WASHINGTON: Democratic presidential front- runner Hillary Clinton has apologized for using private email account during her term as the secretary of state, calling it a “mistake” as the controversy threatens to derail her campaign.
“Even though it was allowed, I should have used two accounts. One for personal, one for work-related emails,” she told ABC News.
“That was a mistake. I’m sorry about that. I take responsibility,” she added.
Clinton, 67, had earlier declined to express remorse for the controversy that has rocked her presidential campaign, inviting criticism from her rivals.
“I do think I could have and should have done a better job answering questions earlier. I really did not perhaps appreciate the need to do that,” she said yesterday.
Her acknowledgement of the “mistake” came as the email controversy threatens to derail her presidential campaign.
Latest polls indicates she is slipping behind her nearest Democratic rivals in some of the key States and her popularity rating is coming down.
Clinton argued that she did not violate the law as this was allowed at that time.
“As I said, it was allowed and there was no hiding it. It was totally above board. Everybody in the government I communicated and that was a lot of people, knew I was using a personal email. But I am sorry that it has, you know, raised all of these questions. I do take responsibility for having made what is clearly not the best decision,” she said.
She later reached out to her supporters directly on the email controversy by acknowledging the mistake and insisting that she did no wrong. Clinton exuded confidence that she would survive the controversy, saying “I can survive it because I think I am running to be President to do what the country needs done. And I believe the American people will respond to that.”
Acknowledging that these are challenging times for her, the former secretary of state said that she is still having a good time. “It’s hard, but it’s fun. Most of the things that are hard in life are fun.”
In a personalized email to her supporters last night, she said, “I wanted you to hear this directly from me: Yes, I should have used two email addresses, one for personal matters and one for my work at the State Department. Not doing so was a mistake. I’m sorry about it and I take full responsibility.”
“Nothing I ever sent or received was marked classified at the time,” she explained.
“I’m grateful for your support, and I’m not taking anything for granted,” Clinton said as she gave links to her emails released by the State Department.
If elected, she would be the first ever woman to be the US President.–PTI
