Hillary Clinton, the leading Democrat Party primary candidate for president, held a “Pancakes and Politics” campaign stop in New Hampshire on Monday with “Today” co-hosts on NBC News where she was pressed to clarify such important matters as her favorite celebratory drink and her favorite book.
She was also asked what song would be played at her inauguration, should she ultimately win.
And her answers?
Favorite celebratory drink: “[A] martini … in the James Bond way, shaken,” she said, as broadcast on “Today” on NBC News.
Favorite book: The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. And on that, Clinton gave a rather lengthy explanation: “Because I read it when I was young and I was overwhelmed by it, and I read it every 10 years or so because it’s such an amazing story about faith and how people have to think about what they believe in on Earth … and whether they have any faith and if it will rein in the behavior and make them treat people better,” she said.
She then brought up the treatment of Syria President Bashar Assad toward his own people – his bombing of Syrians “with no thought at all” – and said she sometimes contemplates such matters through the lens of the book.
“I like to delve in and out of that from time to time,” she said.
Clinton’s third softball thrower asked what song or instrument she picked to play at her inauguration – and the former secretary of state hearkened to her weekend appearance on Saturday Night Live for answer.
“On Saturday Night Live, I sang ‘Lean on Me,'” she said, of her widely talked-about appearance on the show, during which she took pot shots at Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump. “So maybe that will be the song.”
Clinton was also asked about her ability to take on Trump, her plans to keep America free of a military industrial complex conflict and her views of Syria.
On Trump, she said she was “kind of used to being insulted” but what was more “important is what’s happening in your lives.”
On overseas’ policy, she likened herself to Winston Churchill and explained her inclination is talk first, war last.
“I’m with Winston Churchill, talking is always better,” said. “I believe in diplomacy. … Talking is always better than going to war.”
“Today” host Savannah Guthrie, who was seated next to Clinton to help moderate the town hall gathering – which was in a very cozy, informal Lawrence Barn setting – then asked Clinton to explain the “merits of a female leader,” and the differences she could bring to the White House from her male counterparts.
“We have very different life experiences,” Clinton said, speaking of families, Alzheimer’s and other life care-taking issues. “We live [all] that in the much more day to day [than men]. I will bring all those feelings and experiences with me to the White House.”
Clinton also touched on the poll findings that show a decided voter interest in outsiders.
“People say to me, ‘well, folks, they want an outsider for president.’ Well,” she said, “who could be more of an outsider than a woman president? I mean, this by definition is an outsider, the very first time in our history.”
Hosts of “Today” back in the studio commented on the “great” interview, remarking on the “really great questions” from the “very informed crowd.” Meanwhile, “Today” hosts at the barn scene gathered a couple dozen attendees for after-interview reaction and responses ranged from calling Clinton a “very strong woman” to a “very capable woman.”
