Hillary Clinton or video games? One 11-year-old's choice

As 11-year-old Dalton Hatfield set about selling his earthly possessions, his parents thought he was doing his part to help pay for a family vacation.

  Instead, he was doing his part to help his favored presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton. And on Friday, the young fellow made news when he presented a stunned Bill Clinton with a check for $440.

The former president, according an Associated Press story on the occasion, "seemed to nearly come to tears" as he accepted the donation at a fire station in Williamson, W.Va. (one of the many off-the-beaten-path locales where he has been rallying support for his wife).

The Hillary Clinton campaign, understandably, was so taken with the boy's gesture that today it posted the AP story on its website. Every little bit helps, after all, when it comes to erasing the $20-million debt that the campaign acknowledged on Sunday.

Killjoys that we are, we checked federal regulations just to make sure everything was on the up-and-up with Hatfield's contribution. And we are relieved to report ...

that it passes muster.

The key, according to the law, is that the "decision to contribute is made knowingly and voluntarily by the Minor" and that the "funds, goods, or services contributed are owned or controlled by the Minor."

Hatfield generated his money, he told the AP, by peddling his video games (talk about commitment!), bicycle and anything else "I could make money with.''

It's just as well he didn't cast his lot with Barack Obama in the Democratic presidential race; otherwise, his initiative might have been squelched. The Times' resident expert on campaign finances, reporter Dan Morain, reminded us that on its fundraising pitches, Obama's campaign says it will not take money from federally registered lobbyists, political action committees and those under the age of 16.

We could be hearing more from Hatfield, who's from the Appalachian town of McAndrews, Ky. (close to the border with West Virginia). He says that after becoming a lawyer, "I want to be governor or a senator, then president."

As thrilled as the Clinton camp is by the lad's generosity, there is one possible downside to it. Given the history of the region he hails from, we came only assume an onslaught of McCoy money is headed Obama's way.

-- Don Frederick

Photo credit: Associated Press

Comments

[JTS]

What a stupid kid

[Puad Chi]

Aaron. This kid is 11. We don not know his future. He might make president. How about yourself. How old are you? Could you make McDonald's manager? Be fair. If you are older, be more mature. What do you know about this world more than that boy?

[Pull Your Head OUt]

"What a very perceptive, intuitive 11 year old. Making the right decision for America. It's too bad he is smarter than all the college educated elitists supporting Obama.

President Hillary 08

Posted by: mona | May 12, 2008 at 03:22 PM"

Gosh, isn't Hillary college educated? Doesn't that then make her one of the 'elitists you hate so much?

[Larry Oregon]

That is just downright SHAMEFULL! Im from Oregon and Hillary just lost my vote! How SAD!

Guess it's Obama 08' now

[Michael]

Obama supporters posting here and lamasting this kid for his supporting of Hillary have no shame. These Obama supporters can not stand anyone that is not on their side. They think like cult fanatics blindly folllowing their leader. And yet they talk of the new politics to unite the country, what a farce.

[OBAMANAUGHT]

Hillary who? Is she still running?

[Loren]

Quite bashing the little kid.

To have that kind of conviction and drive to firmly believe in someone else at the age of 11 is nothing but inspiring. Far better than the majority of supporters in both campaigns.

There are just way too many bitter people in this world, be they Clinton or Obama supporters. Personally I think Obama's character is unquestionably far more charismatic than Clinton's and her knowledge of the critical issues that face the U.S.A is greater than that of his, but it's very unfortunate that so many Obama supporters are perhaps some of the most bitter and close minded people yet.

So little Mr. Hatfield, I admire and salute your courage and dedication to the Clinton campaign! Good on you lad .

[Tom]

Awwww...what a sweet story. But the child's parents should of explained to the boy that primary season is in its last throws. That said, the $400 can go to paying off some Hillary's debt.

[serenad]

I don't understand why so many people are criticizing this story....this kid wants to be a politician and he figured out a way to generate tons of good (great?) press for himself on a national stage for a mere $400 bucks! He is on the right track....and this may be the kind of event in a young childs life that makes them work harder, try and harder and truly BELIEVE that they are special!

[Jim(Atlanta)]

The Clintons never cease to amaze me. Just when you think they have sunk to a new low they outdo themselves. Taking money from an 11 year old? How despicable! Yes America, the Clintons have no conscience. How they get anyone with half a brain to vote for them is beyond me.

[Nate]

The kid should be proud. Getting involved early is great. One thing that is funny though. Hillary Clinton is the biggest opponent to the video game industry in the country, and the kid sells his games to fund her. I think its funny at least.

