Major Network Political Reporter: Hillary Clinton Is ‘Vindictive’
Political reporters often see politicians and candidates for office behind the scenes in ways that might otherwise be eye-opening for the average voter. Usually, though, they don’t talk about it.
CBS News Political Director John Dickerson probably understands that better than anyone. He grew up inside the Beltway—born and raised in McLean, Virginia, living on the banks of the Potomac River overlooking Washington, D.C.—and is the youngest son of famed politics broadcaster Nancy Dickerson.
He is now the moderator of CBS’ Sunday morning talk show, Face the Nation, which is mother used to produce. So he’s pretty much seen every aspect of the “sausage factory” that is American politics, and he understands how “everything works” quite well.
On Friday morning, however, he offered a momentary insight—perhaps by accident—about Democratic presidential front-runner and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. And what he had to say is likely to set off her notoriously short temper.
While appearing on Salem Radio’s nationally syndicated “The Hugh Hewitt Show,” Dickerson was asked which would be more vindictive toward his or her opponents: Clinton or presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump.
“Oh, man. I don’t know,” he said. “I think Clinton. Trump has been very tough on those he does not like, yes, I know, but he gets over it.”
But as he considered his answer, he tried to walk it back somewhat.
“Having now said that, I think about some of the people who are now supporting Hillary Clinton—who supported Obama last time, and where there were really hard feelings—and now she’s working in sync with them,” he said. “So it’s a tough one.”
Hewitt—who posted a clip of the exchange to his YouTube channel while his show was still underway—said he thought perhaps Dickerson got it right with his initial answer.