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Clinton cancels DNC speech due to hostage situation at campaign office |
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By Aaron Blake and Sam Youngman
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Posted: 11/30/07 03:21 PM [ET] |
VIENNA, Va. — Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) canceled an appearance at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) fall meeting Friday amid a reported hostage situation at one of her New Hampshire campaign offices.
The Clinton campaign released a statement just before 3 p.m. in which it said: “There is an ongoing situation in our Rochester, N.H., office. We are in close contact with state and local authorities and are acting at their direction. We will release additional details as appropriate.”
DNC Chairman Howard Dean announced shortly after 2 p.m. that Clinton would not appear before a crowd that thereupon went into a state of confusion. Attention in an overflow room at the hotel holding the meeting immediately turned away from the video screen and to the situation in New Hampshire.
Within five minutes, the room was mostly empty. Attendees in the main room remained to hear Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter (D) and others speak.
“The details are sketchy, but obviously Sen. Clinton is dealing with it at this time and will not be appearing here today,” Dean said.
A somber Sen. Joseph Biden (D-Del.) called it “an unusual day.”
“I’m sure, like everyone here, I pray to God that it all works out alright,” Biden said.
Fellow presidential hopeful Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) offered his support for Clinton during his speech. “We’re in solidarity at this moment with Hillary when we think of what she’s going through and what her staff’s going through,” Kucinich said. |
