Clinton criticized for delay in disclosing pneumonia diagnosis

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After revealing that she has pneumonia but initially ignoring medical advice to rest, Hillary Clinton said she is finally resting in order to fully recover. This follows her abrupt departure Sunday from a 9/11 anniversary ceremony and a video showing the Democratic nominee staggering and eventually slumping forward before being held up by three people as she was helped into a van.

The Clinton campaign would not initially confirm Clinton’s location. After Clinton left the ceremony, the reporters following her on the campaign trail were prevented from leaving the media area for a period of time, according to Fox News.

Later, Clinton spokesman Nick Merrill issued a statement saying, in part:  "During the ceremony, she felt overheated so departed to go to her daughter's apartment, and is feeling much better."

Just before noon, Clinton walked out of her daughter's New York City apartment, saying 'I'm feeling great,' before waving at the crowd.

Clinton's doctor said the 68-year-old former secretary of state "became overheated and dehydrated" at the 9/11 ceremony at ground zero. After an exam at her home in suburban New York, said Dr. Lisa R. Bardack, Clinton "is now rehydrated and recovering nicely."

The damage was compounded by the nearly eight hours of silence from Clinton and her team about the health scare, as well as the Sunday evening disclosure she had been diagnosed on Friday with pneumonia. She told CNN on Monday night that she ignored a doctor's recommendation to rest on Friday, so now she is doing so to properly rest. 

But less than two months from Election Day, it was a problematic visual for Clinton as she tries to project the strength and vigor needed for one of the world's most demanding jobs. Late Sunday night, she called off plans to travel to California for two days of fundraising, campaign events and an appearance on Ellen DeGeneres' talk show.

With the Associated Press