Town hall meetings out of control

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

Screaming constituents, protesters dragged out by the cops, congressmen fearful for their safety — welcome to the new town-hall-style meeting, the once-staid forum that is rapidly turning into a house of horrors for members of Congress.
On the eve of the August recess, members are reporting meetings that have gone terribly awry, marked by angry, sign-carrying mobs and disruptive behavior. In at least one case, a congressman has stopped holding town hall events because the situation has spiraled so far out of control.

“I had felt they would be pointless,” Rep. Tim Bishop (D-N.Y.) told POLITICO, referring to his recent decision to suspend the events in his Long Island district. “There is no point in meeting with my constituents and [to] listen to them and have them listen to you if what is basically an unruly mob prevents you from having an intelligent conversation.”

In Bishop’s case, his decision came on the heels of a June 22 event he held in Setauket, N.Y., in which protesters dominated the meeting by shouting criticisms at the congressman for his positions on energy policy, health care and the bailout of the auto industry.

Within an hour of the disruption, police were called in to escort the 59-year-old Democrat — who has held more than 100 town hall meetings since he was elected in 2002 — to his car safely.

“I have no problem with someone disagreeing with positions I hold,” Bishop said, noting that, for the time being, he was using other platforms to communicate with his constituents. “But I also believe no one is served if you can’t talk through differences.”

Bishop isn’t the only one confronted by boiling anger and rising incivility. At a health care town hall event in Syracuse, N.Y., earlier this month, police were called in to restore order, and at least one heckler was taken away by local police. Close to 100 sign-carrying protesters greeted Rep. Allen Boyd (D-Fla.) at a late June community college small-business development forum in Panama City, Fla. Last week, Danville, Va., anti-tax tea party activists claimed they were “refused an opportunity” to ask Rep. Thomas Perriello (D-Va.) a question at a town hall event and instructed by a plainclothes police officer to leave the property after they attempted to hold up protest signs.

The targets in most cases are House Democrats, who over the past few months have tackled controversial legislation including a $787 billion economic stimulus package, a landmark energy proposal and an overhaul of the nation’s health care system.

Democrats, acknowledging the increasing unruliness of the town-hall-style events, say the hot-button issues they are taking on have a lot to do with it.

“I think it’s just the fact that we are dealing with some of the most important public policy issues in a generation,” said Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa), who was confronted by a protester angry about his position on health care reform at a town hall event several weeks ago.

“I think in general what is going on is we are tackling issues that have been ignored for a long time, and I think that is disruptive to a lot of people,” said Bishop, a four-term congressman. “We are trying, one by one, to deal with a set of issues that can’t be ignored, and I think that’s unsettling to a lot of people.”

Freshman Rep. Dan Maffei (D-N.Y.), whose event at a Syracuse middle school was disrupted, said that he still planned to hold additional town halls but that he was also thinking about other options.

“I think you’ve got to communicate through a variety of different ways. You should do the telephone town hall meetings. You should do the town hall meetings. You should do the smaller group meetings,” said Maffei. “It’s important to do things in a variety of ways, so you don’t have one mode of communication.”

“You’re going to have people of varying views, and in this case, you’ve got the two extremes who were the most vocal,” Maffei said of the flare-up at his July 12 event.

On Tuesday, Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), who handles incumbent retention duties for House Democrats in addition to chairing the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, met with freshman members to discuss their plans for the monthlong August recess. While the specific issue of town hall protesters never came up, according to sources familiar with the meeting, he urged them not to back away from opponents.

“He said, ‘Go on offense. Stay on the offense. It’s really important that your constituents hear directly from you. You shouldn’t let a day go by [that] your constituents don’t hear from you,’” said one House Democratic leadership aide familiar with the meeting.

Some members profess to enjoy the give-and-take of the town halls, even if lately it’s become more take than give.

“Town halls are a favorite part of my job,” said Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-Mo.), a third-term congressman from St. Louis who noted that a “handful” of disruptions had taken place at his meetings. “It’s what I do. It’s what I will continue to do.”

“People have gotten fired up and all that, but I think that’s what makes town halls fun,” said Perriello, a freshman who is among the most vulnerable Democrats in 2010. “I think that most of the time when we get out there, it’s a good chance for people to vent and offer their thoughts. It’s been good.”

“I enjoy it, and people have a chance to speak their mind,” he said.

Both Carnahan and Perriello said they were plunging forward with plans to hold more town hall meetings.

Republicans, with an eye toward 2010, are keeping close track of the climate at Democratic events.

“We’ve seen Russ Carnahan, we’ve seen Tim Bishop, we’ve seen some other people face some very different crowds back home,” said National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Pete Sessions (R-Texas). “The days of you having a town hall meeting where maybe 15 or 20 of your friends show up — they’re over. You’ve now got real people who are showing up — and that’s going to be a factor.”

