Alleged Hostage Taker Arrested at Clinton Office

November 30, 2007 2:09 PM

A suspect was arrested at a Hillary Clinton campaign office in Rochester, N.H., hours after he allegedly claimed he had a bomb strapped to his body and took several hostages, then apparently released them.

Sources identified the suspect as Leeland Eisenberg. He is a well-known local man with a history of emotional issues who allegedly told his son to "watch the news," a well-placed law enforcement source told ABC News' Pierre Thomas.

The man with the apparent pipe bomb asked to speak to Clinton, a source added. He appeared to be in his 40s or older.

After the arrest, Clinton said she was "very grateful" the emergency ended with her campaign staff safe. She thanked law enforcement and New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch for their handling of the standoff.

Clinton was not at the New Hampshire office during the emergency. Amid the hostage situation, she canceled a scheduled appearance at a Democratic National Committee meeting in Northern Virginia outside of Washington, D.C., DNC Chairman Howard Dean said, because of "a hostage situation involving a Clinton staffer."

New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley was already at the DNC meeting in Virginia, and remained there in the early stages of the New Hampshire emergency.  He listened to a live Web stream by ABC News affiliate WMUR, but was not immediately in touch with colleagues on the ground in Rochester.

Amid the emergency at the Clinton office, rival campaign offices nearby -- for Sen. Barack Obama and former Sen. John Edwards -- were evacuated as a precaution.

At Clinton's Senate office on Capitol Hill in Washington, staff closed and locked the doors. The main door at her office, as with most senators' doors, is usually propped open during business hours. But this afternoon there was a uniformed Capitol Police officer stationed outside the door.

ABC News' Pierre Thomas, Jack Date, Michael Bicks, Jason Ryan, David Wright, Sunlen Miller, Zachary Wolf and Michael S. James contributed to this report.


November 30, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (239)

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Another crazy conservative extremist terrified of change. Its sad that our nation is regressing rather than progressing

Posted by: The enlightened | Dec 1, 2007 3:25:18 PM

Jody says "Conservatives...have been cordial on this board". You mean all of the foaming-at-the-mouth ones accusing the Clintons of murdering Vince Foster...and blaming them for EVERY one of Bush Jr's endless failures? Are THOSE the "cordial conservatives" you're defending, Jody?

Posted by: wilder5121 | Nov 30, 2007 11:13:58 PM

Conservatives - or the so-called flat earth society members and so on have been cordial on this board - basically presents ideas, concerns or observations. These right wings seem to provide intellectual incite for the most part.

Liberals - the so called tolerant people of the world, the first to blast those who call the innocent names - the first in line to take Imus out - are the ones who are first to call conservatives names - make wild claims about conservatives and show little to no tolerance. For once, I would like to see a liberal practice what they preach.

Posted by: Jody | Nov 30, 2007 8:43:32 PM

Isn't it about time all of you Clinton Haters get back to your Flat Earth Society meetings?

Posted by: wilder5121 | Nov 30, 2007 8:24:47 PM

1. If Guy is let out soon and seems to suddenly have a great life - setup by Clinton
2. If Guy set up - but Hillary over-reacts and keeps guy in jail w/ no help - Guy will spill the beans.
3. If Guy ends up committing "suicide" we should take notice.
4. etc.

No matter what - if we keep an eye on this guy, hillary will not get out of this - if she was somehow involved. She has been mixed up in too many things in the past to not hink she was involved in this affair. She needs a diversion and this is exactly what fits the bill. You Clinton sheep - wake up to this clan. There are better candidates for you - much better! Even if she is inocent in this matter, there will always be a cloud that hovers over her everywhere she goes.

Posted by: Jody | Nov 30, 2007 8:09:31 PM

What's with the idiots crediting Hillary with doing a great job handling the situation? She wasn't even there & had nothing to do with handling anything.

Posted by: Americaisatoilet | Nov 30, 2007 7:59:10 PM

Let me see . . .

Hillary is down in the polls. - Desperate to get attention. - Guy holds hostages ahem! - Guy calls the Clinton News Network AHEM! Hillary comes in on her white horse to save the day AHEM AHEM! "Derranged" guy gives up in no time flat????? Hillary is called a hero??? Anyone else suspicious? Follow the motive sheep - follow the motive! If you are suspicious - keep an eye on the guy! If he is let out and takes a cruise or something then we need to follow the money! This is all to convienient. For all you libs who love a conspiracy story - here's one for you!

