Hillary Clinton enjoyed a softball interview this week from a reporter who complimented her as a “strong person” and a “strong candidate.”
David Crabtree of WRAL in North Carolina at one point addressed presumed GOP nominee Donald Trump and his recent claim that Clinton is a “colossal liar.”
“You know, you’re a strong woman,” the reporter said, “you’re a strong person; you’re a strong candidate, and you’re a human being.”
“When someone publicly [says what Trump said], how does that fall on Hillary Clinton?” he asked.
The Democratic candidate responded by saying Trump’s remarks show he’s running a campaign of desperation.
Crabtree also asked Clinton about the state’s House Bill II, which bars transgender people from using the restroom of their choice. The Democratic candidate said she’s against the measure because it opens to the door to discrimination.
“I oppose the bill because it was much broader than any one issue,” she said. “It really did open the door to discrimination across the board. And I just don’t think that reflects the values of North Carolinians and I’m confident that the people of North Carolina say, ‘you know, we want to treat everybody fairly, with dignity.’ We could work out all of the issues that are raised but don’t legitimize discrimination.”
Clinton hasn’t held a press conference in more than 200 days.
She has participated in numerous sit-down interviews with various members of the press and the entertainment industry, and she has delivered multiple campaign speeches. Clinton has also taken the occasional question from reporters covering her second run at the White House.
But these are examples of events that have been orchestrated and carefully choreographed with the Clinton campaign. As many critics have noted, a taped interview with Ellen DeGeneres is not the same thing as facing a gaggle of reporters eager to make their mark by catching the candidate with an uncomfortable question.
