Clinton: I Didn’t Think Pneumonia ‘Was Going To Be That Big Of A Deal’

In this April 6, 2016, photo, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks at the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Convention in Philadelphia. A new Associated Press-GfK poll finds that Americans trust Democratic pre... In this April 6, 2016, photo, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks at the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Convention in Philadelphia. A new Associated Press-GfK poll finds that Americans trust Democratic presidential front-runner Clinton more than Republican leader Donald Trump to handle a wide range of issues, from immigration to health care to nominating Supreme Court justices.(AP Photo/Matt Rourke) MORE LESS
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Hillary Clinton on Monday said that her campaign did not disclose her pneumonia diagnosis right away on Friday because she did not “think it was going to be that big of deal.”

“It’s just the kind of thing that if it happens to you, and you’re a busy, active person, you keep moving forward,” she told CNN’s Anderson Cooper in a phone interview.

Cooper then pressed Clinton, “But doesn’t your handling of this, and your campaign’s refusal to acknowledge what happened until really after that video was circulated confirm the suspicion to some voters that you’re not transparent or trustworthy?”

“Oh my goodness, Anderson,” Clinton replied. “Compare everything you know about me with my opponent. I think it’s time he met the same level of disclosure that I have for years.”

Clinton said that the campaign would disclose more information about her health soon, but she noted that she met the standard for medical information set by President Obama and Mitt Romney. She said that Donald Trump has not met disclosure standards.

“It’s really past time for him to be held to the same standards, not just as me, but as anybody else who has sought this job,” she said.

Cooper also quizzed Clinton about her health, noting that former President Bill Clinton said on Monday that Hillary Clinton occasionally becomes dehydrated. He asked Clinton how often that has happened in the last five years.

“I think really only twice that I can recall. You know, it is something that has occurred a few times over the course of my life, and I’m aware of it, and usually can avoid it,” she responded.

“What happened yesterday was that I just was incredibly committed to being at the memorial — as a senator on 9/11, this is incredibly personal to me. And I could feel how hot and humid it was. I felt overheated. I decided that I did need to leave,” she continued. “And as soon as I got into the air-conditioned van, I cooled off, I got some water, and very quickly, I felt better.”

Clinton also addressed her occasional cough, which she said is typically related to allergies and dissipates quickly.

“What happened this time, though, was it didn’t dissipate, and that’s why when I got off the road on Friday, I did go to see my doctor, and that’s when I was diagnosed with pneumonia,” she said.

Watch Clinton’s interview with Cooper via CNN:

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Notable Replies

  1. Why should she? Otherwise her doctor would have ordered her into the hospital.

  2. “Oh my goodness, Anderson,” Clinton replied. “Compare everything you know about me with my opponent. I think it’s time he met the same level of disclosure that I have for years.”

    That’s ridiculous! You expect the U.S. media to do its job? A media that includes people like Wolf Blitzer?

  3. Good heavens, woman, everything you do is a big deal as far as the Trump campaign is concerned.

    If you have to go to the bathroom, it’s a big deal to Trump.

    Oh, and if you have to go to the bathroom in North Carolina, make sure you have your birth certificate with you. And your Secret Service detail won’t be able to accompany you unless they have their birth certificates.

  4. Anderson Cooper is really a People Magazine celebrity journalist. He owes his position to his family. Just like Chris Cuomo and Luke Russert and Mika Brzinski. He is being cowed by the conspiracy theory rumors spread by the likes of Giuliani and Doctor Drew and demanding HRC adhere to higher standards which are evolving and being imposed as he speaks, while HO is still skating on the letter of his family prescription dispenser quack.

  5. I think what’s more sick is how the news has latched onto this to make their case that being ill but soldiering on means she’s not trustworthy.
    If it had been a man here, they certainly would have openly admired his perseverance and willpower. Hell, “liberal” media would have given Trump a gold star.

    With all the silly stupid newly minted Internet Armchair MDs that have popped up diagnosing her , I don’t blame her one fucking bit for keeping it close to her vest. I think she’s like me and many other women who when they have a job to do they can’t let an illness stop them. You just keep going and going. I’m sure she thought she could get through the day without falling out.

    Trump would have asked for another deferment.

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