Did e mail scandal lose clinton the presidency
The email scandal, also known as the Hillary Clinton email controversy, was a major political issue during the 2016 United States presidential election. While it's difficult to say with certainty whether the scandal alone cost Clinton the presidency, it was certainly a significant factor in her loss.
Here's a brief summary of the scandal:
In 2013, Hillary Clinton, who was then the Secretary of State, used a personal email account to conduct official business, rather than using a government-issued email account. This decision was criticized by many, including Republicans and some Democrats, who argued that it was a security risk and a violation of federal records laws.
In 2015, the New York Times reported on Clinton's use of a personal email account, and the story quickly gained widespread attention. The FBI launched an investigation into the matter, and in July 2016, FBI Director James Comey announced that Clinton had been "extremely careless" in her handling of classified information, but that no charges would be filed.
The email scandal had several negative consequences for Clinton's campaign:
- Perception of dishonesty: The scandal led to widespread perceptions that Clinton was dishonest and untrustworthy. A June 2016 poll by the Pew Research Center found that 63% of Americans believed Clinton was "not honest and trustworthy."
- Loss of credibility: The scandal damaged Clinton's credibility on issues related to national security and transparency. Her opponents, including Donald Trump, repeatedly attacked her on these issues, and many voters began to question her ability to lead the country.
- Divided Democrats: The scandal also created divisions within the Democratic Party. Some Democrats, including Bernie Sanders supporters, felt that Clinton's actions were unacceptable and that she was not being held accountable.
- Negative media coverage: The email scandal received extensive negative media coverage, which further eroded Clinton's public image.
While the email scandal was not the only factor in Clinton's loss, it was certainly a significant contributor. In the end, Clinton lost the presidential election to Donald Trump by a margin of 304 to 227 in the Electoral College, despite winning the popular vote by nearly 3 million votes.
It's worth noting that Clinton's campaign and supporters have argued that the email scandal was overblown and that she was unfairly targeted by her opponents. They point out that Clinton was not charged with any crimes and that the FBI's investigation found no evidence of intentional wrongdoing. However, the scandal's impact on Clinton's public image and her campaign's momentum was undeniable.