Meeting the People Vol 15

From Iowa:

A debate over health care reform with Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin became unusually heated in Des Moines on Saturday.

A crowd packed into a room at the Des Moines Primary Health Care Center for Harkin's August recess "Building Iowa's Future" tour.

People shouting at the beginning of the meeting made it difficult for Harkin to speak. Eventually things calmed down and there were no significant problems.

"I think most of the people here wanted information and I don't mind the questions," Harkin said. "The only thing is, they shouldn't be disruptive and start yelling and trying to dominate the meeting. It doesn't bother me a bit."

Organizers of the meeting said a few police officers were in the room in case things got out of hand but they never needed to step in.

Harkin's one of the most partisan Democrats you'll find, so rattling his cage on health care is a good idea. It probably won't change his vote, but it might make him think about just how far he's willing to go to support this mess.