Maggie Hassan gets a second shot at that question on Hillary Clinton’s trustworthiness
In a CNN interview earlier this week, Democratic New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan was asked whether she thought Hillary Clinton, who Hassan supports, was honest and trustworthy.
In fact, she was asked about it three times.
Each time, Hassan dodged the question, delivering a scripted answer about Clinton’s experience and policy proposals.
Democrat Maggie Hassan asked 3x if @HillaryClinton is honest and trustworthy. She never says yes. #NHSEN @mkraju https://t.co/g0uhM7VN2o
— Zach Wolf (@zbyronwolf) August 16, 2016
For what it’s worth, CNN reported Tuesday that Hassan’s campaign followed up shortly after the interview to clarify that the governor did in fact believe Clinton is trustworthy.
But that was too late.
The cringe-worthy clip was picked up by the national media and pounced upon by Hassan’s rivals, including the campaign of Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte, who the governor is challenging this fall. By the end of the day Tuesday, Ayotte’s campaign had even put together a 15-second online ad highlighting the interview.
Whether Hassan was purposefully evading the question or was simply too cautious in handling an otherwise easy question is up for debate. And it surely won’t aid Clinton’s struggles with her perception among voters when it comes to honesty, even if she does lead Donald Trump in polls.
Anyway, in an WMUR interview Wednesday, Hassan got a chance at repairing whatever damage she caused—and a second chance at that question.
She was predictably ready for it this time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozuziF-BesE&app=desktop
“Do you think Hillary Clinton is trustworthy,” asked WMUR reporter Josh McElveen.
“Yes, as do military and national security experts from both political parties,” Hassan replied with a smile, even hitting on a recent focal point in the race between her and Ayotte. Earlier this month, 50 Republican national security officials wrote an open letter stating that Trump would put the country “at risk.”
In a campaign that has seen most of the attention cast on Ayotte for her “support-but-not-endorse” stance on Trump, this week was the first time Hassan found herself under increased media pressure.
The two candidates have little room for error in the race, which could swing the balance of the Senate. A CBS News poll taken last week found that Hassan and Ayotte were virtually tied.
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