MA Folks: Sen Kerry Town Hall Mtg Wed in Somerville

[TayTay]

Ah,given that the good Senitah has attracted his share of "crazies" (quite a bit more than his fair share actually) I am a bit wary of this. But deep kudos to Kerry for doing this.

*09/02/2009 Senator Kerry Town Hall Meeting in Somerville*
Wednesday, September 2, 7:30 - 9 PM
Somerville High School Auditorium, 81 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA
All are welcome.

Oy Vey. Anyone wanna go?

[TayTay]

1. BTW, ahm, geez, this is going to be hard

I mean this has to have been a really, really difficult week for Senator Kerry and his family. The loss of his friend and colleague has obviously been hard on the good Senator from MA. I really, really, really hope this Town Hall is not a shout-fest. I know that public service means you take it as you find it, but geez, I really, really hope this one isn't a magnet for the crazies.

[MBS]

3. I hadn't heard about this at all, so thanks for telling us

I probably won't be able to go, though-- my plans could change, but, as of now, it's not looking good..

Please report to us, and Taytay and Luftmensch, please hold the banner high for sanity!

[Luftmensch067]

2. I got a call about this last week and have been planning to attend

Since Teddy's death, I have been thinking that this will be an entirely different occasion for Senator Kerry than it was going to be. I agree, I hope attendees will bear that in mind and be respectful of what's going on in our state right now.

I have noticed that publicity about this has been ramping up very gradually -- I got the call from JK's office last week, but it wasn't until this week that Organizing For America sent out an e-mail listing it along with a few other related events. I'm guessing people are trying to keep it low-key to keep the crazies at a minimum. We'll see if it works...

I've been telling friends about it and have a few people set to attend, and I told the nurses and other people at Harvard Vanguard in Somerville yesterday -- figured they might have an opinion or two to air!

JK didn't have to do this and I am so grateful to him for wanting to. I know it will be an amazing discussion.

Hope to see some of you there!

[karynnj]

4. That actually seems a great way to get the news out to supporters first

I agree with you that Kennedy's death does change what this is significantly. I noticed that Blue Mass had a thread - mostly complaining it wasn't on his web site and whining. They had a thread around the time Thorne was sworn in demanding to know why Kerry had no town halls - led by a few familiar user ids.

I think it is great that he is doing this and I hope they can keep obnoxious people under control. If there are any undecided people still listening it might help.

[beachmom]

6. I guess I disagree that "he didn't have to do this". Um, yes he does.

I realize town halls have been no fun this summer, and in general not fun for JK ever, AND the loss of Teddy is weighing him down. But as the Senator of Mass., constituents deserve and have the right to talk to their Senator, especially given how big health care reform is in affecting people's lives.

Of course, on a personal level, I wish he could lay low for a few weeks to grieve, but that is not the job he agreed to. And in this job, during August recess, he needs to do a town hall meeting. It's not ideal right now, but it's his job.

I look forward to your report of the meeting.

[Luftmensch067]

7. Because he's John Kerry

Yes, he had to, and he is. What I meant was that many senators might choose not to. I'm glad he's not one of them.

I also disagree that JK might not find town hall meetings fun. I think he really enjoys them! As we all know, he totally shines when it comes to Q&A. And he loves the whole concept of the essence of democracy being people who speak their mind, speak truth to power!

[karynnj]

8. Neither Menendez or Lautenberg have a scheduled event to my knowledge

I don't know if either has ever done a town meeting. They have had local events when campaigning for themselves or others.

[Inuca]

5. I hope it be civil and respectful

I watched the Moran + Dean townhall the other day (the evening Teddy... :cry:), and it was mostly horrible. Booing Dean when his name was mentioned, before he said a single word (and for those of you who did not see or read about it, Dean was very good when he was eventually able to speak, some really interesting stuff, and no, I have never been a Dean major fan, but I think he is smart and his heart is in the right place), and Moran did not have much easier either. Plus the Terry Randall (right name?) episode that you probably heard about that was absolutely disgusting ("Howard Dean is a baby killer!"). Dean kept his cool and even sense of humor throughout all this, but Moran was clearly very annoyed and not completely in control.

Anyway, I did not mean to wander into an account of that meeting :blush:, just to wish that JK's meeting will in no way resemble this one. Did somebody mention that he is still on crutches? I guess I will find out tonight...

[fedupinBushcountry]

11. I watched the Moran, Dean townhall

yesterday and although it was horrible in the way you say, IMO it made the repubs look stupid. Howard Dean was very good and informative. I really liked his explanation of why some counties have universal healthcare and we do not.

