by Jill Zuckman
HANOVER, N.H. - Could someone be planting questions for Sen. John McCain?
On the heels of the Iowa controversy in which a campaign staffer told a college student what to ask Sen. Hillary Clinton, McCain received at least five highly suspicious questions.
Voters asked him to expound on his position for torture as well as climate change, the issue that got Clinton into trouble.
Another praised McCain for his "physical and political courage" and said: "Could you tell this audience about your consistent opposition to abortion?"
Though reporters laughed at the non-stop softballs lobbed McCain's way, Mark Salter, senior adviser to McCain, maintained that no one from the campaign asked any voter to ask any question or make any statement in the crowded auditorium -- the campaign's 10th event of the day.
Then McCain received this hardball: "When you are the Republican nominee, who do you think your opponent will be in the general election?"
For the record, McCain said he expects the Democratic nominee to be Clinton.
But wait, there's more.
Jack Tarlin, an independent voter, stood and told McCain that the polls show he would have the best chance of any of the Republican candidates to beat Clinton.
"The news isn't getting out right now," he told McCain. "We don't have a whole lot of time left till January."
McCain paused and thought how to respond. "Um, would you mind traveling with me the next couple of days?" he asked.
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Comments
Ms. Zuckman states, "McCain received at least five highly suspicious questions." Suspicious to whom, Ms. Zuckman? To you? This sounds like the Clintons' usual tactics of saying "everyone does it" when confronted with a charge, ranging from lying to sex with an intern. Were the Clintons the initiator of the "suspicious" comment by Ms. Zuckman? If not, who?
Posted by: Ismael | November 18, 2007 8:29 AM
If you were on the McCain bus, Ms. Zuckman, you'd know that McCain answers every question put to him, soft or hard ball. As this supporter attests, the Straight Talk Express is alive and well. What an idiotic title to a post.
Posted by: Bird Dog | November 18, 2007 11:28 AM
If you have facts, Ms. Zuckman, why didn't you present them?
Because this is just speculation. Baseless accusation.
The kind of fact-free speculation that journalists aren't supposed to do, and refrain from doing if one of their fellow Democrats is involved.
Dig up some evidence of planting before you slime Senator McCain. Better still, follow up on the mounting evidence that EVERYTHING at that CNN Democrat "debate" was phony, including the questions and the so-called undecided questioners. Here's a link to yet more evidence of CNN/Clinton News Network shenanigans:
http://directorblue.blogspot.com/2007/11/cnn-plants-questions-to-protect-hillary.html
Posted by: Bruce | November 18, 2007 11:37 AM
"Dig up some evidence of planting before you slime Senator McCain. Better still, follow up on the mounting evidence that EVERYTHING at that CNN Democrat "debate" was phony, including the questions and the so-called undecided questioners."
Posted by: Bruce | November 18, 2007 11:37 AM
The propaganda minister is in the house. Bruce I'm sure allot if all of these people engage in some level of this stuff. Get real. Quit crying!!!
Posted by: Alberto G | November 18, 2007 2:10 PM
I hope most readers are sophisticated enough to know that planting questions is a standard proceedure for all campaigns when working a hall.
A politico can't get his message out unless he is asked the right question. Someone always asks the right question.
There may be some campaign that has not planted questions, but I doubt it.
Posted by: c. perry | November 18, 2007 3:20 PM
Speaking of softballs, Ms. Zuckman, shall we discuss your constant softball questions to the Queen B, and especially your cotton candy puff piece you did a couple of months ago? When you cover your liberal friends, Ms. Zuckman, you are nothing more than a whiffle ball pitcher.
Posted by: John D | November 19, 2007 10:02 AM
I happen to be the person (cited) by Ms. Zuckman in her post about John McCain's recent appearance in my hometown of Hanover NH.
My question to Senator McCain was NOT planted, pre-arranged, or suggested, and absolutely nobody from the McCain campaign had anything to do with it. I state this emphatically and categorically.
Jack Tarlin
Hanover NH
Posted by: Jack Tarlin | November 19, 2007 11:01 AM
Still no story on the mysterious young woman who goes to every Rudy G. event and asks the same question about Social Security?
Posted by: jethro | November 19, 2007 3:21 PM
OUCH the guy who asked the question MS. Zuckman is referring to responded in the comments...(had nothing to do with MCcain- and did not plan the question. I personally support Huckabee) this just shows why most reporters these day are nothing but Glorified Gossips. Get your facts straight lady!!!!
Posted by: Tim Kelley | November 19, 2007 4:31 PM