Jeers for Hillary, cheers for Obama at today's candidate forum with community activists

[jefferson_dem]

Jeers for Hillary, cheers for Obama
December 1, 2007
BY JENNIFER HUNTER Sun-Times Columnist

DES MOINES — Hillary Clinton was booed at a Democratic presidential candidate forum Saturday, reflecting some of the rancor directed toward her by left wing community activists.

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, on the other hand, was greeted with a standing ovation.

Clinton was jeered after she answered a question about immigration reform. The New York senator told the crowd she would enact comprehensive immigration legislation if elected president, but would not grant amnesty to illegal immigrants and would require that they earn citizenship.

The irony is that Clinton — like Obama — is a moderate on social and economic issues. (Clinton responded to questions by satellite phone from New York. She cancelled her appearance at the event following a hostage incident in her Rochester, N.H. campaign office on Friday.)

Clinton and four other Democratic candidates — Sen. Chris Dodd of Vermont, former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio and Obama — were speaking Saturday afternoon at the forum sponsored by the Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement and The Center for Community Change.

Clinton told the crowd of about 3,000 that as president she would “do as much as I can do” to enact immigration reform, but it would also require congressional cooperation.

The jeering after Clinton’s comments on immigration came at the end of her talk but continued even after the moderator, Cathy Hughes, founder of the African-American network Radio One, expressed sympathy about the hostage incident.

<SNIP>

http://www.suntimes.com/news/hunter/676834,hunter28.article#

VIDEO of the event available here, if you're interested to see for yourself ---> http://www.movementvisionlab.org/blog/hpf-video-footage

[patrice]

1. I thought the crowd misunderstood her answer to the question

about Immigration Reform legislation and the first 100 days in office. I thought it very unfair and ugly and I don't even like Hillary. I'm disappointed in anyone who tries to benefit from something that should not have happened.

[sandnsea]

4. 100 Days Legislation = Priority

They were booing her refusal to commit to making immigration reform priority legislation.

[ChiciB1]

8. "I" Think They Felt She Didn't Really Answer The Question... But Even

though she's last on my list, I thought the boos were uncalled for.

[patrice]

19. That could be said of some of the others and they didn't get booed.

I don't want to fight with anyone. I'm just saying it was an odd situation in which the **last** questioner tacked an extra question onto the end of his talk with her - AND - that question was nearly identical to the one that the hostess asked each time to end their chat with that candidate. It could have been a little confusing to anyone in the audience who could easily have been distracted at that moment (we all know how we sit out there and chat with one another while listening and watching what's going on). I was paying attention and even I was thinking: Is he asking if she'll meet with them in the first 100 days or is he asking whether she'll pass immigration reform in 100 days (which would, BTW, be a very naive question given that we have no assurance of a Blue Congress), so I figured he was asking the meeting question.

If political advantage is more important than the Truth, then it's just a question of time before our next "hero" degenerates into the same old thing, color or gender is no gaurantee against that.

We MUST be the change we hope to see in the world.

[ChiciB1]

31. I Know What You Mean... I Wasn't There But Was Surprised When I

heard the boos. I wouldn't have done it, and as I said, Hillary doesn't ring any bells for me either.

I can't disagree with you though, it just crossed my mind because she's been accused of being evasive in the past.

[patrice]

34. No doubt about it, she's toooo evasive.

She has to be, because of her backer$$$$$$$$.

Sometimes I hope it's them who she is fooling, not us, but I'm not up to taking chances lately. And I REALLY worry about a groundswell of bigots and haters rising up against her (plus the third-partyers who have sworn to cut off their own noses to spite our face if we run her) and we'll end up with a Repuglican pResident again. That's why she has so much money behind her: if she wins, they win; if she looses, they win.

[ClarkUSA]

2. I am looking forward to wndycty's report tonight. He was at the forum, I believe.

The tide is ever turning towards Obama in Iowa... thanks for cheery news, jefferson_dem. Iowa's liberal activists know a phony DLC panderer
when they hear one. You bet every one of those booing represent thousands more caucus goers who couldn't be there.

[wndycty]

6. After a week here in Des Moines working on this event and a month in Las Vegas . . .

. . .working on another wndycty is going to go out and blow off some steam and will report back in the morning. BTW check out movementvisionlab.org

[BeyondGeography]

3. "left-wing community activists"

Such an imposing/menacing title for people who are just trying to get sick people health care, reduce homelessness and improve education.

[journalist3072]

9. That's exactly what those people who booed her today were...uninformed left-wing activists

They booed her for telling the truth: that congress would have to send her legislation. As President, she would not be able to create legislation by fiat. She said she would work towards comprehensive immigration reform and a path to citizenship, and she mentioned Congress' role too. She said they would have to pass the legislation. She's absolutely correct. She can't sign it, if ultimately the Congress doesn't send it to her.

