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Town Halls Turn to Mayhem for Lawmakers

'Unruly mob' mentality becoming more common at events

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 31, 2009 10:51 AM CDT

(Newser) – Members of Congress are increasingly seeing town-hall meetings turn to bedlam, with people yelling and protesters being pulled out by police, Politico reports. A New York representative who’d hosted more than 100 such meetings has called it quits after a chaotic scene last month that necessitated his departure with a police escort. “There is no point in meeting with my constituents if what is basically an unruly mob prevents you from having an intelligent conversation,” said Rep. Tim Bishop.

He and other House Democrats are facing the brunt of the hostility as they face big concerns like the stimulus, energy, and health care. “I think it’s just the fact that we are dealing with some of the most important public policy issues in a generation,” said an Iowa representative. Expect to see footage in the 2010 races. Adds Republican Pete Sessions: Town hall meetings "where maybe 15 or 20 of your friends show up—they're over."

[Images (2)]

[Videos (1)]

President Barack Obama listens to a question during a town hall meeting on health care in a Kroger supermarket in Bristol, Va., Wednesday, July 29, 2009. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

Rep. Mike Castle, R-Del., was booed by his own constituents at a town hall meeting this summer for saying of President Obama, "He is a citizen of the United States." (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg, File)

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Rep. Tim Bishop encountered angry constituents outside a town hall meeting on June 22. (YouTube)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 16 comments

Snarfeh

Aug 1, 2009 8:40 AM CDT

I had to come back and add this: http://thinkprogress.org/2009/.../ recess-harassment-memo/

Silverbow7

Aug 1, 2009 3:00 AM CDT

It would be helpful if some, not you, of course, would study and read about what is really on the table concerning health care so they could add to this very important discussion rather than worry about how many thumbs down they can get per post. I mean, it makes you sound like a Republican's lap dog.

jemikeos

Jul 31, 2009 10:33 AM CDT

The dems have surely made some mistakes but nobody ever said it would be easy cleaning up W's and the GOP's mess.

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Town Halls Turn to Mayhem for Lawmakers