http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0811/61454.html

Quote :

"It will cost $15 to ask Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) a question in person during the August congressional recess. The House Budget Committee chairman isn’t holding any face-to-face open-to-the-public town hall meetings during the recess, but like several of his colleagues he will speak only for residents willing to open their wallets. Ryan, who took substantial criticism from his southeast Wisconsin constituents in April after he introduced the Republicans’ budget proposal, isn’t the only member of congress whose August recess town hall-style meetings are strictly pay-per-view. Rep. Ben Quayle (R-Ariz.) is scheduled to appear Aug. 23 at a luncheon gathering of the Arizona Republican Lawyers Association. For $35, attendees can question Quayle and enjoy a catered lunch at the Phoenix office of the Snell & Wilmer law firm. "

8/16/2011 11:39:00 PM

is that any different than Obama's bare minimum 50 per plate birthday bash? is it shitty? sure. but it aint like nobody else does it. Welcome to politics in the US, where money gets you access.

[/thread]

8/16/2011 11:41:45 PM

Yeah, a birthday bash vs. a "townhall" meeting. Totally the same.

8/16/2011 11:48:42 PM

yes, they pretty much are. paying for access

8/17/2011 12:10:14 AM

Quote :

"Rep. Ben Quayle (R-Ariz.) is scheduled to appear Aug. 23 at a luncheon gathering of the Arizona Republican Lawyers Association. For $35, attendees can question Quayle and enjoy a catered lunch at the Phoenix office of the Snell & Wilmer law firm."

Actually Burro is right. This isn't an official townhall meeting.

Quote :

"Seifert added that Ryan has nothing to do with the Whitnall Park Rotary Club’s decision to charge $15 for admissiona fee that will pay for the catered lunch of meat and potatoes the group will provide, club president Kent Bieganski told POLITICO."

To me it looks like a pryderi thread to me. Nothing like some good ole partisan mud slinging.

8/17/2011 12:42:05 AM

Yeah we'll see how many free townhalls Ryan actually has during the break.

He fears his constituents and doesn't want any more Youtube vids surfacing.

8/17/2011 11:47:35 AM

Just like Michelle Malkin, I find it disgusting that townhalls require and admission fee.

Quote :

"Rep. Melissa Bean charging $25 entrance fee to town hall By Michelle Malkin • August 14, 2009 12:56 PM Viva la representative democracy! Democrat Rep. Melissa Bean is willing to meet with the people — if they register more than a week in advance with her local chamber of commerce and pay a $25 fee! Town Hall Breakfast meeting with Congresswoman Melissa Bean. Hear her positions on Healthcare, Railroads, Taxes and more. Questions and answers following. Multi-Chamber event. Includes Full Breakfast. Advance registration required. $25 per person. Includes full breakfast. RSVP required by August 24."

http://michellemalkin.com/2009/08/14/rep-melissa-bean-charging-25-entrance-fee-to-town-hall/

8/17/2011 11:49:53 AM

The whole point of a "town hall" is that it's supposed to be a folksy gathering of regular people getting direct access to their representatives. It's not the same as a fundraising birthday dinner at all unless you're a fucking moron.

8/17/2011 11:51:13 AM