Nancy Pelosi Owes Joe Wilson an Apology

On September 25, Speaker Nancy Pelosi's spokesman accused Rep. Joe Wilson of using "misleading rhetoric" for suggesting that Pelosi wouldn't put the final health care bill online for at least 72 hours before the House votes on it.

Pelosi spokesman Brendan Daly took issue with Wilson's claim. Asked Thursday by the Weekly Standard whether she supports putting the final House bill on health-care reform online for 72 hours before members vote on it, Pelosi replied: "Absolutely. Without question."

"Republicans have had ample chance to read the different versions of the House health insurance reform bill, which have all been online for months," Daly said. "And if they read the newspapers and blogs, including the conservative Weekly Standard, they would know that Speaker Pelosi said yesterday she 'absolutely' will put the health care bill online for 72 hours before the House votes on it. But as usual, they don't let facts get in the way of their misleading rhetoric."

Yesterday, Pelosi's spokesman said the speaker wouldn't keep her pledge. Perhaps an apology is in order. Or, even better, Pelosi could still honor her transparency pledge.