilson was considered a strong favorite in the 2010 race. But yesterday, Democrat Rob Miller, Wilson's putative opponent in 2010, reportedly received more than $200,000 from thousands of donors across the country.

“Representative Wilson’s behavior tonight exemplifies everything that is wrong in Washington,” Miller said in a statement. “Instead of engaging in childish name-calling and disrespecting our Commander-in-Chief, Joe Wilson should be working towards a bipartisan solution that makes quality, affordable healthcare available to each and every South Carolinian.”

In an attempt to rally his base, Wilson hinted in the video that contributions to Miller were part of a left-wing campaign to stultify the debate on healthcare reform. "They want to silence anyone who speaks out against it," Wilson said. "They made it clear they want to defeat me and pass the plan. I need your help now."

Potomac River exercise sparks fear of DC attack

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