Arrogance: Congressman Asks For Voters ID Before Answering Question – Updated

I’ve have to hand it to Congressman Jim Moran of Virginia… I didn’t think members could be anymore dismissive or condescending towards constituents than Steny Hoyer or Nancy Pelosi, who called town hall protesters un-American in a USA Today op-ed… But Congressman Moran found a way to sink to a new low by demanding to see a constituents ID before allowing him to ask a question at a town hall meeting:

One hopes voters will remember Rep. Moran’s arrogance come election time.

Update (5:20 pm.): Hans von Spakovsky makes a good point at The Corner:

Earlier this week, Rep. Jim Moran (D., Va.) berated attendees at his town-hall meeting for not being residents of his district, going so far as to demand a driver’s license from one of his questioners to prove his residence. Too bad Moran isn’t equally committed to verifying the identity of people who would receive benefits under the health-care reform legislation he is supporting. While there is language in the House bill requiring that their incomes be verified, there is no requirement that their identity or citizenship be confirmed before they receive taxpayer-subsidized health benefits. I guess it is just too much to ask that the federal government check citizenship status (as private employers are required to do before hiring an employee).

Update (5:50 pm.): I’ve replaced the original YouTube Video with one from CNSNews.com that offers a more complete view of incident. Rep. Moran’s arrogance is bad enough but the bigger story is Howard Dean’s remarkably candid answer to Mr. Tulino’s question on tort reform:

“This is the answer from a doctor and a politician,” said Dean. “Here is why tort reform is not in the bill. When you go to pass a really enormous bill like that the more stuff you put in, the more enemies you make, right? And the reason why tort reform is not in the bill is because the people who wrote it did not want to take on the trial lawyers in addition to everybody else they were taking on, and that is the plain and simple truth. Now, that’s the truth.”

Unfortunately,  Gov. Dean is right, it would be a very difficult task for Pres. Obama to persuade congressional Democrats to do anything that might offend the trial-lawyers lobby… Particularly when you note the degree to which political contributions from trial-lawyers go to Congressional Democrats.