Hillary Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook's interview with MSNBC host Andrea Mitchell ended uncomfortably on Wednesday, as he burst into laughter when Mitchell asked whether the campaign held a "crisis meeting" after her disappointing showing in Iowa.
Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) essentially tied in the Iowa caucus on Monday, despite Clinton holding double-digit leads in the polls there a month ago. She is getting doubled up in the polls by Sanders in New Hampshire, where the primary will be held Tuesday.
The New York Times reported the Clinton team was unnerved by the Iowa results and internal discussions were held about whether to "diminish" the role of Mook, who the Times calls "young" and "data-driven."
"Coming out of Iowa, are Bill and Hillary Clinton not happy with the campaign team?" Mitchell asked.
"President Clinton sent me a wonderful text after Iowa congratulating us on a win," Mook said. "This was a state she lost last time, and she was so proud to win it, and they were both in great spirits."
"No big changes? No crisis meeting today?" Mitchell asked.
"No, no," Mook said, laughing loudly. "No, not one that I was in."
"You would know," Mitchell said crisply.
"I would know," Mook said, still laughing.
So ended the interview.
Full exchange:
ANDREA MITCHELL: But coming out of Iowa, are Bill and Hillary Clinton not happy with the campaign team?
ROBBY MOOK: President Clinton sent me a wonderful text after Iowa congratulating us on a win. This was a state she lost last time, and she was so proud to win it, and they were both in great spirits.
MITCHELL: No big changes? No crisis meeting today?
MOOK: No, no, not one that I was in.
MITCHELL: You would know.
MOOK: I would know.