Cops Scramble to Head Off Hillary Boo-fest

NewsMax ^ | 8/16/02 | Limbacher

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Officials with the Patrolman's Benevolent Association in New York were so concerned that New York Sen. Hillary Clinton would once again be booed off the stage during yesterday's Times Square demonstration for police and firefighter pay hikes that they begged the master of ceremonies to do what he could to keep it from happening.

"Before the time came to introduce her some of the hierarchy of the PBA were getting nervous," said WABC Radio's Steve Malzberg, who MC'd the event, in an account to his audience afterwards.

"They're gonna boo her. They're gonna really boo her," he said worried PBA officials told him. "Try to do whatever you can to make sure that doesn't happen," the top cops begged. "Could you do something to make sure they don't boo her?"

In addition to warning the other speakers, PBA delegates waded into crowd of 50,000 demonstrators before Clinton's appearance and urged their members not to heckle and jeer the former first lady, New York's Channel 9 news reported late Thursday.

The bid to spare Mrs. Clinton from a rerun of the reception she got last Oct. 20, when cops and fireman booed her off the stage during Paul McCartney's 9-11 benefit concert, extended to keeping news of her appearance secret until the last minute to minimize protest from police rank and file.

Malzberg said even he didn't know he'd be introducing the New York Senator until his own radio station reported she was invited to the event Thursday morning. The surprise appearance left many in the crowd grumbling, "I can't believe Hillary was here," he said.

Malzberg, a staunch Clinton critic himself, did his best not exacerbate the crowd's already simmering disdain for the 2004 presidential hopeful, referring to her as a "new friend" of the NYPD during his introduction.

But despite his best efforts boos were still audible - along with some lukewarm applause. Malzberg said most of the applause came from the PBA staff on stage.

"I'm very honored to be here today," Mrs. Clinton bellowed above the crowd's din. "And I'm especially honored because every single one of you know that there hasn't been a greater amount of sacrifice for any city in the world than by the police department and the fire department of New York City."

After her speech PBA delegates carried Mrs. Clinton off the stage in a symbolic demonstration of a "rescue lift."

[A CA Guy]

Her New York opponents should run ads when she goes up for re-election. Just an introduction of Hillary and close ups of police and firefighters booing!

This would be a priceless commercial as a weapon against her later.

[TADSLOS]

Why over gross a perfectly good aircraft?

[CaptainK]

Hard to control the gag reflex after reading her remarks.
The succubus has shown a life long penchant of hating all members of law enforcement agencies, even those who are forced to protect her ample sorry ass.

[timydnuc]

Go ahead Hillary, enjoy it while you can. Times have changed, the American people are fully awake, and you ARE the enemy!

[Lancey Howard]

Officials with the Patrolman's Benevolent Association in New York were so concerned that New York Sen. Hillary Clinton would once again be booed off the stage

Why would they care if Bride of Scumbag got booed?
Why wouldn't they simply join their brethern and boo her just as loudly?

[Leisler]

I didn't think about the weight limitations, just the idea of stuffing a 40 pound turkey into a toaster oven. Those thighs....Walter Paytons were smaller.

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Good idea. All of the adds today with nothing more than pictures and bylines, kick up the decibles on the booing and run bylines.