Oregon Public Broadcasting

At a town hall Wednesday in Prineville, Senator Jeff Merkley got an earful from the mostly rural audience.

Central Oregon correspondent Ethan Lindsey reports that the Portland Democrat drew questions with raffle tickets.

About 280 people packed into and outside of the Crook County Library. The locals said Merkley should have known the modest library would be too small.

Maria Yankus lives outside Prineville.

Maria Yankus: “You have a large portion of the people in this county, who took the time out of their working day, if they have a job, to stand outside and not be able to be heard. I consider that disrespect to us, the voters.”

Merkley’s office said they anticipated a larger audience than normal – just not this large.

Nearly all the questions were critical of Merkley, the stimulus package, and, particularly, a health care overhaul.

Merkley told the audience he supported a senate version of the health care bill, which he called “well crafted.” That angered some, who said he already had his mind made up before he even listened to the voters from this part of the state.