They booed her for telling the truth: that Congress has a role in this too; that they would have to pass the legislation.

[BeyondGeography]

10. Your girl needs all the love she can get these days

and she just can't seem to find it? Why is that?

[journalist3072]

17. The real question is why you and the rest of the ultra-left wing crowd don't want to deal in facts.

[BeyondGeography]

21. Contempt for the so-called left, that's what you and your crowd too often display

and then you act surprised when it comes back at you.

Your candidate, should she be the nominee, will need every "activist" vote she can get given her lack of appeal to independents and Republicans. Time to stop telling them to keep eating their vegetables.

[patrice]

24. ? I think she appeals plenty to Republicans; that's why I don't trust her. nt

[Skidmore]

49. It's amazing how many Republicans call anyone who disagrees with them

left-wing, ultra left-wing, radical left-wing....

[Laurab]

59. "uninformed" was one I found interesting.

Because I believe that those are the people who are probably the most informed - those "left-wing", "ultra left-wing", "radical left-wing" people who stand up for what they believe in. If we were "uninformed", why would we care?

[zulchzulu]

37. ...otherwise known as grassroots activists will WILL CAUCUS no matter what

You can call them (me) Resistance Is Futile Insurgents.

:toast:

[tangerine1700]

5. wow

actually booing Hillary? i didn't get the chance to see that or really hear about it..but wow!
seems that Obama won in a landslide for that one!

[patrice]

22. I still don't see what people see in him =/= landslide. nt

[SaveElmer]

7. I hope Obama isn't running on amnesty for undocumented workers...

It's bad enough he came out for drivers licenses...

An issue on which he would lose in the general...

[jefferson_dem]

11. So did she until Wolfson told her and Spitzer to spin their way out of that position...

n/t

[SaveElmer]

13. Uh...no...

But don't let the truth get in your way...

Is your guy supporting amnesty?

[jefferson_dem]

16. It's kind of hard to fib about past policy positions in this youtube age...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B0uHybfmmY

[cuke]

52. LOL! Your own link disagrees with you

and corroborates what SaveElmer said about her. She doesn't support drivers' licenses or amnesty for undocumented workers. She support comprehensive immigration reform with no amnesty and a path to citizenship.

[BeyondGeography]

18. Comprehensive immigration reform is the issue

Stop impersonating a Fox hack.

[SaveElmer]

33. It's about left wing activists not knowing what is in the constitution...

And acting like a bunch of asshat Republicans...

Much like some here...

[Clintonista2]

15. Wrong. She said she was personally against it, but believes that it's a state issue

Don't let the facts stand in your way, though.

[patrice]

27. She said it wouldn't be her choice, but, given that Congress had not

acted, she understood the situation, supported the governor, and felt it was an okay response given the circumstances.

[cuke]

53. Not entirely true. She explicitely said she did NOT support DL's for undocumented workers

She said she understood why Spitzer was doing it (bush* has failed to reform immigration), and that it "made a lot of sense", but she explicitely said she doesn't support it. That's why some think she was changing her mind. After saying it she understood why and that it made sense, she said she didn't support it. Some thought she was contradicting herself, though she really wasnt

[msongs]

12. edwards/obama booed = bad, hillary booed = acceptable. hypocrisy run amok nt

[SaveElmer]

14. So, like we all say we want to see...a politician that doesn't pander to the ignorance...

Of her audience...and told them what they did not want to hear, but what was the truth...

Its amusing that those who scream the loudest about how our constitution is in danger don't even know what is in it...

[jefferson_dem]

20. I hope you guys keep on impugning *community activists* and those who they help...

Please please please.

That's sure to be a winning strategy...for the "anyone but Hillary" candidate.

[BeyondGeography]

23. Amazing...and then they're all supposed to fall in line when she gets nominated

But, wait, someone else is in the lead in Iowa...

[SaveElmer]

25. When they act like morons I will...

If you think pandering to their ignorance will win you the election...I say keep it up...

[jefferson_dem]

28. So she can "speak truth to power" when it comes to this group of progressive community activists

but gets right in line with the neo-cons on IWR, K/L...etc? Yuk.

[SaveElmer]

29. When did you become such a shill...?

You used to be pretty reasonable...you have apparently decided to just ape the ignorance so prevelent around here...quite sad actually...

Oh well...lets hope Obama has more integrity than his supporters demonstrate around here...

[jefferson_dem]

32. Point taken.

I posted earlier today in the original thread on the forum that Hillary is technically right and it seemed to me that both the questioners and the crowd were unfairly hostile in her segment.

