'This Week': Clinton vs. Rove
ABC News' Jon Karl reports on Karl Rove's comments this week and the controversy over Hillary Clinton's health.
There was Hillary Clinton celebrating Barbara Walters's last day on The View, one stop in a week that had the feel of presidential campaign in full swing, after Karl Rove took a shot at Clinton's health and the whole Clinton Camp fired back.
Here's chief White House correspondent Jonson Carl.
Hillary Clinton seems to be enjoying the endless 2016 speculation. Check out how she dodged the big question from Barbara Walters.
-The question I wanna ask is how you gonna run. But...
-Well I am running, around the park.
But this week the Clintons were out in force-14 public appearances, not just Hillary but Bill too. And when Karl Rove attacked, the Clinton's rapid-response operation was also out in force.
It started when the New York Post quoting Rove questioning how bad Mrs Clinton's brain was hurt by a concussion she suffered in December 2012," 30 Days in the hospital? And when she reappears, she's wearing glasses that's are only for people who have traumatic brain injury? We need to know what's up with that!
Reality—Mrs Clinton spent 3 days, not 30 in the hospital. Her spokesman hit back accusing Rove of flat out lying.
Then it was Bill Clinton's turn:"First they said she fake her concussion, and now they say she’s auditioning for a part in The Walking Dead."
But Rove wasn't backing down.She had a serious health episode.This will be an issue in the 2016 race, whether she like it or not.
This much is not in dispute. In December 2012, Mrs Clinton was ill with the virus, fell, and suffered a concussion and a blood clot. She stayed out of public view for nearly a month. Her spokesperson downplayed her condition:She is still under the weather.
This week Bill Clinton acknowledged it took her 6 month to fully recover. Clinton appears to be in good health now. But Rove made it clear that the health and age of Mrs Clinton, now 66, will not be off limits.
"Republicans are sending a message and a sense to Hillary Clinton that it's not gonna be easy, it's not gonna be a free ride."
Bill Clinton says he expects the attack to get harsher:"It is the Beginning."
And no doubt the Clintons, both of them will be taking plenty of shots, too.
For this week, Jonson Carl, ABC news, Washington.