EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – The Trump toady who’s the western Wisconsin member of Congress, Derrick Van Orden, cancelled what he first had expected to be a small friendly meeting with supporters. Even without Van Orden present, 80 to 90 people showed up either to get answers about Trump’s recent executive orders to dismantle federal programs or to protest. Van Orden opted not to show At hisEau Claire office, a staffer explained that the congressman was displeased that the meeting had been organized in “an unprofessional way.” Cancelling town halls has become a standard GOP tactic to avoid unpleasant confrontations with displeased constituents — and have it all play on video and television on. These vitizen outbursts have been mostly in Red Congressional districts that elected GOP candidates last November and also went for Trump, like Wisconsin’s WI-3.
The back story
Cyndi Greening, leader of Chippewa Valley Indivisible, who acknowledges not being a Van Orden fan, said the citizen turnout at the Van Orden townhall, from which he played hooky, was unexpected. She said she had posted only a routine notice to members about he meeting. Soon there were a hundred expressing interest. The meeting had been scheduled for the 24-seat Carnegie Room at the Phillips Public Library. After Van Orden bailed, Greening said she tried to let everyone know. “People said that they were coming anyway,” she said. At the session she listened to citizen concerns and gathered them up to deliver in writing to the congressman’s Eau Claire office.
Van Orden. A first-term House member. Ironically he has cultivated a tough-guy image as a biker and former Navy Seal. Now steering clear of constituent confrontations.
In packed auditorium. Unhappy constituents became upset when speakers allowed questions and comments only from planted supporters.
Idaho incident
A Republican-hosted townhall meeting in Idaho ended in chaos after three plainclothes security workers strong-armed a woman heckler and dragged her out. The video went viral. The woman, Teresa Borrenpohl, ended up in a hospital emergency room. The video resulted in $120,000 in donations for her legal costs to challenge being manhandled. Also the Couer d’Alene police chief has threatened to revoke the business license of security company that had sent the goon – all sturdy men, dressed in all back, and some with fake police badges.