http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125021125639331005.html?mod=googlenews_wsjBy KRIS MAHER and NAFTALI BENDAVID
The opposition to the health-care overhaul being voiced at town-hall meetings this month caught supporters by surprise.
Unions and other supporters of the Democratic health program now have plans to confront opponents, including, if necessary, outshouting them at meetings.
The AFL-CIO has allocated $15 million for mobilization and communication. Individual unions plan to advertise in states with moderate Democratic lawmakers. The Service Employees International Union is sending members to more than 400 events this month, including an "ambulance tour" across Montana, home of Democratic Sen. Max Baucus, a key player in the health debate.
"America deserves an honest, civil discussion on how to fix our broken health-care system," said SEIU President Andy Stern.
Health Care for America Now, a coalition of groups supporting President Barack Obama's health push, said Thursday it was expanding an ad campaign in the home states of key lawmakers. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees kicked off a "highway to health care" bus tour Wednesday.
"We are absolutely surprised at the way that the right focused so much on this as soon as August began," said Richard Kirsch, campaign manager for HCAN.
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