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Clinton Campaign Responds to Hostage Situation, Cancels D.C. Appearance

November 30, 2007 10:04 AM

ABC News' Jennifer Parker Reports: The presidential campaign of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., has responded to a reported hostage situation at the Senator's Rochester, New Hampshire campaign office.

"There is an ongoing situation in our Rochester, NH office," read a statement from the Clinton campaign. "We are in close contact with state and local authorities and are acting at their direction.  We will release additional details as appropriate."

Law enforcement sources tell ABC News' Pierre Thomas a man walked into Clinton's Rochester, New Hampshire office with what appeared to be a pipe bomb strapped to his chest demanding to speak to the Senator.

Clinton was not at the New Hampshire office at the time. She was scheduled to speak at the Democratic National Committee Fall meeting in the Washington, D.C., area, but canceled her appearance after learning about the situation.

"Unfortunately as some of you might know there is a hostage situation in New Hampshire involving a Clinton campaign staff person," DNC chair Howard Dean told the audience, "The details are sketchy at this time and understandably Senator Clinton is now dealing with this very difficult problem. She is not going to be able to join us today."

The Clinton campaign has 16 New Hampshire offices including the Rochester office. All of the Senator's campaign offices in Iowa, New Hampshire and elsewhere were closed.

ABC News' Kate Snow reports former President Bill Clinton is in New York and is in contact with the Senator. He has suspended his schedule.

At the Senator's residence in Washington, D.C., the lights are on as Secret Service agents stand by outside the entrance.

Staff at Clinton's Senate office on Capitol Hill closed and locked the doors as a precaution Friday afternoon. A uniformed Capitol Police officer was stationed outside the office door.

In New Hampshire, the Democratic Governor said he is monitoring the situation from the state Emergency Operations Center.

"This is a very serious ongoing situation," said Gov. John Lynch, D-N.H. "Law enforcement officials are coordinating closely and we are all hopeful for a quick, safe resolution."

ABC News' Kate Snow, Pierre Thomas, David Chalian, Eloise Harper, Toni Wilson, Matt Jaffe and Jackie Klingebiel contributed to this report.

November 30, 2007 in Political Radar | Permalink | Share | User Comments (59)

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Now is Hillary's "moment of truth". She is telling us she is tough and ready for any emergency. It is irrelevent why the person is causing this problem, it is of major relevency as to how Hillary will handle it. So far (12;10 pm PST) she as not gone to the site, called the person or done anything!!! Well, we'll see.........

Posted by: Virginia | Nov 30, 2007 10:14:46 AM

How do you know what Hillary has done Virginia? You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know that things are going on behind the scenes that aren't being reported. She cancelled her speech and is communicating with police, etc. as she should be...not continuing to read a book to school children ala George W on 9/11...

Posted by: Cindy | Nov 30, 2007 10:21:05 AM

Virginia, that is ridiculous. You expect Sen. Clinton to enter the office? Call up a man with a bomb strapped to his chest? Her campaign has handled the situation very well, as have all the law enforcement officials in the area.

Posted by: Taylor | Nov 30, 2007 10:22:09 AM

Well said, Cindy.... :-) There are so people out there enjoy dwelling in HATE just so that they can feel a bit more "righteous".... Hillary, we love you and we support you!!! :-)

Posted by: Tommy | Nov 30, 2007 10:24:05 AM

This is not a Hillary issue...this a law enforcement issue.

Posted by: Barry | Nov 30, 2007 10:24:40 AM

I'm not sure what Mrs. Clinton is supposed to be doing here. Why would she go to the site?! It's dangerous for anyone to be there. And I'm sure the police have advised her not to. Yes it is a good time for her to show what she is made of, but going to the scene or trying to call this idiot would be rediculous.

Posted by: abigale1972 | Nov 30, 2007 10:25:22 AM

I hope the hostages are OK. I am excited to see how Hillary Clinton handles this. With the utmost efficiency no doubt.

Posted by: Truth789 | Nov 30, 2007 10:27:36 AM

Hey Virginia....she isn't even in the state of NH

Posted by: Chris | Nov 30, 2007 10:28:15 AM

HATE, Tommy?! I think the dems have done enough of that towards Bush for everyone the last seven years...

Posted by: Jimmy | Nov 30, 2007 10:29:40 AM

Hillary Clinton will handle this well and will give a good indication of how our next president will run America..

Posted by: AmericanBeauty07' | Nov 30, 2007 10:30:27 AM

I'm definitely not a Hillary supporter, but I don't think she should be giving in to the demands set by this person. I don't know what she is doing or not doing, but way too early to make comments about it one way or another based on your bias opinions. We should all hope that this issue gets resolved without anyone getting hurt, no matter who you support or not support. Don't make this more than what it is.

Cindy on the other hand, seems to want to spin things around to support her negative feelings toward Bush. Whether he read books to schoolchildren or not on 9/11 had nothing to do with what happened that day or the outcome.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not everyone is entitled to their own truth.

Posted by: Andrew | Nov 30, 2007 10:32:22 AM

Why is Hillary cancelling her event in DC when the problem is in New Hampshire? Her safety is not the issue. She has Secret Service protection. The bomb is several hundred miles away. I don't get it.

Posted by: Sean O'Brien | Nov 30, 2007 10:32:57 AM

look for her to spin and take credit if things end peaceably or use it to stage how she would do things differently if she were in charge if they don't

Posted by: Louis | Nov 30, 2007 10:34:30 AM

Anyone who tries to politicize this situation is WRONG! And beyond that...to think how a candidate "handles" this situation is any indication of how good a president that person would be is plain foolish. FYI...Hillary is not a negotiator for the Rochester Police Department. And please not another comparison to 9/11.

Posted by: Barry | Nov 30, 2007 10:34:33 AM

Well said Andrew.

Posted by: Shanna | Nov 30, 2007 10:38:18 AM

This should NOT be funny!!! SHAME on YOU who laughed!!! At the time of crisis, despite the difference in POLITICAL BELIEF, we should send our regards. It''s sad that Obama''s and Edward''s followers, just like their "leaders" - acting like Republican haters, are mocking the sitution..... Hillary, you and your voluteers shall be in my prayer.

Posted by: Tommy | Nov 30, 2007 10:38:54 AM

To the contrary Andrew, I harbor no negative feelings toward Bush nor anyone else. Of course, we are all entitled to our opinions...

Posted by: Cindy | Nov 30, 2007 10:39:01 AM

I think everybody else has pretty much called out Virginia for her complete ignorance so I'll skip that. my comment is for Jimmy: I personally am tired of being refered to as a "dem" or "lib" simply because my views are more moderate than most Republicans. I am an independent who WILL vote Democrat this time around. I don't think that people personally "hate" Bush - just what he stands for, the damage he has caused to this country, his arrogance, etc. If you can't see that, you must be watching too much Fox News.

Posted by: judy | Nov 30, 2007 10:39:23 AM

I smell a Bush operative.

Posted by: LongT | Nov 30, 2007 10:40:01 AM

In general, people are stupid.

What more evidence is there than the posts made to this very blog?

Posted by: Barry | Nov 30, 2007 10:43:58 AM

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