The prudent response should be to assess why she was reacted to in such a way, right?

Attacking these good people who do good work is offensive...even if they don't fully appreciate some of the "nuances" of the American political system. Ultimately, we will need them in November, whoever our nominee happens to be.

[SaveElmer]

36. I agree...

And for the record...personally...I am for amnesty in conjunction with tough immigration law reform, including hashly punitive penalties against employers who hire them...the only cost effective thing to do...

But it is a loser in the campaign. Would be better if we spendt some time educating some Democrats on the essentials of the COnstitution if they are gonna defend it....

And some Government 101 might help as well for some...make for a less contentious process among Demcorats IMO...

[cuke]

54. "The prudent response should be to assess why she was reacted to in such a way, right? "

See, now you're using your noggin' for what God intended it for. It's an interesting question and I think it might provoke a discussion of how propoganda works and how it affects people, including people on DU.

I think a lot of people have a certain perception of Hillary for the same reasons a lot of people have a certain perception of Kucinich; Propoganda

[Joe the Revelator]

42. One of the biggest shills on the board..

has the audacity to call someone else a shill? That's hilarious.

[BeyondGeography]

35. "You don't just wave a magic wand..."

There are ways to explain things to people and then there's your girl. Hill ain't Bill. You really think she's headed in the right direction? I say keep it up.

[Colobo]

39. They are respectable people, Elmer.

[Bitwit1234]

26. So Hillary gets blamed for a planted audience or question when it goes against

the other candidates...did Obama send some of his groupies to boo. hell yes..he can't stand the heat....GET OUT OF THE KITCHEN.. he is becoming more and more like the dirty dealing republicans.

[patrice]

30. I don't think that happened.

I think there are a whole lot of newbies around AND most of us are justly Angry about what's going on (now and for generations back for some), so our responses aren't always the most constructive they could be.

[ripple]

43. Presume much?

Yes, Hillary was blamed for planting questions at a forum, because her staff did plant questions. Obama's "groupies" were absent. The audience consisted of people who were hungry to hear about how our candidates could change the mindset of the nation when it comes to health care, immigration, tax reform, etc.

Obama isn't becoming like dirty dealing republicans, YOU are. If you disagree, perhaps you should have actually watched the forum, before choosing to bloviate about it. An informed mind is a terrible thing to waste.

[MadBadger]

38. Chriss Dodd is from CT

Vermont is close though.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

40. We shouldn't judge all Iowans by a few ignorant thugs

[Inspired]

50. Please. Many in the audience weren't from Iowa.

Did you watch the forum? There were people who traveled from all over the country to attend this.

Thugs? These are community leaders and activists. Thank God for them and all they do in their communities.

[AtomicKitten]

41. Sounds about right to me.

Gobama.

[BenDavid]

44. I guess HRC should just drop out now...BS.. You all get 2 polls

out of what 12 that says obama is leading but always within the margin of error and it's like the heavens opened and the light shone down on ya.

Granted obama has a lead in yet again 1 poll and you all are excited. I give you that much but all us that support HRC could go back and copy and paste all your replies about its too early, polls are not everything or thingsto that effect and paste right back at ya. I will give you this little place in the sun, but I still say HRC will win Iowa and have the majority of delegates by the middleof february and wrap it up....

Ben David

[William769]

46. She will have it wrapped up on February 5th. NT

[William769]

45. Kind of sounds like Nevada, only reversed.

And of Course when it happened in Nevada it was on National television.

[calteacherguy]

47. If the boos are reflective of the feelings of Iowans in general, that's encouraging news. nt

[Beacool]

48. I think that the left wing of the party dislikes her

almost as much as the right wing Republicans. She doesn't represent either extreme and she drives both batty. As far as her answer, I thought that it was quite reasonable and reflected the feelings of the majority of the nation. Most people do not want a blanket amnesty for all undocumented workers. The anti-immigrant wave in this country is repellent, but having said that, people should earn citizenship just as all others had to do in previous generations.

[Perry Logan]

51. Which means that the left wing of the party think blacks and gays are stupid. Very disturbing.

[Sparkly]

57. It isn't about being "left"

since she, Edwards and Obama are essentially alike in their policy positions -- despite variations in their voting records. If all three were hated equally, I'd think it was about left/right policy, but they're not, so it isn't.

[MethuenProgressive]

55. They booed while Cathy Hughes expressed sympathy about the NH hostage incident?

That's real classy.

[Sparkly]

56. Serious question: Which candidates would "grant amnesty to illegal immigrants"

and not require that they "earn citizenship?"

(And how would that play in the general election?)

[drbob99]

58. Hillary booed.

Looks like the Iowanians are tiring of clintonian politics. Thank goodness!