Hillary Clinton's campaign is facing a struggle to move beyond the criticisms over her use of a private email server to handle classified information while she was secretary of state.
Some allies are saying that she is presenting a dishonest image, with a longtime aide telling The Hill. "I think when it comes to this, she's just being stubborn."
Clinton has been criticized over a "Fox News Sunday" interview, in which she claimed FBI Director Comey "said my answers were truthful."
During testimony, Comey claimed she didn't lie when she had a three-hour interview with the FBI. The director specifically did not say whether he believed she was lying to the public.
Clinton aides told The Hill that her latest remarks are confusing.
"I think there are a number of supporters who want her to give a different answer so that even if it doesn't put it to bed, it sounds more sincere," said the longtime aide.
Her actions are giving Republican candidate Donald Trump openings to attack her, another ally said, and that may be harming her relationship with her allies.
"She's definitely making some feel a little less motivated."
Grant Reeher, director of the Campbell Public Affairs Institute at Syracuse University, wrote an email to The Hill saying her actions have been similar throughout her career.
"It is precisely this aversion to simple apologies and taking responsibility that has dogged her and her husband over the years," Reeher wrote, adding, "True, she's been attacked from the right, but the problem is largely a bed of her own making."
Clinton must be proactive in dealing with the matter, according to University of Houston professor Brandon Rottinghaus. "Both Trump and Clinton feel like they are playing defense, and that is a dangerous position to be in for a politician who is handling a scandal."
"You need to control the narrative," Rottinghaus added.
An editorial in The Detroit News, writer Nolan Finley called on Clinton to tell the American people the truth: "It takes more than glowing testimonials at a political convention to convince the American people a candidate is trustworthy. It takes the truth. And Clinton can't seem to tell it."
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