Former Obama administration Secretary of Defense Robert Gates admitted on CBS’ “Face the Nation” Sunday that Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email system during her time at the State Department raises questions.
Gates, a Republican who served as Defense Secretary from 2006 to 2011, had the opportunity to work closely with the former secretary of State during his career.
And, while he labeled Clinton a “good secretary of State,” Gates expressed concern when CBS host Bob Schieffer brought up Hillary’s twin scandals: The private email controversy and the Clinton Foundation’s suspect acceptance of foreign money.
“I think it’s a concern,” Gates said of Clinton’s private email system. “I never used email for official business. … I would use it for personal things, but I never used email for business and I just think it’s a risky way to try and do business.”
On the subject of the charity’s foreign contributions, Gates said, “the question is, did the foundation abide by the agreements that were made when Secretary Clinton became secretary, the agreements that were made with President Obama and his staff, the president-elect and his staff?”
Of course, the foundation has already admitted that at least one donation — a $500,000 gift from the Algerian government in 2010 — did indeed break the Obama administration agreement.
“It is an issue of appearances at a minimum,” Gates added of the donation scandal, which has been spotlighted by the recently-released book “Clinton Cash.”
When asked, Gates refused to express his support for Hillary in her presidential bid, laughing, “I’m not sure that having a Republican endorse you is the best thing at this point.”
