Being a natural cynic, I find this more amusing then angering, particularly since i have long suspected candidates of all stripes of doing this at least on occasion.

But no, I was sagely assured by more experienced political watchers, that these events are carefully screened in order to keep them honest.

Uh huh.  Sorry I never believed that.  Candidates are all about Spin, Appearence and Image and they clearly screen for safe softball questions, if not planting the questions directly.

And in at least this one case, my skepticism bore fruit:

Clinton aides plant student’s question

The Iowa caucuses are known for their “living-room chats” where ordinary Iowans can meet candidates face-to-face and talk about what interests voters. When candidates have larger events or make major policy speeches, the crowds are bigger, but there is often still an opportunity for questions. But under the pressures of major media coverage, with polls narrowing in Iowa, campaigns can potentially control questions and coverage by planning questions ahead of time.

While no campaigns admit to this practice, at a recent Hillary Clinton campaign event in Newton, Iowa, some of the questions posed to the New York Senator were planned in advance, planting some audience members in the crowd.

On Tuesday Nov. 6, the Clinton campaign stopped at a biodiesel plant in Newton as part of a weeklong series of events to introduce her new energy plan. The event was clearly intended to be as much about the press as the Iowa voters in attendance, as a large press corps helped fill the small venue. Reporters from many major national news outlets came to the small Iowa town, from such media giants as The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, the Associated Press, and CNN.

After her speech, Clinton accepted questions. But according to Grinnell College student Muriel Gallo-Chasanoff ’10, some of the questions from the audience were planned in advance. “They were canned,” she said. Before the event began, a Clinton staff member approached Gallo-Chasanoff to ask a specific question after Clinton’s speech. “One of the senior staffers told me what [to ask],” she said.

And about time.

Google Finally Recognizes Veteran’s Day

They decorate their logo for almost every Holiday. However, since 1999 they have ignored Veteran’s Day. So far, they still ignore Memorial Day as well. They have recieved a lot of criticism for this. Noel Sheppard at Newsbusters has a good summary on it. Anyway, I guess they deserve some props for finally doing the right thing.

Here is the Logo they posted:

Sister Toldjah has a great Veteran’s Day roundup in which she also noticed as well as some thoughtful words on many aspects of the Military.

And at newsbusters, as Jay noted above, they gave the news some thought.

 Google Finally Honors Veterans Day

Having ignored Veterans Day since 1999, Internet behemoth Google has finally chosen to commemorate this holiday by decorating its logo (h/t NB reader Brian Snyder).

As NewsBusters readers are aware, this has been a source of contention for conservatives that believe Google at times uses its emblem to make political statements.

For instance, the company refuses to commemorate Memorial Day, and has received criticism as a result.

Is all this pressure having an impact? Why did Google finally recognize Veterans Day?

Whatever the answer, we hope to see this change of heart continue next Memorial Day.

I won’t make a huge issue other then to sat, as I already did, that it is long past due, and gratefully appreciated.

I hope Memorial Day gets the same treatment.