Clinton On Pneumonia: 'I Didn't Think It Was Going To Be A Big Deal'
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Hillary Clinton's failure to reveal her diagnosis for two days is again raising questions about transparency in her campaign.
The candidate said she didn't think her pneumonia would be a big deal, until she staggered into her car during Sunday's 9/11 memorial service.
"I just didn't think it was going to be that big a deal," said Clinton.
In an eight-minute interview from Clinton's Chappaqua, New York home where she is resting for a second day, she described what led her legs to buckle beneath her as she was helped into her van at ground zero.
"I could, you know, feel how hot and humid it was, I felt overheated," said Clinton. "And I did lose my balance for a minute, um but once I got in, once I could sit down, once I could cool off, once I had some water, I immediately started feeling better."
She said she has talked to her staff about the time it took to inform the public.
"In retrospect, we probably could have released more information more quickly," said Clinton Press Secretary Brian Fallon.
CBS News Correspondent Nancy Cordes asked, "Was there a discussion among your communications team on Friday about whether or not to announce that Secretary Clinton had pneumonia?"
"Secretary Clinton, you know, I think she felt that this is a common thing that people have in terms of pneumonia, a lot of people will work through things like this," said Fallon.
Clinton rejected suggestions that she had been too secretive.
"You know, compare everything you know about me with my opponent. I think it's time he met the same level of disclosure that I have for years," said Clinton.
Her supporters rallied to her defense. New York Senator Chuck Schumer, who was with Clinton at Ground Zero, disclosed he too was recovering from pneumonia.
Vice President Joe Biden, campaigning for Clinton in Charlotte, NC said there's nothing for voters to worry about.
"Hillary's health is good. I've had pneumonia. I don't know about any of you. I've had walking pneumonia. What you do, you take antibiotics and you rest a little bit," said Biden.
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