Democrats stand by Hillary Clinton, but with reservations
Hillary Clinton defends her exclusive use of private e-mail for "convenience" and for deleting those she deemed personal.
WASHINGTON Democrats closed ranks around Hillary Rodham Clinton on Wednesday after her public explanation of her e-mail practices yet party officials in important election states appeared resigned to the prospect that her all-but-certain presidential campaign will be saddled with drama.
The mood among Democrats around the country suggested Clinton has work to do to bolster party enthusiasm as she nears the launch of her 2016 campaign, though there's still no sign she'll face a robust primary challenge.
Brady Quirk-Garvan, the Democratic Party chairman in Charleston, S.C., said the focus on Clinton's use of her private e-mail account as secretary of state leaves him concerned that side issues could overshadow the party's message.
"Every time we talk about e-mails, we aren't talking about how to grow the economy and the fact that President Obama has created jobs for the last 60 months straight," Quirk-Garvan said.
In Iowa, Cerro Gordo County Democratic chairman John Stone said he expected the e-mail issue to "burn out." But he also raised the possibility that "there will be more things" to come.
Clinton's closest advisers have been reaching out to Democratic leaders and other lawmakers on Capitol Hill, as well as influential progressive groups, in an effort to allay concerns. In conference calls over the past week, supporters in turn pressed Clinton to break her silence on the e-mail disclosures, which she did Tuesday at the United Nations.
"Those of us who strongly support her, we certainly have been given information," said Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich. "I'm satisfied with what I've received."
Much of the outreach has been led by longtime Clinton aide Huma Abedin and press secretary Nick Merrill. Clinton herself does not appear to have spoken directly to top Democratic lawmakers or surrogates about the issue.
Rep. Trey Gowdy, a South Carolina Republican who is chairman of a House committee investigating Benghazi, said Wednesday that he wants an independent review of Clinton's e-mail server.
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Democrats stand by Hillary Clinton, but with reservations