Hillary Clinton's email scandal is getting worse and for once, the mainstream media is paying attention in the right way.
Earlier this week it was the New York Times that broke the story exposing Clinton used a private email account to conduct all of her government business during her time as Secretary of State. Then the Associated Press piled on with a report revealing Clinton not only used a private email account, she controlled her own server from her home in Chappaqua, New York.
Now in a scathing op-ed, the Washington Post editorial board is pummeling Clinton for her bad judgement, pointing out it's especially egregious with her consideration of a White House run. Emphasis is mine.
HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON has served as first lady, a senator from New York and secretary of state. She is no newcomer to the corridors of power. Her decision to exclusively use a private e-mail account while secretary suggests she made a deliberate decision to shield her messages from scrutiny. It was a mistake that reflects poor judgment about a public trust.
Ms. Clinton is not the first high-ranking government official to write private e-mails about public business. But a host of questions arise from her decision to use private e-mail exclusively while serving as secretary. How secure was the private e-mail? What was her motive? Did anyone ask why the secretary of state was breaking with an announced administration policy? Why did she not turn over the e-mails promptly upon leaving office? Has she withheld anything?
It may be that Ms. Clinton used private e-mail because she anticipated Republicans would be on the prowl for scandal and wanted to control what part of her record might be scrutinized. Such fears would have had ample basis, but they do not excuse a penchant for control and secrecy that she has exhibited before — and that remains a worrying attribute as Ms. Clinton possibly enters a presidential campaign. Nor is fear of partisan criticism an even remotely valid excuse for using a private channel for official business.
If people aspire to public service, they should behave as stewards of a public trust, and that includes the records — all of them. Ms. Clinton’s use of private e-mail shows poor regard for that public trust.
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Ouch.
The Post does give Clinton some leeway when it comes to compliance with federal records laws. The legality of Clinton's actions are very much in question. Liberal George Washington University professor Jonathan Turley has described the situtation as "certainly running against the grain when it comes to federal laws."
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