Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton fought back on Twitter Wednesday night in a reply that one reporter called “peculiar” against criticism by Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus of her performance in the Commander in Chief Forum on NBC hosted by Matt Lauer.
Priebus pointed out Clinton’s demeanor during her half-hour appearance was angry, defensive and unsmiling over being questioned about her secret email server scandal.
@HillaryClinton was angry + defensive the entire time – no smile and uncomfortable – upset that she was caught wrongly sending our secrets.
— Reince Priebus (@Reince) September 8, 2016
“@HillaryClinton was angry + defensive the entire time – no smile and uncomfortable – upset that she was caught wrongly sending our secrets.”
Clinton replied to Preibus so that his charge was seen reminding voters of the email scandal. Her response was just as stony and defensive as her demeanor during the forum.
Actually, that’s just what taking the office of President seriously looks like. https://t.co/Pyn92mesom
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 8, 2016
“Actually, that’s just what taking the office of President seriously looks like.”
Clinton’s comment was supposed to convey gravitas, but to CNN reporter Victor Blackwell, the exchange was “peculiar.”
This is a peculiar exchange. pic.twitter.com/iHWmFjO4wo
— Victor Blackwell CNN (@VictorBlackwell) September 8, 2016
“This is a peculiar exchange.”
Liberals, of course, accused Priebus of sexism for noting Clinton was unsmiling.
"no smile" https://t.co/khUnhYiuoM
— Brandon Friedman (@BFriedmanDC) September 8, 2016
“”no smile””
https://twitter.com/owillis/status/773696282422571009
“RNC chairman tells female presidential nominee she’s not smiling enough. cc every woman in America”
Hey let's stop this whole thing where men insist that women have to smile? K, thanks. https://t.co/MO52F5MajI
— Julie Alderman Boudreau (@juliealdermanb) September 8, 2016
“Hey let’s stop this whole thing where men insist that women have to smile? K, thanks.”
Smile, darlin' https://t.co/QvjdgWxp2M
— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) September 8, 2016
“Smile, darlin'”
Shorter Reince, "Smile, sweetie." Next he's gonna ask her to twirl for him. https://t.co/w8zGTh7l7x
— Paul Begala (@PaulBegala) September 8, 2016
“Shorter Reince, “Smile, sweetie.” Next he’s gonna ask her to twirl for him.”
Head of RNC has problem with Hillary not smiling ! #whichyeararewe #Mansplaining https://t.co/iSDUX2fKOB
— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) September 8, 2016
“Head of RNC has problem with Hillary not smiling ! #whichyeararewe #Mansplaining”
Clinton with her over 8,650,000 followers, and her defenders, by responding directly to Priebus brought his message reminding voters of her national security issues to millions more than would otherwise have seen it among his 474,000 followers.
https://twitter.com/NolteNC/status/773679062959136768
“Old, sick and angry.”
Peculiar, indeed.