Posted on 08/22/2009 12:14:54 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Former Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean has been leading the liberal charge on healthcare, and next week he's likely to come face to face with the conservatives who have tripped up the Democrats' August campaign.
Dean is the featured speaker Tuesday night at Democratic Rep. Jim Moran's (Va.) healthcare town hall meeting in Reston. Moran spokesman Austin Durrer said the event has been highlighted on conservative blogs, a fact that has them gearing up for vocal opponents in the audience.
"We're anticipating an organized effort to bring people out," Durer said.
But there won't be any guns. Firearms advocates have created a stir at some town halls by openly carrying handguns and even a semiautomatic rifle. But Moran's town hall will be at a high school auditorium and weapons are banned from school grounds.
The auditorium can hold about 2,700 people.
Town halls have been volatile venues for Democrats throughout August, with lawmakers being shouted down by conservative attendees who are infuriated by the Democrats' healthcare plans.
Dean has been dismissive of the town halls, saying the protests at town halls don't reflect the mood of the country on healthcare.
“The town halls are not about healthcare,” Dean said at the Netroots Nation convention in Pittsburgh earlier this month. “They’re about being angry.”
Dean has also become a thorn in the side of the Obama administration since it floated signals that it might be backing off a government-run insurance option to compete with the private sector. Dean emerged as a critical voice from the liberal wing of the party, saying that health legislation should not pass if it doesn't include such a public option.
And Dean told Huffington Post "there will be primaries" against Democrats who oppose a public option if it fails to pass.
Moran supports a public option, but hasn't gone as far as Dean.
"The congressman's position is that if we don't do a public option, it will be a missed opportunity and something we'll regret," Durrer said.
Dean was scheduled as a speaker before it was known that town halls would be so heavily attended.
"We were hoping to get a big name speaker to draw people to the event," Durrer said.
Attendance is being restricted to residents of Moran's Northern Virginia congressional district, which encompasses the City of Alexandria, Arlington County, Falls Church and parts of Fairfax County including Reston and Tysons Corner. Attendees will be asked to sign in and give their address and email address. Those not from the district will be turned away from the auditorium.
he yeah. Anyone in the area of VA should be at this. I would love to get Dean screaming again. For being a doctor - Dean is a moron. Ron Paul is a doc and he is very sharp as is Tom Coburn.
Moran is my Congressman. What a complete idiot. Typical Marxist. I listened in on his telephone townhall. When it became clear I was going to disagree with him, I was cut off.
I would recommend everyone in the front rows bring umbrellas and raincoats in case his “Yeeeaaaaawwwww’s” get a little juicy. It could be like a Gallagher show.
Jim Moran is a member of the DSA and a socialist.
That FACT should be brought up LOUDLY and OFTEN.
Do NOT let this red MF get away without having to respond to his DSA membership
They misspelled patriots who want to prevent socialism in any form.
Hope that helps.
"We're anticipating an organized effort to bring people out," Durer said.
They misspelled to bus in SEIU Union Thugs to try to beat down anyone who disagrees.
Hope that helps heaps.
lawmakers being shouted down by conservative attendees who are infuriated by the Democrats' healthcare plans.
They misspelled an attempt to socialize healthcare, ration care, outlaw private coverage and set up death panels.
Hoppa dat he'ps heaps.
Dean has been dismissive of the town halls, saying the protests at town halls don't reflect the mood of the country on healthcare.
They misspelled because, as an avowed communist, he'd rather simply kill anyone who disagrees.
Hops dit heapa hepa.
“The town halls are not about healthcare,” Dean said at the Netroots Nation convention in Pittsburgh earlier this month. “They’re about being angry.”.
They misspelled they are a last ditch effort to stave off communist and fascist rule.
Hippa deepa hopa hypa.
These thugs are incredible. Is it hopefully a swing district where this clown could get voted out? Obama is going to bankrupt America this year.
Where is the money going?
And Dean told Huffington Post “there will be primaries” against Democrats who oppose a public option if it fails to pass.
And there will be politicians unemployed if it does pass.
Well Dean is right about 1 Thing ,These town halls are not about Health Care and neither is any of the Legislation ,its all about Government control of every aspect of our lives
(snort lol)
There will definitely be Freepers there.
I’m in Reston and planning to be there. Probably won’t be able to get in, but hang out with whomever is outside.
We have an Acorn Community Organization down the street in the City of Alexandria, for heavens' sake. The largest number of voters here, are right down the street at an elementary school, loaded with activists for the left.
And if you aren't convinced, there are at least 2 vintage VW vans in the neighborhood, someone with a Code Pink bumper sticker...
I've also heard about folks from DC coming to vote over here, but I don't know if that's true.
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