Analysis of Taylor's Town Hall
Mississippi's 4th Congressional District
In Mississippi's 4th Congressional District, Rep. Gene Taylor (D-Bay St. Louis) held a town hall meeting in Ocean Springs January 11, 2010. Taylor, currently running for reelection, represents the most conservative district in Mississippi, yet has held the Congressional seat as a Democrat for 20 years.
After opening the meeting with a prayer and the pledge of allegiance, Taylor praised Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding for their agreement to build the new DDG-51 while Bath Iron Works will build the 1000s. The Congressman then highlighted his support for increasing the depth of the shipping channels and for restoring the barrier islands. After making these two points, Taylor took questions from the audience.
Looking around the room, it was obvious that campaign season was in full swing. "Joe Tegerdine for Congress" t-shirts were sprinkled in the crowd and various media outlets hung on Taylor's every word. Citizens were looking for answers, asking direct, often poignant questions, and at times even expressed their reluctance for Taylor's recent actions and continued liberal party support.
Taylor is no stranger to walking the line between party loyalist and populist pleasing conservative. It would seem, however, that those in attendance and even more throughout the 4th District, are not as willfully drinking the Taylor Kool-Aid this go around as in years past. I could sense an undercurrent starting to swell seeking to right the 4th District's left leaning ship. Taylor seems to sense it too, given his temperament with some members of the audience.
Having held town hall meetings of my own and now hold public hearings on a regular basis as a Councilman, I expect to be cut off, interrupted, and even challenged at times. And when those times come, as a public servant hired by the people, it is imperative those situations be handled with care. There is a right and a wrong way to ask someone to not interrupt or blurt out a comment, to wait their turn. After all, as a public servant you are there for the people you represent; they're not there for you. The people are your bosses. They put you in office. Perhaps spending 20 years in D.C. and not directly involved in the day-to-day lives of those he serves has allowed Taylor to forget these truths and exactly for whom he works.
Taylor repeatedly commented that it was his town hall meeting, not those in attendance. Of course, that didn't go over too well with more than a few, with some shouting out that he worked for them, it was their meeting. Taylor commented that his name was on the invitation and announcement; it was his meeting. He even addressed one gentleman by saying if you interrupt again, you'll be asked to leave and that you can hold your own town hall meeting when you wish. One lady, a local access television host, who had had her hand raised since the beginning of the question and answer period, finally got tired of waiting and addressed the Congressman by name asking to be heard, but Taylor cut her off, saying not to interrupt and that by interrupting your question would not be taken. Hers never was, yet her hand remained raised throughout the remainder of the meeting.
Questions ranged from insurance concerns to health care to the overreaching of the federal government. Here are a few interesting comments from Taylor as he answered the crowd. I have paraphrased the comments while attempting to quote them as close as possible:
· In response to his voting for Nancy Pelosi for Speaker: I voted for me. I voted for the Democrat slate (in essence saying his vote for Pelosi gave him the best chance to be in the leadership).
· Concerning the comments made by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano in the wake of the failed Christmas terror attack: I'm no fan of hers, and she's no fan of mine.I would hope she would be replaced.
· On his opinion of President Obama's appointments thus far: I can count on one hand the appointments this President has made that I like (Secretary of Defense Gates, Secretary of the Navy Mabus, and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Shinseki were a few).
· Relating to big government spending: I'm a co-author of Rep. Ron Paul's audit the fed bill.
· In response to Congress getting pay raises: There will be no raise for Congress this year.
· Regarding the recent comments by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada): I did not call for Trent Lott's head.I'm not the thought police.
· Concerning what's been said by media pundits: The guys on talk radio don't really have a lot to do all day.
· On what good he believed President Obama's election will bring: A good thing about Obama being elected was that the barrier was broke (meaning that a black man reached the highest office).
While I was unfortunately unable to quote the Congressman word for word, there were at least three video cameras in the audience that I'm sure would confirm my assessment of these answers as well as point to Taylor's aforementioned lack of patience with the audience.
On a personal note, it seems that Taylor or at least his staffers have read my previous writings concerning the Congressman and the 4th Congressional District. Now fully aware of this fact, allow me to reiterate what I have said previously, which can be read in full by clicking here and here:
"A few years ago this 4th District seat didn't seem all that important. Having one or two Democrat Congressmen wasn't a big deal most thought. They have tenure, clout among their peers. But now, with the make up of Congress, the Speaker of the House, the Senate in full control and the White House locked up, this Southeast Mississippi seat needs to symbolize and portray how we in this area truly believe to our core.Shakespeare once said, "We know what we are, but know not what we may be." We've seen what 20 years has given us in the 4th District. I truly desire our nation to be more than it is today; America desperately needs the next generation of leaders to begin to take hold now, not tomorrow. I encourage you all to consider the 2010 Congressional race and help America be more."
Frank Corder,
Pascagoula City Councilman
