OMG: Clinton's "don't ask" policy

[Zueda]

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2007/12/clintons-dont-a.html

As she races through Iowa in the days before next week's caucuses, Hillary Clinton is taking few chances. She tells crowds that it’s their turn to “pick a president,’’ but over the last two days she has not invited them to ask her any questions.

Before the brief Christmas break, the New York senator had been setting aside time after campaign speeches to hear from the audience. Now when she’s done speaking, her theme songs blare from loudspeakers, preventing any kind of public Q&A.

[IndianaJones]

1. OMG!! nt.

[asdjrocky]

2. John Edwards has been hit recently for being late to appearances.

What no one bothered to say, of course, is that he's late because he doesn't like to leave questions unanswered.

It's important, during an election, in a place like Iowa, that you answer the questions of the voters. Hell, that's half the reason most of the people go, they can see the stump speech on TV.

[K Gardner]

5. That's just MSM bull. Joe Biden is also frequently "late" to appearances, but

it's because THESE candidates stay behind and leave no questions unanswered. That, and they travel by car or bus, which is not as quick as oh, say, a helicopter. Those that will give precious time to the little people on the campaign trail will also do so after the campaign is over. It's a good thing :-)

[asdjrocky]

7. Hi K!

Good to see you as always. Yes, I don't think I've ever seen a candidate who wasn't at least a little late. It's so refreshing to see some fairness and decency here.

[Nailzberg]

8. Who travels by helicopter?

I thought candidates traveled by Hillacopter.

:crazy:

[K Gardner]

11. Well, evidently the Joe-A-Copter and John-A-Copter are grounded :-)

[SoxFan]

30. Biden has ALWAYS been late!

I worked for him in the 87-88 cycle, and he always ran over. The guy is physicall incapable of making a long story short. He's Irish, so it's to be expected!

[Evergreen Emerald]

3. It is common for those leading to avoid the press

and avoid making any mistakes. She has a smart strategy. I noticed also that she is not clammering like the other candidates are in an attempt to get on TV to talk about Bhutto. She talked personally about her during her tour of Iowa, but has not spoken on TV about it.

[K Gardner]

6. Bush avoids the press too. n/t

[Evergreen Emerald]

10. Clinton is running for President. It is politics 101.

Every time she speaks to the press, they vilify her. She is abused and trashed and dissected like no other candidate. I am certain you saw the results of the study that indicated how negative the press is to Clinton compared to the other candidates. And you have to look no further than DU to see that the lies and distortions work on simple-minded people who would rather just distort everything than look at the facts.

Politics 101: DONE IN EVERY CAMPAIGN. When you are ahead, don't rock the boat.

God, you guys are like gnats awaiting, circling for an opportunity to strike and then distorting every little thing. So ugly.

[Joe the Revelator]

17. Sounds like Bush logic to me, definnetly not DEMOCRATIC "politics 101"

You should never stop talking to the people. Once again, Hillary shows her true colors.

[lisainmilo]

27. Totally Agree!

Will she start a tickets only campaign next? Unbelievable!

[LiberalFighter]

15. See there you go. His ratings haven't reached 0. So it is working.

[babylonsister]

13. Common? Please; I'd like to see a link for your assertion.

Yes, smart strategy so she doesn't open mouth, insert foot like her spouse does. :eyes:

[Evergreen Emerald]

14. take a class on political science

read a book.

[Joe the Revelator]

18. I've ran campaigns, does that count?

I would never suggest that candidate stop talking to the electoriate. Its a no win situation.

[Evergreen Emerald]

19. then let me guess

Pat Paulson?

[Joe the Revelator]

21. Let me guess- you have no idea what you're talking about.

"Politics 101" my ass.

[babylonsister]

31. Can't find a link, can ya. But your insult gene is still in tact. nt

[Nailzberg]

20. It is common, actually.

It's why I left campaign politics in the first place. It has become very common in standoff, partisan politics of the last 20 years or so to use a certain Machiavellian playbook of rules, and calculate every move made. Which is why campaigns such as Obama's and Edward's have such appeal to voters sick of seeing candidates "play the game".

[Evergreen Emerald]

22. come on. Obama and Edwards are playing the game

to suggest that they are not playing politics is just plain silly. They are as calculating as every other campaign.

[Nailzberg]

25. Yes, but over-strategizing is one of her biggest downsides in the voters' perception.

Clinton doesn't have to answer questions because it's Politics 101 isn't an excuse in itself.

She is running a basic strategy, but her opponents have been saying for months that Hillary doesn't follow any convictions, she merely strategizes. So by playing the game, she concedes their point. Answering questions is a risk, just ask David Axelrod. But by muzzling the candidate, they play to the triangulation/strategization meme of her opponents.

It appears they are ending the push for undecideds and have letting it ride on GOTV efforts now.

[calteacherguy]

24. That's old, Washington style politics.

Real leaders answer questions. Politics of Hope 101!

[bvar22]

29. CNN...Noon....Hillary/Bhutto.

She just needed time for her handlers to tell her what she thinks, and test it on a focus group.


"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans. I want us to compete for that great mass of voters that want a party that will stand up for working Americans, family farmers, and people who haven't felt the benefits of the economic upturn."---Paul Wellstone

[creeksneakers2]

4. She's probably in a hurry to get to as many places as possible n/t

[chascarrillo]

16. Surely you jest

I mean, there's what - seven days to go? What's Clinton's hurry?

Yeah, that's sarcasm. This is a non-issue.

[MethuenProgressive]

9. dupe - and it was only after 1 event the day Bhutto was killed.

link to the original thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3897286

[durrrty libby]

12. OMFG Get a life!!!!

[madrchsod]

23. i do`t care who it is-it`s rude and insulting

a person makes an effort to see a candidate who wants their vote and does`t have time for a few questions...

[bluewisdom]

26. omg!

:o

[Lucinda]

28. Someone she knows, died. Perhaps she didn't feel chatty.

[annie1]

32. OMG OMG WHAT WILL WE DO OMG

[Nimrod2005]

33. This should not be a surprise, totally Bush like tactics!!!