UPDATED: Giffords GOP foe steps in at town hall event

When Rep. Gabrielle Giffords cancelled a town hall meeting at American Legion Post #66 in Sahuarita, a potential contender for her congressional seat announced he would step in.

Jesse Kelly, who is vying for the GOP nod to run against Giffords next year in Arizona’s 8th District, said Giffords is fleeing from her responsibilities as an elected official.

“If our representative will not come out and hear people’s thoughts on these issues, if she will not come out and face the voters who elected her, I will,” he said.

Giffords had planned to address veterans issues Thursday at the American Legion Post but combined that and another appearance at Pima Community College into one meeting that will be held Thursday at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson. Giffords’ spokesman C.J. Karamargin said the decision was made in order to consolidate two separate meetings covering military issues.

But Kelly said he thinks Giffords is trying to avoid potentially contentious and vitriolic exchanges with voters about health care that have characterized town hall meetings across the nation.

“I believe she’s scared to get shouted at by the voters,” Kelly said. “If they want to stand in front of her and shout at her, that’s their right.”

Several members of Congress have been targeted in televised town hall meetings and a Maryland representative was hanged in effigy by protesters who don’t approve of attempts at health care reform.

Kelly said the demonstrations “could not be more appropriate,” despite Giffords and other representatives’ assertions that the meetings have devolved into unproductive shouting matches.

At a Congress on Your Corner event in Douglas last week, Giffords’ aides were rattled when one visitor dropped a gun.

“In an atmosphere that is already tense with emotions running high, someone seeing a gun falling to the ground only added to that tension,” Karamargin said.

But he added the Douglas event did not lead to the cancellation of the town hall and that Giffords will come to the Green Valley/Sahuarita area soon. He said Giffords is “always willing to confront the difficult issues.”

“It is completely inaccurate to suggest what some people are suggesting,” he said.

Kelly said he hopes to address “proper health care reform that doesn’t involve a government takeover,” which he said could be achieved through tort reform and more consumer choice.

His town hall will be held at American Legion Post #66, 1560 W. Duval Mine Road, on Thursday, August 13 from 10 a.m. to noon and is open to the public.

dnewhauser@gvnews.com / 547-9749

READER COMMENTS

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of gvnews.com.

Juanba wrote on Aug 11, 2009 4:56 PM:

" I thank you for you concern to listen to the Voices of the American people!! American’s lack confidence in this Government because of it’s unaccountability for and mismanagement of the spending of taxpayer dollars! Time for Government to stop wasting taxpayer dollars, become accountable to the tax paying citizens of these United States! When we question why government officials want specific legislation passed, bills that will cost tax payers, they should answer to those who have elected them not ignore our voices and call us Radicals!!

I want leaders who are willing to represent the “voice” of the American people and not their own agendas! A Government that will spend wisely and with restraint for fear of making an already bad situation worse, as Americans are expected to do when running our own household finances!! !! Congress must be required to change the way it handles the budget process and make sure nothing is hidden or confusing to the American people, provide the public a true understanding of the bills and spending problems. I want Congress to revise how they spend our tax dollars and that they are held accountable for their decisions as they have an impact on every American Citizen!!

A government of the people and for the people!!! "

Jonathan wrote on Aug 11, 2009 5:17 PM:

" It is great to see that someone is willing to go out and be in front of the people. I am becoming a fan of Jesse Kelly's more and more everyday. "

a fan and hopefully a friend wrote on Aug 11, 2009 7:51 PM:

" Thank you Mr. Kelly. Please hear us! We are turning to you because you are available and care. When you get elected, don't forget who you represent, and why. "

Francine Shacter wrote on Aug 11, 2009 10:18 PM:

" Excuse me? "“If they want to stand in front of her and shout at her, that’s their right.” I don't think so!

