Hillary stopped off at Iowa church today

[jefferson_dem]

HILLARY STOPS OFF AT CHURCH
Posted: Sunday, November 25, 2007 3:35 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: 2008, Clinton

CLINTON WEEKEND CAMPAIGN NOTEBOOK
DES MOINES, IA -- The pews at Grace United Methodist Church looked pretty much the same as they do on any given Sunday. Except, that is, for the forest of tripods sprouting in the front row of the church's balcony seating, where the national press corps assembled to (inconspicuously, of course) cover church-goer Sen. Hillary Clinton.

Clinton Iowa co-chair and church member Bonnie Campbell said the campaign hoped not to be disruptive to worshippers. But it was clear Clinton's visit was a big deal to many churchgoers, who stopped to chat and pose for photos with the senator at the 10:15 am service.

The senator's presence was only briefly mentioned, but the sermon wasn't completely empty of politics. The service, which featured a special children's reading, focused on social responsibility for children and families. The Rev. Jill Flyr mentioned the plight of uninsured children, and she highlighted the mission of the Children's Defense Fund, frequently mentioned by Clinton when she speaks about her commitment to public service. (She worked for the group as a young lawyer.)

"We need to be lobbying for public policy that helps children and families," Flyr said.

Church-goer Greg Andrews of Johnston sat directly behind the press corps in the same pew he's occupied each week for 15 years. "It's fun to have a little excitement," he said, adding that he didn't mind having a candidate at the service. But Greg's wife Tammy disagreed.

"I think it's offensive," she said, gesturing at the row of reporters engrossed in their attempts to discretely type on their Blackberrys.

"No offense to you, though!" she added affectionately.

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/11/25/479875.aspx