From the Tennessean...Rep. Blackburn town hall on health reform draws civil but passionate crowd
By Mike Morrow • THE TENNESSEAN • August 15, 2009
More than 1,000 people showed up to meet U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn at a town hall meeting Friday in Franklin, and there was no question where the vast majority of them stood.
They stood with Blackburn — and against current health-care reform efforts.
"Our town hall meetings have gone well," Blackburn told the cheering crowd. "People are telling us they do not want government bureaucrats making their health-care decisions."
Roughly 400 people gathered in a room at the Embassy Suites hotel to talk about health care. Hundreds more spilled out into the hallway and the lobby. Bob Horner, general manager of the hotel, said about 1,200 to 1,400 people came and went during the hourlong event.
Blackburn recommended that the crowd read the controversial health-care bill, HR3200.
"This is my summer reading," she said. "It will put you to sleep. It's better than Sominex."
Dennis Smith of The Heritage Foundation appeared with Blackburn.
The crowd was orderly but passionate. Many made it clear they did not want a government-run health-care system. Blackburn represents the 7th congressional district, which stretches from Brentwood to near Memphis.
Brent Willis of Brentwood said he is a Democrat and had a message for the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats.
I don't want my Blue Dog Democratic friends to nod to us and then go back, and Nancy Pelosi says, 'How much money do you need for your district? We need your vote.' That's a bribe," Willis said.
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Can you imagine if Rep. Blackburn actually had to debate someone who didn't agree with her? **Head exploding** I guess she was prepared for that 0.01% chance by bringing someone from the Republicans' courtesy research fabrication center.