P.S. It's Randall Terry and what a complete moron he is.

[ObamaKerryDem]

9. I hope they show this on CSPAN..hopefully a live feed! :)

[benny05]

10. oh jeepers

Rox63 and I have casted our votes at that school, seems like it was only yesterday instead of 13 years ago.

I'm pleased to see Sen Kerry taking a stand.

[wisteria]

12. An interesting time for all I am sure. Please keep me informed on the outcome. n/t

[Blaukraut]

13. Bluemassgroup doing a live thread on this:

http://bluemassgroup.org/diary/16721/live-at-the-kerry-town-hall-meeting


Follow along!

[ProSense]

14. Thanks.

That was great. I posted JK's response on a public option here

[wisteria]

15. Thanks for the live link! A very civil debate. n/t

[TayTay]

16. Video clip on NECN.com

http://www.necn.com/Boston/Politics/2009/09/02/Sen-Kerry-takes-lead-on/1251941624.html

No a/c at this hall apparently, so a shirt-sleeved Senitah.

[wisteria]

17. Thanks for the video. He should be pleased it went so well. n/t

[Blaukraut]

18. Judging by the BMG live thread it went pretty well n/t

[TayTay]

19. There was a comment in there about single payer

Apparently it did not come up much in the discussion and neither did an endorsement or denial of it.

I didn't think single payer was before the Senate Finance Committee this time round. Single payer will come to an actual vote in the House, but that is not on the agenda for any committee or floor vote, as far as I know.

BTW, I felt the urgent need to go read the http://senate.gov/reference/reference_index_subjects/Rules_and_Procedure_vrd.htm">Rules of the Senate this week and research more on reconciliation. It is a complicated process. But I think the chances that this health care reforms will go through in a hybrid stand alone/reconciliation process are much higher now than when the Senate recessed in August. There is a http://wikileaks.org/wiki/Category:Congressional_Research_Service">wikileaks site that has the various CRS reports on Senate rules and procedures as well that is probably a small preview, for people like me, of what heaven could be like.

[Blaukraut]

20. Ack, my eyeballs just fell out over the wikileaks site

but seriously, if it is at all possible, I do hope they go the split bill route here. From what I've read, ironically, a strong public option would have the best chance to make it through reconciliation because of the cost savings. We'll have to see, but I'm still holding out hope that we will get one. Otherwise it will just be a huge grab fest for the insurance companies. Their stocks are already poised to go up at the idea of mandated coverage.

[karynnj]

21. I haven't looked aT Blue Mass yet, but if they weren't in an uproar, it went amzingly well

many usually criticize first - without even thinking.

[ObamaKerryDem]

23. I am so pleased it went well! Were any of you there? :)

Good to know a civil, rational, fact based discussion was able to be had, without too much wingnut activity. By all accounts, the Senator seemed on top of his game. I think Teddy would be proud. :)

[beachmom]

22. Really good article in the Globe:

http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/somerville/2009/09/mostly_friendly_crowd_greets_k.html

Mostly Friendly Crowd greets Kerry at Somerville town hall

By Travis Andersen, Town Correspondent

Senator John F. Kerry said at his Town Hall meeting on Wednesday night that millions of Americans would lose their jobs in the next five years - among other calamities - if Congress does nothing to change the nation's health care system.

He addressed a mostly friendly crowd of about 2,800 at Somerville High School. Spectators packed the auditorium and gymnasium to hear his pitch for national health care reform.

"We cannot continue to be the only developed country in the world that does not cover everybody," the Massachusetts Democrat said to enthusiastic applause in his opening remarks.

If the uninsured population continues to climb, Kerry said, the nation would spend $7 trillion on health care by 2025; Medicare, the federal health plan for seniors, would go broke by 2017; and the average cost of a family health plan would reach $24,000 by 2016.

Go to the link and read the rest.

Also, as a side note, if you want to give a newspaper a "tip" for an article, then click one of their ads. They get paid if you click through an ad. Weirdly enough, I saw no ads on this page (it's a local coverage article from Somerville).

[ObamaKerryDem]

24. BTW, does anyone know when/if this will be on any of the C-Span stations?

I was hoping they'd carry it last night, but no dice. :( But I noticed both the Hoyer and Steele town halls were from Tuesday night but just barely came on last night, so maybe they will show JK's tonight? *crosses fingers*

Until then, I will enjoy what video there is online, lol. Thanks for posting! :)