[lastnymleft]

To have inculcated their son to such a point that he would - at such a tender age - succumb to the evils of collectivism, and support CFR-warmonger statist scum (just like Obama, and just like McCain) could be considered a form of child abuse.

Bill Clinton was close to tears? It was probably with joy that the CFR plan for America is coming together, to such a point that even little kids are duped into handing over money.

[KT]

The comments on this article are so ironic. Hillary supporters seem to be expressing the same hate they accuse Obama supporters of harboring. And I've been just as alienated by Hilary supporters as they seem to have been by Obama's.

The Democrats just can't get their stuff together for this election. And all it amounts to is that there is no way we can win the election in November.

Here's to at least four more years of republican tyranny!

[Patrick]

"he is smarter than all the college educated elitists supporting Obama.

mona 03:22 PM"

OH NOES! ALL DEM PEOPLES WITH THEM FANCY BOOKS ARE VOTING FOR MAH PRESIDENK! I ARE SO GLAD I ARE A SIMPLE, NON-ELITE WOO-MAN! EDUMACATION SHUD BE ILLEAGLE!

[RalphyBoy]

This kid is doomed to have his milk money and purse stolen.

[Mc]

The people on this blog denigrating that young man would bash Mother Theresa were she alive and donated a dollar to HRC.

Your pernicious prattle knows no bounds. Your lack of class and civility is astounding.

Children are not even out of bounds for your vacuous insults. None of you apparently have children or grandchildren, and judging by your willingness to attack this young, probably do not even know any.

However, the cause could be that you are all children yourselves. Simply selfish, insipid, adolescents trying to make an impression in a grown-up world.

[Concerned Citizen]

The sheer amount of stupid in these comments - from Clinton ,Obama supporters, and yes Republicans I'm sure are chiming in too - is astounding. Carry on.

[Ouch]

Wow, that wasn't very smart. He just threw away all of his games for a losing campaign. His parents should have let him know that donating to the Clinton's right now is just like flushing it down the toilet. He won't get his money back, and it won't help her get the nomination. Giving money to a lost cause is a bit of a waste. Maybe she can use it to replenish the million's she's had to donate to herself to stay alive. Poor kid, it hurts to see him sell 400 bucks worth of his stuff, just to fund a battle that was already lost.

[Jason H]

This kid would have been better off using that money to fill up the tank of his parent's car. It would have gone much further.

Actually, I'm surprised at Clinton. If I was a candidate and an 11 year old did such a thing, I'd tell him the keep it and I'd match the amount to have put in some sort of fund. Oh well, if the kid is throwing you a bone...

[BlueBerry Pick'n]

apparently:

"IT TAKES A VILLAGE" to retire campaign debts.

Clinton's Scorched Earth extortion & the Judgement of Solomon
http://thiscanadian.typepad.com/this_canadian/2008/03/clintons-scorch.html

LDS arrests: McCain's campaign inoculated against combined Romney & Huckabee ticket
sure it was a 'feminist mission'... of course it was.
http://thiscanadian.typepad.com/this_canadian/2008/04/lds-arrests-mcc.html

~~~
Spread Love...
BlueBerry Pick'n
ThisCanadian com
~~~
"We, two, form a Multitude" ~ Ovid.
~~~
"Silent Freedom is Freedom Silenced"
"Do no harm"

[G-Man]

Should of donated it to someone that would of really fixed the country if elected, like Ron Paul.

Ron Paul 2008.

[ALAN]

it's his money and he can spend it as he likes. he has got my vote when he runs for president..

[mb]

It doesn't seem appropriate for Hillary to accept that money.A 11 year old has his priorities.Him giving up everything for making a contribution is a bit touching though it makes me wonder what made the 11 year old take such a course.She should have acknowledged the contribution,thanked him and returned the cheque.I would have been more impressed if her campaign had helped the boy get his belongings back!

[Frank Forum]

For those saying that the Clintons should return the money are those who always complain about everything. If the Clintons did return the money you would be bashing them for doing so. The kid new what he was doing and did it of free will. His age should not and clearly does not matter according to the law so leave the Clintons and the kid alone.

[WAKE UP!]

Whether he gave his money to Clinton, Obama, McCain, or some other political cause, I commend the boy for taking interest in the political process and his parents for encouraging him.

We should all be so invested and so willing to sacrifice for our great Democracy. His story is inspiring and is an example to us all.

SHAME ON THOSE OF YOU condemning a citizen and future voter for caring so much about his country.