Steve Kagen Happy with Response to Secret Town Halls

Try 2 Focus had the scoop yesterday:

Apparently Congressman Kagen is planning on moving around the district in stealth mode during the current break.

First heard about this through a Facebook contact.

The Post-Cresent has a report from a Kagen event:

APPLETON — The new federal health care law has changed the tenor of the conversation and debate happening at U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen’s town hall meetings.

So thinks the Appleton Democrat, who on Wednesday came to the Thompson Community Center for the first of six forums in his northeastern Wisconsin district to outline to senior citizens the major provisions of the legislation.

His appearance with a group of 30 coincided with Gov. Jim Doyle’s announcement of the creation of a new office to help Wisconsin residents and businesses understand how the health care system’s overhaul will affect them.

“They’re having a different question now,” Kagen said in reference to the feedback he has been getting. “It’s not about what should be in (the bill), but what does the law do for me?”

First, if an event is not widely publicized, is it any wonder that Kagen was treated to an unusually supportive crowd. While I am certainly for raising the level of civility over that which was in evidence last summer, there's no evidence that now that health reform is law people are more supportive of it.

Second, the questions that people are asking most likely stem from the massive confusion surrounding the bill, though you get no sense of that from Kagen's remarks.

Roger Roth, one of the Republican candidates running to replace Kagen, just shared an article from McClatchy on his facebook page which included this:

WASHINGTON — Two weeks after President Barack Obama signed the big health care overhaul into law, Americans are struggling to understand how — and when — the sweeping measure will affect them.

Questions reflecting confusion have flooded insurance companies, doctors' offices, human resources departments and business groups.

"They're saying, 'Where do we get the free Obama care, and how do I sign up for that?' " said Carrie McLean, a licensed agent for eHealthInsurance.com.

I'd say those are different questions alright. In this case the contrast between Roth and Kagen couldn't be more stark, and it's not in Kagen's favor.