Posted by: Jody | Nov 30, 2007 7:54:07 PM

Hello Comeback Clinton Hillary! The democrat nominee! This will work very well for her. This will outperform any planted questions for her own campaign or those planted to disrupt the republican campaign! Intentional or not, this worls well for Hillary!

Posted by: TexBork | Nov 30, 2007 7:47:06 PM

Looks like the last thirty people in America who still defend Bush Jr's endless incompetence are ALL here today making their idiotic "Billary" jokes.

Posted by: wilder5121 | Nov 30, 2007 7:42:13 PM

When I saw the story break, I thought "Man, those Republicans must have really been sore about the debate."

Posted by: David | Nov 30, 2007 7:41:08 PM

What's up peeps....And why does FAUX SNOOZE keep advertising "Hillary Clinton For PRESIDENT"? I thought they didn't like her...Until today. But I see them advertising for her all day long....Good for FAUX Snooze...They are choosing a winner!

Posted by: You Were Warned | Nov 30, 2007 7:36:05 PM

I'm not exactly sure who this man is, but I know for certain it's not Vince Foster.

Posted by: Tim | Nov 30, 2007 7:30:52 PM

The man seems unhinged obviously, however, no one was hurt. As for a history of mental illness, the media should have used another example than his protest about police going into private citizens cars because they were unlocked and they were concerned. Try another one. And, obviously the man was right, because the police stopped the campaign.

Posted by: robin | Nov 30, 2007 7:06:27 PM

Hitlary will never be president, never or this nation is really doomed

Posted by: | Nov 30, 2007 7:02:02 PM

I'm really surprised that Hillary didn't demand the cops pull out and leave before they successfully got the situation under control.

Posted by: TexBork | Nov 30, 2007 7:01:25 PM

Hillary handled this situation so well, I think it proves she should be president of the US regardless of her gender or socialist agenda!

Posted by: TexBork | Nov 30, 2007 6:52:06 PM

I'm sure the guy just wants to talk with her about those pant suits. He's just a loyal Democrat who wants to help the cause.

Posted by: RightStuff | Nov 30, 2007 6:51:36 PM

At least the poor, little lady will get a few sympathy votes out of this... and will make no show to turn them down. Vote Hillary 2008 and help put a rapist back in the White House.

Posted by: Jason | Nov 30, 2007 6:49:41 PM

I said Hillary was locked into the nomination. I didn't see this coming, but I think it's really going to help her even more!

Posted by: TexBork | Nov 30, 2007 6:45:17 PM

It's mind boggling how stupid some people appear on the internet. I truly hope the general populace isn't this moronic.

Posted by: Gcoy8 | Nov 30, 2007 6:36:29 PM

First they are too cowardly to face Fox News but still want us to believe that they could stand up to our enemies and now they close all of their offices in multiple states when a lone gunman take over one small office in a very small and insignificant town in NH.

Yeah right they aren't morally but simple cowards.

Posted by: Rufus Choate | Nov 30, 2007 6:36:23 PM

Four innocent people - my fellow New Englanders - were in danger today. Four people with lives, parents, siblings, spouses, and maybe children. I hope none of those family members glanced at the sickening posts here - they would have been appalled.

Posted by: chlyn | Nov 30, 2007 6:33:00 PM

See? Hillary is tough enough to handle suicide bombers! Great work Hillary! You're one tough woman! You were a victim who, despite your gender, were tough enough to handle this suicide bomber! You deserve to be president!

Posted by: TexBork | Nov 30, 2007 6:27:40 PM

When it is painfully obvious that Ron Paul is going to lose to his supporters (it's already obvious to us sane folks), you're going to see crazy stuff like this even more. Those unabomber types are going to need meds, therapists, and a pipe going from the exhuast of their car into their car window to be cured.

Posted by: Ron Paul Is A Lunatic | Nov 30, 2007 6:25:33 PM

This is quite possibly the first instance I can recall where Democrats didn't immediately start trying to justify a person who strapped a bomb to his chest.

Posted by: beantown1 | Nov 30, 2007 6:21:46 PM

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