BY SCOTT LEFFLER
scott.leffler@allwnynews.com
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| U.S. Rep. Chris Collins |
NEW YORK — U.S. Rep. Chris Collins who had been chastised on an electronic billboard for not meeting with constituents in a “town hall” style meeting will participate in a “town hall” style television show on CNN on Thursday.
“The Messy Truth” is hosted by CNN commentator Van Jones. Previous guests have included former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, former Republican Presidential candidate Carly Fiorina, Daily Show host Trevor Noah, and television personality Bill Maher.
Questions for Collins will come from Jones and the New York City studio audience.
Collins’ office says the format is better suited for substantive dialog. The congressman had previously said that town hall meetings were pointless because they tend to “turn into shouting matches don’t accomplish anything.”
Political strategist and former Trump campaign staffer Michael Caputo, who led an effort to erect a pro-Collins billboard following one that questioned the congressman for not holding town halls, agrees that the format Collins has agreed to is better than typical public forums.
“I think CNN will do a good job keeping out people who just want to scream in Rep. Collins’ face so this announcement will probably underwhelm his leftist detractors,” Caputo said this evening.
“The Messy Truth” airs live at 9 p.m. Thursday on CNN.
