Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg defended Hillary Clinton against conservative criticism over her role as secretary of state during the September 2012 attacks in Benghazi, Libya,
Politico reported.
The billionaire philanthropist, now a political independent though once a Democrat and a Republican, told Politico that "cheap politics" was behind the criticism of Clinton.
"I think most of the criticisms of Hillary are totally unfounded – you can maybe disagree with her policies, but what'd you expect her to do in Benghazi?" he asked. "I mean, it's that kind of cheap politics which I don't like. She's very competent."
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Islamist gunmen killed four Americans, including the U.S. ambassador, in the Benghazi violence. Clinton's
defenders say she previously testified before Congress and explained her actions.
Bloomberg, 72, also lauded former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who has also come under "unfair" criticism for some of the positions he's staked out.
"Jeb's on the board of the [Bloomberg] Foundation," the former mayor said, according to Politico. "I think he did a very good job on education in Florida. He's good on education. He's good on immigration, and he's had the courage to stand up."
Both Bush and Clinton are "quality people" who could offer voters choices about approaches to government, Bloomberg said. "I have no idea whether she's going to run or he'll run."
Bloomberg also told Politico that he would not second-guess President Barack Obama on foreign policy. There were "no easy answers" on Ukraine, Russia, or Syria. The "bottom line" is that Europe is dependent on Russia and therefore not on board American efforts for a stronger and unified response.
On other matters, Bloomberg said he did not personally follow Twitter, and that when he remarked that his financial contributions on behalf of gun control would secure
a place in heaven for him, he was merely being flip.
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