Yet again we find ourselves with a revelation that the Clinton campaign is fudging on the trail. Shady donors, bullying a citizen at a forum, planting at a forum and now, apparently PADDING her supporter list in New Hampshire.
Since I have been working hard on bringing New Hampshire veterans to the fore, this "gaffe" I find particularly disturbing. Veterans and veterans issues are not to be trifled with for political gain. None of us will disagree that the phrase "Support Our Troops" conveys a deep sentiment of appreciation for veterans and the burden that they bear for our well being.
So when a campaign proudly proclaims that troops support them, the reciprocal is elevated to a different level. This support should not be trifled with for cheap political points.
Since in 2004 John Kerry managed to accumulate a whopping 400+ veterans as supporters, Hillary’s "527" was a spectacular feat. Based on what I can gather and this Dairy from the CM, it seems that Hillary’s "527" is spectacular for all the wrong reasons.
I hope all the campaigns verify their supporter lists. If you know someone on the Clinton list, please ask them yourself.
Some poor Clinton staffer will likely get thrown under the bus for this. The preferred reactive tactic of Hillary seems to be one of "we eat our own." Question. Will the "Clinton Administration" be managed as "deftly" as the gaffe ridden campaign?
Exactly 527 veterans (or so)
Submitted by Monitor Staff on Fri, 2007-11-16 18:10.
Just how firm are those endorsement lists? Many campaigns send out press releases about supporters: educators backing a candidate, local lawmakers who voice support. Earlier this week, Hillary Clinton's New Hampshire campaign touted "527 Veterans for Hillary." But when that list was sent out, it seemed as though not all 527 listed had decided on a candidate.
"I'm still uncommitted. . . . I like all the Democrats," said Murray Loss of Hillsboro. He remembered someone calling and said, "I think I told her I hadn't made up my mind yet."
snip
Clinton spokeswoman Kathleen Strand said today that after being re-contacted by campaign staffers, the undecided veterans the Monitor spoke to reconfirmed their support. Strand said that individuals are contacted, asked if they support Clinton and then asked if they'd like to be listed as a supporter.
After speaking to someone from the Clinton campaign, Johnson said, "All I can tell you is I'd go on anybody's list. But I am voting Democratic and all I can say is there are people in this order that I'm leaning towards." First, he said, is Clinton, followed by Edwards and Obama.
Loss, contacted again today, said he's not committed but is leaning toward Obama.
- Sarah Liebowitz