by Andrew Malcolm
Without directly criticizing Hillary Clinton -- he didn't have to -- Barack Obama declared yesterday that his campaign has never and would never use planted questions in its public forums.
Speaking to reporters in Nashua, N.H., the freshman Illinois senator said planting rigged questions among crowd members is “not a practice that we’ve ever engaged in and it’s not a practice that we ever plan to engage in.”
Over the weekend, Clinton staff were forced to admit that they had planted at least one question with a student at a public forum in Newton, Iowa, last week, and they faced questions about another reported attempt earlier in Iowa, in April . To watch a video of the rigged question and Clinton's perfectly formatted response, click here.
On Saturday, former Sen. John Edwards said his campaign does not stage questions and criticized Clinton, saying, "That's what George Bush does."
Obama was asked about it Monday.
“When I go into a town hall meeting," Obama said, "I never know what questions to expect and that’s a good thing because the people of New Hampshire should expect that their candidates are going to hear what’s on the voters’ minds and not what’s been concocted by the candidate’s staff."
Obama said he actually learns more from unexpected questions and has been stumped at times and then goes to learn the answers. Here's a video of his response.
Andrew Malcolm writes for Top of the Ticket, the L.A. Times political blog.
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Comments
Obama's people don't plant questions. Yeah....
They just plant anonymous youtube videos, such as that Hillary "1984" ad.
Posted by: Bruce | November 13, 2007 7:35 AM
I have a question for Obama, does he REALLY, REALLY, think he will win the nomination, and the white house?
Posted by: Gary H. | November 13, 2007 7:45 AM
Hillary denies knowing of the planted questions. Then how did she know to call on those with the planted questions? When caught in a lie, it's best to fess up rather than letting it simmer. Now the question is: Did her staff plant questions with friendly media people in press conferences?
Posted by: Grant | November 13, 2007 7:49 AM
Now why does the revelation that Hillary/Bill rigs Q & A meeting not surprise real Americans who think? Deception was the hallmark of the Bill/Hillary White House and will be the modus operandi of the Hillary/Bill White House should she be so fortunate as to deceive enough voters into believing that she is straight forward and honest. This woman has bigger balls than scrupules.
Posted by: GW | November 13, 2007 8:31 AM
Edwards at 12% should just get out!!!
Posted by: larry ward | November 13, 2007 9:09 AM
Gary,
Why don't you wait and see if Obama will win the nomination! Do you think his followers are brainless, that Obama doesn't have a message they are impressed with?? Just because you don't believe in his message doesn't mean that others aren't.
GO O!!! I am fired up!
Posted by: Urich | November 13, 2007 9:34 AM
Urich, I do not think his followers are brainless, I do like alot of what he says, but I REALLY do not believe he has enough followers out there to win anything.
Posted by: Gary H. | November 13, 2007 11:51 AM
There is an article today in teh Sun Times basically showing what a hypocrite Obama is. He chides HIllary for planting questions but he has done the same thing 2x in Iowa. Also he calls reporters to come take pictures of him walking picket lines and he admits the only 2 times he has walked a picket line was now and when he was running for Senate. Both times he ivited reporters to photograph him doing it. Basically the article says that they are all just political stunts and for one politician to call out another on the issues is an absolute joke. Howeer that seems to be Obama's mo. Attack people for doing the same things you do but hope no one will call you on it. Thankfully outside the "swamp" there are some real reporters who are interested in doing their job and not trying to get someone elected so they can be part of his press corps.
Posted by: Vinny | November 13, 2007 2:40 PM
Where have you all been. Since the first polititian talked to the first room full of people the practice of planting questions has been used. It is critical to get your message out. You can't leave the room without getting your point across. All polititions have planted questions that they can hit out of the park with a prepared response. Do not trust any pundit that pretends not to know this.
Posted by: c. perry | November 13, 2007 4:57 PM