Hillary Clinton wouldn’t say whether she he has seen the controversial Planned Parenthood videos during her first live interview of the campaign season.
Clinton also declined to call for more Democratic debates, telling CNN’s Wolf Blitzer that it was the DNC’s prerogative.
“I have said from the very beginning, I look forward to debating. I look forward to the debate next month, now just a month away,” Clinton said, referring to the Democrats’ first debate on October 13. “And I will certainly show up anywhere the Democratic National Committee tells us to show up. Because I want us to have a good exchange of ideas….So you know I’m ready and willing no matter what they decide, to show up and be there.”
She said of the DNC, “They made their decision but I have made it clear that if they want to do more, I’m happy to do them.”
During the Republican debate on Wednesday night, Carly Fiorina called out Clinton and Barack Obama for their support of Planned Parenthood, stating that the practices of the organization are not consistent with “the character of our nation.”
Clinton criticized the GOP’s willingness to shut down the government over federal funding of Planned Parenthood. She failed to acknowledge any wrongdoing or any personal knowledge of their practices.
The 10 Planned Parenthood videos that have been released show top executives discussing the selling of tissue and body parts from aborted fetuses. While Planned Parenthood is a federally funded agency, Clinton argues that their abortion services do not receive federal dollars, so support for their other programs should continue.
“I understand that the Republican Party and particularly the candidates we heard from last night wish that abortion were illegal and they could turn back the clock,” Clinton said. “So I think we ought to be very clear that Planned Parenthood … deserves not only our continued support but funding form the federal government.”
The former secretary of state emphasized that it is “important to sort out and actually figure out what is going on.”
Clinton also didn’t answer a question asking her to identify her greatest accomplishments, instead complaining about the Republicans and the campaign hitting “silly season.”
