Ross: Private health care reform meetings ‘dumb idea’
Arkansas Congressman Mike Ross obviously takes pride in talking publicly with constituents about health care reform efforts, and he had two words today for holding private gatherings on the issue — “dumb idea.”
The Democrat from Prescott criticized supporters of the Obama administration’s push to overhaul the nation’s health care system for hosting a listening tour but keeping the gatherings closed.
“I think it’s a dumb idea,” Ross told reporters before a talk about health care reform at a Little Rock convention of community health center officials. “I’ve now hosted 37 town hall meetings on health care since April, I’m getting ready to do my third or fourth telephone town hall and I’ve also had roundtable listening sessions at hospitals in Pine Bluff, El Dorado, Hot Springs and Texarkana, all of which have been open.”
Organizing for America, a grassroots project of the Democratic National Committee, refused access to the media at a health care gathering it hosted Wednesday night in Fayetteville as part of the group’s so-called “listening tour” on the issue.
The same organization held a news conference today in Little Rock, at which several medical professionals expressed their support for health care reform.
Kyle Simon, state director for Organizing for America, said meetings on the listening tour will continue to be off limits to the media.
“They’re closed to the press simply because we’re having people share personal stories,” Simon said. “They’re talking about their experiences with health care, and those are personal stories. We don’t want the people to feel uncomfortable. People have expressed that at past events where members of the media have tried to attend. That’s simply the policy. We’re not closing off for opposition, people who disagree with the president’s reforms, to attend. They’re more than welcome to.”
Later today, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele is scheduled to take part in a closed roundtable discussion on health care reform at state GOP headquarters. The state GOP plans to host a series of town hall meetings on health care reform, beginning Saturday. Those meetings will be open to the public.
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August 22nd, 2009 at 1:56 am
Arkansas Us Senate 2010 Analysis
-DC Monthly Political View -August 20, 2009 – Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele’s instructions today to the State GOP about strategies on how deal with independent US Senate office seeker Trevor Drown have many local republicans unhappy. Steele, in Little Rock today, met with Doyle Webb and other members of party leadership. First item on the agenda: secure the US Senate seat held by democrat Blanche Lincoln. Polls show Lincoln, who is running for her third term has little to no support across all groups. Normally this would provide the GOP the ability to pick up a senate seat. But there are problems. The first is a major negative view across the state for republicans. The current 5 to 8 possible candidates include everyone from a ultra-conservative who has ties to former Governor Huckabee to a recently retired Army Colonel. In between a tea party boat builder, a FedEx driver/real estate investor and a few other odds and ends who are still deciding. Adding to their problems are continuous racist comments, and a lack of focus. There is also concern the state party is in the red, and may be in financial trouble with a net loss of $108,000 in the last 12 months
Another key player in this election will be the Green Party. The past three Federal elections, Greens have done something Republican’s have not done. Provide a candidate to run against the incumbent. This continues to be a problem statewide as republicans fail to recruit anyone at various state level and higher offices to run including taking on the very popular Governor Beebe. Failure to provide someone this time could result in the Republican Party downgraded to a minor party. This will result in the of an automatic position on the 2012 ballot without gathering from 2,000 to 10,000 signatures.
Speaking of signatures, according to inside sources present at the meeting, Michael Steele named former Green Beret Trevor Drown, the number one threat to the Republican Party. He has the looks, brains, leadership style and the support of the people in Arkansas. A grassroots movement, already underway has worried many GOP leaders since it is expected he will easily get the required 10,000 signatures by May 2010. When it was discovered members of party leadership had tried to recruit Drown and he turned him down, heads were shaking and many at the meeting heard Steele mumble that was “bad, very bad.” Things got a little heated when it was discovered once he had turned them down; members of the party attempted to discredit Drown. These two also hold statewide offices and combined their efforts with a local blogger to discredit Drown.
One staffer from the GOP D.C. office was heard to say, this is what is wrong with you people. You still think this is the 19th century. You need to ignore, him, never mention his name never acknowledge him. If you recognize his existence you elevate him to our level. The need to take him out will happen only if he gets the signatures next May.
There were a few moderate republicans unhappy with how the state party has handled the Drown affair. Targeting a veteran of the Global War on terror did not sit well with them. Internally, party support is already waning and infighting is increases daily due to the GOP’s silent nod of approval already given to Curtis Coleman.
The greatest cause for concern was the sudden interest in Drown from the left. Down with Tyranny, a renowned west coast blogger on liberal values has interviewed and written four articles in the last week, praising Drown’s credentials, open mind and honest talk. The ties between Down with Tyranny and ActBlue, the online clearing house for Democrat Action, are well known. No fan of Senator Blanche Lincoln’s stance on health care and card check in the last 72 hours ActBlue has raised over $300,000 from its supporters to support their various candidates.
This next election could be the start of a rising force in this country, the Independent. Arkansas will be one of the battleground states. When one looks at the numbers and realizes only 55,000 registered voters are democrats, 45,000 republicans and the remaining 1.6 million are registered as optional or independents, political strategists know it is time to worry. The political winds are changing in Arkansas. Consequently, we are predicting that Trevor Drown looks like the strongest contender at this point.
August 24th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
So how do you predict that someone is the “strongest contender at this point”?
Is that not a declarative statement stamped in the present?
That things reads like the Nigerian Lotto email.
Bad Team member! Bad!
Eunice, please click my name to get your re-education from the Trevor Drown textbook.