November 30, 2007
HRC: "Immensely Relieved," Campaign Goes On As Planned
Hillary Clinton appeared on national television tonight to express her relief for the peaceful resolution of a hostage situation at her campaign office in Rochester, N.H.
Clinton, who was not there at the time of the incident but flew to Portsmouth later in the day, said she met with the hostages and their families. She praised them for being "calm and collected under extraordinary pressure."
"I am immensely relieved that this has ended peacefully," Clinton said, surrounded by top local law enforcement officials and New Hampshire Attorney Gen. Kelly Ayotte.
Clinton said the hostage taker, Leeland Eisenberg, was seeking comfort for his "pain and suffering," but did not offer specifics about Eisenberg's requests because the incident is under investigation.
"He was someone who was not known to my campaign until he walked in the door today," she said. "... It appears that he was someone in need of help and sought attention in absolutely the wrong way."
Campaign workers are usually young and hopeful for the country's future, Clinton said, and they come to places like New Hampshire to be a part of the process, to make a difference. As a mother, she said she was especially concerned for their safety.
"It was a just a horrible sense of bewilderment, confusion, outrage, frustration, anger," she said. "I mean everything at the same time."
Clinton said she was kept apprised throughout the day by New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch and the police of the status of the situation. She also said that these incidents happen and that her campaign would move forward as planned in New Hampshire and beyond.
"I don't see any changes in my schedule, in my campaign," she said. "I am going to continue doing what I'm doing. I love being in New Hampshire."
Clinton resumes her regular campaign schedule tomorrow in Iowa.
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
Posted at 10:14 PM
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