Angry Mobs or Concerned Citizens? DNC Calls Out GOP for Town Hall Protests

2 years ago

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Woman Up Editor

From the YouTube account of "DemsRapidResponse" comes this video produced by the Democratic National Committee to counter what it calls "mobs" assembled by "high level Republican operatives" (cue images of Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh and GOP House Minority Leader John Boehner) and demonstrations taken from the playbook of "the right wing extremist Republican base."

Instead of descending on castles with pitchforks, disorderly crowds have been storming some of the town hall meetings of members of Congress, and hanging the occasional representative in effigy. During the August recess, Democratic members have been holding events in their districts to educate constituents about health care reform. To torpedo support for legislation expected to be voted on this fall, protesters feigning "grass roots" origin (but of uncertain recruitment history) have been disrupting the events, the DNC says. It claims the GOP and its allies have coordinated the troublemaking behavior.

The video also appears as a paid ad in several key television markets.

Calling the accusations "a remarkable example of callousness," the Republican National Committee decries the DNC disparagement of "millions of American families, small business owners, doctors, veterans, seniors." These are not "angry extremists," but citizens with "real and serious concerns." The RNC's Michael Steele called the Democratic charges "baloney."

Notwithstanding these "real and serious concerns," however, a strategist's leaked memo recently revealed some "best practices" for heckling members of Congress. According to the communication, critics "need to rock-the-boat early in the Rep's presentation. Watch for an opportunity to yell out and challenge."

Filed Under: Democrats, Republicans, Health Care, Woman Up

Tagged: democratic national committee, DemocraticNationalCommittee, health care, HealthCare, protests, republican national committee, RepublicanNationalCommittee, top stories, TopStories, town hall, TownHall, youtube

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