The LA Times noticed that Hillary hasn't been taking a ton of questions during her recent events and that Chelsea Clinton gave them a genteel stiff-arm.
We add this to the pile:
Last week, during a Hillary-Chelsea-Dorothy Rodham event at a Concord, NH country store, a reporter (me) approached Hillary's daughter and mother. First we tried to get Dorothy's attention but couldn't get within 10 yards of Clinton's 88-year-old mom, who was perched serenely on a chair behind a rope line, at least three secret service guys and a phalanx of staff. We tried to make eye contact but she was captivated by a three-year-old girl who was singing a song to herself while as her mom waited for a Hillary autograph.
Fair enough. We moved on to Chelsea, who was wearing a slate gray patterned sweater and a look of bemused detachment. She was the only member of the family out beyond the rope lines, chatting in an amiable monosyllabic kind of way with audience members and a photographer who was doing the I-took-your-picture-years-ago-at-the-White House thing.
We approached, figuring that she's no longer a child and has voluntarily placed herself before the public. We offered a hand that was accepted reluctantly, like a discarded Whopper wrapper.
"Hello, Ms. Clinton. What do you think of the turnout?"
"I'm sorry I don't talk to the press." (still smiling)
"Really? But you are out campaigning--"
"I'm sorry but I have a policy of not talking to the press." (smile slipping away)
"I'm really surprised, I thought--"
"I don't talk to the press." (Smile gone, staring at apple crates in corner of store)
At this point a staffer ...
Glenn Thrush
politely interceded and whisked us away.
We ended up grousing to a charming, sympathetic woman standing near us who turned out to be Sylvia Larsen, the majority leader of the New Hampshire State Senate.
"I don't blame them for not letting her speak," she said in a consoling tone. "I don't have any idea what my daughter would say to a reporter if one interviewed her."
Comments (7)
RE: More Clinton stories...Are we ever going to hear the truth?.....
How about brining Hillary Clinton back to Western New York to bring along those jobs she promised.....
My most frustrating days as Deputy Campaign Manager for the US Senate race last year, (For the GOP & Conservative Party candidate) was with the media.
It never ceases to amaze me that Hillary Clinton is/was NEVER held accountable for her FAILED workings in Western New York State.
In her first term running for United States Senate, Clinton promised those suffering in Western New York ... Economic Development, More Jobs and to Repopulate this Region of NY.
Clinton was to do so by "Promoting" Western New York State to American Business! Clinton Promised Western New York 250,000 NEW jobs by the end of her first term (Promising to Promote WNY to American Business Corporations)....
End result.....Is by the time Clinton was running for her second term, Western New York LOST another 25,000 Jobs.
(Clinton as of last year, should have now been held accountable for failing in the creation of 275,000 New jobs)
Those on the editorial boards in WNY NEVER defended Clinton on her failings in jobs creation.
End result....Is that Buffalo's (NY's 2nd Largest City) population has been cut in half. Erie County and the City of Buffalo are still held captive by a "Financial Control Board" .......25 to 40,000 Homes are abandoned by people who have left WNY because they can't sell their homes to buyers.
My question....Is there something wrong with this picture? Will any of the New York Media ever advise the "National Media" to bring this question to attention to the American voters?
Clinton has used this State and might soon be leaving this State. Clinton has delivered nothing in regard to help to those who live in WNY.
Jim Kelly - Conservative Campaigns
Clinton has much to answer for and her abandonment of Western New York is only a part. What about Vince Foster, who killed him and left him in the park? It was not suicide! How about the billing records from the Rose Law Firm? How and where were they located? This women is evil and apparently the media is giving her a pass....I never thought NY would be stupid enough to vote that carpetbagger into the senate, but I was wrong then and I hope the country is not stupid enough to vote her into the highest office in the land, but we did vote George Bush in?
What is it like to be "whisked" away, Glenn? Do you become like the white part of the egg?
If your going to sally forth and go on the campaign trail for your mom, your going to have to answer questions from the media and voters. That is, unless the press is too feckless to write that the campaign won't let you. Thank you for reporting this Glenn.
I read with rancor the feckless comments by a so-called Conservative Campaigns person Jim Kelly. This article by Glenn deals with Chelsea telling her THREE times that she doesn't talk to the press. How many times does it take ? Chelsea is not a candidate and doesn't have to be bothered with press interviews. Get over it Glenn, you are toast Jim Kelly, I am so glad that Newsday has changed the blog format so that the rest of us are not forced to wade through your endless boring rambles.
Jim Kelly....Conservative campaigns......looking for jobs from federal agencies......isn't that the responsibility of private industry..local chamber of commerce .........Jim..what kind of Conservative are you ?
Elaine,
I imagine that if Chelsea had simply phrased her answer more honestly and said, "I'm sorry, I'm only here as window dressing and camera fodder in the likability campaign, not as someone whose thoughts have any relevance, and that's okay with me because that's how my mom wants it," the reporter would have considered his question answered, said thank you and left her alone.