A woman who compared the health care overhaul to Nazism was rebuked by Representative Barney Frank in Dartmouth.
(Darren Mccollester/ Getty Images)
Political Notebook
A town hall session held by Representative Barney Frank has joined the pantheon of straight-to-video moments from the rowdy face-offs on health care this month.
But instead of a critic’s shouts, this time it was a zinger from the Massachusetts Democrat that drew the most notice, replayed repeatedly yesterday on cable TV news.
His event Tuesday night in Dartmouth drew more than 500 people, who asked how the nation could afford a health care overhaul and some of whom protested a bigger government role. He admonished those who were shouting, saying that prevented a serious debate on the issue.
He reserved his most biting response, however, for one questioner, a woman who went to the microphone carrying a poster of President Obama with a Hitler-style mustache.
“Why do you continue to support a Nazi policy?’’ she asked Frank.
“On what planet do you spend most of your time?’’ he shot back, as some in the crowd applauded.
Blasting the woman - apparently a supporter of fringe presidential candidate Lyndon LaRouche - for comparing a bid to improve health care to Nazism, Frank went on to say that it was “a tribute to the First Amendment that this kind of vile, contemptible nonsense is so freely propagated.’’
And for good measure, he added, “Ma’am, trying to have a conversation with you would be like trying to argue with a dining room table. I have no interest in doing it.’’
GLOBE STAFF
Democrats’ ratings slide, but GOP shows no gain
As the health care overhaul seems increasingly stuck in partisan gridlock, a new poll shows that the public is dismayed by Washington - and increasingly blaming Democrats and President Obama, who promised to change how the people’s business gets done.In the survey released yesterday by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, 63 percent of respondents said that Obama and GOP leaders are not working together on important issues facing the country, up from 45 percent in February soon after he took office. And while a plurality - 29 percent - blamed Republicans, 17 percent faulted Obama, up from 7 percent in February.
Obama’s own job approval rating is down to 51 percent, down from 54 percent last month and 64 percent in February.
The survey also found that Americans have a dimmer view of the Democratic Party, which had a 62 percent favorability rating just before Obama was inaugurated, but now has a 49 percent favorability rating. The GOP remains at a 40 percent favorability.
GLOBE STAFF
President joins stars in back-to-school special
WASHINGTON - President Obama will appear in a back-to-school television special with singer Kelly Clarkson and basketball star LeBron James next month.Obama is appearing in a 30-minute documentary that will air at 8 p.m. Sept. 8 on BET, MTV, VH1, CMT, Comedy Central, Spike TV, and Nickelodeon, all of them
In the program, the president says education is the key to people living out their dreams.
“So as this new school year begins, I urge you to set goals for your own education: to study hard and get involved in your school, to try new things and find something you’re passionate about,’’ Obama says, according to a release issued yesterday. “And that’s how our nation will get ahead - by ensuring that every American gets a world-class education, from preschool to college to a career.’’
The program marks the kickoff of an education initiative by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Viacom Inc. Called “Get Schooled,’’ the five-year campaign is aimed at improving this country’s dismal high school and college completion rates.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
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