Hillary Clinton's "don't ask" policy

As she races through Iowa in the days before next week's caucuses, Hillary Clinton is taking few chances. She tells crowds that it’s their turn to “pick a president,’’ but over the last two days she has not invited them to ask her any questions.

Before the brief Christmas break, the New York senator had been setting aside time after campaign speeches to hear from the audience. Now when she’s done speaking, her theme songs blare from loudspeakers, preventing any kind of public Q&A.

She was no more inviting when a television reporter approached her after a rally on Thursday and asked if she was “moved’’ by Benazir Bhutto’s assassination. Clinton turned away without answering.

Her daughter, Chelsea, had the same reaction when a reporter approached her with a question.

Hillary Clinton’s no-question policy didn’t sit well with some of the Iowans who came to see her speak.

“I was a little bit underwhelmed,’’ said Doug Rohde, 46, as he left a rally at a fire station in Denison. “The message was very generic -- and no questions.’’

Clinton campaign officials said that she may take questions in the coming days. But her focus is on seeing as many voters as possible before the caucuses next Thursday -- and spotlighting the messages she wants to deliver.

Spokespeople for her two main rivals in the Hawkeye State -– John Edwards and Barack Obama -– said the candidates would continue fielding questions as they troll for support.

(UPDATE: For an amusing update, click here.)

-- Peter Nicholas

Comments

[Eric]

How dare they question Queen Hillary? I'm surprised that there are still fools willing to support her lackluster career and ever-failed socialist stance. Being married to a lackluster ex-president don't make much qualifications to become a president!

[Midas]

This is known as the 'stop digging' theory - she's in a hole of her own making, and is in damage control mode.

[Jeff]

Are we electing a monarch or a president? The arrogance displayed by these politicians is mind-boggling. Hillary Clinton apparently displays total contempt for her subjects (i.e. the citizens of the United States that have the power to make her president.)

By the way, Bill Riichardson did this same trick when running for governor in NM last time. He even refused to debate his opponent.

Not answering questions must be a topic in the democratic handbook.

Apparently, the free and open exchange of ideas is OK with Hillary provided it is not the free and open exchange of her ideas.

Jeff

[Helen]

Is anyone surprised that she's not answering questions? This is the area she seems to mess up most, and she's not taking any chances. The problem is that voters want something new, and she's not showing it to them. (One reason they are turning to Obama!) Voters have some questions before they make their final choice. If they don't get answers, they'll be turned off and go to someone else.

[kidkosmic]

Surely the Democrats are not going to pick this 'droid as their nominee. Hillary is right out of a B sci-fi flick. Eerie.

[Bob]

Nice - she is trying to be the next President of the United States and she cannot field any questions. Hmmmm.... Should we expect any different once she is elected?

[matt]

We need to cut her some slack. These candidates are seeing millions of people over this time and answering some good (and often, ridiculous) questions. Your brain gets tired, you get tired, and you may end up faltering like Howard Dean or, even moreso, our current president, with some moronic line. I don't fault her and I think when the questions really matter in the coming days, she'll answer.

[Las Vegas Dave]

This Billary behavior is typical of her campaign ....... ' you listen to me, I don't want to know what is on your mind'. This is a candidate that cannot field questions for which she has not rehearsed. She is nothing but a drone that others control. This is a very sad day for American politics.

[Purger]

Typical Hillary ... If off-script she performs poorly so why chance questions if the questions are not on-script.

[Dickie Flatts]

You guys have had it for Clinton. People see through you like glass. Like the piece you put up a week or so ago about another possible plant with no proof just a "hunch."

Sure she isn't taking questions.

Now tell us about the rest of the candidates.

Most either are not or have seriously cut back. The fact is they are know sprinting across Iowa. Making as many quick stops as they can make in a day. The events are shorter and they are trying to get their message out and get to the next event.

Try being fair. I know it is hard when the media darling in the race is sinking.

[Gary]

Isn’t She just Great?
Do I smell kool-aid?

[CJKatl]

She is obviously afraid of questions. David Gregory showed the emporer-wannebe wears no clothes.

Maybe the writers' strike made it impossible for her to speak, as she can only give scripted responses.

[Andrew]

Anyone that votes for her, shouldn't be aloud to vote in the first place....*sigh

[Independent Voter]

Clinton's "don't ask" policy speaks volumes about her own assessment of her ability to operate under fire - apparently it is very low. She obviously thinks she will do more harm than good by attempting to think on her feet. Now, that is a great quality for the leader of the free world!

[Tiffany M]

And why are we not surprised by this? When she ever does answer questions, she's never saying anything substantial. I have always voted Democratic, but if she gets the nomination instead of Obama, I will vote Republican!

[Conservative]

Okay, and this is surprising because? People, this is nothing new, the moment she feels the heat, she steps back and shuts down. She has never had to answer any tough questions and continually gets a pass by the media.

[Don Surber]

She must have run out of plants.

[James]

She is a very condescending person. It is very clear that she feels she should be anointed and not elected.

I hope everyone wakes up and sees there are much more qualified candidates out there.

[Dotcoman]

She can't afford to answer any questions, all of her college kid plants went home for Christmas vacation.

[Billary Clintham]

No comment.

[who cares]

She is finished.

[James]

She is a very condescending person. It is very clear that she feels she should be anointed and not elected.

I hope everyone wakes up and sees there are much more qualified candidates out there.

[Joe]

You liberal 'reporters' love Hillary so much you're blinded as to what will happen if she is elected next year? Muslim ext fear her? Are you kidding me?
Military hate her? Yes

[The Outlander]

Democrat Hillary (not Rodham) Clinton is not allowing people to ask her questions and The Los Angeles Times accepts this. No surprise on either front. The Los Angeles Times has a documented history of violating the First Amendment to the United States of America and Hillary (not Rodham) Clinton has a documented history of wanting to do away with the United States Constitution.

[Jake]

clinton don't ask don't tell policy is not what the USA needs. billys failed and so does hers .thank go she is unelectable.