Fundamentals of Staging Ornery Town Halls

Fundamentals of Staging “Ornery” Town Halls.

1. Pick a room that is too small to handle the expected crowd.
2. Set the thermostat for a temp that is above a tolerable level – preferably no air conditioning.
3. Give the initial impression of a town hall meeting format
4. Avoid hot topics by presenting on smaller, less mainstream issues
5. Delay appearance or speaking time of the host – for example highlight presentation on title issue.
6. Time of Day. Hold meetings when inconvenient for largest number of attendees.
7. Have staffers play roles running interference to help representative avoid direct contact or direct questions.
8. Focus on positivity only, be polite and smile no matter the climate in the room. You are there for THEM!

With all of the recent media attention regarding wildly out of control town hall meetings, one must consider the recent meetings that have been held in Iowa and how they compare to the above list. When do we start to see a pattern emerging? The media is thriving off video showcasing mobs of screaming, angry individuals being planted by local conservative groups to throw off Democrats in Washington.

Consider these fundamentals when attending these town halls; with our video cameras, note pads, and lists of questions. Are we being lured into a town hall setting by the enabling hosts, our elected officials? Are we being lured to showcase an event that appears to be wildly out of control? Are we being lured to these events to appear unruly and hostile to discredit our intentions? Who is really staging these events, the so-called angry mob, or our seemingly gracious hosts? One should only look as far back as WWII to the Nazi propaganda films that were perfected by using these basic staging principals.

As we look to our representatives for accountability and answers at these so called meetings we get responses such as: “you’re in a mood” “You’re being adversarial.” “I’m not taking questions” “We’re not talking about that today.”

As we try to get one on one time with our elected officials, their staffers are heading us off at the pass, assuring us of our voice. We are being directed away from the hosts, our representatives, so they are not barraged with our questions and discontent.

Prime examples of these staging fundamentals can be seen in the most recent “town halls” held just last week. Marcia Hora from Ankeny, who attended a Small Business Forum in Chariton on Friday Aug 7th hosted by Congressman Leonard Boswell, stated that almost all of these staging fundamentals were present. Marcia reports that not only did the Congressman stand up, point his finger, and sternly refuse to answer questions at this unpublicized event, his staffers ran interference for him as he walked out. Congressman Boswell did not even let the crowd know he would be unavailable for questions, leaving people so angry that mass confusion ensued. People circled the small room asking anyone and everyone how they could get the Congressman to listen to them. None of his staffers were able to provide any attendees with answers.

A town hall meeting in Des Moines on Sat Aug 8th hosted by Senator Tom Harkin was reported to be held in a small room with no air conditioning or fans. The location of the meeting was significant such that it is being turned into a medical clinic and pharmacy thanks to the stimulus package. And it might be important to note that this meeting was also held in an area of Des Moines known for its lower income residents.

So consider these conditions as you head to your local “town halls.” Who really is staging these events?