ANOTHER ARLEN SPECTER TOWN HALL:

About 1,500 people waited for hours near Kittanning under the beating sun for the town hall meeting on health care reform. . . . Taunts followed many of his comments. When he said he wouldn’t support a bill that would increase the deficit, many laughed. And when he said he wants to encourage people to stop smoking, one person yelled: “What about Obama smoking?” . . .

After the meeting concluded, Specter told about two dozen reporters that he has been surprised at the rising anger and the number of people attending the meetings. As Democrats on break hold similar town hall meetings across the nation, the angry crowds have garnered headlines and some live TV coverage.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” Specter said.

Give him credit for showing up, though, which is more than some have been willing to do.

UPDATE: Poll: 54% Say Passing No Healthcare Reform Better Than Passing Congressional Plan.