Opinion: Michael Steele heckles protester at his own town hall meeting (video)

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Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele went to Howard University the other day, a historically black college, as part of his ‘Freedom Tour’ to promote Republicanism with a new face.

But, like congressmen all around the country who have gotten an earful on health care reform (check out the grilling that House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer took in Maryland the other day), Steele was interrupted for a question. Only this time the heat came not from angry conservative ‘tea party’ protesters but from a liberal recent college grad who was tired of waiting for Steele to talk about healthcare.

‘My mother died of cancer six months ago because she could only afford three of her six prescription chemotherapy medications,” Amanda Duzak shouted. “Everyone in this room and everyone in this country should have access to good healthcare.” Many in the room applauded. Police escorted her out.

Steele’s response was to admonish Duzak for raising her voice. Insisting that he too supported healthcare for all, he raised his fists in imitation of protesters and said, ‘When people go out to town halls, they go out to the community, and they’re like this. It makes for great TV. You’ll probably make it tonight. Enjoy it.”

-- Johanna Neuman

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