October 20th, 2009 • 3:28 amFrightened Franken?
I’m suspicious of some of the things written in this article in the St. Cloud Times. First a little background is needed.
Members of the public were able to listen in on a roundtable on health care and aging issues Sunday with U.S. Sen. Al Franken at Whitney Senior Center. The table was lined with about 10 people including caregivers, senior advocates and state legislators. State Sen. Tarryl Clark, DFL-St. Cloud, and Rep. Larry Haws, DFL-St. Cloud, participated in the meeting.
I’ve attended a few of the health care forums in St. Cloud. Saying that “about 10 people including caregivers, senior advocates” and state legislators like “Tarryl Clark Rep. Larry Haws” is saying that a group of DFL activists met with Al Franken Sunday. This paragraph raised red flags for me:
Despite a miscommunication about who could attend the meeting, about 10 people came to meet the senator and hear the discussion.
What I’d like to know is what type of miscommunication happened. I’d also like to know if Sen. Franken’s staff didn’t send a notice to the St. Cloud Times and to WJON announcing the meeting. Did Whitney Senior Center staff botch the announcement? How did these 10 people just happen to show up there? Or is this another attempt by Sen. Franken to talk with his allies without talking with people he disagrees with?
More disappointing, though, is the spin coming from Franken’s meeting:
Franken, a member of the Senate’s Special Committee on Aging, discussed the need for the quality of life for seniors to remain high. He also stressed keeping seniors home and keeping them active. “What we’re trying to do is incentivize and make it possible for people to stay home,” Franken said. “It not only increases quality of life, but it’s much cheaper. It’s a win-win.”
Other topics raised during the discussion included the cost of home care, space in nursing homes, Medicare and long-term health care.
Supposedly, nursing homes are one of Franken’s priorities. I’m saying supposedly because he’s said that he won’t vote for a bill without a public option. The Democrats’ bills cut Medicare payment rates, meaning less money for nursing homes.
Perhaps Sen. Franken held this meeting in such a cozy setting to prevent a nosy reporter from questioning him. It’s too bad that Sen. Franken doesn’t have the courage to hold a real townhall where real people ask him questions. I’d submit that he won’t hold that type of event because he’d be exposed as being unqualified for the office.
I’ll make Sen. Franken a promise. If he holds an open townhall in St. Cloud and answers all the questions with something more than Harry Reid’s talking points, I’ll apologize for what I just said. If he’s unwilling to hold an open townhall in St. Cloud or if he’s unable to answer with detailed, nuanced answers, then I’ll continue to ridicule him.
I’m confident that I won’t be apologizing anytime soon.
Technorati: Al Franken, Health Care, Medicare, Nursing Homes, Eldercare, Tarryl Clark, Larry Haws, DFL, Townhall Meetings
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Unlike Michele Bachmann who holds teletownhall closed events where claques do the “questioning,” this was in person. It’s a step upward, whatever your complaints.
Second thought, a newspaper that does not name all ten at the table is not doing its job. If a press release was worded that way and simply flowed through w/o demanding the names, what’s that reflecting on the quality of the news outlet? On its diligence?
Comment by eric z. • 20Oct2009 @ 6:40 am
Actually, Michele’s teletownhalls are open to Republicans & DFL alike. I know because I’ve participated in calls where clearly opposition questions were asked. Michele answered those questions with the same respectful tone as those from supporters.
Second, I’ve attended health care events in St. Cloud. I’d be surprised if I didn’t know at least half the citizens at the meeting.
Third, Eric, I totally agree with you on the paper doing its due diligence. The Times isn’t famous for that.
Comment by Gary Gross • 20Oct2009 @ 7:58 am