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U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips’ first New Hampshire town hall, held in Nashua last month, was anything but typical.
The freshman congressman faced sharp criticism from attendees, who accused him of dodging their questions and using “gaslighting” tactics to avoid taking a stance on several topics.
The town hall, which was scheduled to last two hours, began with Phillips making a lengthy opening statement. He answered questions from the audience in 15-minute blocks and said he wanted to keep the “conversation respectful.”
But it soon became apparent that the gathering was becoming increasingly tense. Attendees pressed Phillips to take a position on a variety of issues, such as his support of impeaching President Donald Trump, his stance on the DREAM Act, and his thoughts on gun control. Many booed and jeered when he didn’t provide a straightforward answer.
Asked later about the incident, Phillips said that he had been trying to create an atmosphere of “thoughtful dialogue and respect” with the attendees. But he acknowledged that it had gotten “testy,” and that “my attempt to listen to everyone and keep the conversation respectful was apparently not effective.”
The incident has raised questions about the growing polarization among congressional town halls and other public forums around the country. In an era of fierce partisan politics, it appears that many constituents are no longer willing to accept vague rhetorical answers from their representatives.
At the same time, the event underscores the challenge for lawmakers like Phillips, who is caught between a progressive base of supporters and a moderate voting record. In order to effectively represent his district, Phillips must both listen to his constituents and find ways to compromise in order to pass legislation.
While it remains to be seen how Phillips will handle town halls in the future, it’s clear that he and other lawmakers across the country have to reach a better balance between responding to constituents’ demands and achieving tangible legislative progress.