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08-06-2009, 02:28 PM
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0809/25873.html
Groups coordinate Obama opposition
Tags:Barack Obama, Republicans, Health Care Reform, Glenn Beck, Town Halls, Fox News Back to top Listen Print Comment Email Recommend Subscribe By MIKE ALLEN | 8/6/09 2:12 PM EDT Text Size- + reset
Conservative and business groups are mobilizing members and supporters to participate in health-care forums.
Conservative and business groups, some funded in part by insurers, are mobilizing members and supporters to participate in health care forums that lawmakers are holding in their states and districts this month.
Congressional town halls are typically sleepy and sparsely attended. But passion about President Barack Obama’s health reform plan is drawing hundreds of people to raucous gatherings, with Democratic officials portraying the crowds as “angry mobs.”
Some of the outpouring appears to be spontaneous, or encouraged by Glenn Beck of Fox News. But much of it is being encouraged by Washington-based groups that are devoting considerable online resources to encouraging turnout. Some of the groups even supply supporters with scripts and “talking points.”
A White House official said the president’s side will benefit from coverage of the chaos.
“We’re not looking shrill,” the official said. “The opposition looks shrill and not interested in talking but interested in screaming. When did the American people prefer screaming over talking?”
As part of the town hall turnout drive, Americans for Tax Reform offers an “Obama Spin Translator: Taking the Propaganda Out of Health Care Newspeak.”
“Over the August recess, Congressmen will be holding town halls on health care,” the document says. “There’s likely to be a lot of spin and doubletalk from very nervous Democrat members. We’ve assembled a dictionary to help you wade through the rhetoric and understand the real impact of health care ‘reform.’”
Grover Norquist, the group’s president, said one of the group’s most important current missions is “sending material out to activists on how to ask the interesting, tough questions.
“Conservative groups are all out there saying: ‘Here are the questions to ask,’” Norquist said. “We’re getting them informed questions, and the backup for it, and then sending it out to the radio talks shows. We’re making sure our team feels comfortable that they know the facts.
“Any politician worth his salt — or a comedian — loves being heckled by a guy who’s drunk and slightly addled,” Norquist added. “The problem is, our guys get up and say, ‘You should read the bill,’ and everybody applauds. ‘This is going to lead to two tax increases,’ and everybody applauds. These YouTubes are of the general audience, applauding some guy’s tough question.”
America’s Health Insurance Plans, the national association representing 1,300 health insurers, is out with “August Recess Talking Points” that assert a “government-run plan would dismantle employer-based coverage … [and] add significant liabilities to the federal budget.”
The group is also offering a sample “August Recess Activation Letter” for CEOs to send to employees.
“All over the country, conversations on health care reform are taking place, from Town Halls to coffee shops,” the letter says. “Members of Congress and the Administration are planning and participating in several events during the month of August as Congress breaks for recess. You can help share the perspective of the health plan community during these conversations by signing up.”
AHIP’s director of strategic communications, Robert Zirkelbach, says the group discourages confrontations “We encourage people to be positive and constructive.”
FreedomWorks, chaired by former House Majority Leader Dick Armey, is e-mailing 380,000 supporters this week with a link to an “August Recess Action Kit.”
“Turn Up the Heat in August: Help Defeat ObamaCare,” the group says on its website. “While Senators and Representatives are home for their August recess they need to hear from you, regardless of party. … Find a town hall meeting near you. If your representative or senator isn’t holding one — ask them why.”
Americans for Prosperity is going a step further and recommending in-person visits to lawmakers’ district and state offices. The groups says on its website that it “has always encouraged members to visit the district offices and attend town hall meetings of their senators and representatives, especially during this August break when issues like health care and cap-and-trade are at the peak of debate.”
The group’s president, Tim Phillips, writes: “In fact, I personally visited the office of my senator, Sen. Jim Webb, on July 17 when we, along with other free-market organizations, urged activists to go to their representatives' offices. The footage on YouTube of our rally that day clearly shows the civil and courteous manner in which we have acted and in which we urge all Americans to act.”
