Congressman Mullin holds town hall

Tulsa World randy.krehbiel@tulsaworld.com

TAHLEQUAH — Second District Congressman Markwayne Mullin began Friday’s public meeting by telling the 100 or so in attendance they aren’t getting a true picture of Washington. The audience began by telling Mullin that some of them don’t think he has a true picture of Oklahoma’s 2nd District.

“These (meetings) are for us to tell you what we think,” said one woman.

That woman, Sara Dunlap, had quite a bit to tell as it turned out, and she went on for some time on a range of subjects. She concluded by asking Mullin why he is running for a fourth term after saying he wouldn’t.

Mullin said he couldn’t answer a “political” question at a meeting he attends as a member of Congress, but suggested she check his campaign website.

He had opened the meeting by telling his audience how good things have been going in Washington. The media, he said, is “not reporting the facts;” Republicans and Democrats are getting along better than they ever did during the Obama administration, he insisted.

The crowd was not much interested in that. Although not entirely hostile, it was grumbly. When he suggested some of the audience members visit Washington and follow him around for a couple of days, a man replied he would rather Mullin follow him around for a few days.

Some level of discontent with Mullin has been brewing in Tahlequah since he abruptly canceled a public appearance here six months ago. Two people with Tahlequah ties — one Republican and one Democrat — plan 2018 challenges for Mullin’s seat.

That earlier event was scheduled for evening at a high school gym, and seems to have come to a premature end in part because of people waving red and green cards.

Friday’s meeting was in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church, and small American flags were passed out at the door.

Mullin may have preferred to talk about the regulations being rolled back under Republican control of the federal government, but the most persistent theme during Friday’s hourlong meeting seemed to be Mullin’s continued opposition to the Affordable Care Act.

Mullin has backed a number of health care measures, including those for childhood cancer treatment, diabetes prevention and treatment, and kidney disease detection. But he remains a staunch opponent of the ACA, which he says is an irredeemable failure.

Several in the audience, though, said the ACA has been successful for them or someone they know.

Most effective with this argument was David Earl of Tahlequah, who said the law has been “something that absolutely saved my family.”

Earl said he is selfemployed and was about to drop his individual health insurance policy until the ACA exchange came along.

Mullin allowed Earl to speak at some length and acknowledged the ACA has benefited some people, but said the overall impact has been detrimental.

“Premiums on the exchange have tripled,” Mullin said.

“Whose fault is that?” someone shouted. “Obama,” Mullin said. This may have turned around the crowd a year ago, but Friday it elicited mostly groans and derisive laughter.

“Is your insurance better than it was (before the ACA)?” Mullin asked at another point.

“Yes!” many in the crowd shouted back.

Mullin tried to strike a conciliatory note, saying such discussions are necessary.

“I know I’m not perfect,” he said at one point. “I say stupid stuff all the time.”