GOP Rep. walked out on Obama speech

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 (UPI) -- A GOP member of Illinois' U.S. House delegation walked out during President Barack Obama's address to Congress because he was "frustrated," his spokesman said.

Steven Tomaszewski, a spokesman for Rep. John Shimkus, confirmed his boss left the House chamber Wednesday before Obama finished his address on healthcare reform, the Chicago Tribune reported Thursday.

"Congressman Shimkus was frustrated that the president was not offering any new ground and left with just minutes remaining in the speech," Tomaszewski said.

"Regardless of the words the president used, the tone did not bring Republicans on board," he said.

A major topic of political conversation Thursday was an outburst during Obama's address by Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., who shouted "You lie" as the president said his proposals would not permit illegal immigrants to benefit from publicly funded credits for healthcare coverage.