CNN’s “State of the Union” panel ripped former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her campaign Sunday one day after staffers corralled the press behind a rope as Clinton walked in a Fourth of July parade in New Hampshire.
The panel consisting of CNN contributors S.E. Cupp and Van Jones, The Wall Street Journal’s Carol Lee, and CNN political reporter Jeff Zeleny roasted Clinton’s rope line, with Jones calling it “the worst visual metaphor” for her campaign.
“This is humiliating for reporters who have to abide by Hillary Clinton’s rules of journalism,” Cupp told host Jake Tapper. “And it’s not just this. I mean, the entire campaign, she has kept them at a distance, she barely answers questions, there’s all these rules. And actually I don’t blame her, I blame reporters who put up with this. The second they decide we’re not doing this anymore, we’re not going to cover your glossy events the way you want it, then she’ll be forced to change this behavior.”
Zeleny pushed back against Cupp laying the blame at the feet of reporters, saying the campaign is to fault for “trying to wrap her in bubble wrap” in her campaign.
“To a point, you’re right. But she also has Secret Service protection, so it’s very common for reporters to follow the rules,” Zeleny said. “I think this, though — the criticism is directed at the Clinton campaign on this for trying to wrap her in bubble wrap this entire campaign and not let her actually associate with real people. That’s where the criticism on this, I think, goes. Not to the reporters.”
“The relationship between the Clinton campaign and the press is just hostile. on both sides, and it’s early for that,” The Wall Street Journal’s Carol Lee said. “We’re how many months out, and if it’s that hostile now, and reporters are being penned off like farm animals, then, you know, where is it going to go?”
Perhaps the most stinging comment came from Jones though, as the former Obama adviser predicted the image will live on throughout her campaign.
“I love Hillary Clinton, but this is the worst visual metaphor,” CNN’s Van Jones said. “Before, you could say ‘she’s not talking to reporters,’ but you can’t cover not talking. You can show this image over and over again and it’s awful.”