Dems play nice with tea partiers

[Perky]

They came bearing Gadsden flags, quoting Thomas Jefferson and promising to take back the country. But when tea partiers stormed the Hill Tuesday to demand that Democrats dump their health care bill, they were met mostly with accommodating staff and cordial lawmakers.

“We met with Congressman Dingell; he was very polite,” one elderly tea partier marveled to a group of her comrades as they chatted in the hall of the Longworth building. “Everyone’s been so nice.”

Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Joseph Pitts glad-handed in the hallways. North Carolina Democratic Rep. G.K. Butterfield held elevators for people in the Capitol building.

The Democrats’ plan had been to avoid a direct confrontation, and it seemed to work.

On Monday, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen’s office sent a memo to Democratic staffers advising them on the p’s and q’s of tea party etiquette: Have staff at the ready to assist constituents. Be communicative. If possible, have light snacks and coffee available.

And on Tuesday, staff members for Democrats reported orderly, even polite conversations with protesters. Van Hollen’s staff estimated around 30 of them came to his office; Rep. Thomas Perriello (D-Va.) met with about 50 protesters in a room near his office.

FreedomWorks said that about 5,000 tea party activists visited House offices Tuesday; Democrats put the number in the hundreds.

“Congressional offices were expecting tens of thousands, but it looks like only a few hundred showed up. I think our office handled more White House tour requests than questions about the health care bill,” said DCCC spokesman Doug Thornell.

“It was like a high school classroom,” an aide to one lawmaker who hosted tea partiers noted glumly. “It was so boring.”



Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0310/34530.html#ixzz0iQj44eRI

[rfranklin]

1. On CNN only tight shots of the "crowd" to avoid showing how few there were...

They zoomed in on a few of the silly signs and banners. But if you were looking closely you could see the crowd was only about two rows deep.

One has to question why a reporter wouldn't just say, "Few people showed up for the rally," and have the camera show a wider shot. I am sure that the pitiful crowd framed by the expanse of the Capitol building would immediately make the whole exercise look ridiculous.

[JoePhilly]

2. I saw to too ... CNN kept using the phrase "lots of protesters" ...

But in the few wide shots they provided, it looked to me like fewer people than attend my 10 year old daughter's softball games.

Maybe I should call CNN and see if they will cover her games?

[katsy]

3. Call them.

It would elevate media intelligence by about 100 IQ points to hang out with 10 year olds!

Ten year olds are smarter & more fun than tp'ers.

:rofl:

[Grand Taurean]

6. CNN: The other Fox "News" Channel.

[Clio the Leo]

4. "Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink..."

"Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head." ~ Romans 12:20

(Wonder if I quoted that verse to the average teabagger, would they be able to tell me what it was from? "I dont want to hear your commie Buddhist mumbo jumbo!" :) )


But I bet the scene of these folks going to confront Rep Dingle .... who looks and sounds like everybody's grandpa .... was quite a sight.

[Cha]

5. So many lies with the gop and the "media" but

I repeat myself.