BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images(WESTCHESTER, N.Y.) — Hillary Clinton did not rule out sexism when responding to criticism by the Republican National Committee that she appeared “angry” during a forum on national security Wednesday night.
“I’m going to let all of you ponder that last question,” the Democratic presidential nominee said with a smile when asked by ABC News whether she feels she is treated differently in this race because she is a woman. “I think there will be a lot of Ph.D. theses and popular journalism writing on that subject for years to come.”
Following the Commander-in-Chief forum hosted by NBC News, which included both Clinton and Donald Trump, RNC chairman Reince Priebus tweeted: “@HillaryClinton was angry + defensive the entire time — no smile and uncomfortable — upset that she was caught wrongly sending our secrets.”
@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
The remark quickly drew criticism online from those who feel the former secretary of state is treated unfairly because of her gender.
“Actually, that’s just what taking the office of President seriously looks like,” the Clinton camp tweeted in response.
Actually, that’s just what taking the office of President seriously looks like. https://t.co/Pyn92mesom
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 8, 2016
Clinton, during the hastily arranged press conference on the tarmac of Westchester County Airport in New York Thursday morning, explained that her serious demeanor during the forum was because “we were talking about serious issues last night.”
“I had a very short window of time in that event last night to convey the seriousness with which I would approach the issues of our country,” she said, before turning the table on her opponents.
“Trump chose to talk about his deep admiration and support for Vladimir Putin,” she remarked. “Maybe he did it with a smile, and I guess the RNC would have liked that.”
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