Jessica Santillo, of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said Miller had raised more than $750,000. Woodard said Wilson had raised about $150,000 in support, but efforts to contact the campaign were thwarted as phone lines and the Web site were overwhelmed with traffic.
Despite the onslaught of criticism, both experts believe the incident was isolated for Wilson, describing him as a “mild-mannered” Southerner. Democrats were often ill-tempered with grumbling and complaints during former President George W. Bush’s speeches, they said.
“This is not without precedent, but speaking out was inappropriate,” Woodard said. Both parties have extreme personalities that we’re not exactly proud of, but I wouldn’t say that about Joe Wilson.”
Ransom said the climate echoes a distrustful segment of the population that approves of Wilson’s unbecoming conduct in the name of conviction and is concerned about President Obama’s politics.
“Underneath it all, there is some question of disrespect for President Obama,” Ransom said.
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