Clinton Campaign Considered ‘Big, Elaborate Lie’ to Distract From Email Scandal

Mook suggested leaking story as a 'decoy'

Hillary Clinton’s inner circle considered leaking a “big, elaborate lie” to the press to distract from her email scandal when the story broke last year.

Newly released emails from Wikileaks reveal that Robby Mook, now Clinton’s campaign manager, pushed strongly for trying to change the subject from Clinton’s exclusive use of a private email account while she was secretary of state.

In mid-March Mook suggested leaking that Clinton would be announcing her campaign on April 20, 2015 as a “decoy” away from the deepening email scandal. Clinton ended up kicking off her campaign with a video announcement on April 12, and a formal speech on June 1.

It is unclear if Clinton and her senior aides had already decided on an announcement date when this email exchange took place.

“Linking us regarding John’s well-sourced decoy leak of April 20 launch date,” Mook wrote to Jennifer Palmieri and John Podesta on March 16. “Would be good to do this soon since I’m nervous about our planning circle widening.”

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