Oh sweet irony! Clinton busted planting questioners at campaign event

[geek tragedy]

http://cmondisplay.com/2007/11/09/clinton-campaign-gets-caught-planting-questions/

After her speech, Clinton accepted questions. But
according to Grinnell College student Muriel
Gallo-Chasanoff ’10, some of the questions from the
audience were planned in advance. “They were canned,”
she said. Before the event began, a Clinton staff
member approached Gallo-Chasanoff to ask a specific
question after Clinton’s speech. “One of the senior
staffers told me what ,” she said.

Clinton called on Gallo-Chasanoff after her speech to
ask a question: what Clinton would do to stop the
effects of global warming. Clinton began her response
by noting that young people often pose this question
to her before delving into the benefits of her plan.

But the source of the question was no coincidence—at
this event “they wanted a question from a college
student,” Gallo-Chasanoff said. She also noted that
staffers prompted Clinton to call on her and another
who had been approached before the event, although
Clinton used her discretion to select questions and
called on people who had not been prepped before hand.
Some of the questions asked were confusing and clearly
off-message."

Gawd.

Remember this?

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/10/08/clinton.iran/

At the event in New Hampton, Iowa, a questioner took issue with Clinton's recent Senate vote calling on President Bush to formally call the Iranian Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization. He argued that such a distinction confers the president with the ability to invade the country.

"Why should I support your candidacy . . . if it appears you haven't learned from your past mistakes?" Randall Rolph asked, referring to Clinton's vote to authorize the president to use military force against Iraq.

Clinton began by telling Rolph "the premise of the question is wrong," and argued the measure calls for the terrorist label so sanctions can be imposed. The sanctions, she also said, will "send a clear message to the leadership" and lead to stronger diplomatic efforts.

The Democratic presidential front-runner then concluded by suggesting the question was planted, saying, "somebody obviously sent it to you." Listen to Clinton's heated exchange over Iran »

Rolph denied anyone had put him to the question.


"I take exception," Rolph fired back. "This is my own research. Nobody sent it to me, I am offended that you would suggest that."

"Let me finish," Clinton sharply responded, before saying "I apologize, I just have been asked the very same question in three other places."

[IndianaGreen]

1. Looks like it is true that Camp Hillary is using Karl Rove's 2000 GOP primary as a model

What's next for these people, spread the rumour that Obama had an out-of-wedlock child?

[geek tragedy]

4. No, just that he's unelectable because he has a Muslim-sounding

name and because he hates the flag.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

12. Project Much

“…And at a campaign event in Iowa, one of Obama’s aides plopped down next to me and spoke even more bluntly. He wanted to know when reporters would begin to look into Bill Clinton’s postpresidential sex life,” Ambinder writes."





http://www.suntimes.com/news/sweet/641088,sweet110708A.article

[DemocratSinceBirth]

15. And Unlike You I Don't Start Threads About This Shit So As Not To Turn DU Into A Cesspool

DSB

[truedelphi]

34. deleted the duplicate

[truedelphi]

35. So then we'd all be members of DUCP!

Maybe we can ask Skinner for a special Cesspool forum??

[geek tragedy]

46. They have a name for it. It's called

General Discussion: Politics.

[rockybelt]

67. Post-presidential

These people all play the same game. What the hell difference does his post-presidential sex life make anyway. For that matter hi presidential sex life.
Hillary plants questions and Obama plants the seeds of a hopeful scandal.
I am behind Dennis Kucinich. He seems to be the only one standing on moral ground.

[Divine Discontent]

86. it's already sealed...

just saying. every election is going to be won or lost on these underlying issues. he lost a lot of people because of the people who don't even think about gay issues that are important to people like me, but care about him not putting his hand on his heart when citing the pledge of allegiance or facing the big flag right behind him and removing his flag pin, regardless if any of it is fabricated, it's the talk of senior homes (I've witnessed it), and he better reign in that problem if he doesn't feel that way - his name sounding Muslim being ignored in this situation (because he cannot be blamed for his name).

