GETTING THE FACTS STRAIGHT:

TONIGHT’S MEETING OF “INDIVISIBLE” IN MARLTON

This is not a completely organic movement driven by constituents who simply want to have a conversation with their congressman. “Indivisible” is a highly organized group with a clear partisan agenda.

MYTH: Town hall meeting demands are coming from an organic group of constituents who are simply looking to have a meaningful dialogue with their Congressman.

FACT: While there are no doubt well-intentioned constituents among them (like the constituents Rep. MacArthur met with yesterday at his office), the fact of the matter is that these “town hall” events are being pushed and promoted by a collection of progressive groups (led by one called “Indivisible,” which was founded by former Democrat Congressional staffers) to try and embarrass congressional Republicans and get media coverage.  Their goal is to make a spectacle, not constructively discuss policy differences.

Dr. Eileen Hill, a founder of a local “Indivisible” chapter, left a message with our office on 2/16 to invite Congressman MacArthur to their meeting in Marlton on 2/22.  She is clearly following this group’s playbook, which recommends organizers:

·         “Invite your MoC. There are a couple of ways to invite your MoC to an event”        

·         “Make clear to everyone that the MoC is invited. Publicize widely that your MoCs are keynote speakers who have been invited. If they don’t show—that’s makes them look bad, not you.”  https://www.indivisibleguide.com/resources-2/2017/2/12/missing-members-of-congress-action-plan

Prior to actually contacting our office to begin a dialogue, Dr. Hill submitted a letter to the Courier Post, on 2/14, announcing that “Indivisible” was inviting Congressman MacArthur to their meeting.  Again, following the playbook, which suggests:

·         “Get in touch with press ahead of time. Issue a media advisory and send it to local reporters. Be sure to include the key points about your MoC’s absence (above), in addition to details on the event. Remember too: Twitter is an excellent way to flag for local journalists that you’ve got something big coming up” https://www.indivisibleguide.com/resources-2/2017/2/12/missing-members-of-congress-action-plan

Our office has been in communication with Dr. Hill over the past week, advising her that Congressman MacArthur would not be attending their meeting of “Indivisible”, and scheduled a meeting with her for 2/21. She abruptly canceled the meeting the morning of 2/21, and appears to be pushing forward with an event where the Congressman would not be present.  Again, following the playbook:

·         “There’s no more effective way to illustrate that your MoC is in hiding than by holding the event that they’re too scared to consider. You may be able to hold an impromptu town hall by bringing a group to your MoC’s district office—but you can also try something a little more elaborate. This requires some additional preparation, but it can be extremely effective in drawing attention to your missing MoC.”

Congressman MacArthur was also invited to this “Indivisible” meeting via fax on 2/17 by New Jersey Citizen Action who, according to their website, is a “liberal activist group.” New Jersey Citizen Action is also organizing protests outside of our district offices in Marlton and Toms River. These protests have been put together by paid staffers, Maura Collingsru and Jerome Montes, both of whom live outside New Jersey’s Third Congressional District.

MYTH: Members of Congress are facing an overwhelming demand for in-person town hall meetings. 

FACT: About 250 people (.03% of constituents in NJ-03) are making this “demand.”

·         For comparison: Our office has recently received more correspondence related to our district reading challenge, H.R. 861, and a Senate resolution that Congressman MacArthur will not have the opportunity to vote on.

MYTH: Groups like “Indivisible” want a productive dialogue with their congressman.

FACT: As numerous events around the country have demonstrated, these town hall events have devolved into shouting matches where mutually respective dialogue has been replaced with organized heckling and shouts, and in one case injured an elderly woman and child.

·         “Huge crowds of raucous progressives and quieter conservatives overwhelmed Rep. Tom Reed’s town hall meetings in Ashville and Cherry Creek Saturday morning, with the progressives repeatedly interrupting and shouting down the congressman’s comments…” https://buffalonews.com/2017/02/18/huge-crowd-progressives-overwhelms-reed-town-hall-meeting/

·         The assault on Rohrabacher’s district director, Kathleen Staunton, happened Tuesday afternoon during a protest by a group calling themselves Indivisible OC. Police confirmed they were called to the scene, but made no arrests. http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2017/02/15/rohrabacher-staffer-71-knocked-unconscious-by-group-delivering-valentines-day-cards/

MYTH: Congressman MacArthur is “hiding” from constituents.

FACT: Congressman MacArthur takes great pride in always being accessible to those he represents in a host of different ways.  

·         Just yesterday, Congressman MacArthur met with leaders of the Muslim-American community from Burlington County, a group of constituents affiliated with Action Together Burlington County that had appeared at his office in peaceful protest last week, and the Evesham Township Democrats. Yes – Congressman MacArthur visited a meeting of the Evesham Township Democrats in Marlton and took about a dozen questions from constituents at the Gibson House. 

·         On February 13^th, Tom hosted a tele-townhall that featured over 4,000 participants (40,000 were invited and received a call from the Congressman to participate). In one hour, more than 15 questions were answered on issues including healthcare and President Trump’s Executive Orders.

·         Since January 1^st, 14,584 constituents have written, called, or emailed the office on a total of 123 different issue subjects. As of this moment, 14,155 have received a response. 860 additional constituents have received mail from the Congressman on healthcare and retirement savings legislation facing the House.

·         While in DC, Tom has had several dozen meetings with constituents (including Jewish War Veterans and local law enforcement this week). His legislative staff has had 27 meetings with constituents, including AFGE, NJ Habitat for Humanity, and Parents Project for Muscular Dystrophy.

·         Tom continues to meet with constituents and community leaders in the district. Recently, he met with leaders from the Toms River Police Department and the Sheriff of Ocean County to discuss ways the federal government can provide support and resources to help crackdown on the flow of drugs into our community, help addicts with recovery, and get dealers off the streets.

·         Tom continues to support the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and recently spoke at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of the new CERDEC facility on the base. He fought hard for the placement for the KC-46 tanker at the Joint Base, which ensures the base continues to be a unique and indispensable military asset to the United States Armed Forces.

·         Tonight, he will be holding another tele-town hall at 7pm and tomorrow Tom will be participating in a call-in radio show. Press is able to listen into both of these events and they have been heavily advertised on our social media pages so that constituents can participate.

Camille M. Gallo

Communications Director

Congressman Tom MacArthur (NJ-3)

Phone: (202) 225-4765