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

[courteous wolf]

Hillary Clinton has no more business in the White House than the man in the freakin' moon. She has no qualifications, and no class, to boot! Besides, do we truly want a Socialist in the White House?

[Steve]

Remember the "Listening Tour?"

That was to give the impression Queen Hillary cared what the people thought or wanted to know.

Now, if you're not there to give a couple thousand of your boss's dollars to her campaign, there's no reason to show up. You can just read her talking points on her website.

[Joan]

Look out America!

Hitler didn't take questions either!

[Chris Larsen]

Already the Imperial President? Compare Mrs. Clinton's interaction to the refreshing way Joe Biden works a room, meets the people and talks to everyone who has a question with an impressive breadth of knowledge, one is left scratching their head wondering why she is leading and he is languishing...

[Norm Pressman]

I'm a real person and not a plant of any committee. I'm a yellow dog Democrat-voted for one Republican in my life and live in Missouri. I'm not voting for Ms. Clinton. She stands for nothing. She'll ruin our party's chances in Missouri. If she gets the nomincation I won't vote in the presidential race.

I think there are a sizable minority of Democrats like me. I hope Iowans consider this when they vote.

[joevol]

what a great canidate. she doesn't take any question. how you idiots would want to vote for her is beyond me. libs should all be tried and hung for treason.

[charles]

The problem is not the "no questions" policy.... its the "no policy" question. She wants to be president, but doesn't want to tell us what he positions are..... should be called the "no brains" campaign.

[Jere Joiner]

Hillary will talk only on her terms, when she knows the questions in advance. The debates showed us she's less glib than Bill, who can speak at length without saying a thing. I can't believe the Democrats or the country would put these people back in the White House. Hasn't America been shamed enough?

[Red Neckerson]

I see her policy is "don't ask, and she won't tell."

[Jordan]

She is a disaster. A blessing in disguise for the Republican nominee. If the Dems are smart they nominate someone else ... they won't.

[Jeff]

Stalin, Mao, and Pol Pot didn't take questions either. Who is supporting her?

[Pam]

You're anti-Hillary crap is getting old. Try asking Obama a question that has substance. How about give Biden and Richardson some space. Obama and Edwards should be in the back of the pack and Biden and Richardson in the front, but the stupid Press seems to set the rules.

What happened to real journalism or was there ever any?

[austin Robinson]

She's afraid of everything right now. As long as there is no acoutability-no questions- no "potential" bluders. BAD omen.

[Don Usher]

Of COURSE she's not taking questions. Whenever she says something, she's her own worse enemy. Look at her in the debate -- she can't take a stand, as she's on all sides of all issues. Whatever it takes to get power, keep power, and get richer and richer.

[Noel]

and this surprises anybody... how???

[scrapiron]

So what's new. The Clintons don't think the law applies to them so why would they care what the public thinks. Enough people have it up and locked to give her hope of gaining the white house to continue the family tradition of 'crime'.

[Benjamin Rockwell]

Hmmm... usually politicians snub the voters after they get into office.

[Ingraham]

NO more Clinton dynasty and corrupted Health Industry.
Its time to end 20 years of Clinton/Bush political dynasty.

!!! ITS TIME FOR CHANGE !!!

BARACK OBAMA WAS RIGHT ON IRAQ.

BARACK OBAMA WAS RIGHT ON IRAN.

BARACK OBAMA WAS RIGHT ON PAKISTAN.

BARACK OBAMA HAS RIGHT JUDGEMENT FROM THE BEGINNING.

BARACK OBAMA's JUDGEMENT TRIUMPHS OVER HILLARY'S EXPERIENCE.

!!! VOTE FOR BARACK OBAMA !!!

[Molly]

Now, doesn't this just sum up Hillary and the type of president she would be?

"...her focus is on seeing as many voters as possible before the caucuses next Thursday -- and spotlighting the messages she wants to deliver."

She wants to SEE people, to let them hear HER ideas, but NOT HEAR from the people at all. I don't know about you, but I would never vote for a person who doesn't put the will of THE PEOPLE first.

[shane]

a candidate who cannot take questions from the audience, either because they feel they are above it or cannot think fast enough on their feet to answer anything a person asks, does not have the qualifications to be president.

Bush stumbled, bumbled and sounded like a fool many times. But at the very least he answered or tried to asnwer a question.

Hillary already has that cold fish persona and reputation. This does nothing to improve that. She will end up losing the nomination and then her life and everything she has lived for will cease to exist it will be the end of the Clinton Dynasty

[Bob Mac]

This is typical of the Clinton's elitist attitude. Don't dare challenge me, just give it to me because I'm a Clinton. It's how I make you FEEL not the true results. Hillary is just a typical Liberal Democrat, just on steroids compared to the rest.

[James]

Hillary Clinton is part of a massive consipracy to keep Jimmy Hoffa from ever being found. It's no wonder that she won't answer a question.

[Steven Raye]

Listen to what she's telling you Iowa.

You are nothing more than peasants on the road to the coronation. Eat cake.

Long Live the Queen!

[Arthur]

I am a Democrat but am ashamed of Hillary Clinton because when a candidate will not answer questions from the public that proves to me she has no self-confidence in her ability to answer questions. What is she going to do when the tough questions come from world leaders? They will laugh at her. My party no longer talks about issues, they all blame some one else but themselves. Democratic congress has the worst rating (23% approval rating in the history of Congress). I voted for Harry Reid but his rating with Nevadians is just as low. Where is John Kennedy when we need him? I am sitting this one out. Hillary? I don't think so. She has no class.

A.M
Las Vegas

[JIM ROBERTSON]

Why does she want to be President? What is she afraid of?

In the Arab states of Saudi Arabia and Qatar you can meet one-on-one with the head of state and ask several questions if you are a citizen.

And Ms. Rodham-Clinton can not even take a question, amazing!

Either she is a coward or stupid or perhaps both.