Clinton camp outlines pneumonia talking points for surrogates
Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign has given her surrogates talking points for discussing her recent pneumonia diagnosis, according to a new report.
Clinton’s team began circulating a six-part strategy for managing the narrative around her illness Tuesday, Politico reported.
{mosads}“To anyone who knows Hillary, it does not come as much of a surprise that even when she’s under the weather, she would want to power through her normal schedule,” the plan’s first bullet point reads.
“This is the Hillary Clinton America saw as secretary of State: someone who traveled the world at a breakneck pace, tirelessly representing America abroad,” another portion states.
All six points reportedly emphasize Clinton’s strength, prudence and vigor while hitting the campaign trail.
Videos emerged Sunday showing Clinton wobbling while leaving a 9/11 ceremony early after feeling “overheated.”
Clinton’s campaign is now trying to explain why the Democratic presidential nominee did not make her pneumonia diagnosis public last Friday.
The guidelines also ask allies to defend Clinton’s desire for privacy regarding her health by highlighting her past transparency.
“[Clinton] has more than met the standard set four years ago by President Obama and Mitt Romney in terms of disclosing details about her health,” one point says.
The strategy additionally urges surrogates to question Donald Trump’s openness on various issues including personal health.
“Donald Trump has to be held to the same standard,” a talking point reads. “His medical record was joke. He’s the only candidate in 40 years who hasn’t released his tax returns.
“We know virtually nothing about his business dealings and foreign investors. It’s time he was held to the same standard as everyone else.”
Trump has repeatedly accused Clinton of lacking the strength and stamina needed for the nation’s highest office.
Several Clinton confidantes have voiced frustration with the former first lady’s lack of transparency concerning her sickness.
Clinton on late Monday said she did not immediately disclose her condition as she “just didn’t think it was going to be that big a deal.”
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