Former New York Times Executive Editor Jill Abramson says it may come as a shock but the fact is Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton "is fundamentally honest and trustworthy."
In a column for the
British website The Guardian on Monday, Abramson writes that "[b]ased on what I know about the emails, the idea of her being indicted or going to prison is nonsensical."
"Nonetheless," she acknowledges, "the belief that Clinton is dishonest and untrustworthy is pervasive."
But as for the controversies surrounding her during this campaign season, Abramson states that "[i]t was bad judgment, as [Clinton] has said, to use a private email server. It was colossally stupid to take those hefty speaking fees, but not corrupt. There are no instances I know of where Clinton was doing the bidding of a donor or benefactor."
Abramson says Clinton is more sensitive than the general public believes, and has been distraught over the State Department email probe.
"Tough as she can seem, she doesn’t have rhino hide, and during her husband’s first term in the White House, according to
"Her Way" a critical (and excellent) investigative biography of Clinton by Jeff Gerth and Don Van Natta, she became very depressed during the Whitewater imbroglio.
"A few friends and aides have told me that the email controversy has upset her as badly."
Abramson feels Clinton is held to a higher bar that other politicians don't have to meet.
"Like most politicians, she’s switched some of her positions and sometimes shades the truth," she writes.
"Still, Clinton has mainly been constant on issues and changing positions over time is not dishonest.
"It’s fair to expect more transparency. But it’s a double standard to insist on her purity."
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