Hillary Fever Skips a Generation - "block party" effort to reach young voters flops (VIDEO)

[jefferson_dem]

Hillary Fever Skips a Generation

By Dana Milbank
Thursday, June 7, 2007; Page A02

...

It is not every day that the words "moon bounce" and "Madeleine Albright" appear in the same press release, but Hillary Clinton achieved just such a feat in her promotion of last night's "block party" in a parking lot in downtown Washington.

The event, with the hip name "Club 44," was meant to inspire women in the 18-to-24-year-old set to support Clinton's presidential campaign. "Wear your jeans!" said the invitation. Comedian Caroline Rhea was brought in to be the emcee. Katharine McPhee from "American Idol" was recruited to sing. A "carnival theme" was promised.

<SNIP>

It was, in other words, an attempt by middle-aged Washington to be young and hip. Predictably, it did not turn out quite as planned.

<SNIP>

The elements for a youthful event were all there: a juggler, face-painting (a custom Hillary heart design was available), blow-up Uncle Sam dolls, the vendor selling Red Bull and, of course, the "United We Stand" moon bounce. The campaign even handed out a Hillary crossword puzzle and word-search game (quick, kids: Find "Strategic Energy Fund," "Modern Progressive" and "Universal Pre-K").

But where were all the young women?

<SNIP>

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/06/AR2007060602520.html?hpid=topnews

VIDEO ---> http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2007/06/07/VI2007060700515.html

[illinoisprogressive]

1. how can the unhip think to attract the hip? i am suppose to be in Clintons demographic

but, I just refuse to be labeled. i am anti clinton all the way.
I wouldn't go and neither would anyone I know.

[jefferson_dem]

3. Right. The alternative --- a new voice for a new generation of leadership -->

...

At his first rally since announcing his presidential exploratory committee, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) appealed yesterday for support from the young people who had mobilized for the event online.

The gathering of several thousand students at George Mason University in Fairfax underscored the potential power of online communities in the 2008 campaign. Its genesis was a group created last summer on Facebook.com, a Web site frequented by college students who post profiles and assemble virtually.

Barack Obama for President in 2008 now has more than 50,000 members, and its founders have created an offline presidential draft committee, Students for Barack Obama.

"This is a remarkable achievement, a remarkable event that speaks to what young people can do when they put their minds together," said Obama, who is scheduled to officially announce his candidacy next Saturday in Springfield, Ill.

<SNIP>

"One thing that's been incredibly clear throughout this whole process is his commitment and dedication to students and all the young people of America. He sees our generation as a critical part of his campaign," said Meredith Seagal, a junior at Bowdoin College in Maine and executive director of the draft committee.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/02/AR2007020201233.html

Oh, here's a VIDEO capture of some real "youthful" excitement --- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8tS0nwApFE

[ElizabethDC]

2. Yeah, it was a real flop - only 8,000 people turned up

I don't know what Milbank's deal is, but I think having 8,000 people (most of whom paid - although a few free passes were handed out) at a women's event in Washington in the middle of the week isn't bad at all.

Link to a less snarky story: http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070606/NEWS02/706060456

[Bullet1987]

4. It means they were expecting a lot more...

They didn't really think they'd pull an Obama and attract 20,000 did they?

[ElizabethDC]

5. They were expecting a lot more?

actually, I'm a young woman who lives in the DC area, and I was made aware of this event three or four months ago - I was told that they were hoping for 2,000.

And do Obama's crowds of 10,000 pay to get in? I don't think so. You had to have a ticket to get into the Hillary event. (And this is actually the first big, outdoor rally she's done - most have been small and inside high school gyms).

[Bullet1987]

6. Told by who?

[ElizabethDC]

9. Someone at the campaign who was helping to plan in the event.

I don't work for the campaign, but they reached out to young women in the area when they were planning the event - they wanted feedback. I wasn't very involved in the process because I only live in Washington during part of the year, and wasn't able to be there for the event or really any of the planning. But I was invited to the event and asked to bring friends (I couldn't go, but several of my friends did.)

[Wilms]

20. Who askedif you worked for Clinton???

"I don't work for the campaign" and "I wasn't very involved in the process because..."

Am I missing something? :shrug:

[ElizabethDC]

24. It has been suggested in the past that some HRC supporters her might work for her

I've never been accused of it myself, just wanted to pre-emptively deny it so that no one would get the wrong impression.

[Wilms]

27. Well it would be impolite, if not against the rules.

But your "pre-emptive" denial and other writings have, indeed, left an impression.

[ElizabethDC]

28. Clearly, you've missed discussions on this before

I think it would be very wrong, indeed, to post here while working for a candidate. People have insinuated before that Hillary supporters here must be on the payroll - well, let me tell you, I'm not on her payroll or anybody else's - I'm a college student with no job whatsoever (much to the dismay of my parents)!

