Kevin Yoder (R-KS) refuses to admit DEMOCRATS to his town hall

[proud2BlibKansan]

Congressman Kevin Yoder Hides from Constituents
Yoder Cancels Secret Town Hall Meeting

Overland Park, KS -- This morning, at the Mills Farm Clubhouse in Overland Park Kansas, Congressman Kevin Yoder cancelled a hastily arranged town-hall meeting to discuss his recent vote for the “Cut, Cap & Balance” bill. Over 40 constituents of Yoder’s were denied entry into the meeting with staff citing a lack of ‘pre-registration.’ After constituents, elected officials and members of the media waited for over an hour in the heat, members of Yoder’s Congressional staff turned people away and said the meeting was cancelled.

In response to Congressman Yoder’s actions this morning, Kansas Democratic Party Executive Director Kenny Johnston released the following statement:

“Mr. Yoder can run but he can’t hide. His vote this week was political grandstanding at its worst. If I’d voted to pay for handouts to the rich by eliminating Medicare, stood up for the Tea Party instead of common-sense Kansans and put our economy at risk while slashing Social Security, I’d probably run away, too.

“Kevin Yoder needs to act like a Congressman. He needs to stand before his constituents and explain his extreme voting record. His votes for big oil and the wealthy few and against Medicare and Social Security have left everyday Kansans wondering, ‘When is this guy gonna stand up for us?’

“There was a 90 year old woman in the crowd today who came to hear from her Congressional Representative about his votes on important issues. She braved the heat to be there. Unfortunately, Congressman Yoder wasn’t brave enough to listen.”

http://www.kansasdems.org/media/press-release/congressman-kevin-yoder-hides-constituents

Yesterday we heard Kevin was having a town hall this morning. So we quickly spread the word, a few of us went to his website and registered and about 40 Democrats from the KS 3rd district showed up at the event. We were refused entry. First they said you can only come in if you are registered. So the ones in our group who had registered walked to the head of the line, only to be turned away and told it was a private event.

We waited. The police came. They got in. We kept waiting. Finally one of Kevin's people came out and told us the event had been cancelled because "Democrats have invaded" and he shut the door.

I'm NOT making this up. We were invaders. Not constituents. Not citizens Kevin represents, but invaders.

The venue was the clubhouse of this development. (Out in the middle of nowhere)




Horses guarded the entrance




It was 95 degrees but these Democrats stood patiently and waited to be allowed entrance to the event






You can tell they are trouble makers, can't you?




This veteran was upset he couldn't get in




We called the media. They were too busy to come.




The guy in the Royals shirt - he's a reporter with the KC Star. They wouldn't let him in either.




Let's play a game, shall we? As I was waiting in the heat, I took pictures of the cars in the lot that had bumper stickers. See if you can figure out which ones belong to people who got in and which ones belong to people who were refused admittance.

1.


2.


3.


4.


5.

[emulatorloo]

1. Thanks for going out and thanks for posting this. Rec

[Snoutport]

2. pity they can't be charged for this.... ruining democracy should be treason.

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. Oh we'll charge him

His punishment will be a loss in 2012 :)

[bluestate10]

29. Chase his ass right back under the rock that he slithered out from. nt

[Snoutport]

44. i sure hope so!

[Angry Dragon]

8. I would sue him anyway

If he used office money to fly home and then he has a closed event
that could be in violation of ethics, fraud, theft

[WCGreen]

3. He doesn't represent democrats....

What a lovely american...

[bluestate10]

31. What he did it illegal. Members of Congress get federal funds for constituent meetings.

Those meetings must be open to all. People that misbehave can be removed, but only if they misbehave.

[Uben]

4. So, it was just a republican circle jerk

If all he wants to do is preach to the choir, it's not a town hall meeting.

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. He sent out invitations to his email list

He's such a doofus.

[bighughdiehl]

7. Hmmm.....

Could he be afraid of disruptors like those
Tea party minions disrupting town halls last year,
only this time from Democrats? Another failure
of these Republicon shitfucks to take their own goddamn medicine.

[ejpoeta]

9. they should have to allow everyone in. this is ridiculous. they don't just represent the people

who voted for them. they represent everyone in their district. this is bs. how can they get away with this. they should 1)have to hold meetings in public places like town hall or something and 2)have to allow EVERY constituent who wants to go.

