Many Hillary Clinton allies, reporters and those holding both titles had a rather enormous and collective sad on Wednesday night over Clinton being asked several questions at NBC's Commander-in-Chief Forum about her private email server and what the FBI characterized as "extremely careless" handling of classified material.
Among the charges from the Twitterverse were that Matt Lauer was harsher on Clinton than Donald Trump, the email scandal has already been litigated and that handling sensitive information has nothing to do with being president.
Clinton's email server use as secretary of state first came to light in March of 2015. Exactly a year-and-a-half later, she is still answering questions about it.
We have 30 minutes to talk about all of foreign policy so by all means let’s litigate the emails again.
— daveweigel (@daveweigel) September 8, 2016
I was seriously about to joke "I bet the audience Q is about the emails" and then it was about the emails.
— daveweigel (@daveweigel) September 8, 2016
as we know, the most important "commander in chief" issue of all is email server management
— Max Fisher (@Max_Fisher) September 8, 2016
thank god, finally someone asked hillary clinton about her personal email server
— Max Fisher (@Max_Fisher) September 8, 2016
Throughout history, we have recognized that sound email server management is the core of American diplomacy and national security policy.
— Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias) September 8, 2016
Maybe Lauer would have more time for questions if he didn't spend the first third litigating emails.
— Jamelle Bouie (@jbouie) September 8, 2016
1/2 hour really too short for a discussion of national security and foreign affairs, with almost 25% taken up with Qs about Clinton emails.
— John Myers (@johnmyers) September 8, 2016
This is the 5th consecutive question on the emails.
— Ken Gude (@KenGude) September 8, 2016
First question from the crowd is … also about the emails.
— Blake Hounshell (@blakehounshell) September 8, 2016
Good job Matt Lauer. Ten minutes on emails and now hurry up on a serious discussion on Iran
— Ilan Goldenberg (@ilangoldenberg) September 8, 2016
Clinton arguably messed up on emails but it's not even the 10th biggest question she should be asked
— ryan cooper (@ryanlcooper) September 8, 2016
Getting question after question about Clinton's emails at #NBCNewsForum is like being on a reply all chain with America's uncles.
— Dan Diamond (@ddiamond) September 8, 2016
Clinton started with questions about email server. Trump 1st question allows him to boast of his experience.
— Anthony Zurcher (@awzurcher) September 8, 2016
Lauer is repeatedly playing down to his opponent here. After spending ten minutes on emails with Clinton.
— Max J. Rosenthal (@maxjrosenthal) September 8, 2016
Having wasted time on emails, Lauer tries to interrupt Clinton’s excellent defense of Iran nuke deal.
— Matt Duss (@mattduss) September 8, 2016
Hillary Clinton Rises Above Matt Lauer and NBC’s Hit Job And Shines In Commander-in-Chief Forum
Matt Lauer and... https://t.co/MSSUEF8bFw
— Barbara J. Cobuzzi (@CRNHealthcare) September 8, 2016
@RichardEngel Lauer got owned by not following up with the same veracity he went after Clinton on emails.
— Christopher Moore (@TheAuthorGuy) September 8, 2016
.@MLauer's first question for her is about emails. His first question for him is about being commander-in-chief. #NBCNewsForum
— Tyler Graves (@tylermgraves) September 8, 2016
So glad the first 15 mins of this devoted to emails and Iraq War. What's next? Question on Vietnam War?
— Brendan Boyle (@RepBrendanBoyle) September 8, 2016
First question: emails. Matt Lauer is an asshole.
— Scott Gordon KHAN (@scottrgordon) September 8, 2016
Can we just stop with the fucking email server already. Using that as the first question in this forum is a disservice to voters.
— Paul Henderson (@Pdhenderson1) September 8, 2016