The Democratic debate in Los Angeles on Thursday ended on a highly unusual note, with Hillary Clinton using her closing words to promote an hour of time she’s purchased on a cable channel to take audience and Internet questions in a live, town hall-style format.
Moderator Wolf Blitzer, caught off guard, belatedly interjected, “Here is the bottom line, we do the plugs here. You guys can do the plugs out on the campaign trail.”
But Clinton had already gotten her message out, and political analysts believe it could work to solidify her lead among women voters, who are crucial to her quest for the Democratic nomination.
The cable channel, which can be viewed only by subscribers to cable and satellite companies, runs made-for-television movies aimed at female viewers. It also airs reruns such as “Touched by an Angel” and “Little House on the Prairie.”
Clinton’s show will run on Feb. 4, the night before the Feb. 5 Super Tuesday primaries in 22 states.
Harvard University political science professor Sunshine Hillygus, who studies the impact of media on voting behavior, said Clinton made a politically smart move.
“Although she does have a somewhat higher level of support among women, they are a very diverse group and there are a lot of women who are not supporters of Clinton or have mixed feelings about her so there is certainly room for movement and growth,” Hillygus said.
Clinton’s support from women has been generally higher than Obama‘s, but not always. Obama has a five-point lead among liberal women, for instance, and a three-point lead among college-aged women, according to a Jan. 17 Gallup poll.
Obama has not revealed similar plans for a television show, but he has paid for a major advertising blitz targeting many of the Feb. 5 states.
