Pence slams ‘liberal activists’ at town halls

Vice President Pence says “liberal activists” are partly to blame for the wave of protests at GOP lawmakers’ recent town halls.

“The nightmare of ObamaCare is about to end,” he said Wednesday in Fenton, Mo. “Despite the best efforts of liberal activists at town halls around the country, ObamaCare has failed, and it has got to go.”

Pence added the Trump administration will “work with Congress” on creating more flexibility for healthcare, including allowing it to be sold across state lines “like car insurance and life insurance.”

{mosads}Republican lawmakers are facing tough crowds during this week’s congressional recess, with attendees challenging them on issues ranging from healthcare reform to President Trump’s agenda.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Wednesday the recurring incidents are a mixture of real frustration and “professional” agitation.

“There’s a hybrid there: I think some people are clearly upset, but there is a bit of professional protester, manufactured base in there,” he said during his daily press briefing.

Pence’s and Spicer’s remarks both echo Trump’s, who tweeted Tuesday that “the so-called angry crowds in home districts of some Republicans are actually, in numerous cases, planned out by liberal activists.”

Rep. Mark Sanford (R-S.C.) pushed back on the administration’s claim Wednesday, noting his town hall in Mount Pleasant, S.C., last Saturday “wasn’t an artificial crowd.”