Debt Talk Causes Spike In Calls, Emails To Md. Congressional Reps
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ)— Six days and counting. The great U.S. debt debate continues to occupy Congress, the president, and as political reporter Pat Warren explains, the folks at home.
Maryland voters raise the roof over the federal debt ceiling.
President Barack Obama urges voters to pick up the phone.
"If you want a balanced approach to reducing the deficit, let your member of Congress know. If you believe we can solve this problem through compromise, send that message," Obama said.
And Maryland's congressional representatives are getting an earful.
"They're skewing more toward increasing the debt limit at least in the Timonium office where we received 35 phone calls on this issue. Only three asked the congressman not to raise the debt limit. So I certainly think that at least in our district, they're supporting an increase. They want us to avoid a debt fall crisis," said Jaimie Lennon, Dutch Ruppersberger aide.
Democrat Dutch Ruppersberger is still getting calls, and so is Maryland republican Andy Harris.
"Generally we receive around 100 calls a day or so. In the last 48 hours, we've been receiving more than 500 calls a day," said Katharine Tate, Harris' operations director.
The issue has definitely hit a nerve, and it appears the voters are mainly siding with their parties.
"A lot of calls are asking the congressman to stay strong, to stand to his principals, to stop spending in Washington and to balance the budget," Tate said.
It's been said you know you've reached a true compromise when neither side is happy. Well, no agreement has been arrived yet, and everybody's unhappy.
Both offices also report a spike in emails.
