Aug 13, 2009 6:14 am US/Eastern
Rep. Weiner Tries To Ban CBS 2 HD From Town Hall
Though Likely Fearful Of Backlash Against President Obama's Health Care Plan, Congressman Eventually Relents
Forum In Queens At Times Raucous, Heated, But Order Is Kept
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Congressman Anthony Weiner, D-Queens, tried to keep CBS 2 HD's cameras out of the Obama health care town hall event in Fresh Meadows on Aug. 12, but eventually relented.
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So many Americans have so much to say about President Barack Obama's health care plan.
You've seen it play out on television -- meeting's from across the country filled with yelling and finger-pointing at politicians.
And Wednesday night one local congressman facing a crowd of protestors tried to keep CBS 2 HD cameras out.
The forum was one viewers almost didn't see, after Congressman Anthony Weiner's staffers said the meeting was not open to our cameras.
But everyone we spoke to felt comfortable with cameras.
"I don't have any issues," said Chris Erickson, IBEW business manager, and the host of the Fresh Meadows, Queens event.
It's suspected the media savvy congressman wanted to avoid video of the confrontations with politicians seen around the country, like the one in Pennsylvania featuring embattled Sen. Arlen Spector.
"You and your cronies in the government do this type of stuff all the time," was part of that reaction.
Or earlier Wednesday in New Jersey.
"Last time I looked this is still America -- not China, not Russia, not Cuba," one person screamed.
Faced with our insistence that our cameras be allowed, Weiner arrived and was snippy.
Weiner: "This isn't for channel 2. This is for my constituents."
CBS 2 HD: "It's a public forum."
Weiner: "Settle down buddy. This is not about Channel 2 News. As much as you might think the earth revolves around you, it doesn't."
He agreed to let us in and moments later, the forum got raucous, amidst an emotional topic that affects millions.
"How are we going to pay for it? And please don't tell me it's going to come out of my pocket," one New Yorker asked.
But the frustration soon boiled over.
"You want to scream out and I pull the plug," Erickson said.
And threats were made to calm down, but still, those in attendance were clearly not pleased with President Obama's proposal.
"Why is that guy threatening me?" one asked.
"Let's look at the whole picture. You guys are stealing from us. You haven't come back to my questions yet."
But soon tempers cooled and the discussion about health care was on.
"This is not going to be free. That ain't going to happen," Weiner said.
Weiner said he backed a single-payer system and that the money to pay for it could come from the profits of health insurance companies and overhead.
"People are being forced to buy insurance. What if I don't want to buy insurance?" one person asked.
To which Weiner replied, "By no means am I defending the status quo."
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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