Protester disrupts Clinton's speech

'She's a liar,' sign-toting woman shouts as she is led out of ballroom by guard

COLUMBIA — Students gathered here for a national Democratic convention got a little taste of Hillary Clinton's world Saturday when a protester interrupted the presidential candidate's rally.

Martha Comyns of Columbia was quickly escorted out of a ballroom on the University of South Carolina campus after running toward the stage with a sign reading, "She doesn't care. All she wants is the power."

The students reacted quickly, booing Comyns and waving Clinton's campaign signs. Their extended applause drowned out Comyns' shouting repeatedly, "She's a liar" as a guard pushed her out the door.

"One of the things I love about politics: You never know what the day will bring," Clinton responded.

Comyns said she's a Republican, but said that her party affiliation is more aptly described as Christian. She said Saturday's political protest was her first, and clearly shaken afterward, said she was motivated to do so after reading a book by George Stephanopoulos that left her with the impression that Clinton is cold, calculating and power hungry.

"These kids don't know and she's counting on that," Comyns said.

Still, on the final day of the College Democrats of America convention, many of the 500 student delegates remained in Clinton's corner.

Other presidential hopefuls, Sen.

Barack Obama, D-Ill., and former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., also addressed the students. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, and former Sen. Mike Gravel, D-Alaska, were also scheduled to attend but canceled at the last minute.

In addition to the candidates' visits, the convention featured seminars for the students on how to organize campaigns and energize political movements.

Mason Freeman, 21, of Moncks Corner said Clinton is the only Democrat who will be able to hit the ground running on day one. Freeman, a political science major at Furman University, said all the years in the national spotlight also make Clinton adept at deflecting the heat from events such as Comyns' protest.

Kevin Chambliss, 24, a political science major from Northern Illinois University, said Clinton's speech, delivered to a crowd of mostly college students, was "almost flawless." One point Chambliss said he especially admired was Clinton's telling the group that she was once a Republican as a college student until her political beliefs evolved, as Chambliss put it.

"Her speech was personable," Chambliss said.

Shamil Rodriguez, 20, a government and political science major at St. John's University in New York, wasn't persuaded by Clinton's speech, remaining stalwart in his support for New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson.

Still, Rodriguez and his friends, who are supporting Obama, said Clinton did well.

"She seems like she was more natural," said Rodriguez, chairman of the College Democrats Hispanic Caucus at St. John's. "People say she's mechanical and rehearsed. Even with her rock-star status, it didn't seem like that at all."

Reach Yvonne M. Wenger at ywenger@postandcourier.com or 803-799-9051.