If they want to engage in polite discourse, seeking information on her positions/votes - that is their right. Shouting at anyone, including a duly elected representative of the people, is not a right - it is an expression of rudeness - bad breeding, as my dear, departed mother would have said. My mother also also said that people who cannot reason, express their ideas - these are the people who "shout"! And my dear, departed mother was one smart woman! "

Guy Smith wrote on Aug 11, 2009 10:56 PM:

" where were all of these concerned citizens when bush was dumping 600 billion borrowed dollars on an illegal war?Oh thats right ,they wern't tax dollars yet.Yeah he was the first one to finance a war on a credit card so that he could look like he was doing the country a favor by giveing the average working stiff a small tax breake and the upper 1% huge tax breaks,and then combine that with what Reydun did by deregulateing the banking industry and you got one big finacial mess that this country has never seen before, all dumped on Obamas lap.So he trys to do the best he can to get the country back on track,which the rabid right wing fanatic talk show hosts and republican incumbents don't want to see happen.If they have to lie and fabricate untruths ,then so be it,whatever it takes!Then you have a bunch of ignorant right wingers that only listen to the right wing extremists like hannity and rush and oriely etc.there ready for a revolution.So Obama trys to get health care to all Americans including the wacos that are opposeing him and his plan,and they think ,I mean listen to rush or the likes tell them that Obama just wants to raise theire taxes to pay for a plan that doesnt work.Which is the biggest bunch of bull there is!I wonder how they think that 700 billion dollar and growing daily war bill will get payed with.Of cource we all know what there gonna get in return for all that money?Nada zip just dead and wounded american soldiers,but thats ok as long as we dont get heathcare for all. "

Rick wrote on Aug 12, 2009 5:29 AM:

" This appears to be a definite "political grandstand" on Kelly's part. His comments about people should be able to yell at each other seem less than civil. While we all have a right to express our opinion, it should be done in a contructive way. Question - When was the last time you paid attention to somone who was yelling at you?? "

scott in GV wrote on Aug 12, 2009 8:58 AM:

" I am not buying the hogwash and excuses coming out of the office of Rep Giffords regarding why she is not meeting her constituents on Health Care.

When an issue is so very important to the people, and you have a chance to hold a town hall meeting, you do it. You find a way......... you find a way.

GIffords is being glib. Her handling of this one very important issue shows me she is not cut out for the job.

She doesn't get it.

Please forgive me, I voted for her. Once is enough. "

Chayah Masters wrote on Aug 12, 2009 9:07 AM:

" While I applaud Mr. Kelly for stepping in and holding a town hall in place of Giffords, I caution him in stating youthful statements like the demonstrations “could not be more appropriate” in relation to the demonstrations nationwide. Perhaps the placement of this statement in this article misrepresented what Kelly meant however it came right after the fact that an elected leader had been hanged in effigy. Demonstrations are one thing, hanging representatives in effigy are another along with spray painting swastikas on elected officials signs in front of their offices. We need leaders Mr. Kelly, not politicians who fan the flames of dissent. I'm with you on health care but I don't want to see anyone get hurt over it, whether I disagree with them or not. "

Tim wrote on Aug 12, 2009 9:16 AM:

" This Mr. Kelly sounds like a gutsy person. I look forward to hearing what he has to say. I like what I saw on his web site, votejessekelly.com "

Chayah Masters wrote on Aug 12, 2009 9:23 AM:

" Question? Is the town hall today? Or tomorrow? "

Dylan wrote on Aug 12, 2009 11:40 AM:

" Juanaba, my sentiments exactly. Many of us are seeing how are government is not working for us, like they should. The man in office shouldn't be there, but maybe it was God's will, because he has not one qualification and his companions were and are of the worst degree. But our officials that are suppose to represent us need to hear us. I know Senator Kyl is wonderful for example. But I ask also why is not our constitution, "for the people, by the people" being listened to and used? How is the President and all those that support him, ignoring us? This I do not understand. People are angry and hurt, that's why there is shouting, they want to be heard. I feel like I am losing my country more, everyday. "

Kelly wrote on Aug 12, 2009 11:45 AM:

" Why do the AZ Dems run and hide when people don't agree with them? Kilpatricks and Giffords cancellations are much like Harry Mitchell's no shows in Scottsdale. It's pretty clear that people really want to share their thoughts on health care yet our Representatives don't want to discuss. Even though they are supposedly home on "break" to listen to their constituents before they go back into session you'd think they would hold a town hall on what people care most about right now. Buck up and listen to what your district has to say or get out. "

Gary wrote on Aug 12, 2009 3:14 PM:

" I am not understanding what "Bush" has to do with Jesse Kelly.

Jesse Kelly is not George Bush and last time I read the Constitution, the only branch of the government that can authorize war and spend money is the legislative branch. So, in a sense I agree with Guy Smith.....Why should we re-elect Gabrielle Giffords since she voted for the war and its funding!

Go Guy....I support Jesse Kelly too now that you have shown us all the light. "