[rufus dog]

5. will it be a black child?

[MethuenProgressive]

54. One story posted on one nothing blog from nowhere and the HillHaters are back!!

You can almost hear the sounds of little hard-ons popping up from all over Planet HillHate Inc.
:puke:

[ellenfl]

55. hey, i resemble that remark!

that blogger is the former head of the young democrats at grinnell (and the son of a very republican father). i know the young man and trust his blog. i get his daily emails and have found him to be very fair . . . to the dem candidates, anyway. ;-) lets not eat our own, huh?

ellen fl

[ariesgem]

57. The Associated Press reported on it and the Clinton camp admitted that it happened

"This is not standard policy and will not be repeated again," the campaign said in a statement issued Friday night. Clinton herself did not know when she called on the student that the question had been suggested by one of her staff, the campaign said.

"The senator had no idea," Clinton spokesman Mo Elleithee told The Associated Press.

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_di...

[Tellurian]

64. Yes, that is ok- When we witness an Obama screw up, it's always a staffer's fault..

next!

[liberalhistorian]

82. Don't even bother-

there's nothing the Hillary-can-never-do-any-wrong-and-you're-against-the-Dem-party-if-you-don't-fall-down-and-worship-her-every-chance-you-get crowd will ever believe negative about her. She could eat kittens on live TV broadcast internationally, and they'd still scream that it was a repuke plot, or that it was a wayward staffer, and that you're allowing the country to go to hell if you don't fall down before her. And I'm getting good and goddamned sick of it.

[IndianaGreen]

69. Go puke on the Hillary campaign, they admitted today they planted the question

I am troubled that some of the most rabid Hillary supporters are showing the same blind fanaticism that has characterized that 29-percent of fanatical Bush supporters.

Gawd save us from both!

[liberalhistorian]

83. I know, that really

and truly frightens me, as well.

[Tellurian]

65. Worse, his birth day was in 1963..

he's ineleigible for the presidency until 2012.

[Rabo Karabekian]

2. I Know a Guy Who Did This Once

I wonder if Bush gave her his playbook. Rove did say when he went back into the dark shadows, that Hillary was the one for Rethuglicans to beat.

[blm]

3. Clinton2008 operates exactly like Bush2000 and nothing like Clinton1992.

Gee - what does THAT say about 2009?

[IndianaGreen]

13. Hillary will not end the war or dismantle the police state apparatus that Bush built

She has yet to show any leadership on peace and justice issues.

[DemBones DemBones]

14. Yes, and it says what IG already said it does.

We are so screwed.

[babylonsister]

21. Yep. And we want another person like this? Ugh.

:scared:

[cuke]

6. And you believe this story because?

[BootinUp]

9. Its in print

isn't it?

lol.

[cuke]

10. Breaking News

Hansel and Gretel have escaped. Forest on lockdown

Film at 11

[blm]

17. Many of us noticed this LONG ago, but YOU chose to ignore it?

That should answer you, but I doubt it will. Truth doesn't matter to some who claim to be Dems.

[cuke]

19. Again "And you believe this story because?"

still don't see an answer to that question

[blm]

20. Because some of us noticed Hillary2008 was acting like Bush2000 LONG AGO and

have posted about it since she started running.

But nevermind the facts - you're a Clinton supporter no matter what.

[cuke]

22. So you believe it because you like the way it sounds

Funny to see you mention facts when you haven't posted an relevant ones

[blm]

24. If you're gonna fuck with eagles you better learn to fly....

Do a search and you'll see all the times we've noticed Hillary acting like Bush for her campaign - this isn't amateur hour here as much as you wish it were.

We don't NEED any media report to inform us of what's going on because we don't trust the media for the last twenty years. WE were way ahead of noticing the Hillary2008 campaign tactics - way ahead of any of the loser corpmedia types.

