Planting Season

It came out over the weekend that Hillary Clinton was caught planting questions on her campaign stops in Iowa. Hillary's reaction was that she didn't know about it, that it had been "staff" and that they wouldn't do it again. That is "again," as in "again today." They got caught doing it again the next day. That's when the story became "everyybody does it." I believe that it's a logical conclusion that Hillary not only knew about it but likely instigated it. Think about it. What would you do if a "staffer" sought out, on their own, to plant a question for your benefit, but wound up embarrassing you and your campaign? If it happened that way, they'd be fired in a heartbeat. Fire them and you certainly look like somebody in charge of your own campaign. You look like somebody who is willing to make a tough decision and wants to play it straight. You'd be somebody who values honesty and principles over the personal loyalty of subordinates. And there is only one reason you wouldn't fire the person responsible. That would be because you told them to do it. Now, if you fire them, they blow the whistle on YOU. I mean they're loyal, but not without a paycheck. So you have to cover for them. It's my understanding that nobody was fired.

Anyway, here's the transcript from the planted question news conference:

Question: “As a young person, I’m worried about the long-term effects of global warming How does your plan combat climate change?

Clinton: “Well, you should be worried. You know, I find as I travel around Iowa that it’s usually young people that ask me about global warming. And that’s because we always try to have a young person ask this particular planted question. And we ask them to preface the question with the phrase ‘As a young person...’ just so that point is not missed. The next question that is going to be asked is about terrorism and I believe we’ve arranged for an Iraq war veteran to begin that question with ‘As an Iraq war veteran...’ Our focus groups indicate that is a highly effective technique. Next question? You, the young man dressed in combat fatigues with the orange sticker on your forehead.”

Question: “As an Iraq war veteran, I’d like to know how you can tell the difference between Sunni terrorists and Shiite terrorists.

Clinton: “I think the Shiites wear turbans while the Sunnis wear those dish rags tied on with a rope. Next? The young woman dressed in pink, with the orange sticker on her forehead.”

Question: “Will you personally pull the trigger at Dick Cheney’s execution?”

Clinton: “Whoa there! We haven’t even brought charges yet. But since you asked the question, yes I will.” (winks) Next? Way in the back, the man in a business suit with the orange sticker on your lapel.”

Question: “As a businessman, I’d like to know if there is any possible way that I can pay more in taxes? I just don’t feel as though I’m doing my fair share.

Clinton: “ I am hearing this more and more here in Iowa because my campaign manager thinks we can trick people into thinking that raising taxes was your idea! I’m not entirely convinced, but hey, you heard what the man said. He wants his taxes raised. Who am I to argue?