Does planting questions in Town Hall Meetings further display Hillary's lack of character?

Question

Neenie (below) I believe it was in Iowa. Not sure where in Iowa.

Answer 1

From the description of how the questions were attempted by the candidates aids, recommending they ask certain questions, or "wouldn't be nice if someone ask this question" I would be willing to believe every candidate has someone salting the mine.

Answer 2

It is another example of what propagandists call "engineered consent." It is nothing new, nor is it peculiar to Hillary. It has happened throughout the Bush administration. It is also a common public relations practice. If anyone thinks it is only Hillary then they are naive. Bush has done it, Corporations do it, Caesar did it.

Much of what you see on local news is what is known as a VNR or video news release which is nothing more than an advertisement disguised as a news piece (i.e. a piece on the benefits of orange juice with "experts" who work fro Tropicana).

As for character its a tough call - like steroids in baseball, do you want to be the one ethical loser? I don't have an answer there.

I have advice, don't take any of these events at face value and fool yourself into think you are watching anything other than a controlled and orchestrated event. Get your news from multiple, reliable sources.

I recommend against talk radio, blogs, pundit shows, and news sources that advertise themselves as "liberal" or "conservative." Most of these sources are opinions disguised as fact. They can add some spice and analysis depending on their quality, which varies, - but if you rely on them you will be uninformed.

I'd also turn off the television because you won't get anything resembling quality from cable news - I don't care if it is CNN, Fox, or any of the others.

Any fool can "have an opinion." Do the research and intellectual work you need to do to have an informed opinion.

Answer 3

I know ya hate Hillary Chi Guy, but come on, ALL politicians do this. I'm not saying it's a good thing, but I'm saying don't try to act like she's the Lone Ranger where this is concerned. Bush was caught doing it for crying out loud. McCain did the same thing not so long ago.

Answer 4

I have no doubt they all do that to a certain extent. They are spending millions of dollars and putting themselves out there big time. I'm sure there are certain issues that they want to be sure will come to the forefront. However, I know when you dislike someone intensely, no explanation is worth the effort put forth to give it. If you found out your favorite candidate did it you'd think he was just being sensible. Funny how politics are like that.

Answer 5

This is the first I have heard of this... a source would have been nice for what you are saying. At the same time, it certainly wouldn't surprise me if she planted people in her "town meetings"... George W. Bush has unapolegetically has banned anyone with a differing viewpoint of his when he takes questions from "regular people". I think that from now on ALL politicians are going to do this.

Answer 6

I'm confident Hilary isn't the 1st or ONLY politician to 'plant' questions in the audience. Cut her some slack.

Does anyone remember FEMA's news conference? The ENTIRE thing was fake. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6WYKA5n8fg

Answer 7

That's an example of her Nixonian character - calculating, conniving. I am so adamantly opposed to her but don't know how to best use my vote to deny her the nomination.

Answer 8

Just another example of her conniving, sneaky, and relentless campaigning.

She must not win the Democratic nomination if this country does not want a Republican in the White House in '09.

Answer 9

She never had any character to begin with.

That just showed that hillary is already falling apart.


Perhaps the first thing you have ever posted that I agree with.

Answer 10

Many politicians have been guilty of this but very few get caught red handed.