WATCHUNG, N.J.—A civic group, formed by a dozen friends after the election, prepared questions for a town-hall meeting hosted this week by U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance, a Republican who has served 5 terms in this affluent stretch of New Jersey. Over strawberries and pretzels, members of the Voters of Watchung Hills—one of dozens of similar groups that have sprouted in the state—debated how best to challenge Mr. Lance over GOP plans to Dismantle the Health-care law, and Russia’s alleged interference in the presidential election.
The White House and prominent Republicans have largely Dismissed the noisy eruption of civic activism at town-hall meetings across the U.S. as the work of Professional organizers and paid activists, partly because MoveOn and other liberal groups have offered help. Interviews by The Wall Street Journal at Mr. Lance’s town hall and similar events across the U.S. suggest Otherwise. Many participants were First-timers who echo in passion, though not in politics, the people who emerged early in the tea-party movement in 2009 --- Of about 40 voters interviewed Wednesday at Mr. Lance’s town hall, most said they had Never participated in a town hall or any political activism and had only recently joined or started local groups. They shared an opposition to Trump administration positions, including on the Health-care law, the Environment and the stalled travel ban, and offer a Warning sign for the Republican Party."..."
