Politics

Clinton makes first public comments on Weiner and mayor’s race

Alexis Levinson Political Reporter
Font Size:

Former President Bill Clinton made his first public comments on the New York mayor’s race, saying he and his wife Hillary Clinton were not even remotely involved in the race and declining to comment on former Rep. Anthony Weiner’s sexting scandal.

“We are a hundred miles from that race and everyone understands that we are not going to be involved, as long as our personal friends and people who we feel obligations are involved,” he told CNN in an interview posted Tuesday.

The Clintons live outside of the city, but have been drawn into the fracas of the mayor’s race as a result of their relationship with Huma Abedin, one of Hillary Clinton’s close aides, who is married to would-be mayor Anthony Weiner.

Weiner’s campaign unraveled after the revelation last month that he had continued to sext with women on the internet, after he was forced to resign from congress for similar behavior.

Anonymous sources told CNN previously that the Clintons were “livid” about the negative attention that was being cast on them as scandal swirled around Weiner.

Asked specifically about Weiner and what advice Clinton might have for him, the former president declined to get involved.

“Neither Hillary or I was ever involved in the political campaign, and they understood that from the beginning. There are too many people running for mayor who have been my supporters, who supported her for senator, her for president,” he said.

“There are literally five people in that race, including one of the Republican candidates Mr. (John) Catsimatidis, who are personal friends of ours,” Clinton added.

“So, the feelings I have are all personal,” he said, “and since they are, I shouldn’t talk about them.”

Follow Alexis on Twitter