Photo courtesy of United States Department of State, Wikipedia
Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton aroused attention, controversy and conspiracy when she left the Sept. 11 memorial ceremony in New York suddenly.
Clinton appeared unsteady and required assistance from two Secret Service agents. According to several close-up photographs, her feet dragged as she was hoisted into the vehicle. She was escorted from the event at Ground Zero to her daughter Chelsea’s Manhattan apartment. After about an hour and a half, Clinton left the apartment waving and posing for the camera.
The New York Times reported that Clinton assured the public, “I’m feeling great. It’s a beautiful day in New York.”
Clinton’s campaign spokesman, Nick Merrill, announced that the candidate returned to her house in Chappaqua, New York, early that afternoon.
According to the New York Times, Clinton was treated for pneumonia and dehydration. That afternoon, Clinton’s physician, Dr. Lisa R. Bardack, examined the candidate at her residence. Bardack reported that Clinton was “rehydrated and recovering nicely.”
The New York Times featured Bardack’s statement that, “Secretary Clinton has been experiencing a cough related to allergies.”
Bardack later revealed that, “after a prolonged cough, Mrs. Clinton was given a diagnosis of pneumonia.”
Bardack added that Clinton “was put on antibiotics” and “advised to rest and modify her schedule. At this morning’s event, she became overheated and dehydrated.”
The New York Times pointed out that Bardack did not indicate the type of pneumonia Clinton had or further details about her condition.
Her Republican opponent, Donald Trump, has been pressing Clinton to release her medical records and is likely to pressure her even further.
This incident triggered deeper questions about the candidate’s health and the transparency of her campaign. Clinton opened up about her pneumonia only after the video of her struggling to walk by herself was released to the public.
ppark1@ramapo.edu
