Hillary Clinton palled around with reporters aboard her campaign’s new “Stronger Together” plane this weekend, before eventually taking some questions from the traveling press corps.
The Democratic nominee, whose campaign has at other times lassoed reporters with rope, said that she was excited about her proximity to the fourth estate.
“Welcome to our BIG PLANE!” she said, standing at the front of the aisle.
The airliner, she informed reporters, was “pretty cool.”
“I am so happy to have all of you with me,” she continued, while gesticulating with equal enthusiasm. “I’ve been, just, waiting for this moment.”
In a show of infectious exuberance, the former secretary of state momentarily assumed an accent and said that she would be back to speak further with them, but for now wanted to welcome them aboard.
Clinton proceeded to schmooze with reporters for another minute, recognizing one journalist by his “head” (or “hat”—it was unclear).
She then spotted a campaign staffer and noted, with a sentimental look, that he had been working with her since college. Or, as she put it, “right out of Penn-nnnnn.”
“I know, I know,” she said. “We’re so happy.”
Previously—before the new plane—Clinton flew separately from the media, and situated her airliner so that reporters couldn’t see her board.
The former first lady has long had a prickly relationship with the press. This year, reporters assigned to covering her campaign speculated that she hated them.
