Former New York congressman Anthony Weiner says Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton "is not the best on-her-feet politician" and has trouble with the personal side of politics.
But in an interview on MSNBC's
"Hardball with Chris Matthews" Wednesday, Weiner – whose wife, Huma Abedin, a long-time Clinton top aide who now is her campaign’s vice chairwoman – praised the Democratic front-runner for her advantage over rival Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in debates and when arguing substantive issues.
"[Clinton] wins debates. Like, she’s really good at that," Weiner said. "You can make an argument she is not the best on-her-feet politician, but when it comes to substance and asking and answering questions, she’s good at that stuff."
Matthews pressed Weiner on why he thought Clinton had trouble transitioning from a "regular person" in a one-on-one situation, to "when she gets up on the stage."
Weiner said some politicians are great at writing laws behind closed doors but are "kind of awkward in other positions, and then you see people who are really glib and good with the shaking hands and that kind of stuff."
"She doesn’t have that, and I think she’s always … held to a high standard she’s never going to attain," he said.
The remarks echo those
made by the candidate herself in March that "I am not a natural politician, in case you haven’t noticed, like my husband [former President Bill Clinton] or President [Barack] Obama."
But Weiner noted voters are beginning to realize Clinton has a record of coming through hardships and being a strong fighter.
"She's not a bleeder," he said. "That's increasingly what Democratic voters" are thinking about as the general election nears.
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