:lmao
Groups coordinate Obama opposition
Tags:Barack Obama, Republicans, Health Care Reform, Glenn Beck, Town Halls, Fox News Back to top Listen Print Comment Email Recommend Subscribe By MIKE ALLEN | 8/6/09 2:12 PM EDT Text Size- + reset
Conservative and business groups are mobilizing members and supporters to participate in health-care forums.
Conservative and business groups, some funded in part by insurers, are mobilizing members and supporters to participate in health care forums that lawmakers are holding in their states and districts this month.
Congressional town halls are typically sleepy and sparsely attended. But passion about President Barack Obama’s health reform plan is drawing hundreds of people to raucous gatherings, with Democratic officials portraying the crowds as “angry mobs.”
Some of the outpouring appears to be spontaneous, or encouraged by Glenn Beck of Fox News. But much of it is being encouraged by Washington-based groups that are devoting considerable online resources to encouraging turnout. Some of the groups even supply supporters with scripts and “talking points.”
A White House official said the president’s side will benefit from coverage of the chaos.
“We’re not looking shrill,” the official said. “The opposition looks shrill and not interested in talking but interested in screaming. When did the American people prefer screaming over talking?”
As part of the town hall turnout drive, Americans for Tax Reform offers an “Obama Spin Translator: Taking the Propaganda Out of Health Care Newspeak.”
“Over the August recess, Congressmen will be holding town halls on health care,” the document says. “There’s likely to be a lot of spin and doubletalk from very nervous Democrat members. We’ve assembled a dictionary to help you wade through the rhetoric and understand the real impact of health care ‘reform.’”
Grover Norquist, the group’s president, said one of the group’s most important current missions is “sending material out to activists on how to ask the interesting, tough questions.
“Conservative groups are all out there saying: ‘Here are the questions to ask,’” Norquist said. “We’re getting them informed questions, and the backup for it, and then sending it out to the radio talks shows. We’re making sure our team feels comfortable that they know the facts.
“Any politician worth his salt — or a comedian — loves being heckled by a guy who’s drunk and slightly addled,” Norquist added. “The problem is, our guys get up and say, ‘You should read the bill,’ and everybody applauds. ‘This is going to lead to two tax increases,’ and everybody applauds. These YouTubes are of the general audience, applauding some guy’s tough question.”
America’s Health Insurance Plans, the national association representing 1,300 health insurers, is out with “August Recess Talking Points” that assert a “government-run plan would dismantle employer-based coverage … [and] add significant liabilities to the federal budget.”
The group is also offering a sample “August Recess Activation Letter” for CEOs to send to employees.
“All over the country, conversations on health care reform are taking place, from Town Halls to coffee shops,” the letter says. “Members of Congress and the Administration are planning and participating in several events during the month of August as Congress breaks for recess. You can help share the perspective of the health plan community during these conversations by signing up.”
AHIP’s director of strategic communications, Robert Zirkelbach, says the group discourages confrontations “We encourage people to be positive and constructive.”
FreedomWorks, chaired by former House Majority Leader Dick Armey, is e-mailing 380,000 supporters this week with a link to an “August Recess Action Kit.”
“Turn Up the Heat in August: Help Defeat ObamaCare,” the group says on its website. “While Senators and Representatives are home for their August recess they need to hear from you, regardless of party. … Find a town hall meeting near you. If your representative or senator isn’t holding one — ask them why.”
Americans for Prosperity is going a step further and recommending in-person visits to lawmakers’ district and state offices. The groups says on its website that it “has always encouraged members to visit the district offices and attend town hall meetings of their senators and representatives, especially during this August break when issues like health care and cap-and-trade are at the peak of debate.”
The group’s president, Tim Phillips, writes: “In fact, I personally visited the office of my senator, Sen. Jim Webb, on July 17 when we, along with other free-market organizations, urged activists to go to their representatives' offices. The footage on YouTube of our rally that day clearly shows the civil and courteous manner in which we have acted and in which we urge all Americans to act.”
:lmao