And you sure don't mind the corpmedia when they let your gal use them to swiftboat other Dems, do ya?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk1k0nUWEQg

[babylonsister]

28. That video is truly priceless, blm, and

is yet another reason why I'm not crazy about the gal.

[Patchuli]

68. You got that right!

I see that Hill fits right in with McCain and * on that one in deliberately 'misunderstanding' Kerry's joke. Gee, I got the point of it. I especially think it's funny to hear * talking about people being "plenty smart." He sounds like such a moron!

Hill is just rethug-light...

[DemocratSinceBirth]

29. I Like This Story Better!

http://www.suntimes.com/news/sweet/641088,sweet110708A.article

[blm]

32. Sure you would, heheh. Sense of Proportion, DSB - try and buy one. I'll lend you the money.

Bush2 NEVER should've happened but for Clinton letting Poppy off the hook, but by all means, let's have ANOTHER go round of Clinton2 protecting Bush2 just once just wasn't enough.

Now YOU want it to happen again.

Uh...DSB...and Bill...how did it work out for the country the LAST time you made that decision FOR the American people and FOR the Democratic party?

http://consortiumnews.com/2006/111106.html


>>>>>>>
Any shot at the current president is an automatic applause line with a Democratic audience. But rather than taking the easy ovation, Clinton gently deflected an audience member's suggestion that President Bush be included in his list of global problems.

"Yeah, Bush and Cheney," he said. "I could sit here all night and make you laugh and cry and stand up and cheer talking about the president and the vice president. But the country is over that. Let's get the show on the road again."

http://www.lvrj.com/news/11044976.html


Moving past serious illegal operations of Bush1 helped BushInc to grow stronger throughout the 90s while left unchecked by any oversight and led us straight to Bush2.

[BootinUp]

37. Sense of proportion, rofl

thats classic coming from you blm.

The person who blames all of Americas ills on Bill Clinton.

[cuke]

39. She brings up the same few points every time Clinton's name is mentioned

No matter what the issue is, it's always the same with blm. Bill, Bill, Bill, Bill. Hillary, Hillary, Hillary, Hillary

[blm]

44. Almost everything happening today is the direct result of BCCI and Poppy Bush's

many illegal operations.

Bill Clinton deep-sixed all the outstanding matters in those illegal operations throughout the 90s. Had he facilitated the further scrutiny and investigations instead of discouraging them, there would never have been a Bush2, a 9-11, or this Iraq war. So, yeah, as a witness to the last 7 yrs, and knowing how Bush1 was protected you would EXPECT a Democrat to be against it happening again, especially after 9-11.

If you supported the actions taken to protect BushInc throughout the 90s then have the courage to say so straight up.

Of course, there is the possibility that you are young or new to politics and never even heard of BCCI, and in that case I would encourage you to study the National Security Archives.

BTW - your adoration for all things Clinton IS repetitive. I'll gladly come down on the side of repeating the truth.

[cuke]

59. And I thought you knew about this stuff

It is way more than Poppy and BCCI. It goes further back and involves far more powerful people than Poppy.

[blm]

76. I do know - but people here "get' Poppy's involvement

and they are starting to 'get' Jackson Stephens and the Harriman's involvements, too.

And since you now have shown that you have some awareness, then I am horrified you are trying to convince other Democrats to stay that fascist course.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

42. I'm Watching A Basketball Game...

Don't know what to make of BLM...

I guess he doesn't have a problem with another campaign trying to sick the press on Bill Clinton to see who he's putting the wood to...

I'll just say it's revealing how someone reacts when it someone else's ox being gored...

[blm]

45. That's my point. You say what Obama did is outrageous but Clinton letting

Bush1 off the hook leading us straight to Bush2 is somehow not worthy of your outrage.

And please, DSB, the press being used by Obama? Amateur hour compared to what Clintons did to Gore and Kerry.

