Do you know why U.S. Democrat presidential candidate Hillary Clinton appeared confident in her debates? She had an unfair advantage. She knew the questions that will be asked before hand.
This was revealed recently by hacked emails published by WikiLeaks. The alleged source of questions was CNN longtime contributor and acting Democratic National Committee (DNC) chair Donna Brazile. The network immediately severed its ties with Brazile when sources revealed that she had provided questions to Hillary in advance of a town hall and debate hosted by CNN during the Democratic primary.
According to a spokeswoman for the network, CNN accepted Brazile's resignation last 14 October.
The emails showed that Brazile — whose role as a CNN contributor was suspended in July after she took over for departing DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz — shared with the Clinton campaign a question that would be posed to Clinton before the CNN Democratic Debate in Flint, Mich., in March, and another before a CNN town hall in Columbus, Ohio, a week later.
The network vehemently denied giving Brazile access to debate questions in advance.
"CNN never gave Brazile access to any questions, prep material, attendee list, background information or meetings in advance of a town hall or debate," the spokeswoman, Lauren Pratapas, said in a statement. "We are completely uncomfortable with what we have learned about her interactions with the Clinton campaign while she was a CNN contributor."
Brazile has appeared as a guest on Yahoo News’ live coverage of campaign events, including the recent presidential debates, but was not paid for any of those appearances.
Brazile did not respond to a request for comment from any news outlet so far.
The email, from Brazile to Clinton Campaign Chairman John Podesta, says:
This was revealed recently by hacked emails published by WikiLeaks. The alleged source of questions was CNN longtime contributor and acting Democratic National Committee (DNC) chair Donna Brazile. The network immediately severed its ties with Brazile when sources revealed that she had provided questions to Hillary in advance of a town hall and debate hosted by CNN during the Democratic primary.
According to a spokeswoman for the network, CNN accepted Brazile's resignation last 14 October.
The emails showed that Brazile — whose role as a CNN contributor was suspended in July after she took over for departing DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz — shared with the Clinton campaign a question that would be posed to Clinton before the CNN Democratic Debate in Flint, Mich., in March, and another before a CNN town hall in Columbus, Ohio, a week later.
The network vehemently denied giving Brazile access to debate questions in advance.
"CNN never gave Brazile access to any questions, prep material, attendee list, background information or meetings in advance of a town hall or debate," the spokeswoman, Lauren Pratapas, said in a statement. "We are completely uncomfortable with what we have learned about her interactions with the Clinton campaign while she was a CNN contributor."
Brazile has appeared as a guest on Yahoo News’ live coverage of campaign events, including the recent presidential debates, but was not paid for any of those appearances.
Brazile did not respond to a request for comment from any news outlet so far.
The email, from Brazile to Clinton Campaign Chairman John Podesta, says:
"One of the questions directed to HRC tomorrow is from a woman with a rash.
Her family has lead poison and she will ask what, if anything, will Hillary do as president to help the ppl of Flint.
Folks, I did a service project today. It's so tragic. And what's worse, some homes have not been tested and it's important to encourage seniors to also get tested."