After Rob Wittman's town hall at the Ferguson Center had a balanced discussion that was decidedly against a government expansion into the health care and insurance industry, Bobby Scott demonstrated in his town hall that politicians make good insurance salesmen.  Rob Wittman, Republican representative of the 1st district drew a large crowd Monday overfilling the Ferguson Center at CNU in Newport News.  The overflow crowd listened to the event through speakers set up in the lobby.  The venue held by Bobby Scott, Democrat representative of the 3rd district, Tuesday at the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center in Newport News was smaller but also overflowed into the parking lot. Those who arrived early (even only 30 minutes early) were all able to get in and were invited to sign in and leave contact information and a certain amount of numbers were handed out to those who wanted to ask questions.  More of the waiting crowd were allowed in as others left.  Bobby Scott's presentation was in support of HR3200, that among other things included the "public option" expansion of government. While some well spoken opposition was presented, the general leaning of attendees was toward more expansion of government.  This was evident as the mention of the The US Constitution was met with an audible disgust throughout the room.

For those shut out of Bobby Scott's meeting, as well as those who lingered after either meeting, debates sprang up amongst the individuals on various topics but mostly the "public option."  Attendees at both events were generally civil with some there to listen and many there to persuade. Little is known of the success of either but here is how the local press spins it: