ROCHESTER, N.H. — Beware of people who come bearing laptops. Hillary Clinton’s campaign staff barred the press from her first New Hampshire campaign stop at a YMCA in Rochester Monday.
The event, which focused on early childhood education, was open to the public as well as a small selection of pooled press. Many of those who were not a part of the campaign-approved press registered as private citizens, but were barred entrance anyway.
Private citizens were allowed to preregister for the event days in advance and the room was filled wall to wall on the rainy New England morning with those who came out to watch the Democratic hopeful speak.
Campaign staffers approached multiple “potential reporters,” often identified by the fact they were carrying laptop bags, and asked if they were press. Suspiciously journalist-looking attendees were also asked if they were pooled and what media outlet they were from.
Upon hearing a group of reporters reply they were from conservative-leaning outlets, they were curtly told to leave, as “they would do better at the Concord rally, but you won’t be interested in what’s happening here,” and to “just rely on the pool.”
Other reporters who were not from conservative outlets were allowed in as private citizens with less controversy.
But the campaign didn’t even welcome all pool reporters, with David Martosko of the Daily Mail barred from the event.
Reporters who attended as private citizens were trailed by Clinton campaign staff and blocked from finding a corner to sit in. Throughout the event, staffers monitored these reporters, keeping a close eye on them while Clinton spoke.
Clinton departed to hold her first New Hampshire rally in Concord.
On Friday Clinton communication’s manager Jennifer Palmieri admitted she was aware that the campaign had a problem with the press and vowed to increase access.
