I thought this would be a great opportunity to see if Judy has done any research on health care since her tele townhall. I'd like to know just what she's going to base her vote on. Does she have any actual facts yet? Is she just using Republican talking points? Is she still just using third hand anecdotes for her whole argument against reform?

So, the meeting is supposed to be held in a condo community's clubhouse in Hinsdale, IL. We drove along the beautiful eight foot tall wrought iron fence until we came to a staffed guard house. Nobody came out of the guard house, so we just drove on in. We followed the roadway around the complex until we went past the back entrance, which was a "self service" locked door which swings open when you slide your ID card, and the clubhouse was nearby. The drive was nice and the landscaping and flowers were very pretty. We parked and went to the clubhouse.

I wish I could tell you what Judy Biggert said at her "public" town hall meeting tonight. But, nobody could get in unless they showed ID and proved that they lived inside the fence. Nobody else could get through the door. Local newspaper and a TV camera were there, and they could not get in, either.

After Judy had been speaking inside for about half an hour, one of her people came out and pretended that he was just so upset we couldn't meet with Judy tonight. He suggested that "our group" could call and ask to see Judy sometime, and she may be able to find time in her schedule. But, I'm not part of any organized group. People asked if she planned to hold a public meeting, and her talking head only repeated the same statement. There will be no public meeting scheduled by Judy. We asked when there might be open times in her schedule, and we'd just pick one of her available times. It seemed most efficient. He completely ignored that request and instead insisted that we call and maybe she could bother.

Now, just so you don't think Judy is being completely unreasonable, he DID offer that Judy has had meetings with various groups on this issue. Why earlier, she met with AARP! I wasn't invited to that one. On Wednesday, she'll meet with the Naperville Chamber of Commerce, but you'll have to be a member to get in. So, I won't get in to that meeting on health care. I don't belong to any of those lobbyist groups.

See a trend here? Judy Biggert is meeting with pre-selected people ala George Bush. Or, she's meeting with insurance industry and business groups. But, no meetings for constituients. No meetings with voters. If you aren't in some lobbyist group, this republican won't bother to arrange a gathering for you.

There were about a 18-20 people who were not connected and could not get in tonight. We talked with the reporters a while, and then we left. Some of the people set up outside the manned gate and pulled out some signs. But, I'll bet Judy snuck out the back gate and avoided even looking at anyone but her selected group.

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE!!!!

Judy Biggert and Mark Kirk will be hosted by the Naperville Chamber of COmmerce tomorrow, August 12, from 11 am to 1 pm for a townhall meeting on Health Care at the Arista Hotel Ballroom, 2139 City Gate Lane, Naperville IL

you have to get tickets and give your personnal information to get them.

Call 630-355-4141 for tickets.