Chuck Todd: Hillary Was ‘More Defensive’ than Ever Talking About Her E-mails
LAUER: “Chuck Todd is moderator of Meet the Press and NBC’s political director. Chuck, good morning to you.”
TODD: “Good morning, sir.”
LAUER: “Her first major interview of the presidential campaign. She addressed that e-mail controversy. What do you make of her answer?”
TODD: “I thought it was more defensive this time than it was during her initial e-mail press conference. Talking about saying that she followed -- went above and beyond the law. She showed no remorse, no regret. In the initial press conference she said ‘you know, maybe I should have done it differently. None of that was in this one. Very defiant. Reminded me of the old days. She almost – it’s almost as if she’s enjoying the House Republicans attacking her.”
LAUER: “She was asked about polling numbers, specifically numbers on trust, that have plummeted as of late. And she said this, that it was the result of, ‘unfounded attacks and accusations,’ quote, ‘largely fomented by the right.’ And she went on to say, ‘This has been a theme that has been used against me and my husband for many, many years.’ What is that sound like to you?”
TODD: “Very defiant. Doesn't accept the premise at all. You know, here is a mountain of evidence that over the years there is one hurdle for the Clintons, both her and her husband, that is this trustworthy question, that is this idea they’re not always straightforward, that they played by different set of rules. She doesn't want to accept the premise at all. This is the whole MO, don't give an inch.”
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CLINTON: “The great story here for anybody willing to find it and write about it and explain it, is this vast right-wing conspiracy that has been conspiring against my husband since the day he announced for president.”
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LAUER: “Is it a shrewd comment to galvanize Democrats or might it backfire?”
TODD: “Look, it’s not backfired yet. And Democrats haven't lost trust in her. This is among independent voters, among potential swing voters and a line among Republicans. If you're her, why change? And you know what? This is her experience. You know, so you put yourself in her shoes, she truly believes this, whether the evidence is there to back her up or not.”
