US. Rep Pete Hoekstra (R-Holland, MI) is planning a healthcare forum on the campus of Northern Michigan University on Tuesday Sept. 1st at 7:00PM. Rep. Hoekstra is also a candidate for Michigan's governor race.
Details here.
Here is the problem... Rep. Hoekstra represents the 2nd Congressional district of Michigan, which is on the west side of the lower peninsula. He is coming up to the 1st Congressional district, which is the entire upper peninsula and a little bit of the top of the lower peninsula, because:
"The residents of the Upper Peninsula desire and deserve to have their voice heard on the health care issue without being selected, screened or censured," a media advisory said, announcing the session. "As such, Congressman Pete Hoekstra has agreed to lead a respectful debate to hear what is on the minds of Upper Peninsula residents in a setting that is open to all and is not scripted."
His district doesn't even border the 1st district nor have anything to do with the UP.
How unscripted is this forum going to be? I recieved an email notice from the county GOP that this forum is happening. Until today, the local media hadn't picked up on this. With one day to mobilize, are enough healthcare reform supporters going to be able to show up and denounce the teabagging deathers?
Unfortunately I cannot go to this forum because of family issues. I am hoping some Yooper kossacks see this and mobilize, because I am very sure this will be a "scripted" townhall. Scripted to suit Rep. Hoekstra's Republican ways and get soundbites for his gubernatorial race.