tagged w/ Town Hall meetings
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Yesterday, I reported that the anti-health care reform group Conservatives for Patients Rights was enlisting tea party protesters to attend and disrupt health care town halls hosted by members of Congress in their regions.
Today, CPR--which is headed by disgraced hospital executive Rick Scott, and has enlisted the message men behind the Swift Boat campaign--has acknowledged their behind-the-scenes role in the outbursts.
Spokesman Brian Burgess tells Greg Sargent that CPR is distributing "town hall alert" flyers to people on its mailing lists and is reaching out to third party groups via online list serve.
Perhaps the most significant of these discussion groups is the called Tea Party Patriots, which is managed by Tom Gaitens, a field organizer for the industry-funded lobbying organization FreedomWorks. Members of this list serve were not only supplied with list of town hall forums, but with a strategy document outlining the same disruptive techniques we're seeing play out at health care public forums around the country.
The disclosure makes official what much of the reporting about the disruptions seemed to indicate: that industry funded groups--who stand to benefit if health reform legislation fails--are playing a significant role in organizing, and perhaps ginning up, the outbursts we're seeing at health care public forums around the country.Yesterday, I reported that the anti-health care reform group Conservatives for... more
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As lobbyist-run groups encourage conservative activists to “rattle” members of Congress at local town hall events, Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), the president of the freshman Democratic class has revealed that “at least one freshman Democrat” has already been “physically assaulted at a local event.” Connolly warned that conservative groups had taken things to a “dangerous level“:
“When you look at the fervor of some of these people who are all being whipped up by the right-wing talking heads on Fox, to me, you’re crossing a line,’ Connolly said. ‘They’re inciting people to riot with just total distortions of facts. They think we’re going to euthanize Grandma and the government is going to take over.”
Recent events have given congressman good reason to be “fearful for their safety.” Last week, a protester hung an effigy of freshman Rep. Frank Kratovil (D-MD) outside his district office, and after a June 22 town hall meeting was disrupted by an “unruly mob” of tea party activists, Rep. Tim Bishop (D-NY) had to be escorted to his car by police. ThinkProgress contacted Connolly’s office regarding the identity of the congressman who was physically assaulted, but we have not yet received a response.As lobbyist-run groups encourage conservative activists to “rattle”... more
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ThinkProgress reported today on the growing number of angry right-wing activists viciously harassing Democratic, as well as moderate Republican, members of Congress on health care reform. Jonathan Cohn wrote that these tactics represent “classic astroturf organizing, in some cases bankrolled by the health care industry.” The insurance industry is sending staff members to over 30 states to “confront” lawmakers about health care reform. Simultaneously, Cohn writes, the health care industry will use the August recess to “flood the airwaves with ads picking apart reform legislation.” Indeed, AHIP, the lobbying juggernaut for the health insurance industry, has promised to change its tone and begin running negative ads on reform soon.
ThinkProgress sat down today with Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) to discuss efforts by the health insurance industry and the right wing to derail health reform. Asked about the recent ambushes at town halls, Durbin expressed confidence that his “colleagues won’t fall for a sucker-punch like this”:
DURBIN: Well I think members should be out, speaking with the public, meeting with people who are the health care professionals and talking about the current situation. I’ve done it and I’ll continue to do it. But you know, I hope my colleagues won’t fall for a sucker-punch like this. These health insurance companies and people like them are trying to load these town halls for visual impact on television. They want to show thousands of people screaming ‘socialism’ and try to overcome the public sentiment which now favors health care reform. That’s almost like flooding the switchboards on Capitol Hill. It doesn’t prove much other than the switchboards have limited capacity. So, we need to have a much more balanced approach that really allows members of Congress to hear both sides of the story, rather than being sucker-punched or side-tracked by these types of tactics.
The same lobbyist-run groups which orchestrated the tea party protests — Americans for Prosperity, run by a former associate of Jack Abramoff, and FreedomWorks, run by former Republican Majority Leader and current lobbyist Dick Armey — are now pushing to use the August recess as an opportunity to present a guise of public opposition to health care reform. ThinkProgress obtained a leaked memo from Bob MacGuffie, a volunteer with Tea Party Patriots, a website sponsored by Americans for Prosperity and FreedomWorks, that details how members should be infiltrating town halls and harassing Democratic members of Congress. Recommended tactics include: “yell,” “stand up and shout,” and “rattle” lawmakers.
