Blitzer and Clinton Strategist Go At It Over Whether Wikileaks Emails Were Found by Russian Hackers

On CNN today, Wolf Blitzer interviewed Hillary Clinton‘s chief strategist Joel Benenson, who worked to downplay the severity of how many emails and speeches Wikileaks has been pushing out from the inside of the campaign over the last few weeks.

Blitzer asked if the emails are Clinton’s biggest concern going into tonight’s debate.

“No, no. I think her biggest concern is the fact that we now have 17 intelligence agencies in the United States that have confirmed that these hacks have taken place by Russians. That’s unprecedented and in a race where we’ve had a candidate from a major party — Donald Trump encouraged them to do so at one point — is what’s really a source of concern.”

Blitzer pointed out that the Wikileaks hacks haven’t really been tied to Russia in the way that the DNC hack or Colin Powell‘s email hack were thought to be.

“They haven’t yet formally, publicly said that the Wikileaks — that Russia is specifically in charge of that,” Blitzer said.

“I don’t — I don’t know,” said Benenson. ” I believe, I thought that 17 agencies had said –”

“Privately, they suspect that big time,” interrupted Blitzer.

“I think you and others have reported that they have so I’m taking you guys at your word that you’re reporting this the way you should,” shot back Benenson.

Watch the entire (very polite!) showdown above.

[image via screengrab]

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