Clinton’s pneumonia diagnosis jolts presidential race

Hillary Clinton has been ill with pneumonia, her doctor revealed in a Sunday evening statement that shook up the presidential race. 

Clinton’s health had been the subject of much speculation, fueled most recently by a coughing fit she had at the start of a campaign event in Cleveland last Monday. 

But now it seems that the symptoms she blamed on seasonal allergies may have been a sign of the pneumonia that was diagnosed on Friday.

Dr. Lisa R. Bardack released a statement via the campaign revealing the diagnosis on Sunday evening, hours after the Democratic presidential nominee was seen stumbling on video after exiting a 9/11 memorial event early.

Bardack said Clinton had an examination at her home in Chappaqua after the incident, which was a result of dehydration and overheating. 

She said the candidate is “re-hydrated and recovering nicely.” 

Dr. Lisa R. Bardack, M.D., Clinton’s doctor, says the Democratic nominee has pneumonia. Full statement: pic.twitter.com/qloLbhjdZy

— Dan Merica (@danmericaCNN) September 11, 2016

But the campaign has been criticized by the media for failing to keep the press appraised of her health and for departing from the 9/11 memorial without any press in tow. 

“Sunday’s events at the Sept. 11 memorial show the importance of having a group of reporters on standby, and close at hand, to cover the potential next president of the United States,” Anne Gearan, a Washington Post political reporter and current chair of the Clinton press pool, told CNNMoney.

The Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza, who dismissed what he called “conspiracy theories” about Clinton’s health last week, said he changed his thinking Sunday. 

“Whereas Clinton and her campaign could laugh off questions about her health before today, the ‘overheating’ episode makes it almost impossible for them to do so,” he wrote. “Not only has it come at a time when there was growing chatter — with very little evidence — that her health was a problem but it also happened at a 9/11 memorial event — an incredibly high-profile moment with lots and lots of cameras and reporters around.”

Questions about Clinton’s health have swirled in recent weeks as Republican rival Donald Trump has frequently questioned her stamina on the campaign trail. 

Trump said in an interview last week after Clinton’s coughing fit that he would release his full medical records if Clinton makes her records public.

He was reportedly told about his Democratic rival leaving the 9/11 memorial early, according to a Post reporter, but did not comment on Sunday. 

On Friday, the same day she was diagnosed with pneumonia, Clinton had a packed schedule, according to Bloomberg reporter Jennifer Epstein. She appeared at two fundraisers, a long national security meeting and a CNN interview. 

Campaign hasn’t said when she saw her doctor on Friday, but her first event was midday and she was a bit behind schedule arriving.

— Jennifer Epstein (@jeneps) September 11, 2016

She noted that the campaign has not said when Clinton saw her doctor.

But while many on social media questioned whether the illness would have been disclosed if the Sunday incident hadn’t occurred, other were defending Clinton. 

Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, a Clinton supporter, said in a tweet that “‘powering through’ illness is what women do.”

To press lamenting @HillaryClinton‘s health/transparency: “powering through” illness is what women do: Stoically, every. single. day.

— Jennifer Granholm (@JenGranholm) September 12, 2016

“I am glad to learn that Secretary Clinton is already feeling better and I wish her a speedy recovery,” interim Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Donna Brazile said, according to Bloomberg.

”I look forward to seeing her back out on the campaign trail and continuing on the path to victory.”

The campaign said late Sunday night it was canceling a trip to California starting Monday for fundraisers and an appearance on “Ellen.”

.@HillaryClinton will cancel West Coast swing scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, spokesman says, as she recovers.

— Jeff Zeleny (@jeffzeleny) September 12, 2016

Videos spread quickly online showing Clinton stumbling into a black van before leaving a memorial event early in New York City on Sunday. 

Aides said Clinton was feeling “overheated” and left to rest at her daughter’s apartment.

Clinton emerged about 90 minutes later, telling reporters she felt great. She then was driven to her home in Chappaqua, about one hour north of New York City, where her doctor performed an examination. 

Bardack, in a letter released last July, described Clinton as “healthy,” noting that her only medical conditions are hypothyroidism and seasonal pollen allergies. 

The letter also noted a concussion Clinton sustained in 2012. 

Updated 10:21 p.m.