A Hillary Clinton campaign official explained on Monday why her presidential advisers have brought pre-screened partisans to some events promoted as an opportunity for the former secretary of state to meet with ‘everyday Americans.’
Just steps away in a Keene, New Hampshire bakery, a few run-of-the-mill people decided they didn’t want to be seen with her.
‘There was a bit of a thing back here when she came in,’ explained Marcia DuBois, a cashier at Kristin’s Bistro & Bakery on Washington Street, where Clinton spent a half-hour talking with customers and shaking hands.
‘A few of the staff didn’t want to come out to meet Hillary,’ DuBois said. ‘They just don’t like her.’
‘Which is too bad,’ a co-worker offered while looking furtively to see who was listening. ‘You may not agree with her. Okay. But you should respect the office she’s shooting for.’
… While Clinton held court with three Granite Staters and their pastries, her communications director Jennifer Palmieri explained the unfolding scene.
Asked whether the campaign had brought any of the customers with them, Palmieri said, ‘I think maybe some of them, but I don’t know.’
New Hampshire’s WMUR-TV later reported that two of the people Clinton spoke with had been asked to come.
… It’s a necessary evil in early primary and caucus states, Palmieri said, and part of recruiting future Clinton evangelists from among the Democratic base.
‘We have to go after Democrats before we do anything else,’ she insisted. ‘And in Iowa? Especially in Iowa, and New Hampshire.’
It must be worrying to the Democrat machine that Hillary is the only candidate that they’ve got right now. She’s quite possibly the most polarizing politician in the race right now, and this little stunt is just another example.