Former New York Democratic Congressman Anthony Weiner said Wednesday that Hillary Clinton is not good on her feet as a politician and struggles to interact and connect with voters out in public.
Speaking with MSNBC’s Chris Matthews, Weiner touted Clinton’s advantage over her Democratic primary opponent, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt), to win debates and make substantive arguments, but added that she has trouble with the personal side of politics.
"[Clinton] wins debates. Like, she’s really good at that," Weiner said. "You can make an argument she is not the best on her feet politician, but when it comes to substance and asking and answering questions, she’s good at that stuff."
"What do you think her problem is when she gets up on the stage and isn’t the one you know?" Matthews asked. "You know Hillary. When you’re with her she’s a regular person; she can speak nonchalantly, casually."
In response, Weiner said that some politicians are great at writing laws behind closed doors but are "kind of awkward in other positions, and then you see people who are really glib and good with the shaking hands and that kind of stuff. She [Clinton] doesn’t have that, and I think she’s always ... held to a high standard she’s never going to attain."
Weiner’s comments echo those made by Clinton last month when she said that she is "not a natural politician" and has trouble engaging with voters on a personal level.
Weiner is the husband of Huma Abedin, a long-time Clinton top aide who is now her campaign’s vice chairwoman.