You want to state with a straight face that Obama's machinations here were worse than THIS:

http://www.depauw.edu/news/index.asp?id=13354


http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/06/19/clinton.iraq/


http://www.tpmcafe.com/blog/coffeehouse/2006/oct/07/did_carville_tip_bush_off_to_kerry_strategy_woodward

Add the video of Hillary swiftboating Kerry with Bush and you get a picture of how low some Dems will go to hurt other Dems, including Dem VOTERS.

[cuke]

48. They complain about * tactics

while repeating every slur that gets printed in the corrupt media.

They complain about piling on, while piling on.

They complain about about how Bill let * off the hook, while they concentrate on Bill Clinton and giving only token resistance to *

[blm]

79. Hill complains about RW tactics and then JOINS them in that same tactic against

an HONEST Democrat.

[blm]

43. No - I blame Clinton for letting Poppy Bush off the hook so Bush2 could happen.

and I use the historic record to back it up. And why don't YOU show any concern for the Clintons' proclivity to protect the Bushes, anyway?

But anyway - where is the proportion in this thread? Think about what you condemn and what you DON'T condemn from Democratic leaders.

[BootinUp]

47. I think you should work in a way to blame him

for the rise of Hitler too.

[cuke]

50. blm thinks Bill is a liar

but s/he believes him when he says something s/he doesn't like

[mtnsnake]

90. blm also thinks Kerry ran a great campaign (snicker)

[karynnj]

92. Kerry personally did run a very decent campaign

No one, including the Clintons thought that 2004 would be easy. It was not 1992, when the media and the country was sick of GHWB who was below 40% for at least 6 months before the election. The age and health of the Supreme Court Justices meant that the anti-abortion people would be out in droves. There are many single issue anti-abortion voters.

In addition you had a media that was terrified of alienating Bush. You had the Bush administration literally terrorizing the country - which is what it is called when you raise terror codes causing fear just because Kerry's numbers start to rise. The way the media handled the National Guard and SBVT stories is telling. Kerry's records were intact and even Nixon conceded he was a genuine war hero. Truth alone - and it was there before August - should have stopped the questions on his war service.

His 3 debates were extraordinary. Most of the 2008 candidates are taking large parts of his platform to run on - and the good news for them is that the media covered so little of it that it now still seems new.

It is still the pre-primaries, it seems a bit early to proclaim that 2008 candidates are doing a better job. Remember that Kerry's primary campaign was very good - and easily won. This kind of means you have to concede that either Kerry ran a competent campain or that he was seen as such a good leader and statesman, the campaign didn't count.

[blm]

77. Why? It's all about Poppy Bush and his cronies and YOU know it.

You just can't admit it so you go to the absurd as if THAT will cloud the truth.

[Rabo Karabekian]

7. Those Pesky Flesh and Blood People

My question is when are they going to automate the voters? They've rigged the machines, but they can't steal every vote...

[HuckleB]

8. First, they shouldn't do this type of thing.

Clinton should pledge to avoid such future practices.

Second, this is not anything remotely like the coddled and ultra-planned Rove machine. This student still could have asked her a different question, for starters. Republicans were not banned from the event. Etc... etc.. etc...

Can we please discuss things in a tone of reasonableness and context at DU?

[Frances]

11. Good point

Plus this story could turn out to be like the NPR story that Hillary didn't tip the waitress, which was proved false.

[AtomicKitten]

16. It's show time!

[jgraz]

18. But did she tip the plants?

That's what I wanna know.

[geek tragedy]

23. Not enough, apparently.

So much for that flawless campaign.

[babylonsister]

25. She gave Medea Benjamin a hard time, too. Pulled her out of a rally for wearing

'Troops Home Now' on her t-shirt. She does like to control the message.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUV-xEMgGUo

[blm]

26. Just what we need, Bush2 wearing a donkey mask.

Because we enjoyed the fascism so much the first time.

[truedelphi]

36. I love Medea. We were watching some abysmal

C SPAN coverage of a House or Senate event and there was Medea in the background with her signs and her earnest expression.

