Riding tide of health bill anger, House Republicans turn to Twitter to tout recess activities

Since recess began, several House Republicans have used Twitter to promote their August activities, keeping a national audience informed of their once obscure local events. Their tweeting runs alongside heightened public skepticism of Democratic health insurance reform proposals.

Arguably the hot-button issue of this year’s recess has been healthcare town halls. Clamorous protesters have descended on the usually tranquil town meetings to express their disdain for the current healthcare reform legislation.

Many high-profile Democrats have dubbed the protests examples of manufactured outraged organized by Republicans and special interests. The GOP has asserted that the hostile audiences are legitimate displays of public outrage.

Since Democrats have received the brunt of the protesters’ abuse, Republicans have touted their relatively controversy-free town meetings sharing videos of them on Twitter.

Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Tex.), a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, tweeted a video on Monday of his town hall and an op-ed praising its civility:

And a link to the actual Townhall. http://bit.ly/n6TQW

A link to editorial comment on my Denton townhall. From the Record-Chronicle. http://tinyurl.com/lk5e8p

Illinois Republican Don Manzullo, who sits on the Financial Services Committee, also shared a YouTube video of his town hall with his 788 followers:

At Sycamore town mtg, this is why public option will lead to gov takeover of health care. http://tiny.cc/DiIaD

One House Republican linked an article about a town hall that stirred some controversy. Rep. John Sullivan (R-Okla.) tweeted an article to a town hall during which he backed “birther” claims questioning President Barack Obama’s citizenship and accused the White House of gathering an “enemies list.”

You wouldn’t know it from his Saturday tweet:

Featured in today’s Tulsa World: “Sullivan blasts Obama plans, says bipartisanship needed” We’re fighting every step! http://bit.ly/8g4ti

Other congressmen are playing up their radio and television appearances, where they have restated their opposition to healthcare reform to local and national audiences.

House Republican Conference chairman Mike Pence (Ind.) plugged his Monday morning interview on WOWO radio in Fort Wayne, Ind. before and after the show:

I’m going to be on @WOWOFortWayne this AM. Check wowo.com for more details. Should be on around 7 AM EDT. #INtcot #tcot #FortWayne

Wrapping up here at @WOWOFortWayne, been great. Thanks for your calls! Let’s keep up the fight for freedom vs govt takeover of #healthcare.

Pence also advertised a town hall meeting he held right after the radio show:

On my way to Bluffton for my third #healthcare town hall meeting with my constituents. All have been impassioned, but civil and respectful

Not all of the appearances have been local. Republican Study Committee chair Tom Price (Ga.) told his 3,218 tweeps he would be on Fox News and tweeted a link to a YouTube video of him railing against the health reform bill in the Education and Labor Committee:

On Fox News Right now.

Send this video to your friends. Let’s get to one million views. http://bit.ly/2WQzx

Although they have generated the bulk of recess tweets, Republicans aren’t the only ones using Twitter to tout their activities over the break.

Centrist Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill (Mo.) has used her Twitter account to defend skeptical town hall audiences and express dismay that one of her events was canceled by a local school district:

I disagree that the people showing concern over some healthcare proposals are “manufactured” Real folks, strong opinions

Very disappointed that U City school dist cancelled our event Tues.We will expand the time on afternoon event in effort to accomodate folks