Asked later how or whether the GOP would use the confrontations against Democrats, Sessions responded: “Wait till next year.”

But Democrats are quick to point out they’re not the only ones facing hostile audiences. They single out Rep. Mike Castle (R-Del.), who found himself in a confrontation earlier this month with a “birther” protester, and insist that Republicans face a backlash of their own if it appears the party is too closely aligned with tea party activists or other conservative-oriented protesters.

“It’s a risk that they align themselves with such a small minority in the party,” said Brian Smoot, who served as political director at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in the past election cycle. “They risk alienating moderates.”

Article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20090731/pl_politico/25646

So let me get this straight... democrats are calling off town hall meetings because of angry mobs. Hmmm... maybe it has something to do with the public hating their leftist policies, and this is a sign that they ought to think twice about voting on them. But in their infinite knowledge, it's just a better idea to just ignore them?

But I digress. I'm only a lowly college student. What do I know?

Cliffs:

Protesters are showing up to town hall meetings to convey distaste for increased spending, the stimulus, bailouts, health care, increased taxes, etc. The congressmen who hold them, mainly democrats, are dismayed by the increase in protesters, hecklers, and disorderly conduct. Therefore, many are just calling them off because they feel like they can't hold a conversation with their constituents.

Methinks its a sign that people are tired of their bullshit.

Click to read more...

 

[tEh ShOcKeR]

Sorry. Fail.

 

[faulkton 5,000+ posts]

People really want a public option in the health care plan.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

You should be banned for posting a lot of words with no cliffs.

 

[AlterEgo99 5,000+ posts]

Transparency? No. Debate bills? No. Read bills? No. The reason for this is simple, the dems want to get as much of their far left stuff passed without the public knowing anything about it. If the public was aware of what is actually in some of these bills (tax and trade, health care (aka obamacare), etc.) they would NOT want it. Case in point is the present House health care bill...it IS getting scrutiny and the tide is turning against it. Plain and simple.

The government just stopped "Cash for Clunkers" after ONE day. ONE day! Why? It was so **** popular they ran out of money. So, let's see, between Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and "Cash for Clunkers", why does ANYONE think that the government will do a better job running 1/6 of the American economy (health care)???? 95% of Americans are ignorant idiots who only pay attention to politics for about 2 days every 4 years. Wake up America!

 

[AlterEgo99 5,000+ posts]

Transparency? No. Debate bills? No. Read bills? No. The reason for this is simple, the dems want to get as much of their far left stuff passed without the public knowing anything about it. If the public was aware of what is actually in some of these bills (tax and trade, health care (aka obamacare), etc.) they would NOT want it. Case in point is the present House health care bill...it IS getting scrutiny and the tide is turning against it. Plain and simple.

The government just stopped "Cash for Clunkers" after ONE day. ONE day! Why? It was so **** popular they ran out of money. So, let's see, between Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and "Cash for Clunkers", why does ANYONE think that the government will do a better job running 1/6 of the American economy (health care)???? 95% of Americans are ignorant idiots who only pay attention to politics for about 2 days every 4 years. Wake up America!

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

edited. cliffs poasted.

 

[AlterEgo99 5,000+ posts]

Cliffs are easy...dems don't want to debate their ideas. Period.

 

[AlterEgo99 5,000+ posts]

Not sure why my original post went in twice...sorry 'bout that.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

The right doesn't have a concerted attack or a leader. This is like a lion watching a wounded wilderbeast walk by because it's caught in a trap.

 

[AlterEgo99 5,000+ posts]

Your responses are as brilliant as YOUR beloved leaders Pelosi, Reid and Obama. Keep cheering your buddies on as they run this country into the ground. Bravo.

 

[faulkton 5,000+ posts]

Cliffs are easy...dems don't want to debate their ideas. Period.

hey lets be fair, no politician wants an open/free debate about their positions or policies. I seem to remember something about a famous conservative limiting access to his town halls to his supporters..

 

[AlterEgo99 5,000+ posts]

Please post some examples on conservatives using the same tactics as the dems are now employing. Please. Enlighten me. Obama SAID his was be the most transparent administration ever. Place bills up on the web for 5 days before they are voted on by Congress. How's that working? Pelosi told us her House would be the most ethical ever. How's that working? Seen the Congressional approval rating lately? Thousand page bills passed without a rep./senator even READING it??? C'mon. Get real and stop obfuscating. Dems are in charge...Obama now owns this economy. How's that Hope and Change working for you?

