ANDERSON, S.C. — A voter attending Sen. Hillary Clinton's event here stood during the Q-&-A session to scold the reporters working in the cramped press area in the back of the room.
"I have a message for the press," lawyer Kathy E. Adams of Powdersville said after asking a question about Afghanistan.
"South Carolina is not what you are portraying it to be. I want it heard all over this country," she said. "We don't care about people's color or their gender, we care about finding a leader."
The crowd applauded loudly.
"This election is not about [the candidates], it's about us, so please stop," she said. "Let them talk about what we care about: the war, education, senior care, all of the issues the senator [and the other candidates] has brought up. This is about us, please make it about us."
"Amen, amen," Clinton responded, nodding and adding: "Absolutely."
The crowd gave her a standing ovation as Clinton moved on to answer her question.
The press, predictably, swarmed Adams when the event ended to get her name. (Yours truly was caught in the shot of at least 3 cameras.)
Adams, a business consultant, said when traveling and watching reports about her state, "I was horrified by what I saw." She deplored reports that focused on black voters, saying "It's a new South. What do they think, we're in hoop skirts?"
As for her choice in Saturday's primary, Adams said she will "probably" supporting Clinton. She had been a Joe Biden supporter before leaning toward Clinton.
She said was "disappointed" by the exchange between Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama during the debate Monday. She said she is considering former Sen. John Edwards because she agreed he was "the only adult in the sandbox."
After letting several reporters interview her for a few minutes, Adams realized the cameras were rolling and asked she not be put on TV. It was a little late for that.
— Christina Bellantoni, national political reporter, The Washington Times
Comments (3)
Good for Ms. Adams! It's about time someone found the opportunity to say publicly to the press what so many of us have wanted to say. Wouldn't it be nice if they actually took her advice?
Posted by Sandra More | January 24, 2008 4:48 PM
Bottom Line:
Like all of you. I know that health care is the most critical, and important issue facing the American people. Now, and in the coming elections. And like the vast majority of the American people, I want HR 676 (Medicare For All) passed into law NOW! "Single payer, Tax Supported, Not For Profit, True Universal Health Care" free for all as a right. Like every other developed country in the world has. See: http://www.house.gov/conyers/news_hr676.htm
"HR 676:
For church goers: less money to insur. companies and more to the church- lots more.
Srs on Medicare: save way over $100/wk. Because no more medigap, long term care & dental insur. needed. No more drug bills."
But if we the American people fail to bring enough pressure on our current politicians to get HR 676 passed into law before the elections. We will have to identify, and replace all the politicians standing in the way of passage of HR 676. And, I think the best first place to start is with the politicians that blocked the bipartisan SCHIP bills for the kids. Passed by congress twice.
But what about the President. It was Bush after all that blocked the bipartisan SCHIP bill passed by congress to assure more health coverage for Americas kids. So which of the presidential hopefuls do I think will be most supportive of implementing the demand of the majority of the American people to have HR 676 (Medicare For All) passed into law immediately!
We have some very fine presidential candidates who would make good presidents. But none of the top Presidential candidates directly support HR 676, the only true Universal Health Care plan. So I am supporting Hillary Clinton. She is the only top candidate that has ever actually fought for universal health care before.
I have enormous admiration, and respect for Hillary Clinton. She fought a pitched battle against overwhelming odds back in 1993. To prevent this disastrous health care crisis that is now devastating the American people, and America. She fought so hard for the American people that she risk almost completely destroying her husbands presidency. I haven't forgotten her heroic effort. If any Presidential hopeful for universal health care deserves my support, it's her.
Also, if we the American people fail to bring enough pressure on our government to give us HR 676 which we all so desperately need NOW! Then we will need the most skilled politician we can get on our side to broker the best health care plan for the American people that we can get. Though it will be less than we need, and less than we deserve. The politician I think to best do this is Hillary Clinton. The Clinton's are probably the most skilled politicians in American history.
The insurance industry, and medical industry that has been ripping you off, and killing you has given Hillary Clinton so much money because they fear her. They have also given Barack Obama so much money because they fear Hillary Clinton. They think they can manipulate Barack Obama against the best interest of the American people better than they can manipulate Hillary Clinton. There is no race issue with Hillary Clinton. The Clinton's are the poster family for how African Americans want white people to be towards African Americans.
As always, African Americans are suffering, and dying in this health care crisis at a much higher rate than any other group in America. The last time there was any significant drop in the African American death rate was when Bill Clinton was president.
My fellow Americans, you are dieing needlessly at an astounding rate. In higher numbers than any other people in the developed world. Rich, and poor a like. Insured, and uninsured. Men, women, children, and babies. And we the American people must stop it. And fix it NOW! Keep Fighting!!! Never! give up hope. There are millions of lives at stake. Bless you all... You are doing great!
Posted by jacksmith | January 24, 2008 8:30 PM
When the opinion page moved to the front page, creating the news and opportunism became the media agenda. For the past seven years the people seem to like the reporting on the blame politics that have evolved. Before that they had Clinton and before that Nixon. Finger pointing and dirt sells, how many times can you say the same thing over again without boring people? The Republicans talk about issues and they don't get the media coverage only the win or lose results. Clinton and Obama bring up the issue of race and gender and Bill jumps right in and the media have a field day, headlines across the board. If Ms. Adams wants a debate, then she needs to tell the candidates to start talking on the issues and not the digging up dirt on opponents (and Bill to go back to sleep); as she said act like adults.
Posted by Larry Stone | January 25, 2008 3:40 AM