These are "Tea Party" folks. Following the advice they have received on the Internet, they are finding their voices in public forums like this. I would guess that Congressmen are not used to being laughed at and challenged by members of the audience in these forums. Right now they are trying to determine if these are few malcontents or if it's more than that.
The point is that it does not take a majority to make a movement. The majority in any society is always going to be busy with other things. But they may well be sympathetic ... the sea in which the activists swim.
There are a few predictions that I would make:
(1) Congressmen will try to get their supporters out to these meetings to drown out the dissenters; to clap and cheer at the right time.
(2) There may well be fewer "town hall" type meetings as government officials try to figure out how to cope.
(3) There will be more "tea party" types getting going to these meetings with video equipment as the word spreads.
(4) There will be attempts by the Left to reclaim their role as leaders in "street theater" leading to verbal and perhaps physical clashes.
I will say that it's refreshing to learn that the Right can do activism. Success will feed on itself.
Here's one reaction from a congressman that's being repeated all over the country: calling the cops. Perriello’s office calls police to halt health care rally
More than sixty concerned United States citizens and residents of Virginia’s 5th Congressional District gathered in the parking lot immediately outside Democrat Congressman Tom Perriello’s Charlottesville office today. Organized by Bill Hay and the Jefferson Area Tea Party, the rally’s purpose was to allow attendees a forum in which to express their concerns over the prospect of nationalized/socialized medicine directly to Congressman Perriello (who chose not to attend), or in close proximity to his office.
...
Approximately forty minutes into the event, Charlottesville police were called to the parking lot area. Unconfirmed reports from the scene tie at least one of the complaining phone calls directly to Congressman Tom Perriello’s office staff. While the attending police officers (professionally and politely) compelled the gathered crowd to disperse, rally attendees grumbled at the prospect of their own congressman’s office terminating their first amendment, free speech protest. A protest that was peaceful and non-invasive in contrast to prior leftist assaults on the office of former 5th District Congressman, Virgil Goode.
WELCOME INSTAPUNDIT READERS: Here's my Palin prediction.
... and a comment on Walter Cronkite.
Thanks for the links.
8 comments:
Don't kid yourself - those townhalls are already packed with supporters. The difference is there are now some people that aren't astroturfed coalitions speaking for the press conference.
I couldn't make Carnahan's townhall, but listened to the live stream. 4 out of 5 speakers were plants with speeches, not average citizens. It's why it was planned for 8-10 in the morning on a Monday.
They just didn't expect us. And the Left really has to work at coming out with counter protest. Paid union leaders and community organizers just aren't that good at rallying crowds this far out when they're in power. They never really were that many of them - but now with the new media exposing them, the print media can't pretend there are more of them than us.
Look at the healthcare rallies. They already tried counter protests.
TO: Jim Durbin, et al.
RE: It's Called....
The point is that it does not take a majority to make a movement. The majority in any society is always going to be busy with other things. But they may well be sympathetic … the sea in which the activists swim. -- Jim Durbin
....the Principle of the Few and was used quite successfully in the start of the Russian Revolution in 1917.
You can read about it in volume 1 of this two-book set.
Regards,
Chuck(le)
[Oxymoron: Soviet Life.]
I like that, so-called "tea party types." well, since I did in fact go to a tea party july 4th, and did in fact interview over 100 people at one of these events, I can attest that every single one of them except one had never been politically active before. there were even democrats at this event. the point here is that the media and the democrats can try to dismiss the "tea party types" all they want, but the more the spending increases the louder the voices will be. people are sick of it.
I didn't watch the video, but did anyone ask him anything adversarial and substantive? You know, that whole intellectual, lawyerly thing I've heard about? Or, was it the standard mob of angry ranters?
I believe the only question needs to be asked is: If the plan is so good, why aren't you Congressman in it? (The question was asked, Carnahan did not answer.)
Additional questions:
Why should taxpayers, your employers, pay extra to cover you on a different health plan? Why isn't Obamacare good enough for you?
Chuck Pelto:
Please shut up.
Your contribution to the discussion is equivalent to the contribution of a mobile home to a rainstorm.
In all of the time I've seen your comments, you've never actually added anything substantial to the conversation. All you seem to be able to do is to treat your fellow commenters as anonymous mail recipients.
Hey, Anonymous 11:32: Eat my shorts!
Gee, I sure wish Lonewacko spent as much time following his advice as he does giving it. LEAD BY EXAMPLE!
Or at least quit spamming everywhere. We get it -- you hate the tea parties. Apparently they're not worth it unless they follow your script.
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