| About two thirds of attendees carried signs; Murphy said it was the most signs he'd seen at any recess event.
We had more signs than them, most urging support for a public option. My favorite was "No more right-wing fear tactics -- Vote public option."
None of their signs did the commie or Nazi thing, this time, but there was the stone stupid, almost "morans" level sign at right.
Murphy spoke for about 15 minutes, about a variety of issues and finally about health insurance reform.
He said he supported a public option as part of a national exchange of insurance plans, as long as there was a level playing field and the public option was self-funding.
There was some hooting and hollering from the teabaggers, at that and at other times, but their rudeness was always met with lots of shushing from reform supporters.
When I asked a shouter near me to stop being rude, she basically did.
Murphy took about a dozen questions, most of them anti-reform.
In general, there was a lot less of the shouting/disruption that marred the Tonko town hall two weeks ago (and none of the inane Constitution-waving).
In part, that's due to Murphy's even temper and ability to explain details of the bill. Because he has read it, much to the teabaggers' dismay.
In part, it's also due to the smaller crowd, more intimate outdoor setting, and fewer TV cameras.
Some media were there, but they did not get the shouting/disruption conflict story they love.
As Paul Grondahl of the Albany Times Union wrote:
Murphy's tiptoe through the political minefield on Monday would not make any highlight reels.
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His calm demeanor helped keep the crowd from disintegrating into a shouting match.
Murphy is a solid politician, and knows how to handle hostile crowds and questions. He won't change many of their deluded minds, but he should earn their respect. Also he won't give them a YouTube angry moment.
Since winning on absentees in April, in the most Republican-by-registration district in NY, Murphy has become one of the top 10 GOP targets for 2010.
During this recess, he has shown that he will be tough to dislodge, even if the tide is running the other way next year.
P.S. It was fun to meet and chat with Kossacks/TAPpers davidsfr and HylasBrook at the event. |
