Moran Town Hall On Shutdown Turns Contentious

At an emergency [town hall meeting] (http://wamu.org/news/11/04/07/morantodiscusspotentialgovernmentshutdownattownhall.php) Moran held for his constituents in Alexandria Thursday evening, some in the crowd weren't interested in hearing advice.

People hoping to hear optimism about avoiding a federal shutdown didn't get it from the Congressman.

He told the 200 or so constituents at the meeting, many of them federal workers, to start saving money.

"Be very careful about large purchases," Moran said. "Make sure you have enough money, at least for the mortgage and the monthly rent and car payment and so on."

Moran spoke with residents just a couple of hours before President Obama emerged from yet another late night meeting with Congressional leaders to announce the two sides still have not reached a deal.

But if the crowd didn't get reassurance, some did get the opportunity to vent at Moran's meeting.

Navy veteran Wayne Tanick said it was absurd that Moran was holding a town hall instead of working toward a solution. Moran called his comments caustic.

"I take exception to you calling my comments caustic," Tanick said.

"Now I'm talking, and you can sit down when you finish, sir," Moran replied loudly.

Tanick told Moran if he thought constituents were asking angry questions now, he won't want to hear what they have to say if a shutdown actually occurs.