Pelosi says angry rhetoric over health care echoes 1970s San Francisco, could incite violence

Pelosi worried about angry health care rhetoric

WASHINGTON — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she worries that angry rhetoric over President Barack Obama’s effort to remake the nation’s health care system could incite violence.

Speaking to reporters Thursday, the California Democrat was asked whether she was worried about the tone of the debate. She said it reminded her of the “frightening” rhetoric over gay rights that roiled San Francisco in the 1970s and culminated in the murders of Supervisor Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone.

She says those spouting hateful rhetoric must take responsibility for any “incitement” they might cause.

The public anger during health care town hall meetings in August spilled into the House last week when South Carolina Republican Joe Wilson shouted “You lie!” at Obama during his speech. On a largely party-line vote, the House reprimanded Wilson.