Hillary Clinton Tries To Be Friendly With Press: After E-Mail Issue, Brother’s Business Deal Kicks Up Yet Another Storm for Clinton

Hillary Clinton, former first lady and potential Democratic Presidential candidate, has reached out to the press in a bid to repair the relations, despite the political press corps having taken an aggressive position with regard to her private e-mail controversy. Making a candid admission how she views the journalists who constantly follow her, Clinton said at a Washington function, "I am aware some of you may be a little surprised to see me here tonight”.

The CNN reports that Clinton is known for a long, often antagonistic history with the national press. However, at the Toner Prize event in Washington on Monday, she appeared very amiable to the press and said, "I am all about new beginnings. A new grandchild, another new hair style, a new email account why not a new relationship with the press? So here goes, no more secrecy, no more zone of privacy. After all, what good did that do me?"

Clinton is known for handling media almost exclusively on her terms. In many of her paid speaking engagements and foundation events, the press is kept at bay. Though during the 2014 midterm election, media was sometimes close enough to ask a question, but the interactions were rare.

Friendly Vibes

Similar vibes were evident at Clinton’s press conference at the United Nations, in early March, and she gaggled with the reporters. “Before I go any further, if you look under your chairs, you will find a simple non-disclosure agreement. My attorney's drew it up. Old habits last," she joked.

At the Washington event, Clinton struck a serious note in her keynote address, outlining her vision for a noble media. She referred to the need for more Robin Toners, recalling the professionalism of that journalist who died in 2008. Clinton regretted that today's media is running after the political horse race and no efforts are being made to discuss policies. Clinton noted that Toner used to delve into the substance of issues and ask incisive, but fair, questions.

Business Scam

Meanwhile, a business scam is threatening to hit Hillary Clinton’s expected bid for the White House. It involves her brother, who allegedly got help from the Department of Homeland Security in securing a business deal. The department’s inspector general found that Tony Rodham was given special treatment by a high ranking official of the DHS’ in securing visas for foreigners.

Rodham was CEO of a car company owned by another Clinton pal, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, when he got help from the DHS official Alejandro Mayorkas. It is still not clear whether Clinton played any role in that. But the scam may raise more questions on the contents in the thousands of emails sent on Clinton's private server while she was secretary of state.

In the past also, Rodham's business deals have created potential problems for his sister. In February, media reported that a mining company in which Rodham was a director, got a gold mining deal from the government of Haiti, after the Clintons' charitable foundation did relief work there.

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