Protesters from both sides of the health reform debate Tuesday thronged outside the office of one of the House's remaining fence-sitters, each trying to pull him in their direction.

At noon the chants were "pass the bill." Four hours later, the refrain was "kill the bill."

By day's end, each side's stand remained as hardened as U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire's remained a mystery.

The McCandless Democrat was in Washington, not his Aliquippa office, but for rancorous debate and sheer theatrics, Beaver County was on a par with the District of Columbia.

Ceremonies began with a noon rally by supporters of the Obama administration's bill.

"What this bill is all about is securing the economy for middle class folks," said David Ninehouser of Pennsylvania Health Access Network, one of the principal speakers.

The gathering was heavily peppered with members and retirees of the United Steelworkers union as well as representatives from the Service Employees International Union.

It was also attended, if briefly, by Chrys Reynolds, who came with a large truck, a sign against the bill, and a loud horn that she blasted up and down McLean Street, where the rally was held.

"This is Americans for Prosperity. It's a honk against Obamacare," said Ms. Reynolds as irritated protesters gathered around her truck window and invited her to leave.

Ms. Reynolds said she was there to protest the government takeover of health care.

"Turn in your Medicare card," one of the protesters replied.

Shortly after 3 p.m., twice as many opponents of the bill turned up at the intersection of McLean and Broadhead Road, waving flags, hoisting signs and calling on passing motorists to honk their opposition.

"It's going to burden us with incredible debt," said McKay Sailer, a Wexford mom who has helped organize tea party rallies.

Frequent objections raised by Ms. Sailer's group included a widening government presence in the health care system as well as provisions requiring all workers to obtain health insurance.

One of the major objections presented was the House leadership's decision to pass the Senate version of the bill using a method called "deeming." Under that tactic, the House would pass several alterations to the Senate bill in a motion that includes as clause "deeming" the Senate bill to have been passed once the additional clauses are approved.

The technique has been used by both parties in the past 10 years, including the reauthorization of the Patriot Act and a deficit reduction conference report.

As Tuesday wound down, Mr. Altmire gave no hint of how he would decide other than measure the opinions of his constituents with his own reasoning and what he said was a balancing act between passing a bill he considers flawed versus the cost of doing nothing.

One other detail to be attended to he added, was a reading of the actual bill.

"Everyone says 'get off the fence.' They haven't given us the bill yet," he said.

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