What is Jon Runyan Hiding?

by: deciminyan

Wed Aug 17, 2011 at 09:38:47 AM EDT

In a representative government, our legislators are supposed to support all the people, not just those who voted for them or plied them with cash contributions. It's easy for Runyan to appear before a friendly audience, but he is shirking his responsibilities by refusing to listen to his constituents and answer the difficult questions.

In response to a question about public meetings, one of Runyan's aides sent this e-mail to a constituent:

I just wanted to follow up to your email regarding upcoming townhalls. Congressman Runyan has a slew of upcoming events at the joint-base, senior centers and our local defense and fisheries facilities. Therefore, we did not have time to fit in a town hall during this district work period. But keep checking the website for updates. We usually post out new events on the website, and due to security concerns in light of the shooting of Rep. Giffords, we cannot often give a lot of advance notice. In any event, I wanted to connect with you and let you know we did receive your email.

I called Runyan's Mount Laurel office this morning, and a nice young lady basically confirmed the information in that e-mail. She told me that the meetings with military and defense communities were closed to the public and that as far as meetings at senior communities are concerned, it was up to the host organization as to whether or not they would be open.  Runyan's representative was either unable or unwilling to provide me with a schedule for these meetings (see postscript, below).

In other words, Runyan will be glad to meet with his supporters, but anyone who wants to ask him tough questions can go to hell. Certainly, in light of the insane attack on Representative Giffords, physical security must be heightened, but this should not mean that a congressman shuts the door to his constituents entirely. If metal detectors and x-ray machines are good enough for the State House in Trenton, they should also be fine for a 350 pound ex-football player.

During the last campaign, Runyan was entirely unimpressive in his debate with the late John Adler. But after a year on the political scene, one would expect Runyan to have become more polished, more in tune with the issues, and more of an independent public servant. Instead, he still only regurgitates the Fox Tea Party talking points and is a reliable vote for the policies of Grover Norquist and John Boeher. If that's what he wants to do, fine. But as my representative, I want to ask him why he votes against the best interest of a majority of his constituents. Why are you hiding, Jon?

Postscript: I've since learned that one of the meetings with the Seniors community will be held on Friday, August 19 from 1:00PM to 3:00PM at the Holiday City Clubhouse II, 631 Jamaica Blvd, Berkeley, NJ. I don't know if it's open to the public, but the Ocean County OFA will be there.  I can't re-arrange my schedule on short notice, but if any Blue Jersey readers are able to get in, please post a diary on the meeting for all to read.

It would be nice if Runyan's office would give his constituents adequate notice as to when these meetings occur.