Video: ObamaCare fans take Astroturfing to a new level; Mayer an OFA organizer
posted at 10:11 am on August 13, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Patterico and Lone Star Times capture yet another banner moment from a town-hall forum hosted by Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX) . In this clip, Roxana Mayer introduces herself as a doctor (a general practitioner for four years) in order to support ObamaCare and Jackson-Lee in a fairly hostile crowd. For her efforts, she gets a big hug from the Congresswoman, an image which the Houston Chronicle featured prominently on their website coverage of the event.
But was Mayer really a doctor?
Not only was Mayernot a doctor, Roxana Mayer was an Obama delegate, as Patterico discovered with some digging. What’s more, the Houston Chronicle apparently knew this and failed to include it in its glowing coverage of Mayer’s appearance. The reporter, Cindy Horswell, has admitted that she knew Mayer was an Obama delegate and that Mayer didn’t live in Jackson-Lee’s district when she wrote the Chronicle story. After getting exposed, the Chronicle quietly changed the caption on the photo without issuing a correction, removing the reference to Mayer being a doctor.
Be sure to read all of the posts for a great rundown of an excellent catch by Patterico and Lone Star Times. At the moment, no one has any evidence that Jackson-Lee, the White House, or Organizing for America had anything to do with getting this imposter the microphone to ask a sympathetic question and make sympathetic declarations at the town-hall forum. However, the odds of that happening as a coincidence with an Obama delegate seem a little long.
Update: Those odds just got a little longer. Guess who was a lead organizer for OfA back in March 2008? Thanks to Allahpundit for tipping me to this!
Update II: Right Wing Sparkle calls OfA “shameless.”
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Well, on the bright side they did edit the article to make it clear that she’s not a real doctor, but it seems like the whole media is missing the real news. This is like the old reporters cautionary tale. “I’m sorry, I don’t have an article for the morning edition. A truck jack-knifed and killed 3o people, so I never got to the dog show.”
This stuff is news, dummies! Investigate it! Find out how far up it goes.
tikijack on August 13, 2009 at 11:17 AM
I see a young kid, out of work, doing some leg work, question asking and interviewing and then selling a story. This is going to be won on the plains of the free lancer, the blogger.
Therre is just so much gold out there–there has to be some young numbskull up there near the white house that could be persuaded by a pretty girl and a few beers….
ted c on August 13, 2009 at 11:20 AM
The bug-eyed lady is the new Green Helmet.
tommuck on August 13, 2009 at 11:20 AM
The Houston Chronicle knew and WITHHELD that Mayer was an Obama delegate. Their ‘reporter’ admitted it in a email to Patterico.
Up next, Protest aimed at the media…
TN Mom on August 13, 2009 at 11:21 AM
It’s amazing how so many members of Congress manage to be insulting and infuriating at the same time.
Yakko77 on August 13, 2009 at 11:21 AM
I remember when the Houston Chronicle was the ‘conservative’ paper in town. I haven’t read it or visited their web page since they backed a Marxist for president last October.
Countrysquire on August 13, 2009 at 11:21 AM
The difference is that Joe was talking to a candidate on his front lawn, and the fake doctor and fake child were unidentified supporters who were snuck into a public meeting, and pretended that they weren’t paid shills.
Vashta.Nerada on August 13, 2009 at 11:22 AM
ted c on August 13, 2009 at 11:12 AM
Your correct. I know I am about to contradict myself, but that is how I “turned”.
I used to LOVE 60 Minutes. 20 years ago they had on something I knew the truth about, but all they put up there were outright LIES.
Then I saw a couple of my local news stories that were outright LIES.
Once you catch someone in a lie, you never believe them again. Hopefully, one person will wake up when they see this woman and say, “Wait a minute. I know her. She isn’t a doctor.” Wouldn’t it be great if this woke up 10 people.
That is what I consider my goal, find “One True Thing” and share it with a friend/family to still believes the lies.
You can’t change them with a thousand things, you can’t change them with “fishy” things. They have to SEE it is false.
That is why I disagree with the “Birthers”. I think his immigration status is in question, but at this point it is too late.
