In the military, there is a saying related to assaulting a hardened position - don't piss on 'em, give 'em the boot! Well, I just got back from Wally Herger's town hall in Redding, CA. To clarify, Northern California contains some of the reddest territory anywhere, not just in CA. Since we are home to Simpson University, a evangelical Christian college, we get fundamentalists from all over the country, as well as our homegrown variety of whackos.
Anyway, after spending an hour and a half listening to the same old worn out Republican talking points, imagine my joy and excitement in hearing the CNN report about Dems going it alone. More on the flip...
First, let me give the low down on this town hall. It was originally located at a City of Redding owned facility, but then the venue was changed to Simpson University's gym. Since Simpson is a known conservative landmark in our area, I knew this meeting was going to suck from my perspective. I was right. I arrived nearly an hour before the event was scheduled to start and the front blocks of seats were already taken by the teabaggers. The teabaggers were handing out their material at the front entrance, the secessionists and tax protesters were out in full force as well.
To give Wally his props, he didn't prescreen questions but, on the other hand, this wasn't so much a town hall as it was a right-wing circle jerk. He did give a short comment about disagreeing without being disagreeable to throw a bone to those of us who were there who weren't conservatives. In the hour I was there of actual Q & A, he had only responded to five questions and the line to speak was packed with the wingers. Except for a section of about 50 people, the balance of the attendees were obviously conservative and the chances of anyone else getting a chance to talk was nil.
The one comment Wally made that I found very interesting was he admitted that the Democratic majorities in the House and the Senate could pretty much pass anything they want regardless of Republican opposition. He said that only massive public outcry could change that political equation. Annoyingly, he also was supportive of the self-identified "right wing terrorist" who claimed Obama was a tyrant who needed to be removed from office no later than next month. The other interesting observation I made - and this is pure opinion on my part - Rep. Herger seemed to be acting a bit like a man whistling in the dark. I think he knows what the real score is on this issue and really didn't want the people attending to know how screwed the Republicans really are now and for the foreseeable future.
Now, about that boot... like many here on DK, I called the White House after the Sebelius comment to express my support for the public option and my disapproval of the apparent "wishy washy"ness of the Administration's conduct. I said that as a loyal Obama supporter in Red territory and I didn't appreciate members of his administration doing things that undermine my ability to influence my more conservative neighbors. I was pissed off about the whole situation, so I also said he was looking weak out here in the real world and if he didn't get those blue dog Democrats under control, it was going to cost him support. I said Bush did whatever he wanted with much narrower majorities, and Bush isn't half the man Obama is - so quit screwing around. This is what i call "giving 'em the boot" - sometimes you have to do it to your own side to move things along. I suspect that collectively, we gave the White House a major wake-up call. Now, it's time to give the boot to the Republicans - time to let them know they can either play nice with others or they can stand in the corner and let the rest of us take care of business.
"An old gold miner was about to retire and decided to sell his entire mining rig to a tenderfoot who was looking to take up the trade. Included in the miner's gear was a pack mule. Now the old miner told the newby that the mule was so well trained, all he had to was whisper what he wanted the mule in the mule's ear and the mule would do it. So the newby gives a try and, sure enough, the mule does what he was told. So the miner and the newby close the deal and go their separate ways.
About a week later, the newby hunts up the old miner and complains that the mule isn't doing what he tells he to do anymore. Naturally, he's irate, but the old miner calms him down and asks him where the mule is. "Over at the saloon's hitching post" the newby tells him. The miner calmly picks up a stout piece of wood, goes over to the mule and clobbers the mule between the eyes. He then whispers in the mule's ear and the mule lifts a hoof and the mule and the miner shake hands. The newby asks why the miner hit the mule with piece of wood then shook hands. The old miner tells "Well, sometimes you have to get their attention first. The hand shank is to let 'em know your not holding a grudge."
Anyway, I hope this was enlightening and enjoyable for all of you.