Hillary Clinton on Monday returned to blaming “misogyny” and “sexism” for contributing to her 2016 election loss, during a Washington appearance that followed a critical report on how she handled sexual harassment allegations during her 2008 campaign.
Clinton presented the “Human Rights Awards” Monday at Georgetown University, where she sits as honorary founding chair of the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security.
Clinton spoke about the importance of female leadership in advancing human rights, justice and peace, and went on to discuss the 2016 election during a panel segment.
“Any of you who’ve read my book about ‘what happened’ know that I think misogyny and sexism was part of that campaign—it was one of the contributing factors,” Clinton said. “Some of it was old-fashioned sexism and the refusal to accept the equality of women, and certainly the equality of women’s leadership.”
Clinton told the audience that the way forward for women’s equality was “through the ballot box.”
“Certainly, voting remains the principal way that every individual can express an opinion,” Clinton said. “And anyone who chooses not to vote, basically leaves that opinion to others and perhaps don’t hold your values.”
In her memoir, “What Happened,” which was first released in September, Clinton faulted a range of factors for her loss–like voter ID laws, “Those Damn Emails,” the “unprecedented intervention in our election” by former FBI director James Comey, and the “audacious warfare waged from the Kremlin.”
Clinton also criticized women who did not vote but supported the Women’s March on Jan. 21, 2017. In her book, she called that day “bittersweet.”
Clinton, though, has come under fire in recent days over a New York Times report that during her 2008 presidential run, she helped protect her faith adviser, Burns Strider, after claims he sexually harassed a female campaign staffer.
HILLARY CLINTON, MOMENTS BEFORE STATE OF THE UNION, EXPLAINS WHY SHE DIDN’T FIRE CAMPAIGN ADVISER
Clinton ’08 faith adviser, Burns Strider, allegedly harassed a Clinton campaign staffer. (Burns Strider Twitter)
Clinton’s then-campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle recommended Strider be fired, but Clinton ignored the advice. Strider instead was ordered to receive counseling and lost several weeks of pay. The young woman was shifted to a new role.
HILLARY CLINTON SLAMMED FOR NO-APOLOGY RESPONSE TO HARASSMENT STORY
Clinton’s initial response to the story — in which she said she was heartened that the female aide was “heard” but did not apologize — was widely criticized.
But on the night of President Trump’s first official State of the Union, just minutes before he began his address, Clinton posted a lengthy response to the alleged sexual misconduct on her Facebook page.
“The short answer is this: If I had to do it again, I wouldn’t,” she wrote, noting that she believes in “second chances” and didn’t want to completely terminate his employment.
In a political shot at Trump for not discussing sexual harassment during his State of the Union speech, Clinton teased her Facebook post again.
“I wrote a Facebook post about a decision I made 10 years ago, what’s changed, & on an issue you didn’t hear a single word about tonight. Take a look,” Clinton tweeted.
Fox News’ Kaitlyn Schallhorn contributed to this report.
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