Pick one of the other hundred lies and share it with your sleeping friends.
barnone on August 13, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Clearly *Dr.* Roxana Mayer is now eligible to receive an honorary Doctorate in Horticultural Science from:
The Milli Vanilli College of Horticulture – Department of Synthetic Turf
Busted. “Girl you know it’s true, boo hoo hoo…”
ReagansRight on August 13, 2009 at 11:23 AM
FIFY
MobileVideoEngineer on August 13, 2009 at 11:23 AM
http://www.politico.com/politicopulse/
reshas1 on August 13, 2009 at 11:23 AM
What did Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee know and when did she know it?
TN Mom on August 13, 2009 at 11:23 AM
This idiot administration, and their minions, must know that there is no place to hide these days. Lies will be exposed even if the MSM doesn’t do their job (when’s the last time that happened?). That they pull this stupid crap anyway is an act of desperation or they really and truly don’t care. Of course, if they didn’t care, why bother formulating these phony press ops? Gotta go with desperation.
SKYFOX on August 13, 2009 at 11:24 AM
TN Mom on August 13, 2009 at 11:23 AM
“DR” Mayer goes to U of H where Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee’s husband is a dean. Coingidinks.
tessa on August 13, 2009 at 11:25 AM
She must be a graduate of the prestigious ACORN Medical School.
litebrite on August 13, 2009 at 11:27 AM
I didn’t realize anyone was using their elected office to poke through anyone’s financial and tax records here.
The chick said she was a doctor. She wasn’t. She’s an obama astroturfer. Don’t you think that matters, in the least?
The girl was the daughter of an obama supporter. Don’t you think that matters in the least?
That they were in the crowd, fine. But oddly, they get picked with alarming frequency to ask questions. It’s almost as if they are trying to gin up support and lie to people.
But no matter. That doesn’t matter. I suppose.
lorien1973 on August 13, 2009 at 11:27 AM
But she is a doctor…you know, like Dr. Dre. East siiide.
Dilophos on August 13, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Urban Legend Alert!
No offense, but you should probably check snopes.com for this one. Tho, it sounds like something that Lee would be stupid enough to say, I’ve heard it several times in the past, tied to different politicians.
tickleddragon on August 13, 2009 at 11:28 AM
dude I am so laughing! it’s making my wooden leg and tonsils hurt!
ted c on August 13, 2009 at 11:28 AM
I’ts no wonder Obama thinks doctors are amputating feet and removing tonsils just for the money.
He is being advised by FAKE Doctor Democrat operatives!
TN Mom on August 13, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Craiglist, SEIU, ACORN, paid shills…fake doctors “testifying” (can I get an Amen?)…
You’d think if Obamacare was so wonderful millions and millions would be out on the streets and in townhall meetings for free, on their own volition, because they actually beleived in it.
Paying shills, sneaking shills in through the side door…tells me the Obama Administration and the Dem-controlled Congress don’t even believe in it…on the merits.
We are out in the streets, in townhalls, with passion, making our voices heard because we ask ourselves, if Obamacare and other Obama policies are right, what is there left to be called wrong???
coldwarrior on August 13, 2009 at 11:28 AM
jus like every dude you see on TV that is a black representative is a reverend, deacon, bishop, prophet, and all dat. wassup wid dat
ted c on August 13, 2009 at 11:29 AM
That’s nuts!
:-)
coldwarrior on August 13, 2009 at 11:29 AM
Heh.
lorien1973 on August 13, 2009 at 11:30 AM
Good to see Allah gives credit where its due.
TendStl on August 13, 2009 at 11:30 AM
At least milli vanilli was able to maintain their fake funk for like a year or sumdin… dey even got demselves a few numba one’s, yo! Roxana Mayer can’t even bust it wid da new school and pose like dat for a day, hmmm
ted c on August 13, 2009 at 11:31 AM
I AM Shocked, I repeat shocked. Who would have thought that Dems would stoop to these levels! (eyes rolling).
margretto on August 13, 2009 at 11:32 AM
I hope the good people of Houston will demand an investigation.
TN Mom on August 13, 2009 at 11:32 AM
you forgot the //sarc// tag there…
no one else is surprised.
ted c on August 13, 2009 at 11:33 AM
I am sure all who voted for Sheila Jackson Lee are feeling especially proud today………….
Seven Percent Solution on August 13, 2009 at 11:33 AM
FIFY
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 13, 2009 at 11:37 AM
we need to have a run down of the last week.
First, Rahmbo says we’ll punch back twice as hard–then Ken Gladney gets some SEIU whoopass done to him.
