Guinta to Shea-Porter: Okay, Then I’ll Have a Town Hall Meeting

In a move that’s as in-your-face as you can get, Manchester, NH Mayor and Republican candidate for Congress Frank Guinta will host a health care town hall in Exeter on August 31st. In the press release announcing the town hall, the Guinta campaign doesn’t even pretend that the move is anything other than a slap at incumbent Democratic Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (NH-01).

“It is unthinkable, that an elected leader who herself is famous for her attendance and outspoken opposition at her predecessors’ town halls, would simply refuse to allow the same opportunity to her constituents, “said Guinta.

Shea-Porter, who was a vocal anti-war activist before winning her seat in 2006, essentially hounded then-Republican Congressman Jeb Bradley at his town halls in the years leading up to their race.

Shea-Porter was once forcibly removed from a George W. Bush speech in Portsmouth for protesting while wearing a shirt that read, “Turn your back on Bush.” She also once protested in front of the State House in Concord alongside demonstrators dressed as Nazis.

Some find her refusal to hold a town hall meeting ironic. Her office did not respond to our request for comment.

“We have the right to present our views and discuss this option before it is thrust upon us with no say. I am not a member of Congress, so will not be able to implement the wishes of our New Hampshire citizens this year. However, I will take all information garnered from this Town Hall and deliver it to Congresswoman Shea-Porter on our behalf,” Guinta continued.

Shea-Porter is under increasing pressure to address health care among her constitiuents. Fox News placed her on a milk carton to dramatize the fact that she is not holding town hall meetings this August recess:

Below is Guinta’s full announcement:

FRANK GUINTA TO HOST HEALTH CARE TOWN HALL FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE CITIZENS

Manchester, NH – For several days, citizens of New Hampshire have been requesting Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter do as her colleagues have done, and hold a Town Meeting to discuss the proposed Shea-Porter backed Health Care plan. Unfortunately, the Congresswoman has refused to meet with voters face to face and allow for an open discussion of the issue. In the absence of Congresswoman Shea-Porter, Manchester Mayor and 1st District Congressional Candidate Frank Guinta will host a Town Hall on Health Care, to give citizens the opportunity to ask questions, and express support and/or opposition for the proposal currently before Congress.

“In my travels across the district talking to voters, it is obvious that they are looking to be heard on the issues; that they are looking to have their views represented.

“It is unthinkable, that an elected leader who herself is famous for her attendance and outspoken opposition at her predecessors’ town halls, would simply refuse to allow the same opportunity to her constituents, “said Guinta. “We have the right to present our views and discuss this option before it is thrust upon us with no say. I am not a member of Congress, so will not be able to implement the wishes of our New Hampshire citizens this year. However, I will take all information garnered from this Town Hall and deliver it to Congresswoman Shea-Porter on our behalf.”

WHAT: Health Care Town Hall, hosted by Frank Guinta

Frank Guinta and a panel of industry experts will take questions and hear comments from NH citizens.

WHERE: Exeter Town Hall
10 Front Street
Exeter, NH

WHEN: 6:00PM
August 31, 2009

All details are subject to change. For more information, please contact Alicia Preston at email or phone number listed above.