, Columnist
The Shouters Win Town Hall Battles But Lose the War
Sure, you're raising awareness. Afterward the public will dislike you and your message.
Asking a lawmaker questions at a town hall doesn't feel that empowering. Shouting at one might.
Photographer: Justin Sullivan/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
I spent part of last week following a congressman around the sun-baked precincts of West Texas. I watched Will Hurd meet with constituents, deliver his stump speech, and wax lyrical about the Dairy Queen Blizzard.
I listened to voters tell me how much they admired Hurd, a moderate Republican in the only competitive district in Texas. I also watched the folks who don’t admire Hurd stand up and heckle to interrupt his stump speech. I wondered: “Why are you doing this?”