When the Senatae hearing was over, she kept wanting the FBI to explain why she and several others are now denied entry into Canada on account of their protest activites and areests. They are all on the no fly terrorist lists.

the FBI refused to acknowledge that she was even there.

[babylonsister]

41. She's fearless and tireless. I have a lot of respect for her, too! nt

[creeksneakers2]

27. The second example given here is a fabrication

Hillary didn't call anybody a plant. She calmly tried to explain to a boisterous questioner that there were two versions of the resolution and she voted for the later version which had language that could have led to war removed. Hillary said "Obviously, somebody sent you something..." referring to the widespread net hoax materials sent out by Hillary's opponents. The questioner expressed outrage, declaring that he did his own research. (Notice he didn't say "I'm not a plant.") Hillary apologized and went on to calmly explain the difference to the questioner, even offering to send a copy of the correct resolution to the questioner.

At no time did Hillary call the questioner a plant or anything remotely like it. The whole thing was another case of a lie about Hillary being repeated by her net opponents, the RNC and the mainstream media.

[blm]

33. Try this THIRD example of Hillary embracing Bush's politics of swiftboating....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk1k0nUWEQg


Rendell providing bonuses?

[creeksneakers2]

51. What Kerry said was inappropriate

Kerry misspoke. Kerry eventually apologized. End of that story. Hillary bravely pointed out that there were more important things to worry about.

This is what you've got on her?

[sandnsea]

58. He did not misspeak

He had told that joke numerous times. Suddenly, it was the worst joke in a decade and Hillary was out there fanning the flames. He apologized because he knew he'd been steamrolled by the Clinton machine - again.

[creeksneakers2]

61. Kerry accidentally omitted a word

That changed the meaning of the sentence. The "Clinton machine" had nothing to do with it.

[karynnj]

63. Nothing he said was "inapproprite"

He left out a 2 letter word in text the media already had - and it botched the joke. For anyone else, there would have been NO story.

Even as said, it did NOT imply what the RW and HRC seemed to think it did. Even if you did the contortions to make it mean that if you failed at school the only alternative was to join the military, it would not mean that ALL the troops are poorly educated, stupid or did not do their homework. A implies B, does not mean B implies A.

There was no "bravery" in HRC's self serving smear. (Note - I would have NO problem had she said that Kerry stuck his foot in his mouth, that was true and would have been fair - to suggest that he said something against the troops is beyond the pale - especially as I will bet you that if she is the nominee, he will be asked to help with getting the support of veterans, with whom he has better credibility.

HRC could take lessons in be classy from how Senator Kerry handled WJC's stupid comments mentioning swiftboating. This is how to defuse an unwanted political question and get to the point supporting your party. (Does anyone notice that HRC never got to the "real" issues in her clip?

http://www.kerryvision.net/2007/11/nbc_goes_green.html

[blm]

78. Hillary joined Bush because SHE wanted Kerry OFF the campaign trail as he had

funded and campaigned for way more candidates than she did and so she USED Bush's smears to pile on.

She said KERRY"S inappropriate comment was distracting - and THAT is where she was pressuring media to get Kerry off the trail.

You know this - you just don't care how HONEST Democrats are treated by Bush and Clintons as long as the overall agenda of the powerful remains intact.

Rendell pays well.

[cuke]

40. The facts don't matter to some people

"Hillary acts like bush*" so anything bad anyone says about her is true

[williesgirl]

30. She's nothing more than * in a skirt. rec'd

[DURHAM D]

31. He breathlessly reported...

All campaigns do this.

[incapsulated]

38. I *shrugged* for Obama and I *shrug* over this. n/t

[ecstatic]

49. It sounds like a set up to me. Why would a plant need to ask a question

like that? Someone set her up to start trouble. Clinton should do a background check on her staff.

