Why the town hall outbursts and are they working?

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By EVAN WHITE

Story Created: Aug 5, 2009 at 11:57 AM EST

Story Updated: Aug 5, 2009 at 4:25 PM EST

UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - From Austin to Utica, Congressional Representatives have been targets of outbursts at news conferences but more frequently, town hall meetings.

On Monday, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer joined local representative Michael Arcuri (D) to discuss high-speed rail and the news conference turned into a sizable protest, with critics questioning the federal stimulus bill among other concerns.

Some Democratic lawmakers have reportedly canceled town hall meetings to avoid such protesters, while others like Arcuri, still have some on their schedules.

Experts have mixed reactions on what's happening and how much of an impact we'll see once Congress comes back.

"I think it's going to backfire in fact I think it is backfiring," said Hamilton College professor Phil Klinkner a former volunteer for Arcuri.

Republican strategist Vincent Casale said it's hard to tell how useful protests are today.

"The real thing will be to see when they go back and do bills...I think the vocal (opposition) comes from the spending that comes from the federal government."

Congress returns from it's August break on September 4th.

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