Second, Nanzi pelosi yells “swastikas” and Americans are painted as nazis and now she’s eating lotsa crow for it.
Third, Obama asserts AARP is in his court and now they’re backing away from it.
Fourth, Polls are dropping like empty koolaid cups, joblessness is up this week…”unexpectedly”
Fifth, Massachusetts homegirl and mommy pitch the nerfball mean sign question to the Won.
Sixth, Roxana Mayer (not a doctor) asserts her doctorhood to the people of Houston in a townhall and is busted for it.
Facts are looking down for ya this week, …. champ.
Fodyseben pacent today from rasmussen… booya
ted c on August 13, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Jake Tapper, please ask Gibbs about this one… something like ahem…
“It appears that Barack Obama’s personal active campaign wing is sending people to town halls who are misrepresenting themselves as medical professionals.
1) Is this a coordinated response to alleged Republican astroturfing, sanctioned by the president?
2) If so, how widespread is this campaign, and
3)Why does our president feel the need to mobilize and employ a citizen task force when he is our sitting commander-in-chief?
NickelAndDime on August 13, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Jim Geraghty: Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee Solves the Primary Care Physician Shortage
Heh.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 13, 2009 at 11:41 AM
It’s against the law to pose as a doctor, no?
TN Mom on August 13, 2009 at 11:41 AM
Congress and the media truly suck.
becki51758 on August 13, 2009 at 11:42 AM
Holy cow, man. Not to insult you, but we’re pretty much on the same wavelength, or at least have something in common.
My “awakening” was back when I was 18. Before then, I was a mind-numbed liberal, and assumed that if the late night comics said that Bush was an idiot, why, David Letterman *must* be right! If Al Gore said that the Earth was warming and it was all man’s fault, who am I to dismiss such a brilliant man!
My parents would listen to Rush. Not often, but ever so often, flip over to it if they couldn’t find a good station to listen to Big Band. I was curious, I’d listen in, but just out-and-out dismiss him as “radical right wing lunacy”.
Then, around 18, I had to drive to college (and, very soon after, work). Mind you, for me, it was an hour-and-a-half commute (one way, so 3 hours round trip). I could listen to the same music over and over again only so long (think mix (cassette) tapes), so I’d flip around to morning news. And Rush would sometimes creep in.
Being the open-minded kind of guy I am, I figured, what the hey. I’ll give this guy a spin. He’s got an audience, he’s gotta be doing something right.
It was there and then, in one of his clips of Al Gore out and out LYING that got me. “Um…that can’t be,” I told myself. “This has got to be taken out of context.” Then I looked it up. I watched the mainstream news. No mention on the evening news, but I could still find (granted, a few) credible sources backed up Rush.
That was the defining moment for me. That was the break in the armor. Essentially, if he lied on that–which, in my young and muddied mind, was part-and-parcel of the Right (even if it was hidden under the common mantra “Well, they *all* lie”, with the hidden assumption that one side does more so than the other), not Left–what else did he lie about and the mainstream press not cover?
Over time, I would take something Rush would say, and research it myself. Was it partisan rhetoric? …Sometimes, yes. But usually, there was a truth that the left and the media would hide.
It was a small thread that was pulled…which unraveled another…and another… Until I became the person I am now. I still don’t take something reported at face value–right or left.
CatsGodot on August 13, 2009 at 11:42 AM
The glib lying by Obama and many of his ardent supporters is a fundamental skill that has gotten them as far as they have in life.
GaltBlvnAtty on August 13, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Shhhh! That’s how I meet babes. :-)
coldwarrior on August 13, 2009 at 11:43 AM
One would have to figure with all these plants around, the room would have filled up with CO2 and everyone would have died. What a joke! This makes me so mad I can’t see straight. The Dems know the American people won’t take this crap so they have to use BS town halls to make things look better.
Now I need to go report myself to Mr. Flag.
tanvec on August 13, 2009 at 11:44 AM
if you voted for/support/love/worship the Bobo, then NOTHING’S illegal…
Equality 7-2521 on August 13, 2009 at 11:44 AM
about as illegal for the protected class as having Black Panthers as polling consultants which is to say “only if Eric Holder thinks so”…..
Doctor Acorn White House Gardener is actually the living embodiement of OgabeCare…..
a lying political activist wanting input on medical matters to spread “hope”….