[illinoisprogressive]

52. So typical of Hillary. She simply cannot go off script and be for real.

[Catherine Vincent]

53. I see the regulars are here. n/t

[Eric J in MN]

56. She runs events just like a Republican. NT

NT

[guruoo]

60. So? n/t

[TeamJordan23]

62. Another playbook out of the Bush/Rove bag. nm

[ellacott]

66. The Irony is that someone here tried to nail Obama for the same thing n/t

[Bitwit1234]

70. And OH Wise One, you don't think the other candidates have done it also

what jerkwater part of this country are you from. If you think that each and every one of the candidates have not put a version of any of their questions they can get in, you are dumber than dumb.

[IndianaGreen]

71. "Everybody does it!" is such a lame excuse, an another example of failure to admit mistake

which has been such a trademark of the Bush regime.

I wonder what Big Dog said to himself, "everyone cheats on their spouses."

[davidinalameda]

72. its threads like this that make me glad I only venture over here every once in a while

the Hillary haters have seemed to take over DU

and when you have some posters on here I've always considered to be either RNC plants or just plain moonbats (love that word) smacking on Hillary, it just reinforces my belief that Hillary is the best candidate

[DFW]

73. I have no problem at all with Hillary supporters, but

I would hope you have a few more substantive reasons for supporting her than that! LOL

[smiley_glad_hands]

74. More of the same.

I will vote for her if I have to, regretfully.

[leftist_not_liberal]

75. Delicious Juxtaposition.

Well done.

[sss1977]

80. she knows what works

And it doesn't matter where she learned it from, she'll use it if it means getting elected. This is exactly why Impeachment is so important. I don't want the tools of this administration in anyone else's hands ever. It doesn't matter who is President, the tools will be used.

[itsrobert]

81. I wonder what esle they up too? Hired forum spammers?

Is Rove calling the shots?

[MannyGoldstein]

84. You Clinton Haters Never Let Up, Do You!

Hillary would never do such a thing - she's far too honest, transparent, and spontaneous for this to happen.

Why isn't the press going after Obama for not giving most of his money to orphans?

[Redneck Socialist]

85. Oh sweet naivety

Have none of you ever taken part in a campaign before?

This is a standard campaign practice. It's done in order to control the message. You make sure the questions that you want to answer get asked. Otherwise you end up with some wingnut asking Hillary about her affair with Vince Foster. If you were running a campaign is that the type of question you want you candidate being asked?

As for the second bit in the OP, it is quite possible, if not likely that other campaigns have planted people in the audience to ask "Have you stopped beating your wife yet?" type questions. Again this is standard campaign practice, all part of the game.

I can't believe that people are getting exercised about this...




...but then again, this is DU.

:eyes:

[L0oniX]

87. MUHAHAHAHAHAHA

[rodeodance]

88. i think this campaign season is TOOOO long. Not good for candidates nor we people.

[Beelzebud]

89. Hmm, what other politican in recent memory does staged public events?

Oh yeah. George Bush...

[Botany]

91. 3 words

plant-a-gate

[Politicub]

93. I'm with Hillary

And will probably stop coming to DU soon because I'm sick of seeing so called "dems" catapult right wing propaganda. (probably won't be able to stay away completely though because I've been hooked for years)

I went to a primary campaign training session set up by the Hillary campaign in GA today. I was so touched by the level of support that she has, and the diversity of people who are standing with her. I had never heard of Plant gate or whatever its called until I logged into DU this evening, but it's like I've stepped into the screen of Fox news.

My read on the situation is this - a campaign aide made a stupid judgement call about planting the question. You would think that as a group we Dems could move on and not beat this horse until it's a formless, bloody mess.

So from now on I'll spend my time making calls for Hillary in GA, organizing locally, and supporting her or another dem should she not get the nom. I understand that many of you are so pure that you can't taint your tender sensibilities to even consider that people can make a mistake. I'm sick of Bush's world of black and white, and I'm ready to see that kind of thinking dead and buried. I can't change people who live to only sling mud. And I know it starts with me, and it started today.