Norwich – With congressional websites and phone lines jammed after President Obama urged people to contact their representatives about the federal debt ceiling crisis, about 20 members of Moveon.org took their message directly to U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney's Norwich office today.

The group stood on the sidewalk soliciting honks of support for Medicare, Social Security, jobs and public education at noon today. Then they marched up the two flights of stairs at the Thames Plaza on Water Street and into Courtney's office.

The congressman is in Washington, D.C., but District Director Jenny Contois greeted the rally participants, one of whom carried a sign "Thank you Joe Courtney." But while they supported Courtney's positions in Washington, they want him and the president to get tough with "right wing Republicans" and not slash spending.

The group signed a letter to Courtney urging him to sign a letter presented by the Congressional Progressive Caucus to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to oppose deep spending cuts.

"It is only by fervently opposing the right wing agenda on these matters that their war against the poor and the middle class can be won," the Moveon.org letter said.

Norwich resident and attorney Samuel Browning added his own personal letter today, saying he is "appalled" at the possibility that Obama might "give in" to the Republican Party.

"Obama needs to stop being a wuss," Browning's letter said.

Contois told the group she could not answer whether Courtney would sign the Progressive Caucus letter, but he did sign a letter with 32 other members of the Congressional Task Force on Seniors on July 15 urging Obama to reach a deal to avoid defaulting on U.S. loans while keeping a "commitment to the well being of older Americans."

c.bessette@theday.com