“change we can believe in”
sven10077 on August 13, 2009 at 11:45 AM
Would that more of your contemporaries have such an epiphanal moment in their lives.
Thinking Americans, Lord knows we need more of you.
coldwarrior on August 13, 2009 at 11:46 AM
I wonder if Chris Matthews will spew spittle all over Ms. Mayer during his interrogation on “Hardball” tonight? He is an investigative reporter, after all.
litebrite on August 13, 2009 at 11:46 AM
quite right….
Ogabe’s Gardeners
push the meme…..if we’re lucky it will become an underground “Nixon’s Plumbers” for the 21st century
sven10077 on August 13, 2009 at 11:47 AM
Obama needs to be a lame duck now or this is not going to end well.
tessa on August 13, 2009 at 11:51 AM
Just like clearly lying to the American People about AARP support is “misspeaking”
NickelAndDime on August 13, 2009 at 11:52 AM
no no no, he does NOT misspeak…he calibrated his words wrong…
Equality 7-2521 on August 13, 2009 at 11:54 AM
It’ll never happen.
Blake on August 13, 2009 at 11:54 AM
Strategery!
elderberry on August 13, 2009 at 11:57 AM
Roxana… you don’t have to wear that white coat tonight.
LibTired on August 13, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Put her on the “death panel” at ACORN Memorial Hospital
Her transparency and empathy coupled with a Compelling life story make her over the top.
seven on August 13, 2009 at 12:01 PM
excellent
cmsinaz on August 13, 2009 at 12:01 PM
oh dude–it is so on today! that’s awesome
ted c on August 13, 2009 at 12:02 PM
One would hope that a black woman on a death panel would arrive at a better decision than a white man could.
ted c on August 13, 2009 at 12:02 PM
And it drives me crazy. Hard.evidence.means.nothing.
NickelAndDime on August 13, 2009 at 12:03 PM
Joe the Plumber = approached by Obama on his local street and asked a question.
Mayer = showed up at a town hall not in her district and completely lied about her whole profession in order to show gravitas in front of a hostile crowd.
But hey, at least Sheila found one person whose question was important enough not to interrupt with a cellphone. Hugs for fake doctors, cellphone rings for cancer patients.
MobsterinVA on August 13, 2009 at 12:03 PM
One just has to examine the life story and have empathy on Roxana Mayer and see the motivations for her behavior based upon past experiences….
ted c on August 13, 2009 at 12:04 PM
lol, forgot about that instant classic
NickelAndDime on August 13, 2009 at 12:04 PM
good one
ted c on August 13, 2009 at 12:05 PM
Uh-bama needs a Horticulture Czar to manage all the plants.
Cicero43 on August 13, 2009 at 12:06 PM
A Wise Latina with a junior high school education would trump a black woman and a white doctor.
Cicero43 on August 13, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Jackson-Lee’s confident demeanor during this fraudulent presentation suggests she was fully informed of the Mayer plans.
Mayer needs to be prosecuted to the greatest extent possible, and a full investigation of this faux town hall needs to be conducted. A House ethics investigation is a must.
T J Green on August 13, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Cicero43 on August 13, 2009 at 12:06 PM
So good. The late night comic can’t find anything to joke about.
tessa on August 13, 2009 at 12:08 PM
ABC’s Fall lineup includes Plant Idol.
faraway on August 13, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Rush is giving uhbama a schoolin’ today.
ted c on August 13, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Rule of thumb when listening to liberals: All their accusations against conservatives are projection — it’s what they’d be doing in their position, so they assume conservatives are doing it, too. Remember the liberal’s lament that Bush lied the country into a war with Iraq? Not true, of course, but now they’re lying to the country to shove socialized medicine down our throats — and see nothing wrong with it. The (liberal) end justifies the means, you know.
Socratease on August 13, 2009 at 12:13 PM
Quit being so racist Ed.
LevStrauss on August 13, 2009 at 12:13 PM
Anyone who doesn’t believe Lee knew beforehand, is…well….I won’t say it. ;)
The Chronicle keeps sending me emails, or calling, asking me to subscribe. I just hang up, or delete. I have no use for their bird cage liners.
capejasmine on August 13, 2009 at 12:14 PM
I must have missed where she intorduced herself as a “Doctor”. She DID say she was a GP, which most people know is NOT a Doctor, but more of a Super Nurse that is able to prescribe drugs and treatments.
