After raging at Tim Russert for daring to question her, Hillary Clinton's campaign is reportedly warning CNN's Wolf Blitzer to follow the pre-approved script.
Matt Drudge reports:
CNN's Wolf Blitzer has been warned not to focus Thursday's Dem debate on Hillary. 'This campaign is about issues, not on who we can bring down and destroy,' top Clinton insider explains. 'Blitzer should not go down to the levels of character attack and pull 'a Russert.'' Blitzer is set to moderate debate from Vegas, with questions also being posed by Suzanne Malveaux... Developing...
The irony is perfect. We learn of this gross intimidation on the very day NewsBusters' Tim Graham writes about the very subject.
What's disturbing here is that when the Bush admin engages in these types of actions (skewed questions and tough press handling), it provokes anger and resentment from the media. When Hillary Clinton does it, it provokes more adulation.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Un-F-ing believable ...
November 13, 2007 - 13:01 ET by drillanwrUn-F-ing believable ... Well, perhaps not. After all, look who it is.
Can the people, who would be voters for this woman, not see her for what she and the people around her really are?
However, I have a growing theory ... THIS whole Sen. "Victim" Clinton running for the first woman POTUS with the MSM might be a crafted plan to make it appear there is some ... oh, I dunno ... "conspiracy" against Hillary, therefor putting her in a position where she seems to operate so keenly and successfully from ... poor, struggling victim of misogyny who are trying to keep this feminist savior down. It always works for her. This is big apples, so gotta "pile on" with the struggle.
Will Suzie suck up or bring out the kitty claws
November 13, 2007 - 13:06 ET by Lame CherryThe only interesting situation in this debate is not what Wolf will do as he proved a few days ago what a shill he is for the Rockefellers when he started the rehabilitation of Dick Armitage.
Wolfie is in a bit of a quandry now, because if he doesn't do a good job the boys will call him whipped and Timmy Russert will be bully of the playground with Igor Chris Matthews the fawning hound from hell yapping at everyone's heals.
Suzie Malveaux is the kitty card in this though, because she is about as easy to swallow as a jar of peanut butter in one gulp and about as interesting as that same blob. Can Suzie join the boys and carry Wolfie's water in the cat fight she must now enter into or enter into her eternal oblivion of being a nobody person of color.
CNN is now behind NBC in all of this and there has to be a cat fight for them to show the world they are part of the din too.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
Obama, time to step up
November 13, 2007 - 13:07 ET by KC MulvilleTo Senator Barack Obama:
The ball is in your court. Hillary is clearly trying to intimidate the media, and if past experience is any guide, the media will back down. That would leave no one left to present Hillary with any challenge.
That leaves you. Have you got the backbone to challenge her? You don't have to engage in a personal insult. You can challenge her on her positions, or her political philosophy, or her past votes. The Clintons say those are all fair game (although you know they'll bitterly resent it anyway). Do you have the courage to challenge her?
You have to know that you're the key here. If you allow Hillary to intimidate the media and say nothing, you'll never be taken seriously again. You'll just be a Hillary-enabler for the rest of your career. On the other hand, if you stand with the media and support their questioning of her, you may have a chance at the nomination, because you'll open the floodgates against her. And the media will love you for it.
The ball is in your court.
It doesn't surprise me about
November 13, 2007 - 13:11 ET by charlietexasIt doesn't surprise me about the "WARNING" form the Clintooons.
They have all the left wing media by the B*lls. What surprises me
is why does Wolf get to moderate the debates?? And Chris Matthews?? and
Keith Oddman???? NO one watches these people. Why not give the debates
to Bill Orielly or Rush or Hannity?? Its unbelievible!! Who makes these
decisions?? I dont get it. What do I know??
It doesn't surprise me about
November 13, 2007 - 17:14 ET by airedaletwoThe whole thing reminds me of Brear Rabitt telling Mr. Fox not to toss him in the briar patch. I smell a set up. Not of Wolf but of the public. Hillary was treated roughly in the Russert debate in that she was treated almost like a Republican and this time she'll be ready.
I wouldn't even be surprised if she didn't have a few of the questions ahead of time (not from Wolf though). That way she can use focus group tested answers to knock the tough questions out of the box and make up for the Russert perfomance. It only takes one person to provide her people with the questions and no one else at CNN would need to know. The place is loaded with Democratic operatives and major Hillary fans including the highest levels.