[MH1]

10. so what did the KC Star reporter write about the event?

surely he wrote about not being allowed in?

[proud2BlibKansan]

22. Nothing yet

I'll post it when he does.

[CurtEastPoint]

11. Smarmy little 35-year old Republican ass. And a drunk driver as well.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reported Saturday that new records show candidate for Congress, State Representative Kevin Yoder (R), refused a field sobriety test during a traffic stop in 2009.
The Capital-Journal reports that Yoder “was questioned by a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper in February 2009 after being pulled over for speeding on K-10 highway. Yoder declined at that time to take the breath test”and later paid $165 in fines.
Kevin Yoder is in a campaign against Stephene Moore (D) and Jasmine Talbet (L) to replace Moore’s husband, Dennis Moore, in the Third Congressional District.
A spokesperson for Yoder, Alissa McCurley, said Yoder was issued a citation for driving over the speed limit but was not driving under the influence of alcohol. “Kevin was pulled over for speeding,” McCurley said. “He was asked to take a field sobriety test, which he passed.”
“He was issued a speeding ticket and then asked to take a preliminary breathalyzer test,” McCurley continued. “He declined because he had passed the sobriety test. Kevin was not driving under the influence. He paid the fine for one citation, the other was dismissed.”
But Moore’s campaign disputed Yoder’s claim Monday and says that new records show Yoder pled guilty to refusing to take the preliminary breathalyzer test.
Moore’s campaign says the speeding charge was dropped, while Yoder pled guilty to the more serious charge of refusing to take a breathalyzer.

[patrice]

16. FACT: A guy whose "decision" making skills = It's easier to apologize than it is to get permission.

Surprise, surprise.

[Buns_of_Fire]

17. That's a candidate for an Atomic Wedgie if *I* ever saw one! nt

[BlueKansas]

36. Refusing a BAC Test

It's reprehensible. You only refuse it if you know you're so drunk that your BAC could land you in jail -- and in this case -- derail your political career. Passing a field sobriety test can be amatter of having a friendly cop, or simply being able to do the things the cop tells you to do. If you are not in the bag, why would you refuse the test? I was nearly killed by a drunk driver in 2006 when we still lived in the Chicago area. He refused the breathalyzer too. He totalled a $90K Mercedes in the wreck, and it was a miracle neither of us was seriously hurt. I'm sure he was on the phone to his attorney the second after the crash and was advised not to submit to the test. I hate drunk drivers.

[bullwinkle428]

42. Two years ago? That's a "youthful indiscretion"

in the eyes of Republicans!

[CanonRay]

12. Check out all the McMansions in the background

true Rethug/Teabagger turf.

[BlueKansas]

27. Probably, but not necessarily

We don't live all that far from Mills Farm. I drive past it all the time and yeah, those homes are huge, and I pity anyone who owns one who tries to sell it in this market. But we live in a pretty upscale neighborhood too -- not like Mills Farm, but acreage properties and nice custom homes. There are plenty of people around us who voted for Obama and who are fed up with Brownback and the Republicans in Congress. I can't say Kansas will go blue in 2012, but the KDP (Kansas Democratic Party) is not an oxymoron and is becoming pretty active.

[proud2BlibKansan]

37. Jo Co is where many of the moderate republicans are from

Remember we have three state senators the far right whackos are trying to take out. All republicans.

BTW, welcome to DU! :hi:

[66 dmhlt]

28. Johnson County, KS one of wealthiest in the nation

According to the 2000 census, Johnson County, KS (part of the Kansas City metro and in Yoder's district) ranked 19th highest for median household income:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highest-income_counties_in_the_United_States

[proud2BlibKansan]

35. We were #4 when I was growing up

For many years we were wealthier than Beverly Hills.

[KansDem]

13. He's a liar!

Good job reporting this, Proud2BlibKansan!

I wasn't aware of this "town hall;" I might have been able to attend.

I'll keep checking for future "town halls" that I might be able to get into!

But Yoder is a liar...:hi:

k&r...

[proud2BlibKansan]

23. Just found out about it yesterday

Not much time to get the word out.

