Posted: Aug.
26, 2009 8:54 p.m. Madison &mdash A meeting billed as a two-sided discussion on national health care turned into a giant pep rally Wednesday night for those against the current House legislation. They left fired up. “We need to continue to fight the good fight,” said Debbie Hansen, a Madison resident and self-described conservative who has voted for Republicans and Democrats in the past. She fears the health care bill would lead to socialized medicine. Americans for Prosperity state director Mark Block said he couldn’t persuade U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Madison) or other supporters of the bill to attend or play a formal role. Very few reform supporters appeared to be part of the crowd, though a few hecklers interrupted speakers at several points. Earlier Wednesday night, in Green Bay, an estimated 450 supporters of the proposed health care changes rallied with Democratic Rep. Steve Kagen of Appleton. Labor, church and consumer groups led that rally.
In Madison, police provided a highly visible security presence at the Marriott West. Signs announced: “No weapons allowed in the hotel” – a nod to participants who might have been tempted to show support for open-carry laws, police said.