Senator McCaskill's town hall ended about 2 hours ago, and the crowd was very angry from the start on both sides of the issue. The crowd leaned more con health care reform than pro, however it is always hard to measure because at most of these events the pro side seems to be more reserved.
The event started with the con health care side being fairly rowdy, and did not want to accept the style of the forum. Questions were taken before the event and put in fish bowls. Two people, from the con side, were selected to draw out questions. Senator McCaskill did an excellent job of soothing the crowd, telling them "you are making me bring out my mother voice." Senator McCaskill did call for decorum, and she wanted all sides to speak on the issue. Senator McCaskill even said that she thought no ones thoughts were contrived. The senator stood on that position even when a man asked a question that was obviously scripted and probably from a lobbying group. The con side of the issue continually wanted the forum to be more of an open mic format instead of the pre written question. Senator McCaskill stood by her guns, and the style of the forum. The forum did wonder off into a few side issues including cash for clunkers, government spending, and the stimulus package. The Senator answered the questions but always brought the issue back to health care. Senator McCaskill unfortunately had to sooth the crowd a bit which is why I suspect she allowed a few detours into other issues. I would approximate 20 minutes were spent on other issues the town hall. The town hall hit it's crescendo when a woman who arrived late brought a pro Obama sign into the field house. Some of the con health care, and I would say it is fair to say con the current administration booed and got upset over the sign. No signs were allowed in to the event, nor umbrellas, probably a good idea. I suspect because the woman was an hour late the sign went by undetected by the staff. A skirmish broke out between the woman with the sign and one man from the con side. The Police department, who did an excellent job I might add, quickly escorted both parties out of the field house. Senator McCaskill quickly chided the audience saying that if the noise level wasn't kept down, and people remain calm that no one's voice would be heard. The Senator also chided the news media telling them these are the type of incidents they are showing as oppose to the real content and intent of the meeting. After the incident the con health care side seemed to settle down, I suspect because they got their red meat as well as a large portion of pro health care people didn't put up with the lies coming from some in the audience. There seemed to be small group discussions going on as well as the larger session of the Senator speaking. The event ended with a few tea party protesters outside as the crowd exited; tea party members who did not even attend the meeting so I don't know how they even know what they were protesting. I think a reactionary stance is all the tea party group understands. However, I do believe by the end of the meeting some of the con side did take into consideration the information presented by Senator McCaskill. I don't know that it changed their mind, but I believe the crowd was starting to understand the Senators sincerity with respect to the issues. The senator even said that if she wasn't re-elected she could live with that. Baby steps, baby steps.
Update great quote over on http://www.showmeprogress.com "...This can't be about who's the loudest." Great quote from McCaskill.
Update 2 Claire's Secret Weapon http://www.stltoday.com/...
Update 3Sweet Reason and the Savage Breast. http://blog.showmeprogress.com/...