The Clintons have always
November 13, 2007 - 13:13 ET by bobthemanThe Clintons have always done this... now it's out in the open. Will Wolf have the 'nads to call her on it? I doubt it.
http://politicsofdes...
Yeah, don't count on it.
November 13, 2007 - 13:20 ET by Chris NormanYeah, don't count on it. He's just another sheep in Wolf's clothing...
character attack ? that was just a yes/no Question
November 13, 2007 - 13:19 ET by JayTeeTim Russet's question to Hillary on how she stood on NY Driver's licenses to Illegals was NOT a character attack......gimme a break.
It was an honest question to a dis-honest candidate, and it showed.
Rudi G. will eat her up and spit her out in any real un-scripted Debate. She can't handle Fox, she can't handle MSM, and she can't handle questions from Dems.......
She's a shell of a candidate, and it's becoming obvious to the most casual Observer.
What good is a Free Press, if it is a False Press ? David Foote GoE
That's how the Clintons
November 13, 2007 - 14:32 ET by motherbeltThat's how the Clintons characterize every question they don't want to answer. Expecting a candidate to answer a question honestly is a character attack. Swift-boating. Politics of Personal Destruction. Shows a lack of substance on issues. Take your pick.
Oh, and don't forget the old "questioning his/her/my patriotism."
Edwards? Obama? Dodd? Biden? Main Stream Media Types?
November 13, 2007 - 13:22 ET by BourbeauWhat say you? There's got to be some reaction to this strong-arm tactic - go ahead, lay her low; it's well deserved. Gentlemen? Media Types? We're waiting. Hello, are you there?
Oh-h-h, Matthew ... LOL!
November 13, 2007 - 13:41 ET by drillanwrOh-h-h, Matthew ... LOL!
What will Wolfie Do?
November 13, 2007 - 13:49 ET by BlondeWell for one, he's going to stew in it for a few days. This is positively hillarious. Does he buckle under, and be nice to Her Highness? Or does he try to "out-do" Russert, who after all, asked what we would consider to be a mild question?
Rush had a suggestion, though. Get a cup, Wolfie.
You really couldn't make up anything better than this. The Clinton campaign seems to be on a slippery slope...express elevator down.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Enough
November 13, 2007 - 15:21 ET by Gat New YorkI believe that the MSM has had about enough of the intimidation tactics of the Clinton crew and Blitzer will ask responsible questions - and follow ups as Russert did.
I was hoping for a Hillary nomination to ensure a GOP landslide next year. But would be more than satisfied with an upset of Hillary (and Bill) in the primaries and nomination.
Love it!
November 13, 2007 - 17:24 ET by celatorLove it!
I'm picturing that nervous department dummy pacing back and forth before the program, muttering "What do I do, what do I do?" His nervous little smile is highlighted by flop sweat raining down his face. His phone rings, OH NO.. it's one of Hillary's "people" again. "Helllo, Wolfie," says the voice on the phone. "Do you remember your instructions? We know where you live. Buh-bye for now."
A black cat slinks slowly in front of Wolfies' path as he begins his long walk to the auditorium. Is that an owl hooting in the tree outside?
Going to be very
November 13, 2007 - 16:48 ET by bigtimerGoing to be very interesting for me Thursday when it comes to this debate...especially Wolfie's manner and questions....SuzieQ is a given for me when it comes to anything about the dems, she is a cream puff...
As for Wolfie I can't help but wonder if he isn't sending out a signal back to Hillary today, I am just catching the last half of his show (the first hour) and he was reporting on Hillary and the planted questions in Iowa...
So....time will tell.
when the Bush admin engages
November 15, 2007 - 19:44 ET by motherbeltwhen the Bush admin engages in these types of actions (skewed questions
and tough press handling), it provokes anger and resentment from the
media. When Hillary Clinton does it, it provokes more adulation.
Mr. Sheffield, don't you remember her husband's "Spin Room"? The media was so fascinated by their skill that very often the spin would be the news. The story would end up being how skillful the spin machine was.
I can still remember Mike McCurry talking to the press, and being able to tell by his smirking facial expression...almost literally tongue-in-cheek, that he was feeding them a line. He knew that they recognized he was feeding them a line, and he knew they didn't care.