Frank Rumbles With Town Hall Wacko

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama took the stage in New Hampshire today to set the record straight about Democratic health care reform efforts. Though the crowd was all applause, Obama took on the raucous protests that have characterized recent town halls. “Let's disagree over things that are real, not these wild misrepresentations,” he said, laughing off rumors that the government would set up “death panels that will basically pull the plug on Grandma.” More»

Rachel Brown, who Frank famously shot down, running against him

(NEWSER) - When a town hall protester asked Barney Frank why he supported a “Nazi” health care plan last summer, Frank became YouTube-famous for replying, “On what planet do you spend most of your time?” Now, that town hall protester is spending her time running against Frank in the Democratic primary, pledging to end all bailouts and—you cannot make this stuff up—colonize Mars. More»

He needs to make a 'clear statement,' quickly

(NEWSER) - The fate of health care reform is going to be decided in the next 48 hours, and with it the fate of the Democratic party. The only hope now of getting the bill through is for the House to bite the bullet and quickly pass the Senate bill, revising it with later legislation, says Talking Points Memo editor Josh Marshall . More»

Other media outlets need to highlight 'propaganda:' Boehlert

(NEWSER) - “Fox News has exited the journalism community this year,” Eric Boehlert writes. “It's a purely political player,” which would be all well and good if other media outlets would just report that. As it stands, Fox goes happily about its “propaganda” while hiding behind the “façade of journalism,” created by the real press. Journalists are starting to call out the organization as an “opposition party,” but too many “naively” uphold a “gentleman’s agreement” whose time is long passed. More»

Health care reform advocates look to Obama '08 playbook

(NEWSER) - Obama supporters will try to recapture the energy of his presidential campaign with a two-week health care reform push featuring a bus tour, rallies, and more than 2,000 house parties. Organizing for America, the network of Obama supporters now run by the Democratic National Committee, aims to show lawmakers that the raucous town halls of previous weeks don't represent the majority of Americans who, want to see health care expanded. More»