Town hall opposition over the Republican budget and changes to Medicare coalesced Tuesday, with freshman members in Florida facing hostile crowds and the architect of the proposal, Budget Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.)., also having to defend his plan as he crisscrossed his district.
Liberal groups helped organize some of the protests to several of the more vulnerable Republicans heading into 2012.
Liberal groups helped organize some of the protests to several of the more vulnerable Republicans heading into 2012.
Two of the Sunshine State first-term Republicans, Reps. Daniel Webster and Allen West, are likely to face competitive reelection challenges, and the budget and Medicare debates are likely to be a central issue, especially in senior-heavy Florida.
West's town hall in Fort Lauderdale was interrupted by hecklers, one of whom shouted at the beginning of his remarks "How about our Medicare that you're stealing?" The Palm Beach Postreports that that West took written questions submitted before the meeting, prompting another man to yell out that questions should be allowed from the audience. Former Air America radio host Nicole Sandler, was among those protesters, and was led out by police and later arrested for "trespassing after warning."
West, for his part, seemed undeterred, saying, "I'm going to tell you this...You're not going to intimidate me," and said the format wasn't intended to avoid questions. "I don't duck," said West.
Webster was interrupted at an Orlando town hall by "critics that included members of progressive groups such as MoveOn.org and Organize Now," according to the Orlando Sentinel. His presentation using a series of charts was peppered with shouts of "Liar," although some yelled back "Let him talk." Webster beat liberal grassroots favorite, Democrat Alan Grayson, last year, but had trouble raising money since elected, bringing in only $30,000 for the first quarter. Ryan himself also faced tough questions and even had to move several of his town halls to bigger venues, and still even had overflow crowds. Politico's Jennifer Haberkorn noted that "some constituents applauded him for his courage to tackle economic problems but others expressed concern about what the Medicare changes would do -- to themselves or their grandchildren." Ryan faces political risk in proposing the plan and Democrats are already targeting his seat in 2012. His swing district voted for Obama in 2008, although Ryan himself has never faced a tough challenge. He's already got a challenger for next year, in businessman Rob Zerban, who Democrats have been touting. Other Republicans have also faced tough questions back home this congressional recess. A link to some of the recaps is available after the jump. Rep. Chris Gibson (R-N.Y.) Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) Rep. Sean Duffy (R-Wis.) Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.) Rep. Lou Barletta (R-Pa.) Rep. Charlie Bass (R-N.H.) Rep. Wally Herger (R-Calif.) Rep. Bobby Schilling (R-Ill.) Rep. Patrick Meehan (R-Pa.)
http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/hotlineoncall/2011/04/town-halls-gone-wild-27
West's town hall in Fort Lauderdale was interrupted by hecklers, one of whom shouted at the beginning of his remarks "How about our Medicare that you're stealing?" The Palm Beach Postreports that that West took written questions submitted before the meeting, prompting another man to yell out that questions should be allowed from the audience. Former Air America radio host Nicole Sandler, was among those protesters, and was led out by police and later arrested for "trespassing after warning."
West, for his part, seemed undeterred, saying, "I'm going to tell you this...You're not going to intimidate me," and said the format wasn't intended to avoid questions. "I don't duck," said West.
Webster was interrupted at an Orlando town hall by "critics that included members of progressive groups such as MoveOn.org and Organize Now," according to the Orlando Sentinel. His presentation using a series of charts was peppered with shouts of "Liar," although some yelled back "Let him talk." Webster beat liberal grassroots favorite, Democrat Alan Grayson, last year, but had trouble raising money since elected, bringing in only $30,000 for the first quarter. Ryan himself also faced tough questions and even had to move several of his town halls to bigger venues, and still even had overflow crowds. Politico's Jennifer Haberkorn noted that "some constituents applauded him for his courage to tackle economic problems but others expressed concern about what the Medicare changes would do -- to themselves or their grandchildren." Ryan faces political risk in proposing the plan and Democrats are already targeting his seat in 2012. His swing district voted for Obama in 2008, although Ryan himself has never faced a tough challenge. He's already got a challenger for next year, in businessman Rob Zerban, who Democrats have been touting. Other Republicans have also faced tough questions back home this congressional recess. A link to some of the recaps is available after the jump. Rep. Chris Gibson (R-N.Y.) Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) Rep. Sean Duffy (R-Wis.) Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.) Rep. Lou Barletta (R-Pa.) Rep. Charlie Bass (R-N.H.) Rep. Wally Herger (R-Calif.) Rep. Bobby Schilling (R-Ill.) Rep. Patrick Meehan (R-Pa.)
http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/hotlineoncall/2011/04/town-halls-gone-wild-27