Watch CBS News

Expert: Email Scandal Reinforces Narrative Clintons Operate By Own Set Of Rules

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The email scandal is playing a role in Hillary Clinton's high unfavorability rating.

CBS2's Tony Aiello reported a recent CBS News/New York Times poll found 64 percent of voters didn't find the former secretary of state honest and trustworthy.

"What she's doing at her level as secretary of state? You've got to give me a break, Hillary. How could you have been so foolish?" Upper West Side resident George Gonzalez said.

COMPLETE CAMPAIGN 2016 COVERAGE

However, Felicia Rose of the Upper West Side said the email controversy doesn't bother her.

"I'm still going to vote for her," Rose said.

The State Department inspector general report found "no evidence Clinton requested or obtained guidance or approval" for the primate email server she used while secretary of state.

A review found the server handled "dozens" of classified and 22 "top secret" emails.

"It's not good news for the Clinton camp," said Nathan Sales, a Syracuse law professor and a former lawyer for the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security.

Sales said Clinton faces possible legal exposure on two fronts: the 2009 Federal Records Act for using a non-governmental email server, and Title 18, Chapter 37 of the U.S. Code, which covers handling of classified material.

Sales said the FBI team investigating will do it "by the book."

"These are serious career professionals who have at heart the nation's best interest, and something here has caught their eye," Sales explained.

Political scientist Christopher Malone said the issue reinforces the narrative that the Clintons operate by their own set of rules.

"It does look like she's playing with two different standards, one for herself and the Clintons and one for everyone else and this is a real perception problem that she has," Malone said.

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump called the report "devastating," saying Clinton's actions were "probably illegal," but certainly showed bad judgment.

FBI Director James Comey said there's no deadline for completing its investigation, but acknowledges there's pressure to be both thorough and prompt.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.