Let’s look back just a short time in history.<\/p>\n
Carol Shea-Porter in 2006: “I always believe in speaking up. I think that’s what we’re supposed to do,” she said. And last week? What a difference three years in The Beltway makes. Carols Shea-Porter made a name for herself in the 1st Congressional District of New Hampshire, by attending Town Hall Meetings hosted by her predecessor, Congressman Jeb Bradley, for years. Now, however, in the midst of one of the most significant and controversial discussions in Congress, while her colleagues are hosting health care town halls across the nation, Carol Shea-Porter refuses to face her voters. <\/strong><\/p>\n According to the Portsmouth Herald today, Shea-Porter is foregoing the traditional town hall style format of meeting face to face with voters in exchange for a controlled, over-the-phone discussion to prevent dissent on the issue of Health Care. <\/p>\n \u201cThe purpose of town halls is to allow members of Congress to hear from their constituents, provide information about legislation, and to exchange ideas and perspectives. While it is unfortunate that a small group of people are trying to disrupt this democratic process\u2026\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n — Jamie Radice, a Shea-Porter spokeswoman, Town hall meetings in the line of fire, The Portsmouth Herald, August 10. 2009<\/p>\n This philosophy of refusing to allow citizens to express their dissent of proposed policies in Congress, flies directly in the face of Congresswoman Shea-Porters past actions, when she was just a citizen, and not a member of Congress. <\/p>\n “I always believe in speaking up. I think that’s what we’re supposed to do.” <\/em><\/p>\n — Carol Shea-Porter, September 19, 2006 Tuesday, Shea-Porter speaks of Bush protest; Social Security, By BEVERLEY WANG, Associated Press Writer.<\/p>\n \u201cCongresswoman Shea-Porter is not affording the citizens of her District the same access that she herself not only was afforded, but touted, \u201c said 1st District Congressional Candidate Frank Guinta. \u201cFor a person who spent years exercising her right to free speech and dissent, it is unthinkable she would withhold that right from others. It appears she clearly is afraid of facing the opposition she provided to her predecessor.\u201d<\/p>\n CAROL SHEA-PORTER AND TOWN HALLS<\/strong><\/p>\n May 04, 2006 \u201cI know Jeb Bradley better than anybody else does,” she said. “I have been challenging him in his Town Hall meetings for over two years now\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n September 11, 2006 \u201cShe said she has attended many of Bradley’s town hall meetings to question his support for the war in Iraq.\u201d<\/p>\n September 13, 2006 \u201cShe studied Bradley by attending his town hall meetings around the state for 2 \u00bd years.\u201d<\/p>\n September 19, 2006 “I always believe in speaking up. I think that’s what we’re supposed to do,” she [Carol Shea-Porter] said.<\/p>\n November 9, 2006 “We’d been going to these town hall meetings, and we were waiting for somebody to step up who knew his record … but we just didn’t see this person emerge,” she [Carol Shea-Porter] said.<\/p>\n November 15, 2006 \u201cShe spoke to crowds of as few as three, encouraged her neighbors to spread the word, dogged her opponent at town hall meetings.\u201d <\/p>\n Thanks to the Guinta for Congress Campaign for compiling the above information.<\/em><\/p>\n Update: Shea-Porter and Hodes, instead of meeting with constituents, will be instead meeting with far-left bloggers and nutroots writers: Representatives Bug Out Instead of Facing Constituents<\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/em><\/p>\n
\nCarol Shea-Porter in 2009: No Town Hall meetings, spokesman, \u201c\u2026people are trying to disrupt this democratic process.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n
\nBoston Globe
\nN.H. DEMOCRATS SEE CHANCE FOR WIN
\nBY JOHN LAIDLER<\/p>\n
\nConcord Monitor
\nFour seek party’s approval; Iraq and health care among their concerns
\nby WALTER ALARKON<\/p>\n
\nAssociated Press
\nShea-Porter upsets Craig for 1st District Democratic nomination
\nBy BEVERLEY WANG<\/p>\n
\nAssociated Press
\nShea-Porter speaks of Bush protest; Social Security
\nBy BEVERLEY WANG<\/p>\n
\nThe Associated Press
\nCarol Shea-Porter’s unusual journey to U.S. Congress
\nBy BEVERLEY WANG<\/p>\n
\nThe Boston Globe
\nA win from the blue Unknown tapped a Democratic tide in N.H.
\nBy Rick Klein<\/p>\n