Democrats barnstorming in support of health care reform plans have met heated, and sometimes downright ugly, opposition at town hall meeting across the country -- unlike President Barack Obama's love fest Tuesday afternoon -- and Sen. Benjamin Cardin, D-Md., is not immune.
He held a town hall Monday evening at Towson State University, and vocal demonstrators on both sides of the debate attended, News4's Keith Garvin reported. More than 2,000 people endured the heat to attend the event.
"I've had it," said Connie Anderson, who supports the reform plans. "I have friends in other countries who do not worry about this ever and I'm sick of it."
"You want it to be more efficient and you want it to be cheaper, and you want the government to do it?" scoffed opponent Rob Baranoski. "Come on."
Before the town hall, Cardin expressed his hope that things would remain calm, but wish in one hand …
At times, the senator struggled to complete a sentence, Garvin reported. The atmosphere was rowdy, but it didn't become violent. Police moved through the crowd so their presence was known.
The question-and-answer session also became a headache.
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
"Senator, please allow me to also commend you for showing up and taking the heat," one opponent said. "I didn't think that you had it in you."
The next opportunity to throw sticks and stones will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Hagerstown Community College.