 

[faulkton 5,000+ posts]

Please post some examples on conservatives using the same tactics as the dems are now employing. Please. Enlighten me. Obama SAID his was be the most transparent administration ever. Place bills up on the web for 5 days before they are voted on by Congress. How's that working? Pelosi told us her House would be the most ethical ever. How's that working? Seen the Congressional approval rating lately? Thousand page bills passed without a rep./senator even READING it??? C'mon. Get real and stop obfuscating. Dems are in charge...Obama now owns this economy. How's that Hope and Change working for you?

ok

ANNANDALE, Va. — When President Bush picks up a microphone, bounds onto a stage and engages his cheering audience in a rambling discussion of topics from Iraq to the economy, it comes off as relaxed, informal and largely spontaneous.
"I feel like a talk show host," Bush often says as he roams the platform in the center of the arena.

But these "Ask President Bush" campaign forums, the eighth of which was held at Northern Virginia Community College here Monday, leave little to chance.

The national Bush campaign staff works through a local Republican office to assemble an audience of 1,000 to 2,500 people, depending on the site. The party offers registered party volunteers two tickets — and says more are available if volunteers want to bring open-minded friends.

Depending on the message Bush wants to put across, the local office also lines up some carefully chosen locals to take the stage with him and explain how Bush's policies are helping them afford college, buy a home, save money on health insurance or expand a business. They are given "talking points" ahead of time.

The people chosen to tell their stories sometimes have to be prodded to hit the right notes. The president takes it all in good humor.

On Monday, he turned to Sharon Rainey and coached her to begin. "Sharon started her own business. True or false?" Bush asked. "True," she answered.

"I'm not even a lawyer, and here I am leading the witness," Bush said, chuckling. Rainey then told how Bush's tax breaks allowed her to expand her business.

After Bush chats with those people, he asks for questions from the audience. The ones he gets are usually soft and friendly, raising suspicions that they have been arranged in advance. Campaign officials insist they have not.

"None of these is ever planted," says Scott Stanzel, a spokesman for the Bush-Cheney campaign. "Nobody knows who's going to be called on."

Sometimes, instead of a question, Bush gets praise.

A man who stood up Monday identified himself as a volunteer firefighter from Chase City, Va., and said: "We've had hard times raising money. And since you've been in, the federal money that you appropriated to us, we appreciate it a lot."

Last Thursday in Columbus, Ohio, a man Bush called on said he had no questions. "Thanks for accepting the call and answering the call to work for what's right in the country and in the world," he said and sat down.

Democrat John Kerry's campaign has mocked these forums as artificial. It notes that only Bush supporters are allowed in and suggests that the questions from the audience are not the ones that other people might ask.

Bob Bennett, chairman of the Ohio Republican Party, defended limiting the "Ask President Bush" audiences to Bush supporters and their friends.

"You're not going to load up an event with a bunch of your opponents," he said. "It just invites disruptions."

Two more "Ask President Bush" forums will be held this week: today in Niceville, Fla., and Wednesday in Albuquerque.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/2004-08-09-ask-bush_x.htm

i'm not going to get caught up in your subterfuge and bogged down in your quagmire.

both parties are evil.

 

[AlterEgo99 5,000+ posts]

Obama Town Hall Questioners Were Campaign Backers

By Garance Franke-Ruta

President Obama has promised to change the way the government does business, but in at least one respect he is taking a page from the Bush playbook, stocking his town hall Thursday with supporters whose soft -- though far from planted -- questions provided openings to discuss his preferred message of the day.

Obama has said, "I think it's important to engage your critics ... because not only will you occasionally change their mind but, more importantly, sometimes they will change your mind," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs recounted to The Post's Lois Romano in an interview Wednesday.

But while the online question portion of the White House town hall was open to any member of the public with an Internet connection, the five fully identified questioners called on randomly by the president in the East Room were anything but a diverse lot. They included: a member of the pro-Obama Service Employees International Union, a member of the Democratic National Committee who campaigned for Obama among Hispanics during the primary; a former Democratic candidate for Virginia state delegate who endorsed Obama last fall in an op-ed in the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star; and a Virginia businessman who was a donor to Obama's campaign in 2008.

Here are their stories:

1. Sergio Salmeron: Self-description at the White House: "My name is Sergio Salmeron. I want to find out about health care."

Salmeron became engaged with the Obama campaign early in 2008, writing on his blog at my.barackobama.com, "We need to mobilize towards changing the trend of '2 to 1 Latinos favoring Hillary over Barack.' Let's make a resolute commitment... Let's put the facts on the table, ask the questions, until we understand how this all applies to us. Then strategize [sic] to get the word out to Latinos in America, who want change as much as everyone else."

He was a volunteer canvasser for the campaign, he told The Post, and did voter registration work and translated materials for the campaign, as well. A partner at Global Paradigm Strategies, Salmeron is volunteer "member of the Democratic National Committee" and continues to be active with the Obama campaign's successor, Organizing for America, which is how he got the White House invite, he said.

