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CNN drops commentator tied to Clinton
Donna Brazile gave a debate question to Hillary Clinton’s campaign, e-mails show. (AP file)
Washington Post

WASHINGTON — CNN has cut ties with commentator and interim Democratic National Committee chairwoman Donna Brazile after WikiLeaks revealed that Brazile leaked more primary debate questions to Hillary Clinton’s campaign.

The network said it accepted Brazile’s resignation as a contributor Monday after the hacked e-mails showed she had tipped off Clinton’s campaign to likely questions during the primaries.

In a statement, CNN spokeswoman Lauren Pratapas said, ‘‘We are completely uncomfortable with what we have learned about her interactions with the Clinton campaign while she was a CNN contributor.’’

WikiLeaks had previously revealed that Brazile had e-mailed John Podesta, Clinton’s campaign chairman, in March about her access to questions that would be asked at CNN-sponsored primary debates. ‘‘From time to time I get the questions in advance,’’ she told Podesta on March 12. She added, ‘‘I’ll send a few more.’’

CNN acted after more WikiLeaks e-mails showed that Brazile had, in fact, tipped Podesta to other debate questions.

In an e-mail sent to Podesta in early March, she wrote that a question would come from a Flint, Mich., woman who is dealing with that city’s water crisis. ‘‘Her family has lead poison and she will ask what, if anything, will Hillary do as president to help the ppl of Flint,’’ Brazile wrote.

Pratapas disclaimed any involvement by CNN itself, saying the network ‘‘never gave Brazile access to any questions, prep material, attendee list, background information, or meetings in advance of a town hall or debate.’’

Brazile is also a contributor to ABC News, which has not commented on her status at the network.

CNN and ABC had temporarily suspended their contracts with Brazile in July after she became interim DNC chairwoman after the resignation of Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida.