Protesters, supporters send messages to Obama (Portsmouth town hall today)

Seacoastonline dot com ^ | 8/11/2009 | Elizabeth Dinan

[markomalley]

Six hours before President Barack Obama was scheduled to pitch his plans for health care reform at the city's high school, protesters and supporters were already standing roadside waving flags and holding signs with messages both pro and con.

At 7 a.m. Tuesday, the parking lot at the shuttered movie theater off the Route 1 Bypass was filling quickly with protesters putting finishing touches on signs, or waving at passing commuters. The crowd there was exclusively opposed to the president's health care reform policies, while a group at the intersection\ of Middle and South streets held signs in support of the president.

In front of the high school, Police Chief David "Lou" Ferland stood by an unmarked cruiser with its emergency lights activated to ensure no one gained entry until ticket holders and the media are allowed access at 10 a.m. Nearby, a woman sat under a tree with a sign announcing she needs health care reform "now." Within hours it is likely she will be telling her story to the national media.

Obama is expected to arrive at Pease International Airport at 12:25 p.m. and arrive at the high school at 1 p.m. Ticket holders will not be allowed into the high school until after 11 a.m..

Police said Monday that the largest group expected to arrive in the city for the president's visit is comprised of members from the national Democratic party. Anticipated protesters are expected to include representative from the Tea Party Coalition, Steward of Prosperity, Coalition of NH Taxpayers, Cornerstone Policy Research, Granite State Patriots, GraniteGrok, NH Liberty Alliance, Citizens Leadership NH, Granite State Taxpayers, NH Health Care for America Now and Seacoast Freedom Network.

[markomalley]

Unfortunately, none of the protesters will be inside. But at least the local media appear to be acknowledging the dissent.

[jennyjenny]

Anybody watching Spector town hall live on Fox making a fool of himself? What a joke.

[Tarpon]

Room filled with adulating brain dead SEIU supporters. Did they hand out the questions with the tickets?

[cblue55]

The voices from the “Mob” are right on - Specter is pathetic.

[AliVeritas]

Exactly.

FYI

Add this to your reading (also good link in comments re: Manly Rash site):

http://hotair.com/archives/2009/08/11/questions-for-your-health-care-town-hall-secs-122-124/

FYI, something just happened at an Arlen Spector event per participant/Beck... details to follow.

Guy pushes anti-healthcare guy in the back, telling him to sit down and shut up etc.. (wow, I remember that tactic in brownshirt thuggery/diamond distraction on relevent questions). It’s said Arlen to his credit calms it down.

We will see. Now answering questions on abortion coverage.

[tired&retired]

Members of Congress and many federal employees will be exempt and will continue to enjoy the extensive and luxurious health-care plan they have now (Section 3116).

I’m a pretty good negotiator in nasty divorce settlements. Usually this is due to my looking at the reverse of every offer and counter offer. The best tactic is to agree with the other parties offer as fair and reverse the recipients. If it’s fair for one it is fair for the other.

We need to start pushing for this health care plan and have it set up for government employees (and unions) as a pilot plan. I remember Obummer saying that the american people should have a plan just like congress!

[wilco200]

Disgrace that actual NH constituents can not get in or ask questions - just bus loads of DNC/ACORN/SEIU thugs.

You though the “beer summit” was a contrived photo op... this is going to be more pathetic.

Hopefully, enough Patriots can show up and not back down.

[M. Dodge Thomas]

Supposedly, 70% of the tickets were distributed by lottery.

The sorts of questions asked will be a good indicator if this was the case.

[4Speed]

Ping

[mojitojoe]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dsGp1VbGbk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNWiPWPZ0MU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uBIovJVUik
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hotUL4Lm1bg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka4ZY0dDVXk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka4ZY0dDVXk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmL28T8xAbQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdqIb3-M9QY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2jMAv3Twgs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbOw8NmTpec
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvdaX35_Bhc