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Podesta's Voice Gets Really High When Defending Clinton's Dodge on Releasing Paid Speech Transcripts

February 4, 2016

Hillary Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta's voice went up several octaves Thursday night while defending Hillary Clinton's debate dodge about releasing transcripts of her six-figure speeches to the financial industry, repeating her answer that she'd "look into it."

When asked by MSNBC moderator Chuck Todd at Thursday's debate if she would release the transcripts of her paid speeches, Clinton gave a classic non-answer.

"I will look into it. I don’t know the status. But I will certainly look into it," Clinton said.

MSNBC's Chris Matthews brought up the awkward moment during his post-debate interview with Podesta.

"I've never heard of a candidate asking another candidate to release transcripts of speeches that she's given to thousands of people or hundreds of people," Matthews said. "Will you do it?"

"She said she'll look into it," Podesta said defensively, his voice almost cracking.

"I don't know what that means," Matthews said.

"I don't have anything to add to that," Podesta said.

"You have nothing to add to it," Matthews repeated. "Does looking into it mean if she finds that there are transcripts, she'll release them?"

"You know, she said she'd look into it," Podesta said.

Clinton has received particular criticism for receiving $675,000 for three speeches to Goldman Sachs, holding dozens of Wall Street fundraisers and still presenting herself as a candidate who can't be influenced. At Wednesday night's CNN town hall, Clinton flippantly said, "That's what they offered," regarding the fees and that she didn't regret making the speeches.