Although the war room or “healthcare hotline” is primarily designed to give members the ability to get immediate health policy answers and updates from leadership offices, top Democrats are also planning to use the war room to help their colleagues respond effectively to political and press attacks, if necessary.

“The news is being monitored very closely,” a leadership aide said in describing the various functions of the healthcare hotline…

With more news accounts of Democratic town hall meetings running rampant with angry and even violent anti-healthcare protests, the bolstered communications plan is designed to help members respond to negative town hall coverage and push ahead with a message that is designed to resonate above the chants of protesters.