Recess Roastings: Ike Skelton: You Can Run But You Can’t Hide
Crowd of 100 Waits Eagerly As They Demand Answers on Healthcare From Their Congressman
Click here to watch: http://www.plumtv.com/videos/nancy-pelosi-speaker-of-the-house-of-representatives/index.html
PELOSI: During the break, [members] go home and are invigorated by the ideas and the issues brought forth by their constituents, so that’s very healthy. I think it will only serve to advance the cause of healthcare reform, which we will pass in the Congress…What’s important about the break is that it gives you a chance to listen to your constituents, and the outside mobilization is really essential to any success we can have with our inside maneuvering in Washington, D.C. It’s the most wholesome part of what we do. Our job titles and our job descriptions are one and the same: Representative. So we listen to our constituents, we have to inform them of what is happening in Washington, listen to their comments on that, and come back enriched by that dialogue.
Recess Roasting: Dems Can Run But They Can’t Hide As Constituents Demand Answers:
About 100 people gathered outside Rep. Ike Skelton’s office in Missouri’s capital city Wednesday to voice concerns about federal health care legislation.
Neither the 17-term Democratic congressman nor his staff were present at the evening event, organized by the group Americans for Prosperity and others unhappy that Skelton hasn’t held public meetings about health care.
Participants took turns speaking into a microphone and camera with questions about health care proposals being considered in Congress. Organizers said they planned to send recordings of the event to the congressman.
A Skelton spokeswoman did not immediately return an e-mail Wednesday night seeking comment. Phones at his Washington, D.C., office were unanswered.
Skelton has been confronted about health care at least twice recently during events in his west-central Missouri district, telling demonstrators he dislikes parts of the proposed reforms.
Among the concerns raised by people at Wednesday’s event were that the federal health care legislation would be too costly, would limit their choices and could lead to government-subsidized abortions.
One participant, Keith Krueger of Jefferson City, said he has regularly voted for Skelton during his lengthy congressional career but would not do so in 2010 if Skelton votes for the legislation backed by Democrats and President Barack Obama. (“Jefferson City crowd urges congressman Skelton to discuss health care”, The Associated Press, 8/12/2009)
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