RNC Chairman Steele blasts Indiana congressman, targets him for defeat

Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele visits a doctor’s office in Floyds Knobs where he talked about what he said were problems with the health care reform plan presented by Indiana Ninth District Congressman Baron Hill and his fellow Democrats. Photo permission Ross Schulz/The Corydon Democrat
 

RNC Chairman Michael Steele blasted five-term representative Baron Hill (D-IN) in remarks to constituents in Indiana's Ninth District.  Hill made news recently when YouTube videos were posted that show him bullying constituents at town hall meetings.

Steele spoke with constituents on September 3rd in Floyds Knobs, IN, a rural suburb of Louisville, KY, where he discussed GOP alternatives to President Obama's health care initiative.

Steele lambasted Hill for his support of Obama's health care plan despite the fact that he represents a conservative area.

"You've got representatives who play a conservative back home," Steele said. "Then, in Washington, it's a whole different ball game. Baron Hill is one of those."

Steele also took aim Hill for his treatment of dissenting citizens at town hall meetings.

"You don't push back; you shut up and listen to what they have to say," Steele said. "But, Baron can't do that."

On August 31st, Hill made news by upbraiding constituents during a town hall meeting convened to discuss Obama's health care plan.  To a question about why a constituent could not video the meeting, Hill stated, "This is my town hall meeting and I set the rules.  Let me repeat that one more time: This is my town hall meeting for you. And you’re not going to tell me how to run my congressional office.”

An editorial in The Oklahoman predicts that, primarily due to this outburst, Hill will have an uphill battle come election time.  As the editorial points out, "It’s disconcerting whenever members of Congress seem to forget who they work for."

In 2006, Hill was a beneficiary of the Red to Blue initiative, a campaign by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee that targeted districts that were conservative and narrowly in the GOP camp.

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== Outlinks ==
RNC's Steele takes aim at Hill
http://www.corydondemocrat.com/Articles-i-2009-09-08-211832.114125_RNCs_Steele_takes_aim_at_Hill.html

Congressman Baron Hill
http://baronhill.house.gov/

Hot spot: Public servants risk public’s wrath
http://newsok.com/hot-spot-public-servants-risk-publics-wrath/article/3399678

Red to Blue 2008
http://www.actblue.com/page/redtoblue2008