Bernie Sanders believes a recent comment from Hillary Clinton is both “silly” and “absurd.” Sanders responded to Clinton’s comment, which was made in the weekend debate, in an interview today with Katie Couric:
“I wouldn’t use the word offensive,” Sanders said, when asked whether he was offended. “I found them a little bit silly and a little bit absurd. The issue was what impact did the fact that she has received huge amounts of funding from Wall Street have on her attitude to Wall Street. I have proposed and believe that we’ve got to re-establish Glass-Steagall, break up the large financial institutions that today are playing in my view a very harmful role in our economy and just have too much economic and political power. That was the question asked of her and clearly, as I think she’s recognized today, that had nothing to do with 9/11. The truth is Hillary Clinton and all of us in the Congress did all we could to try to rebuild New York City after that devastating attack. But that has nothing to do with the question of the impact of Wall Street campaign contributions on her view on Wall Street.”
In the debate, Clinton said she received Wall Street donations because of 9/11:
“So, I represented New York, and I represented New York on 9/11, when we were attacked. Where were we attacked? We were attacked in Downtown Manhattan where Wall Street is. I did spend a whole lot of time and effort helping them rebuild. It was good for New York, it was good for the economy, and it was a way to rebuke the terrorists who attacked our country. So it’s fine for you to say what you’re gonna say, but I looked very carefully at your proposal, reinstating Glass Steagall, is a part of what very well could help, but is nowhere enough. My proposal is tougher, more effective and more comprehensive, because I go after all of Wall Street, not just the big banks.”