"I got a call from this woman who has been working with me for the pledge drive," he said, referring to the Organizing for America drive on behalf of the president's budget proposal. "You know, we're trying to get support out for the president's agenda."

2. Tom Sawner: Self-description: "Sir, I'm Tom Sawner. I'm a service-disabled veteran, small-business owner in Arlington, Virginia. My company, Educational Options, works with public schools."

According to Federal Election Commission records, Sawner made a $250 donation to Obama's campaign on Oct. 27, 2008. He also, as he noted Thursday, served as an adviser on Obama's educational platform committee. He said he was invited to the White House town hall through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Executive Council.

Sawner's no stranger to the White House, either; he attended President Bush's Feb. 2008 signing ceremony for that year's economic stimulus package -- another Chamber of Commerce invite. And in April 2008, he even became an anecdote in one of Bush's speeches.

"And I met a guy named Tom Sawner," the 43rd president said at a small business summit. "Now, he's an old fighter pilot, which means there's no wall he can [sic] run through. He's a doer, an achiever, and he's got him a small business called Educational Options."

But the event with Obama, Sawner said, "was a whole different look and feel" than the one with Bush. "This is a president who is into openness." And he didn't know he was going to be able to ask a question until he got to the forum, he said.

3. Carlos Del Toro: Self-description: "My name is Carlos Del Toro. I served in the Navy for 26 years, retired four years ago, and started a small business."

In 2007, Del Toro stood as a Democratic candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates, but did not win. A supporter of Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Democratic presidential primaries, he backed Obama against McCain in the general, endorsing him in an Oct. 24, 2008 op-ed in the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star.

"As a Virginia small-business owner, veteran, and Latino, I'm voting for Sen. Barack Obama for the same reasons as millions of other Americans: because I believe this country desperately needs change. Obama will change our economic policies to help middle-class families, promote the growth of small businesses, and increase funding for veterans' affairs, so no member of our armed services goes without the medical treatment he or she needs and deserves," he wrote.

In 2008, he donated $2,750 to Virginia Democratic candidates for office, according to the Center for Responsive Politics; in 2006, he gave $1000 to the campaign of now Sen. Jim Webb (Va.), FEC records show.

He also has ties to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Small Business Council.

4. Linda Bock: "My name is Linda Bock and I'm a registered nurse just in Prince George's County, Maryland -- been there 34 years at a free senior health center. And I'm here with my fellow nurses from SEIU."

Bock, along with her chapter of the SEIU and her son and daughter, helped campaign and canvass for Obama, she said. After Obama was elected, she wrote in the Landover, Md., 1199 SEIU nurses' newsletter: "Now we have our work cut out for us -to hold our elected officials accountable. And I hope they hold us accountable too. We all have work to do to make the changes needed to restore our reputation, to heal the wounds of war, to repair our earth and regulate its resources; and, to secure our economic future. It will take sacrifice and service. It will take prayer and the grace of God. Now we have hope. We have President-elect Barack Obama. God bless America."

Her invite to the White House came through the Nurse Alliance Leadership Council, she said. And like Sawner, she didn't know until she got to the forum that it was open to the in real life participants. "I did not think we would be able to ask any questions," she said. "I wasn't personally anticipating being chosen to ask anything. We knew that the Web portion was people already lined up."

5. Bonnee L. Breese: "Hi, Mr. President. Thank you so very much for having me, a public school teacher from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, here to be with you.

THE PRESIDENT: What's your name?

Q Bonnee Breese.

THE PRESIDENT: Good to see you, Bonnee.

Q Thank you. I'm from Overbrook High School. I have to say that, because I know all the children are watching. (Laughter.)"

Breese has not donated a reportable amount to Obama, according to the FEC. She is a member of the 11,626-person Pennsylvania for Obama page on Facebook.

A supporter of the president's -- "Of course!" she said -- Breese was invited to the meeting through the American Federation of Teachers union. She sits on the executive board of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, Local 3, she said, and is known in her area for being politically engaged.

The sixth in-person presidential questioner, "Ellie" from Maryland, did not give her surname. The White House did not respond to a request for it, but noted there were roughly 100 people in the audience.

"The audience was composed of approximately 100 people, including teachers, nurses, small business owners, and community leaders -- and the virtual audience of thousands across the country who have submitted questions online," said White House spokesman Nicholas S. Shapiro. "The White House reached out to a number of community groups and the chamber of commerce and those groups invited their folks to come and participate."

Barry must have learned from Bush, right?

This story and your previous story has NOTHING to do with how the dems are stifling debate and amendments in both the House and the Senate and passing changes at 3AM and voting on bills hours later.