| Alan Grayson hosts town hall meeting in Orlando By David Damron and Willoughby Mariano Orlando Sentinel August 18, 2009 | Grayson's hastily called meeting took place in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union hall, which limited attendance to about 120 members of the public. It also was scheduled just after a regular meeting of local Democrats, some of whom stayed behind for the town hall in the scarce seats. Outside the building, hundreds of frustrated people who could not get inside waved signs and chanted for and against the proposals. Posted using ShareThis |
And the Fox news local reports more on the missed opportunity, viz.
| Tensions flare at health care town hall VALERIE BOEY, FOX 35 News Tuesday, 18 Aug 2009, 12:24 AM EDT | Before the public meeting began at 7:45 p.m., the Democratic Executive Committee gathered for a special question and answer session with the congressman. While they were asked to give up their seats at the conclusion of the session, not all of them left. Outside were dozens of angry people who thought they would have a chance to be heard. Shared via AddThis |
Grayson had the Orlando executive committee present. These are esperienced political activists. Also, there were tons of people to talk to, nore than could fit in the meeting hall.
Grayson ought to have shooed out his executive committee members, all of them, to let more regular civilians in. He ought to have told those executive committee members to stay out in the parking lot and improvise a mini-town hall meeting with the folks who could not get in. If he had a sense of leadership, he would have deployed his people to get the message out and broaden contact.
It is what I would have done.
Unfortunately he did not have this instinct. Instead, he kept his bodyguard close, like the suit that he is.
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