44Magnum on August 13, 2009 at 12:15 PM
Her dossier was way to produced for this to be spontaneous.
PCP buzzword at end, and she did not miss a beat when asked (coincidentally) how long she’s been practicing at the end.
NickelAndDime on August 13, 2009 at 12:16 PM
GP= non residency trained doctor
FNP= Family nurse practitioner, have limited prescribing authority
ted c on August 13, 2009 at 12:16 PM
GPs certainly ARE doctors (MDs) in this country.
Y-not on August 13, 2009 at 12:18 PM
She says she is a PCP (Primary Care Physician) which is a softball lob to Jackson who happens to be working on the part of the bill encouraging more PCPs. >>eyeroll<<
tessa on August 13, 2009 at 12:19 PM
The behavior of the press in this whole business is really alarming.
Y-not on August 13, 2009 at 12:19 PM
</blockquoteGPs certainly ARE doctors (MDs) in this country.
Y-not on August 13, 2009 at 12:18 PM
NickelAndDime on August 13, 2009 at 12:20 PM
I’m sure that’s really relevant on some planet.
LibTired on August 13, 2009 at 12:20 PM
Don’t speak so stupidly! Your threats are racist! Of course you people want them arrested!!!
righthanddrive on August 13, 2009 at 12:20 PM
The behavior of the press
in thiswhole businesssince Obama ran for the Senate is really alarming.Y-not on August 13, 2009 at 12:19 PM
FIFY
tessa on August 13, 2009 at 12:21 PM
What is the difference between this invasion of privacy and Joe the Plumbers? We are noq investigating 11 year old girls who ask questions in Townhalls. Grow up America.
Afrolib on August 13, 2009 at 10:26 AM
what invasion of privacy? whose? and who is suggesting an investigaiton of an 11 year old?
Willie on August 13, 2009 at 12:22 PM
The arrogance to think they can get away with this stuff is amazing.
Any reporter who knew the truth and reported otherwise should be fired.
brennan251 on August 13, 2009 at 12:24 PM
At least to the Oval Office. Maybe even as high as Soros’s office…
Wolftech on August 13, 2009 at 12:25 PM
They will get a Pulitzer Prize.
The media is an arm of the Democratic Party. It is not a matter of “bias”.
faraway on August 13, 2009 at 12:27 PM
FIFY
NoFanofLibs on August 13, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Which is “insurance speak” for medical doctor, usually a GP or internal medicine person.
I’m not sure what Magnum’s point was…
Y-not on August 13, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Plenty of us native Texans don’t consider Houston as being part of Texas. This speaks to why that is.
connertown on August 13, 2009 at 12:30 PM
great stuff, by the way this should be pushed up the food chain. The preventive care talking point is clearly right out of the White House. I read somewhere that before they went home a bunch of elected Democrats in DC meat with White House officials so they could have political ammo to use at these town halls. I would bet this talking point connects to that meeting.
rob verdi on August 13, 2009 at 12:34 PM
OT:
Internal Memo Confirms Big Giveaways In White House Deal With Big Pharma
uhoh, the left is mad
faraway on August 13, 2009 at 12:34 PM
Why do these news outlets keep doing this? How do they think it’s ever going to work?
Jim Treacher on August 13, 2009 at 12:38 PM
Under Obamacare this woman would qualify as a Doctor, probably a neurosurgeon.
ohellno on August 13, 2009 at 12:41 PM
OFA is a criminal enterprise run by the Joker.
faraway on August 13, 2009 at 12:42 PM
*snicker*
‘I must have missed that part where I got my ass handed to me…so now I’ll go troll some other thread’
BigWyo on August 13, 2009 at 12:46 PM
Define “work”.
LibTired on August 13, 2009 at 12:47 PM
I cannot believe that the best her defenders can do is split meaningless hairs about what kind of doctor she lied about being. And we’re the ones who spin facts?
MobsterinVA on August 13, 2009 at 12:49 PM
As Far back as I remember the Houston Chronicle has alwys been like this, but the question I have is why do we keep voting for Jackson? She’s worthless.
Sierraniner on August 13, 2009 at 12:50 PM
If the media don’t report the facts, do the facts really exist?
/
Better question – if people keep leaving newspapers and network television at the current rate, will they really exist in ten years?
Vashta.Nerada on August 13, 2009 at 12:52 PM
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