As Town Hall Debate Rages, MacArthur Pushes Back Against Critics

Across the country a debate is raging about what is happening at town hall meetings held by members of Congress, particularly those hosted by Republicans.

Locally, House members including Rep. Tom MacArthur of the 3rd District have resisted calls to host town hall meetings because of the raucous and angry crowds that have shown up at some. That has drawn sharp criticism from some corners.

MacArthur, who represents several Ocean County towns including Toms River, Brick, and Berkeley townships, has pushed back against that criticism, choosing instead to host what he calls "tele-town halls," where constituents can call in on a conference call to ask questions.

MacArthur, who held a tele-town hall Wednesday and will take part in a call-in radio show on Thursday, told constituents on a tele-town hall on Feb. 13 that he would not be hosting an in-person town hall because those events are "being hijacked by groups outside their districts."

"I like hearing divergent views," MacArthur said. "I don't want to be baited into having an outside event that can become a spectacle. (I don't want to) go into a room to find hundreds of people who have been bused in" who are not part of the district.

On Wednesday, MacArthur's office reiterated that stand in response to calls for him to attend a meeting in Marlton that his office said is being run by the group "Indivisible." Indivisible refers to a guide written by former congressional staffers who shared ways what they called "best practices for making Congress listen."

In a news release titled "Getting the Facts Straight," MacArthur's office said the Marlton meeting was "not a completely organic movement driven by constituents who simply want to have a conversation with their congressman."

“ 'Indivisible' is a highly organized group with a clear partisan agenda," the release said. "While there are no doubt well-intentioned constituents among them (like the constituents Rep. MacArthur met with (Tuesday) at his office), the fact of the matter is that these "town hall" events are being pushed and promoted by a collection of progressive groups (led by one called “Indivisible,” which was founded by former Democrat Congressional staffers) to try and embarrass congressional Republicans and get media coverage. Their goal is to make a spectacle, not constructively discuss policy differences."

To drive home the point that he is willing to talk with constituents face-to-face, MacArthur posted an account on Facebook of an impromptu meeting he had with members of the Evesham Township Democratic Party on Tuesday:

“Last night, as I was leaving my office at the Gibson House in Marlton, I saw a sign near the door — 'Evesham Democrats 7 - 8:30 Downstairs.' I had just finished up a productive meeting with Action Together Burlington County — an organization that was respectfully protesting at my office just last week — and I wondered if the Evesham Democrats would mind if I stopped by.

So, I walked in. Yes, a Republican congressman dropping in to a meeting of local Democrats to talk with them about some very serious concerns they had. We didn't yell or point fingers. We talked honestly and respectfully. We certainly disagreed in some areas, but we did it respectfully.

I genuinely cherish moments like these and I'm certain our country would be the better for it, if members of both parties — Republicans and Democrats alike — would commit ourselves to working together to make America the best it can be.

Neither party has a lock on good ideas and all should have their imprint on where we go as a nation. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to represent Burlington and Ocean Counties in the United States House of Representatives.”

MacArthur's office said the meeting in Marlton was being organized by Eileen Hill and accused her of following the Indivisible "playbook" through actions where Hill announced the intent to invite MacArthur to the town hall before she contacted MacArthur's office, and then bowing out of a scheduled meeting with the congressman on Tuesday at the last minute.

"Our office has been in communication with Dr. Hill over the past week, advising her that Congressman MacArthur would not be attending their meeting of “Indivisible,” and scheduled a meeting with her for 2/21. She abruptly canceled the meeting the morning of 2/21, and appears to be pushing forward with an event where the Congressman would not be present. Again, following the playbook," the statement said.

MacArthur's office also said it was invited to the meeting by New Jersey Citizen Action who, according to their website, is a “liberal activist group” and said New Jersey Citizen Action has been organizing protests at MacArthur's district offices in Marlton and Toms River — protests put together by paid staffers they say live outside the district.

"As numerous events around the country have demonstrated, these town hall events have devolved into shouting matches where mutually respective dialogue has been replaced with organized heckling and shouts, and in one case injured an elderly woman and child," the news release said.

MacArthur's staff insists he is accessible to constituents, citing statistics of 14,584 constituents have written, called, or emailed the office on 123 different issues since Jan. 1, with responses sent to 14,155; 860 additional constituents have received mail on healthcare and retirement savings legislation facing the House, his staff said.

"Tom has had several dozen meetings with constituents (including Jewish War Veterans and local law enforcement this week). His legislative staff has had 27 meetings with constituents, including AFGE, NJ Habitat for Humanity, and Parents Project for Muscular Dystrophy. (He) continues to meet with constituents and community leaders in the district."

The call-in radio show is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday and can be listened to online at www.mybeachradio.com.

Photo via Tom MacArthur