It's not exactly a Joe Wilson "you lie" moment, but there is a lot of discussion today on last night's by-play between President Obama and Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito.

Obama criticized the Supreme Court's ruling last week that corporations can spend as much money as they want on political campaigns, saying it will "open the floodgates for special interests, including foreign corporations."

As Obama said this, Alito could be seen shaking his head and saying, "not true." The liberal Daly Kos said, "Alito channels Joe Wilson," a reference to the South Carolina congressman who yelled at Obama during his health care speech in September. Others also made the same comparison.

The conservative National Review, meanwhile, says Alito's critique is justified. And one Supreme Court historian called Obama's statement an unusual insult that may lead to a boycott by the justices at next year's State of the Union.

White House spokesman Bill Burton said the president had no particular reaction to the justice's comment.

"One of the great things about our democracy is that powerful members of the government at high levels can disagree in public and in private," Burton said. "This is one of those cases."

Besides: As a senator, Obama voted against Alito's confirmation.

(Posted by David Jackson)