Correspondent Kristen Welker, who is covering the Hillary Clinton campaign for MSNBC, declared FBI Director James Comey’s announcement a “game-changer” that will “allow the Clinton campaign to move on from” the e-mail scandal.
During MSNBC’s post-Comey press conference coverage Welker reported “James Comey firmly slapping Secretary Clinton on the wrist...Saying that what he found was that there was carelessness, but no willful misconduct.” Welker went on to pronounce “The headline here is that he’s not recommending that charges be brought against Secretary Clinton.”
Welker noted: “This is something that will undoubtedly allow Donald Trump to continue to have fodder,” she then added: “it will also allow the Clinton campaign to move on from this issue, which has dogged her campaign, Tamron, more than any other issue, feeding into those trust issues that voters have with her.”
Much like the Clinton campaign, Welker seemed eager to move on from the e-mail scandal as she concluded her report with news about Obama rallying with Clinton “The timing significant. It comes as Secretary Clinton is set to hold her first joint campaign appearance with President Obama. She’ll be riding on Air Force One with him. She will be landing here in Charlotte, North Carolina. And trying to rally the Democratic base. The Clinton campaign believes that president Obama uniquely suited to do that, to energize African-Americans, young voters, suburban voters who are going to be critical to winning a key battleground state like North Carolina....What was announced today, so significant.... I can tell you what they [Clinton campaign] have said is that they are eager for this to be wrapped up. They thought this would be the outcome, and indeed it was, Tamron.”
The following is a transcript of Welker’s report as it was aired on MSNBC’s live July 5 coverage of the Comey announcement:
TAMRON HALL: Let’s go to Kristen Welker, she’s covering the Clinton campaign. Are you there, Kristen?
KRISTEN WELKER: Tamron, I am here. Yes, look, this is a bit of a game-changer for the Clinton campaign. Clearly, FBI director James Comey firmly slapping Secretary Clinton on the wrist for her use of a personal e-mail server. Saying that what he found was that there was carelessness, but no willful misconduct. And the headline here is that he’s not recommending that charges be brought against Secretary Clinton.
This is something that will undoubtedly allow Donald Trump to continue to have fodder. But the bottom line is, it will also allow the Clinton campaign to move on from this issue, which has dogged her campaign, Tamron, more than any other issue, feeding into those trust issues that voters have with her. And, of course, the timing significant.
It comes as Secretary Clinton is set to hold her first joint campaign appearance with President Obama. She’ll be riding on Air Force One with him. She will be landing here in Charlotte, North Carolina. And trying to rally the Democratic base. The Clinton campaign believes that president Obama uniquely suited to do that, to energize African-Americans, young voters, suburban voters who are going to be critical to winning a key battleground state like North Carolina.
Again, though, the timing of this significant. And what was announced today, so significant. I’ve been talking to the Clinton campaign about this issue, Tamron. Since Secretary Clinton first launched her campaign. We have weekly discussions, and I can tell you what they have said is that they are eager for this to be wrapped up. They thought this would be the outcome, and indeed it was, Tamron.
