So I got an email a couple of weeks ago from the campaign of Hillary Clinton that she was going to do a conference call. Cool, I thought. I headed over and signed up, even though the call was scheduled right in the middle of the Redskins game yesterday, at 5:45pm.
I got another email yesterday afternoon, giving me the call in number and access code. Then a couple of hours later, I got a phone call from the Hillary campaign, making sure that I had gotten the email and planned to participate.
After making sure that I could access my Redskins game online (via NFL Sunday Ticket), I settled down for the call. Around 5:44pm I called in. Over the next 15 minutes, the “music on hold” was interrupted a couple of times to say that the call would be starting soon and reminding us to press *3 to ask a question. I went ahead and pressed it. After all, how many chances do you get to ask a presidential candidate a question?
The call actually started a little after 6pm, closer to 6:10. But instead of Hillary – who was, as it turned out, in Charlottesville doing a fundraiser with John Grishman – we got Ann Lewis. After giving us the old “campaign is going great” speech, she started taking questions. This went on until a little past 6:30. Just as I was about to hang up, Hillary came on the line and gave about a two-minute speech on how great the campaign is going, thanked all the volunteers, yadda, yadda, yadda. Then the call was over.
Had the call been billed as a conference call with Lewis, no doubt fewer people – including me – would not have participated. In my opinion, if the candidate was unavailable for the call, it should have been rescheduled.
It was bad enough that I had to miss so much of the Redskins game. The Hillary (non)conference call just added insult to injury. One thing is certain – I won’t be so eager to sign up for another call. I suspect I’m not alone.
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VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
It could have been worse — you could have SEEN the Redskins game. Ouch.
I agree with Mouse entirely. Why the heck do you NOT call an audible on 4th and goal from a big “I” formation to spread out your receivers and see if they’re playing a goal line jam or if they’ll match with man to man coverage? If the 11 defenders stay in the box, you can take an easy option pass, and if they spread out and cover the pass you have a better chance finding a hole for your running back. Staying over-committeed to the running play with a big I was a stupid call.
The “call” caused me to miss the 3rd quarter. I saw most of the 4th. Yes, that was a stupid call. But then with an audible, you are asking QB Jason Campbell to actually be able to a)know enough to call and audible and b) to read the defense. I tell ya – the guy’s so slow reading defenses that I wonder if he’s new to the game of football.
You know how I feel about Hillary and even I think that you would otherwise been suffering through the game instead. Campbell looked very much like a rookie (despite the fact that he has been in the NFL for a few years now), and it seems likely that the injuries on the offensive line are going to affect the team. As much as I hate early bye weeks, perhaps it might be well timed this season.
Having been very involved in the Kerry/Edwards campaign several years ago, I can only say that we were careful not to promise what we couldn’t deliver. I think it is a bit arrogant of a campaign that does that quite frankly. When we were doing house parties for Kerry we had an 800 call in number to use at a certain time when the Senator would get on the line with a message that the house guests knew he was giving to thousands just like us in other homes across the country. But they all loved it because it was still personal and a promise delivered. I blame what you describe as more of a problem with the campaign than anything else.
Have you made up your mind to support Hillary? You might want to take a second look at others like John Edwards…he was right on time for an hour long webcast on health care this morning and listeners could send in questions. 🙂 It was a great conversation!
As for the Redskins, the biggest improvement that I see over last year that was evident yesterday is that the team is using Randle El ‘s talents. He is a great playmaker and the Redskins will win with him. Too bad they didn’t give him the ball on that last series.
“I tell ya – the guy’s so slow reading defenses that I wonder if he’s new to the game of football.”
Agreed. I haven’t before seen a reading problem this bad that wasn’t eventually solved by the third grade with Hooked On Phonics.
So Hillary lied?!?!
Color me surprised.
James – no Hillary didn’t lie. Her people just didn’t handle the situation properly. I never got an email from Hillary saying she was going to be there.
Back to football – when I watch Campbell, I can almost see his wheels spinning. I keep yelling at the TV (as if he’s going to hear me) THROW THE BALL!
But hey, he’s got a good arm, right?
I know how you feel about the Hillary call, now. I got suckered into this thread with promises of campaign politics and I got the Redskins!
I just don’t know how I can get past this, Vivian.
Hey Viv,
At least you got to watch my Cowboys beat up on the chump Bears.
Big D- 3-0
So painful for many
I did an Obama call last night. No, not with the candidate — with the manager — and it was billed that way “Thanks for signing up for Monday evening’s conference call with Campaign Manager David Plouffe” … good positive report with action items.
I’d put the blame for the Redskins loss on the coaching staff … the Giant’s staff made offensive and defensive adjustment at halftime while it seems like Redskin coaches were off checking on NASCAR.