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Mob Rule: Gordon Agrees to Hold Town Hall Meetings
Update: Gordon decides to hold town hall meetings after all.
This August congressional recess is like a wrestlemania match, isn't it? Health-care reform foes won the first round by generating crowds to shout down congressmen at town hall meetings. Rush Limbaugh and the rest of the talk radio clowns were gleefully marveling at the overwhelming opposition to socialized medicine. But then the media painted these crowds as ignorant and rude and bent on preventing civil discourse. Round Two goes to the libtards. Now, it's Round Three, and it looks like the Republicans might climb back into the ring.
The National Republican Congressional Committee has been peppering reporters with emails demanding stories about Democrats who are refusing to hold town hall meetings. John Tanner, Jim Cooper and Bart Gordon all fall into that category. So far, the Jackson Sun and the Lebanon Democrat have run editorials. A sampling:
The Sun: "There is no excuse for our longtime representative failing to face people in person at town hall meetings...Tanner, indeed, is not publicly facing his constituents despite a nearly monthlong congressional recess that finds him back in his district. How does a congressman spend a month at home and not hold face-to-face meetings with the public? That is part of his job...We're OK with telephone meetings when a representative is in Washington, but not when he is home in Union City."
The Democrat: "Nearly a week into Congress' annual August recess, U.S. Reps. Bart Gordon and Jim Cooper, both of whom represent parts of Wilson County, have yet to release an appearance schedule - or even schedule when they are going to release a schedule. This is inexcusable. While we recognize that Congressmen have the right to unwind - especially after the numerous legislative battles of the current session. We also hope they recognize that their constituents have the right to discuss their concerns with their elected representatives."
But why isn't anyone criticizing Tennessee's Republicans for failing to meet the public? According to the Family Action Council, which checked with all our members of Congress and sent an email to its supporters afterward, no Republican from this state has scheduled a town meeting either.
Update: Republicans demand a denunciation from Tanner for that other guy's "brownshirts" crack. "This is not a game," Tanner replies. Also see Channel 5.
Update II: The Daily News Journal calls for Gordon to meet the people. "To be sure, security would have to be heavy. But using telecommunications alone presents an impersonal way of doing business and makes it appear as if Gordon is trying to hide from the people who voted him into office."
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