What about my "other writings" has left an "impression" and what sort of impression have they left?

[Wilms]

29. That whole post, actually.

Add to that a seeming passion for Clinton I've observed, but I haven't noticed (you may have posted and I didn't see) a single good reason why you believe she'd be the best nominee.

As I said on another thread, I'm listening.

[ElizabethDC]

30. I can't have a passion for Clinton without working for her?

Well, I guess you can search my previous posts, because I've tended to lay things out little by little. I've thought of laying out all the reasons I support her - but that will take time for me to pull together, so it will have to wait for another time - hopefully in the next few days, although I'm getting ready to go abroad in about a week so I may not have the time for a few weeks.

Additonally, if you look at many of my other posts, you'll see that I go to school in DC, but I'm from Tampa, FL (which is where I am right now, actually - although, as I said, I'm getting ready to go abroad). Obviously, there's no way for me to prove to you who I am, and so you'll just have to take me at my word.

[Wilms]

31. Too much personal info...

I don't need it, you don't owe it.

I'd be happy to see the post you may write suggesting why HRC is a good idea. There's a post claiming to be that on the greatest page, but it really makes no case for her.

I admit, this Hillary, Hillary fever, sans reason has been going on since the nineties, and I'm baffled by it.

Please PM me the link if you post an essay. I might not agree with the points, but I'd be happy to see points that are, at least, reasoned.

[ElizabethDC]

32. Hillary fever sans reason?

No, it's not without reason. Honestly, I had always vaguely liked Hillary, but until late last year, I had been hoping that she *wouldn't* run for president because I thought she'd get the nomination and then lose the general election. I had a series of revelations of sorts that led me to believe that she might not only be able to win the election, but also would be a good president.

When I do get around to writing my essay (hopefully soon), I'll include all my reasons, and I'll PM it to you, too. :hi:

[jefferson_dem]

8. So your defense is that people had to pay ... and purchase a ticket to see Hillary?

:shrug:

[ElizabethDC]

10. It was a fundraiser - the purpose was to raise money

obviously fewer people are going to show up if they have to pay.

[wyldwolf]

7. amazing how transparent the anti-Hillary voices on the left can be

[jefferson_dem]

11. vast. left. wing. conspiracy.

:evilgrin:

[ElizabethDC]

13. Well, it was a pretty bizarre article.

I mean, the guy refers to Katharine McPhee as a "rock star." I'm sorry, but I'm in that target age group for the event, and I don't know anyone who would consider her anything other than an American Idol runner-up. She hasn't even had a hit song.

[jefferson_dem]

16. Well, i'll give you that one!

From a closeted fan of AI (guilty pleasure, you know) ---

≠ :headbang:

[ElizabethDC]

17. Yeah, I'm an AI fan, too

Kat is alright, but I don't know too many folks (or, actually, anyone) who has caught the "McPheever".

Christina Aguilera performed at a fundraiser for Hillary in NY last night - they should have had her perform at the DC event, she would have gotten a much better response than Katharine did!

[wyldwolf]

14. yes. Imagine the conversation

Hillary event flops!

uh.. er... 8000 people showed up, most who purchased a ticket, when they were only expecting 2000.


yes.. but... IRAQ! Corporations! EVIL! BAD!

[kiteinthewind]

21. Amazing how transparent the anti-Gore or anti-ABC are

Ah, hypocrisy! :eyes:

[Ethelk2044]

12. This is funny

She is trying hard to copy the Obama campaign. Hell they come in large numbers for obama it does not matter if they have to pay.

[William769]

18. Whats even funnier is..

They seem to miss the "large numbers" of Obama supporters when it comes to polls.

:rofl:

[ElizabethDC]

15. A pic from the event

Too bad nobody showed up. :shrug:

[Captain Hilts]

19. The author doesn't understand the TINY % of people - especially women - under 30 who vote. nt

[tkmorris]

22. But 8000 people were there?

And they PAID to be there?

This is another absurd candidate smear. STOP IT.

[silverweb]

23. Interesting.

Contrived and artificial.

Just the way Hillary herself seems me and many others.

[dsc]

25. could this have been a joke, perhaps?

Even Rhea, relatively youthful at 43, sounded decidedly uncool when she tried to give instructions for mobilizing supporters by cellphone. "Does anybody know how to do a text message?" she asked. "Can you teach me?"

After all the person saying it is a comediane.

This is a perfect example of the clowning our press has done. These pieces are why we have 3500 dead in Iraq, a deficit in the billions, have lost our civil liberties, and every other bad thing Bush has brought to pass.

[annabanana]

26. Sounds like a McDonald's to me...

a ball room . . puzzles on placemats. . Jeez do they need some new "thinkers" over there or what.