As I See It
La Crosse’s “town hall” with US House Rep. Pocan was a scripted campaign rally
I went to what was called a town hall meeting on Tuesday night with Congressman Mark Pocan (D-Madison). It was a campaign rally, not a town hall.
The groups who organized the event spent nearly $16 million to support Democrats in 2024 and exactly $0 to support Republicans.
The event was clearly scripted and there was clearly a plan.
I threw Representative Pocan off when I asked him one simple question: “Mark, please define woman.”
The crowd booed and jeered and Pocan would not answer.
This had nothing to do with public policy. This had everything to do with political showmanship.
So Mark and the groups who organized this, if you’re actually serious about public policy, come back to La Crosse and let you, Pocan and I have that discussion face to face in public.
And we’ll let the people decide who’s actually serious and knows their public policy and who is just a showman.
As I see it, I’m Andy Parrish.
Roy
April 24, 2025 at 6:32 am
You’ve got guts, Andy. To ask such a question in a room filled with Trump Derangement Syndrome sycophants suggests that you are an impudent, trouble-maker heretic.
University forum rooms are an alter for left-wingers who tsk-tsk together on the state of things. It’s an odd mixture of blue-haired liberal ladies and college boys checking out the girls.
When Bernie suddenly appeared on the screen, moans of ecstasy unheard since their last erotic encounter were widespread.
walden
April 24, 2025 at 2:20 pm
Bravo! Andy
J
April 24, 2025 at 2:36 pm
As if your little stunt isn’t political showmanship? Just like most republican politicians you get distracted by a culture war of people just trying to live their lives. Why didn’t you ask about the economy? About tariffs? Hell why didn’t you ask about all these supposed “violent criminal illegals” that are in the area? I’m not saying those on the left can’t get sucked into culture war bs as well, but my god are there more pressing issues in life.
Libertarian Guy
April 24, 2025 at 6:49 pm
I would hardly call a simple and easily answered question like “What is (or define) a woman” a stunt, especially compared to all the dollars and planning, a visit by Bernie Socialist and prepared criticism against Derrick Van Orden prior to the event. This was a disingenuous, staged rally pretending to be a town hall. And I can say this objectively as a non Republican by a 35 year plus member of the Libertarian Party. Can you be objective and speak honestly on this topic?
walden
April 24, 2025 at 8:19 pm
Silly progressive…always trying to tell other people what’s really important and how and what to think about it. What next, a lecture on “democracy”?
walden
April 24, 2025 at 4:03 pm
No laughing matter.
Before the US Supreme Court today is a case rising out of Maryland. Maryland progressives argue parents have no right to opt out of public school teachings that included exposing PRE-KINDERGARTEN children to books normalizing explicit types of sex and trans-sex.
That Pocan refused to answer Andy’s question exposes the filth and degradation of the Progressive social agenda. Parents should run, not walk, from public schools.
Mike Hochertz
April 25, 2025 at 11:08 am
Good for you Andy. Let’s get things correct when it comes to male and female. Testicles or Ovaries.
Libertarian guy
April 24, 2025 at 10:13 pm
Very well done question Andy Parrish at the Democratic political rally and well done writing about it. If you’re interested in writing on another topic, I encourage you to look at the La Crosse County parcel search. It’s public information so hopefully WIZM does not take this down. The winner of district 13 City Council is delinquent on her taxes as of 1/31/25. Just thought the public should know who are they elected.
Someone else
April 25, 2025 at 4:38 am
Those which say democrats suffer from TDS ought look in mirror. Looks like. Gop suffers from DDS.The culture war goes on.
Sarge
April 25, 2025 at 6:01 am
Andy I really appreciate your piece today. VanOrden to quite a bit of heat, including from some of the staff at WIZM, for not attending the so called “townhall” meeting. As I suspected and you revealed, it was just a trap for VanOrden. He sniffed it out too and was wise not to attend.
On another note, I wish WIZM would give serious consideration to having Andy Parrish become the host of the morning show. All that Mike Hayes built over 38 years has been turned to rubble. I thought they would’ve had more respect for Mike or at least a better business sense. For years I tuned in for 3 hours in the morning, but now it’s just the 10 minute drive to work and the national shows. From following the comments on this site,(because we no longer have a voice on air) it seems like I’m not alone in tuning out. Wise up WIZM before it is too late.
Eric
April 26, 2025 at 9:31 am
Good point Sarge, WIZM management has basically given the loyal listeners the finger. The show is awful and totally 180 degrees from what Mike had with his audience.It’s too late on purpose from WIZM .
Libertarian guy
April 26, 2025 at 12:22 pm
100% agree. See my comment in the preceding story from Andy.