No lie -- Rep. Wilson says he'll keep mum

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- The South Carolina representative who called out President Barack Obama on healthcare reform says he'll keep quiet during the State of the Union Wednesday.

Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., gained name recognition in September when he shouted "You lie" as Obama addressed Congress during a live, prime-time broadcast.

"That was a one-time incident," he told McClatchy Newspapers in an interview published Wednesday. "I will continue, through my agreement with the White House, to discuss issues civilly."

Wilson apologized to White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel immediately after Obama's healthcare overhaul address. He said he had said a nice conversation with the Obamas during a White House holiday party for congressional members in December.

"I have high respect for the president and the first lady," Wilson said.

The outburst helped the campaigns of Wilson and his Democratic challenger, Rob Miller, McClatchy said. Wilson and Miller raised a combined $4.75 million through Sept. 30, reporting a whopping $4.34 million of that total in the three weeks after Wilson's outburst.