Donna Brazile allegedly warned Hillary Clinton's campaign about a Democratic town hall question


A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
Thank you for signing up to TheWeek. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Former CNN contributor and one-time Bill Clinton adviser Donna Brazile apparently tipped off the Clinton campaign about a potentially difficult question before the CNN Democratic presidential town hall debate last March, a WikiLeaks email seems to reveal.
The email, allegedly from Brazile to Clinton's communications director, Jennifer Palmieri, has the subject line "From time to time I get the questions in advance." The body of the email said:
Here's one that worries me about HRC.DEATH PENALTY19 states and the District of Columbia have banned the death penalty. 31 states, including Ohio, still have the death penalty. According to the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, since 1973, 156 people have been on death row and later set free. Since 1976, 1,414 people have been executed in the U.S. That's 11 percent of Americans who were sentenced to die, but later exonerated and freed. Should Ohio and the 30 other states join the current list and abolish the death penalty? [WikiLeaks]
Palmieri apparently answered, "Hi. Yes, it is one she gets asked about. Not everyone likes her answer but can share it." The question in the WikiLeaks email was slightly different than the one that was ultimately asked at the town hall.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
When asked by BuzzFeed about the apparent exchange, a CNN spokesperson said, "To be perfectly clear we have never, ever given a town hall question to anyone beforehand." Brazile added, "I don't read WikiLeaks. I refuse to play the WikiLeaks game […] I did not tip off anyone."
The WikiLeaks emails purportedly come from Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta's account; the U.S. has blamed Russia for the DNC hacks. Jeva Lange
Update 3:06 p.m.: Brazile published the following statement about the WikiLeaks email:
Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.
Sign up to our 10 Things You Need to Know Today newsletter
A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
Guide to Sedona, Arizona
A sanctuary for nature lovers, Sedona offers a relaxing escape
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Is 'The Office' coming back? What we know about a rumored reboot.
Under the Radar The classic NBC sitcom may soon be returning
By Brendan Morrow Published
-
What Slovakia's pro-Russia election result means for Ukraine
Speed Read The victory of former Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico's populist Smer party has raised concerns of waning support for Kyiv in Western democracies
By Peter Weber Published
-
Dianne Feinstein, history-making Democratic US senator, dies at 90
The Explainer Her colleagues celebrate her legacy as a trailblazer who cleared the path for other women to follow
By Theara Coleman Published
-
Will the cannabis banking bill get the Senate's green light?
Talking Point The SAFER Banking Act is advancing to the US Senate for the first time, clearing a major hurdle for legal cannabis businesses. Does it stand a chance?
By Theara Coleman Published
-
Biden creates White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention
Speed Read The office will be led by Vice President Kamala Harris
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Rishi Sunak lambasts China after allegations of spy in UK Parliament
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Judge denies Mark Meadows' request to move Georgia case to federal court
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson dies at 75
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Clarence Thomas officially discloses trips from billionaire GOP donor
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Judge schedules Trump federal election plot trial for crowded March 2024
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published