Had to leave Steve Cohen's Town Hall meeting in Memphis this morning because the room was so crowded that, despite air conditioning, I was feeling faint. I asked the very old, very frail man beside me - father of a physician who bravely spoke up for single payer - if I could help him leave too (1.5 hours into it), and he said, "No, thanks - I'm going to stay and get in trouble!" And he had indeed been talking right back - in a fragile but fervent whisper - to the loud-lunged bullies behind us.
Here are a couple of quick, random observations.
1 - Steve did a great job of framing the meeting. He started by introducing his staff, DC and local people, and we pledged allegiance. His local chief of staff did some public bonding and asked for mutual respect and listening (already clearly a futile request). After a quick summary of his recent work, Steve had about 10 local physicians speak for supposedly 1 min. each, stating their perspectives (they had not been prescreened but had responded to an earlier call for volunteers.). He clearly loves his district, and spoke up clearly and forcefully for process; he had smart, fact-based answers when Q&A time came (questions were submitted in writing on the way in, and read by a staff member, but selection seemed unbiased.) He made it clear that he had opposed having the uniformed police patrolling the crowd, but had no choice in that. My only criticism - the PA system was terrible, so even when he succeeded in quieting the crowd, it was hard to understand the speakers.
2 - Memphis is not known for clear thinking or public participation or even good will, but the belligerence, impatience, and moranity of the crowd was impressive if not scary (although some people, did, weirdly, quiet down if you just said "please," quietly.) Shouted, irrelevant interruptions came from the left as well as from the right. The crowd was about 3/4 white, 1/4 black, and although most blacks seemed to be for health care reform, there did not seem to be any racial antagonism - just political. On the way in, I chatted with 3 well-dressed professional men, who were not overtly partisan, but began to distance themselves once I mentioned some Obama appointments. On the other hand, when I left, I got into a great conversation with a guy in the parking lot who runs a right wing "news site." We agreed that it may have been a mistake to let Congress draft the bill, and to insist that such a bill pass this year.
3 - To me, one thing this whole teabagging phenomenon demonstrates is the failure of our educational system - in Memphis, nationally, public, private. If it had been accomplishing what is needed to sustain our democratic process, we as citizens would share some appreciation for dialogue, would have developed some curiosity and listening skills, would have patience and experience in working through political issues like health care reform. I get into such conversations often with people here one on one, and while it may not change any minds, at least it's good practice if you get a chance to speak at a town hall meeting. But as is, too many people rich and poor, educated or not, seem equally uninclined to make any effort beyond scratching that political itch, and showing off their lung power. Not just in Memphis, either.
But bravo, Steve Cohen. I am just so proud to be represented by him.