See full memo here: http://thinkprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/townhallactionmemo.pdfThinkProgress reported today on the growing number of angry right-wing activists... more
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This was so sweet!
I'm right there with you, lady!
(sorry this clip is from Faux - it's the only thing up on You Tube at the moment, and the Huff Post media player won't translate on Current... just click the link if you want to see the Huff Post's video on their site)
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During Wednesday's town hall meeting in Ft. Myers, Florida, Obama tried to drum up support for his economic stimulus package. One emotional moment came when an elderly woman, Henrietta Hughes, pleaded for help because she is unemployed and homeless and her struggling to support her family, and Obama promised to do what he could, saying she could speak with his staff after the meeting to speed the process up. He then walked over to her and gave her a kiss.
While the crowd was understandably moved by the exchange, one woman in particular seemed deeply affected. She rises to her feet as soon as Obama comes over, and emphatically mouths the words "I love you, Barack" after he kisses Hughes.This was so sweet!
I'm right there with you, lady!
(sorry this clip is from... more
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This kid was adorable!
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Forget the thrill of Barack Obama's soaring rhetoric during his town hall meeting in Fort Myers, Florida. The real excitement took place in the stands.
Edison State college student Julio Osegueda stole the show when the president called on him to ask the final question at the event.
Osegueda was giddy about getting the chance to speak saying: "It's such a blessing to see you Mr President, thank you for taking time out of your day. Oh, gracious God, thank you so much."
The McDonald's employee went on to ask the president about worker benefits and told the president he is seeking a degree in communications. Osegueda said he hopes to pursue a career as a broadcaster or DJ.
Obama explained his stimulus plan would bring tax breaks and health care reform for labourers such as Osegueda.
Obama offered words of encouragement for the 19-year-old saying: "The fact that you are working as hard as you are working at a job that know doesn't always pay as well as some other jobs, I think that's a source of pride for you."This kid was adorable!
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Forget the thrill of Barack Obama's soaring... more
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Asked for "specific skills" she could cite to rebut critics who question her grasp of international affairs, she replied, "I am prepared."
"I have that confidence. I have that readiness," Palin said. "And if you want specifics with specific policies or countries, you can go ahead and ask me. You can play 'stump the candidate' if you want to. But we are ready to serve."
Asked for "specific skills" she could cite to rebut critics who question her... more
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Every time they ask McCain about his negative ads, he says well if Obama just joined me in my Town Hall meetings. Gues what Obama's smart not to join those town hall meetings because they are pure GOP propagandaEvery time they ask McCain about his negative ads, he says well if Obama just joined... more
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During a town hall event in Portsmouth, OH on Wednesday, John McCain was asked by a member of the audience whether his links to the parent organization of the Project for a New American Century explain why he has been reluctant to support calls for a new investigation of 9/11.
During a town hall event in Portsmouth, OH on Wednesday, John McCain was asked by a... more
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Great analysis of how McCain showed he's a lightweight on economic policy and not such a straight talker at his recent NYC town hall meeting.Great analysis of how McCain showed he's a lightweight on economic policy and not... more
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And the fun part is George Stephanopoulos will host. What a hoot! Will she where an American flag? Is George going to talk about her face lift? This is developing...more later! Is this not the most absurd election since...2004?And the fun part is George Stephanopoulos will host. What a hoot! Will she where an... more
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jimmyp
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added this
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4 years ago
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Control of the nation hangs in the balance between Republicans and Democrats. While the mainstream media and political machines focus on the last laps of the horse race, how do ordinary citizens get their voices heard? Control of the nation hangs in the balance between Republicans and Democrats. While... more
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Update: Community gathers to mourn the victims of the city hall shooting rampage.
A gunman with a history of acrimony against civic leaders stormed City Hall during a council meeting Thursday night, killing two police officers and three city officials before law enforcers fatally shot him, authorities said. The mayor was critically injured in the rampage.
The victims at the meeting in suburban St. Louis were killed after the gunman rushed the council chambers and began firing as he yelled "Shoot the mayor!" according to St. Louis County Police spokeswoman Tracy Panus. Two people were wounded before Kirkwood police fatally shot him, she said.Update: Community gathers to mourn the victims of the city hall shooting rampage.... more
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Hillary Clinton got busted for planting a question with an audience member in Iowa. But there's all kinds of hocus-pocus at "town hall" events.Hillary Clinton got busted for planting a question with an audience member in Iowa.... more
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