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Mrs. Clinton has Run Out of Plants

First Mrs. Clinton was famous for answering questions from plants [1]. Then she stonewalled [2] David Gregory’s. Now she is stonewalling her audience. The Des Moines Register reports on [Mrs.] Clinton’s Silence [3]:

Mrs. William Clinton [4]Iowa Falls, Ia. – Iowans have noticed that Democrat Hillary Clinton has not been taking public questions from audiences during most of her final-push campaign rallies.

After her 40-minute monologue ended shortly before 10 p.m. Sunday, Clinton immediately began to sign autographs, pose for photographs and listen to caucusgoers… concerns one on one.

Iowa Falls resident Alene Rickels, 51, when asked her thoughts about the event, told a reporter: ‘Her speech was really good, but it would’ve been interesting to see how she reacted to questions.

‘I really thought she would take questions,’ said Rickels, a middle school teacher. ‘It’s late in the day, so I’m assuming that that’s the reason. I don’t know what she did the rest of the

I can think of several ways to describe Mrs. Clinton, some polite, others not, but none presidential

Hat Tip: Lucianne [5].

Addendum I:(Bit) In fairness, it must be pointed out that Obama has stopped taking questions, as well. Carrie Budoff Brown [6] at The Politico:

Acknowledgments such as this one might be a footnote in another political year. But ever since Hillary Rodham Clinton’s organization got caught planting questions at Iowa events, campaigns have fielded criticism — and turned sensitive — about appearing overly insulated or choreographed.

The New York senator took heat last week for not inviting voters to ask questions, even though Obama hasn’t answered questions at his last eight events.

Obama aides went into overdrive earlier this month, trying to disprove what appeared to be another planting incident when an 18-year-old, who was wearing a press pass but initially identified himself to reporters as a volunteer, asked a friendly question about tax policy at an event.

Independent reporting found he was on assignment for his local Iowa newspaper, and his mother worked as an Obama volunteer.

It appears that both Clinton and Obama have discovered that it’s easier to stick to the script than to take questions. The hard questions make you look bad, and avoiding the hard ones by planting easy ones do, too.  If anything, I’m amazed that they both didn’t start leaning on the formulaic sooner than this.

Addendum II:  (David L)

Well Fred is taking questions and acting presidential.    As for not taking questions, Michelle [7] gives yet another reason Mrs. Clinton  is avoiding them.

More:  Memeorandum.