Clinton Campaign Says It Will Release More Medical Records

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s campaign announced Monday afternoon—less than 24 hours after stating the former secretary of state had been diagnosed with pneumonia on Friday—that it will be releasing more of her medical records.

Press secretary Brian Fallon didn’t elaborate on what records would be released, but insisted Clinton does not suffer from any previously undisclosed medical conditions. He also failed to explain why the pneumonia diagnosis was not part of the campaign’s initial explanation for her collapse at the 9/11 memorial service in New York City on Sunday.

Last summer, Clinton released a statement from her personal physician that declared she was in generally excellent health, although she was being treated for hypothyroidism and blood clotting. But a series of coughing fits, images of Clinton being lifted up stairs, and video of odd behaviors have made the health conditions of the candidates an important factor in the race.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump also pledged to release more of his medical records, although he didn’t provide a timetable for doing so. If elected, he would be the oldest U.S. president ever, although he does not have a history of chronic illness.

Like Clinton, Trump released a letter from a physician who gave him a clean bill of health. The Clinton camp has often pointed out the information in the summary he provided is far less detailed than hers.

Meanwhile, the sudden acknowledgement that Clinton’s health condition is a legitimate campaign issue—not the “conspiracy theories” her campaign alleged—has Democrats reeling. NPR’s Cokie Roberts, a longtime Democratic Party insider, said during Monday’s broadcast of Morning Edition that there were “nervous whispers” among the party’s leadership about the possibility of Clinton dropping out of the race.

“People are angry at the lack of transparency,” she said. “It was hours before the pneumonia diagnosis was revealed, after seeing this incredibly damaging video of her being helped and stumbling into a van.

There’s a reason why the Clinton campaign hasn’t been transparent, she added, noting that as early as January, Trump was saying she lacked the strength and stamina to be president. But the timing of Sunday’s “medical episode”—when polls are tightening and Democrats were already nervous about Clinton’s ability to defeat Trump—was not helpful.

“It’s taking her off the campaign trail, cancelling her trip to California today,” she said. “It has them very nervously beginning to whisper about having her stepping aside and finding another candidate.”

Roberts said she doubted there was any truth behind the rumors—although she is the second prominent member of the mainstream media to report on them. She said it’s more likely to be an “overreaction” from an “already-skittish party.”

“But, they have looked at what happens in that sort of circumstance,” she added. “The Democratic National Committee chair convenes the committee and they vote.”

The irony, Roberts added, is that the likely replacement candidate—Vice President Joe Biden—is even older than Clinton. But that hasn’t quelled the party’s unhappiness, which has led to the whispered rumors about replacement.