Recess Roastings: Twisted Logic: Dems Redefine Town Halls to Avoid Them

“After a jam-packed legislative session marked by the passage of controversial bills like Wall Street reform, Democrats will hit the campaign trail armed with talking points to draw distinctions between the two parties. And the Democratic leadership is predicting they will get a gentler reception this time.” (Alex Altman, “Recess ’10: Democrats Work to Ensure a Friendlier Reception This Year,” TIME, 8/2/10)

Recess Roasting: Matheson Says Anything Counts As a Town Hall This August; Makes Excuses to Avoid Constituents:

Republicans have labeled Rep. Jim Matheson the “phantom congressman” for avoiding town hall meetings in recent years, arguing it proves the Utah Democrat isn’t accessible to voters. Matheson and his allies have largely brushed off the partisan criticism, but as the election season heats up, they are employing a new defensive strategy — attempting to redefine a classic element of American campaigns.

“I guess it all depends on how you define ‘town hall meetings,’” said Matheson, who believes he “misspoke” a year ago when he said would hold no such gatherings. “I feel like I used too narrow a definition.”

He now counts meet-and-greets at businesses, student forums and even radio interviews as town halls, essentially including any time he takes questions from a group in Utah.

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Town halls became a hot topic last August when angry voters confronted public officials over health care reform, providing publicity for the early tea party groups. At the time, Matheson said he would not hold any town hall meetings but would instead speak to smaller groups at their invitation. His office has previously criticized town halls as a largely ineffective way to engage the public.

Other members of Utah’s federal delegation regularly hold town halls meetings, especially during breaks in the congressional schedule, which includes most of August.

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Matheson has not hosted a similar event for quite some time — his spokeswoman declines to say when the previous one was held — and his Republican challenger Morgan Philpot says he doesn’t understand his decision.

“I can only assume why a 10-year congressman won’t meet publicly with his constituents,” he said.

Philpot has challenged Matheson to join him for six joint town halls during the August break, with the first one scheduled for next Wednesday in St. George.
Matheson won’t be there, his spokeswoman Alyson Heyrend said. “When do political opponents get to schedule their opponents? That is outrageous.”

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Sandy Peck, of the nonpartisan League of Women Voters, said accepting the invitations of businesses or student groups “doesn’t really go very far.”
“In the best of all possible worlds, bigger meetings with more people [and] covered by the media would be the best,” she said. “You can’t always have just your friends at the town hall. Anyone who votes should be going there to find out what is happening.” (Matt Canham, “Matheson Rejects GOP’s ‘Phantom’ Label,” Salt Lake Tribune, 8/12/10)

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