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

[Stop Cornyn]

1. Did she burst into flames or just melt like the Wicked Witch in the Wizard of Oz?

[aquart]

5. Neither. Now what will you do?

I know. Keep comparing her to Satan.

[Stop Cornyn]

7. Well, if she can enter a chuch without bursting into flames, she's good enough for me! Sign me up.

[candymarl]

2. Hillary went to church?

Oh wait, she's a life long church goer. Doesn't mean she's had perfect attendance but she doesn't only go when cameras are present.

[CTyankee]

3. It was probably a good move for her.

She's talked a lot about her religion as a Methodist. It would make sense for her to attend services.

But Iowa now seems to be a celebrity seeking, political mecca every 4 years. There is something bizarre in this scenario.

But I guess no more so than anything else that goes on this pre-primary season...:shrug:

[Maq]

8. ClintonsGOOD, Bush bizarro

[kimmerspixelated]

4. The hypocrisy offends me!

[aquart]

6. Bullshit.

Her mere existence offends you. All the rest is gravy.

[hayu_lol]

9. Lessee here...we have a poster who thinks Hillary should not be allowed to...

go to a church. Hmmm, didn't say anything about Edwards, Obama, and the rest of the midgets doing so--shamelessly.

Since they had a children's program of sorts, seems a natural that she would go.

The only thing we might agree on is that Bush probably should not go. Lightning can be pretty hard on a congregation.

Hillary, at the least, ought to be able to go where she wants to go.

[emilyg]

10. Life offends you.

[Catherine Vincent]

12. What hypocrisy?

??

[Cameron27]

11. Good for Hillary, if a politician wants to talk

about the kingdom, let them do it in a church.

[cuke]

13. Did she say "I trust women to make a prayerful decision about..." abortion?

[CTyankee]

14. well, her position on abortion is exactly that of Planned Parenthood

I wish people would get that straight. There's a lot to criticize about HRC but her position on reproductive rights shouldn't be one of them for a progressive. Altho I don't know the quote that you mentioned, it is smart of her to say it, because what she is saying is that women are moral agents and they, not the state, should make these decisions. And the state has no business imposing time delays on women seeking abortions so they can "think" about their decision, as if women can't be trusted to do that on their own! Plus, she is taking back the issue of prayer. There are liberal, progressive Dems who (gasp!) go to church and pray regularly. I don't find that concept offensive.