Clinton fights back as Republicans mount campaign against her

Washington, Aug 13 (PTI): Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton's campaign has fought back after Republican aspirants criticised her for using a private server for emails while serving as the US Secretary of State, saying the former first lady did nothing wrong and is open to investigation.

As the controversy began showing adverse impact on her popularity ratings in some of the key primary States, the Clinton campaign asserted that she did nothing wrong, she is honest, transparent and open to investigation.

"To be clear, there is absolutely no criminal inquiry into Hillary's email or email server.

Any and all reports to that effect have been widely debunked. Hillary directed her team to provide her email server and a thumb drive in order to cooperate with the review process and to ensure these materials were stored in a safe and secured manner," Jennifer Palmieri, spokesperson of the Clinton campaign said in a mass email to her supporters.

"Hillary did not send any classified materials over email: Hillary only used her personal account for unclassified email. No information in her emails was marked classified at the time she sent or received them.

She viewed classified materials in hard copy in her office or via other secure means while traveling, not on email," Palmieri said. Clinton, if elected in the 2016 presidential elections, would be the first women president of the United States.

Indian-American presidential hopeful Bobby Jindal continued with his attack on Clinton, saying, "Orange really is the new black."

"She should have followed laws barring her from using a private email and she should have turned over the server a long time ago.

Can Hillary be trusted when it is one investigation after another? I think not," Republican hopeful Rand Paul said, while alleging that Clinton proves time and again she believes she is above the law.

"It is no surprise that after her disastrous tenure at the State Department, Secretary Clinton continues to try to hide the evidence of her failed leadership from the American people.

Leadership is not about convenience – it is about judgment and character. Secretary Clinton continues to prove she has neither," said Rick Perry, a former Texas Governor and a Republican presidential aspirant.

"While Hillary Clinton clearly believes she is above the law, the Obama Administration has proven it has no interest in enforcing the law," Republican presidential hopeful Rick Santorum said, adding that America is getting a reminder of what a Clinton presidency would look like.

The email controversy yesterday had an impact on the Clinton campaign as a new poll showed that she was trailing behind a Democratic rival Bernie Sanders in the new primary State of New Hampshire. Sanders is attracting thousands of people at his election rallies across the country.

PTI