Town Halls Turn to Mayhem for Lawmakers

Members of Congress are increasingly seeing town-hall meetings turn to bedlam, with people yelling and protesters being pulled out by police, Politico reports. A New York representative who’d hosted more than 100 such meetings has called it quits after a chaotic scene last month that necessitated his departure with a police escort. “There is no point in meeting with my constituents if what is basically an unruly mob prevents you from having an intelligent conversation,” said Rep. Tim Bishop.

He and other House Democrats are facing the brunt of the hostility as they face big concerns like the stimulus, energy, and health care. “I think it’s just the fact that we are dealing with some of the most important public policy issues in a generation,” said an Iowa representative. Expect to see footage in the 2010 races. Adds Republican Pete Sessions: Town hall meetings "where maybe 15 or 20 of your friends show up—they're over."
(More town hall meeting stories.)