US-ELECTION/CLINTON-ELLEN Hillary Clinton calls the Republican debate ‘sad’ and apologizes for the confusion surrounding her emails

Record ID: 141143

  • Title: US-ELECTION/CLINTON-ELLEN Hillary Clinton calls the Republican debate ‘sad’ and apologizes for the confusion surrounding her emails
  • Date: 9th September 2015
  • Summary: WIDE OF ROCKEFELLER CENTER ELLEN SIGN
  • Embargoed: 24th September 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA6P72X9Q6Y8RA4IKOC2RXRTP3Y
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton apologized on Tuesday (September 08) for using a private email server at her New York home for her official communications as secretary of state during a taping of the Ellen DeGeneres show in New York.
    "I want people to understand this, so I'm glad you asked," Clinton said.
    "I used a personal email account, it was allowed by the State Department. But I should have used two different accounts. I made a mistake and I'm sorry for all the confusion that has ensued. I take responsibility for that. But I'm now trying to be as transparent as, not just I can but anybody ever has been," she added.
    In two earlier interviews in the past week, Clinton had declined to apologize for the controversial email arrangement while working as the nation's top diplomat, saying it was allowed by the State Department.
    Clinton has been forced to defend herself against growing public scrutiny of how she handled sensitive government information since the email arrangement first came to light in March.
    The Federal Bureau of Investigation is now examining the email server to see whether any information, including classified information, was mishandled.
    In addition to persistent criticism from opponents and media questions, the State Department's court-ordered monthly releases of the more than 30,000 emails in question has kept the issue in the public eye, roiling Clinton's efforts to nail down the nomination.
    Recent polls have found more than half of all voters say she is untrustworthy.
    DeGeneres lightened the mood by bringing up rapper Kanye West's recent announcement that he'll run for the presidency in 2020 at the MTV Video Music Awards.
    "He said he wanted to run in 2020. I would only ask him, if I'm running for reelection to wait. Ok?," Clinton joked.
    No joking matter is the crowded field of republican candidates and recent debate which Clinton found sad.
    "It just showed, to me anyway, they were out of touch and out of date. A lot of things that they said were really - I thought unnecessary and the way they talked about people. So I'm hoping that - you know, every election is different, and people, you know, they say things and they make charges, I get all of that. I'm hoping that it will sort of settle down to become a more serious discussion about what they are actually going to do for the country."
    Clinton beamed when talking about her first granddaughter, Charlotte, who will be one-year-old on September 26.
    "I'm waiting to see what she wants to call me. If I like it I'll say, 'yea, that's a good one.' I don't then I'm going to have to work on what else can she call me," said Clinton.
    "Well, can't you guide her into - what would you like to be called?," asked DeGeneres.
    "I'm fine with grandma, I'm fine with Madam President. I mean whatever strikes her fancy," Clinton replied with a laugh.
    Comedian Amy Schumer made a brief appearance on the show and pop star Pink appeared to sing the new theme song for the daytime program.
    The episode is part of Ellen's premiere week and will air on Thursday, September 10.
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