Clinton Campaign Planted ‘Questions’ With Iowa Audience Members

The revelations of planted questions offer Americans a rare peek inside the true nature of the modern election process.Clinton Campaign Planted ‘Questions’ With Iowa Audience MembersBy Cliff Montgomery – Nov. 12th, 2007Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) has, like career politicians of every stripe, developed something of a reputation for orchestrated political moves. But the Democratic presidential candidate’s actions appear to have hit a new low, with the revelation that a senior campaign staffer coached an Iowa audience member to pitch an easy question to Clinton about global warming.The Clinton campaign apparatus in Iowa finally admitted that it had orchestrated the question at a Nov. 6th “town hall” rally in the town of Newton. The “discussion” with audience members was an important photo-op for Clinton, with numerous national journalists present.During the open-mike segment of the rally, a student sitting in the audience was invited to ask a question.”As a young person, I’m worried about the long-term effects of global warming,” the student said. “How does your plan combat climate change?” the student then asked.”Well, you should be worried,” Clinton replied.”You know, I find as I travel around Iowa that it’s usually young people who ask me about global warming,” Clinton continued. Her answer of course made it seem as if the New York senator was attuned to the worries of young Americans.That is, until the truth began leaking out.The Grinnell College website revealed a few days ago that a Grinnell student, Muriel Gallo-Chasanoff, had been coached in posing that question by a top Clinton staffer.”One of the senior staffers told me what to ask,” she stated.Clinton’s spokesman acknowledged that the question on global warming had been planted, but added: “This is not standard policy, and will not be repeated again.”And that promise was believed by most reporters–that is, until the truth began leaking out.Over the weekend, another case has been discovered of an Iowa audience member apparently coached on asking Clinton a set question. An easy question about Iraq seems to have been  planted at an April campaign event.The revelations of planted questions offer Americans a rare peek inside the true nature of the modern election process–which among the top candidates of both parties has become as meticulously managed as any stage play.But it has become especially noticeable in modern presidential politics, where presidential candidates–and the current president, for that matter–make a habit of pretending to engage in spontaneous discussions with voters.Democrats and Republicans do care about the needs of some voters, and are glad to listen to those whose campaign contribution is sufficiently large. The greater the bribe–ahem, the “contribution”–the greater their concern.The rest of us can’t afford this reality, and so are being given little more than simulated care and simulated concern from Democratic and Republican candidates alike.Like what you’re reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of thee-newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!