If Hillary DID plant a question at the GOP debate, wouldn't that be cool?

[wyldwolf]

As you may know by now from another thread on DU or the big headline on Drudge, there is an accusation that Hillary Clinton planted a question at last night's GOP debate.

According to "reports," Keith Kerr, retired Colonel., U.S. Army; retired Brigadier General, California National Reserve, who submitted a YouTube question about gays in the military, is actually a member of Hillary Clinton's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transexual Americans For Hillary Steering Committee. He's also part of a film production crew trying overturn the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

If Hillary DID plant a question at the GOP debate, wouldn't that be cool?

[Inspired]

1. That is cool but it makes CNN look bad.

But if it benefits Democrats, I don't care how bad they look. I loved the comment by the lady in the undecided Republican voter focus group. She said that her choice would be John Edwards if he was the Democratic nominee.

[razorman]

12. CNN makes itself look bad.

IMHO, they are obviously in the tank for Hillary, to the detriment of the other Dem candidates as well as the Pubbies. Just look at how they handled the two debates. Hillary got off easy. Now the Republicans will have an excuse for avoiding CNN, just as the Democrats avoid FOX.
As for installing plants in the other party's debates, we may enjoy such moments for their shadenfreude, but how would we feel if Romney or Guiliani planted operatives in the Democratic debates? Such actions undermine the credibility (if any) of political debates and the electoral system in general. If we are to deserve victory, we have to be better than the other side.

[PVnRT]

21. THIS

[Renew Deal]

17. I agree.

I don't think Hillary was involved with it, but this is extremely embarrassing for CNN. That's not a bad thing. The question was legitimate and the answers were what you'd expect.

[Perry Logan]

2. I think the rumor shows their fear of Hillary. Wingers are scared shitless of Hillary, you know.

[DrFunkenstein]

3. I'd Rather Have a Transparent System

I'd rather step out of the whole "our side" vs. "your side" politics of the last couple of years and push for a new chapter in how politics happens.

Instead of your fairly cynical suggestion, I would suggest that we continue to push for accountability and transparency in the government.

While some people see it as "pragmatic" to use tactics like planting questions, I find such practices disdainful of the whole concept of democracy and informed consent. We should keep pushing to clean up Washington, not going tit-for-tat in a race for who can be the most Machiavellian.

[razorman]

14. Well said. The hate and vitriol in politics today on both sides) is unnecessary.

Openness is absolutely critical for a fair and honest political campaign. ALL campaign donations should be public and traceable. I also believe that there should be no such thing as a secret vote in Congress. If a congresscritter votes for or against a bill, the public has a right to know how that person voted on our behalf.
I have friends and acquaintances throughout the political spectrum, and often enjoy debating them in a friendly, respectful fashion. Some of my conservative friends hate the Clintons nearly as much as many posters here hate the GWB. Why can't both sides just campaign with the caveat that "My opponent means well, and wants to do what's best for the country, but he or she is just WRONG. My plan is better." Then let the country decide.

[brooklynite]

4. Not cool if you get caught...

Plays into the stereotype of being too political and calculating

[DemocratSinceBirth]

5. Four Points

1) There's no evidence she planted anybody.

2) On one hand I would think it's a hoot and on the other hand I would think it was wrong.

3) If she did plant someone and got caught it would not be cool

4) She's being "Gored" or "Swift Boated" in the press ...

[jefferson_dem]

6. Cool to some DUers perhaps.

Not cool to "rank-in-file" voters, or for the Hillary campaign or CNN.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

7. This Can Be Solved Fairly Easily

Somebody can and will probably ask the gay GENERAL if he was asked to do this... When he says no this will boomerang on Fudge and his reich wing acolytes...

[Renew Deal]

18. Ultimately, I don't think it's that big of an issue.

I seriously doubt Hillary asked him to do this. It's CNN's fault for missing it.

[wyldwolf]

10. c'mon

1. If the campaign had NOT been "caught," it would have seemed like just another question from a particular interest group on a matter of policy that, last I checked, polls well for gay people.

2. Because the campaign was "caught," the impression among Democrats now is she will fight these people and play just as dirty as they do. Hmmm... was she really "caught" or did she also covertly leak the information?

3. It sends a message to Republicans about the Demoratic party's resolve to win this election. They're not going to get the same old "roll over and scratch my belly" party they've faced in the last two elections.

3. Republicans already believe CNN is on the Democrat's side. No, this doesn't confirm it. To them it was confirmed a decade ago.

Sorry it wasn't Obama that did it so you could be crowing now, too.

[durrrty libby]

8. It was beyond disgusting that the audience booed him

My fellow citizens truly suck. A shameful display

[sufrommich]

9. It was a pavlovian response from a GOP crowd. I would

expect no less.The existence of "incurable" gays and dinosaurs are hot debate issues for these people.

[BeyondGeography]

11. It absolutely would, but "that's my girl" prevents me from voting

I'm sure you understand.

[Tellurian]

16. How about sliding your cursor over recommendation?

I'll close my eyes..:hi:

[H2O Man]

13. Other.

I think it shows an impressive ability to campaign in a gutsy way. I like it.

I have not made any decisions on which candidate I will vote for in the primary. I will definitely support the democratic candidate in '08. No matter who it is, this type of campaign tactic should be used more frequently.

[mtnsnake]

15. Keith Kerr, openly gay retired General, told CNN this morning told why he supports Clinton

CNN, fools that they are, after apologizing for their YouTube Repuke debate oversight that Kerr was a supporter of Hillary, interviewed Kerr and had it on Morning CNN.

General Kerr told CNN in his interview this morning that the reason he, as an openly gay retired general, supports Hillary Clinton is because of her stellar record on always supporting and pushing for the rights of the GLBT community.

[sufrommich]

19. I'm at work and didn't watch.Did they ask him if

the Clinton campaign "planted" his question?

[youthere]

20. Very cool.

[cuke]

22. She didn't just send in the plant

Who do you think turned him gay? (Is there anything Hillary can't do?)