[Romulox]

14. Wonder why the owner of the non-union made vehicle can't make the connection

between jobs and funds for schools?

:shrug:

[patrice]

15. What do you want to bet his teaparty OIL agitators knew all about pre-registration way in advance?nt

[Wait Wut]

18. I love this.

Respectful, decent citizens being turned away. I remember when the teapers were disrupting every Democratic town hall here in Arizona.

On a lighter note, "your" Democrats look like ours!! My husband and I are usually among the "youngest" at events at 52 and 46 years old! The "young people's party" my ass!!! :kick:
The "oldsters" are usually the most outspoken and the most fun, too!

[WinkyDink]

19. Bush rallies admitted only Republicans, also.

[neverforget]

20. just another T-Bagging coward

[SheilaT]

21. What, you expect "democratic" principles to apply

to a Republican? How silly!

Is anyone getting geared up to run against Yoder next year? It really should start now, especially the fundraising part.

[proud2BlibKansan]

24. You are right

The party needs to get moving with a candidate to take him out.

[BlueKansas]

40. Sometimes I wonder about the KDP

Proud2B, I'm sure I know you from the KDP Facebook updates and from when I used to be able to comment on Yoder's FB page. The KDP frustrates me. They communicate frequently, preaching to the choir, telling us this and that about Yoder, Jenkins, Brownback, etc. I always ask what they intend to do about it -- when they will draft a strong candidate and get on with fundraising. I have send Joan Wagnon several private messages and have never had a reply from her. They are guilty of complaining about the problem, but they are in a position to DO something about it, and if they have a plan, they sure aren't sharing it. Oh, and Stephen Moore's campaign was run abysmally last year. In part, it's the local Democratic organization who is responsible for Yoder getting elected.

I'd like to know what your thoughts are on the KDP because I am not very impressed. IMO, we need a much stronger and aggressive posture from our local party. And in 2012, I won't be contributing to the national Democratic fundraising organizations because they always neglect Kansas candidates thinking they're lost causes. I'll donate directly to our local candidates.

[proud2BlibKansan]

43. They need money

They are grossly outfunded by the KS GOP.

I am not giving to national Dems anymore. My dollars are going to local and state candidates.

You should get involved locally. There is a happy hour Wed, July 27 at Lucky's in Mission. And we have a 2nd Saturday breakfast every month also.

[freshwest]

25. Conducting public business on private property. The media is privately owned. Of course no one cares

[BlueKansas]

26. Yoder Blocked Me on Facebook Because of This!

My congressman, Kevin Yoder, blocked me from his FB page the other day, within an hour of my posting the time and location of this so-called "townhall meeting". I have repeatedly disagreed with him and been critical of him on that page, as are many other of his constituents. This, apparently, was the last straw. I can no longer post. He has no use for my opinion. I wasn't profane or threatening. All I did was give people information on a townhall he had chosen to keep secret. This man is a definite one term comgressman.

[proud2BlibKansan]

32. He's been putting less up on Facebook and dropping more people

I expect to get the axe anytime now. :)

[BlueKansas]

33. You too?

Ha -- we probably know each other from his FB page. I probably "Liked" most of yourp osts when I was able to comment there.

[proud2BlibKansan]

34. For months I only posted this:

"Where are the jobs, Kevin?"

Most of those posts were deleted.

[BlueKansas]

38. HAHAHAHA!!

I know exactly who you are!! And I am the woman you no longer see clicking Like on your posts, because Kev won't let me!

[woo me with science]

41. Beautiful. nt

[cyberpj]

30. Hey! Nice McMansions! What energy crisis? Dear God. nt

[Major Hogwash]

39. Same thing happened out here in Idaho this week. GOP Barking Dog Labrador came to town

but you had to respond to his e-mail announcement and RSVP by Monday to get in to his Obama bashfest in Boise. His "open public meeting" wasn't announced in the local newspaper or advertised on the radio before the event took place.

One of the local news channels carried some of his speech where he said that Obama wasn't courageous enough to meet the GOP half-way about the debt ceiling.
I just laughed because then the camera turned to the audience and there were only about 50 people there, all of them were white senior citizens and most of them were nodding off or slumped down in their chairs.
They must have bussed them in from a nearby rest home or something.