Stormy Weather Back in the District...

Members of Congress in many districts are running into angry hecklers at the usually staid 'Town Hall Meetings" that have become a fixture of recess trips back to the places they represent. It started with that much watched "birther" confrontation, but has since spread to the health insurance issue. But there are allegations the shoutfests are not evidence of actual grassroots anger, but instead are being orchestrated by lobbying forces that oppose the president's health care reform initiative. "Astroturf" is what Speaker Nancy Pelosi calls them. Whatever they are, they are rewriting the playbook of the events. One North Carolina Congressman says he received a death threat. Others are questioning the value of holding the public meeting in the first place. And a journalism expert is suggesting reporters pay more attention to the sessions, but he says they must examine the claims being made by the protesters, not just show the shouting. But you know TV. There's even a "Memo" explaining how to use the town hall events to your own advantage. And it's true, a handful of well-positioned, loud protesters can fairly easily take over a meeting and make it appear there is increasing opposition to legislation. Here in red-state Alabama, where even the Democrats in Congress lean right, there probably won't be much protesting. Why bother? Even Rep. Artur Davis says he opposes the health care reform legislation. Seems like just yesterday that Davis was one of a chosen few invited to a White House Super Bowl party with the President. At the time, Davis' spokesman told a reporter the Congressman would be supporting the underdog, whichever team that might be during the game. Which side is the underdog in health care? The insurance companies, or the uninsured? [UPDATE: TPM has obtained a guidebook for pro-Obama/Public Option Health care folks (HCAN) to follow in countering demonstrations. Interestingly, they refer to themselves as "grassroots" but again, seems a bit too polished and organized to be a true grassroots effort, if there even is such a thing anymore.] [UPDATE: Apparently Rep. Parker Griffith isn't Blue enough. NPR covered a forum he held in which 150 or so demonstrators showed up. Listen to their report here.]