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| Huma Abedin shuns limelight, but is a compelling protagonist in Weiner film | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Huma Abedin is standing in her kitchen, shortly after her husband Anthony Weiner’s candidacy for mayor of New York City has been rocked by new revelations in the sexting scandal that forced him to resign from Congress in 2011. | Huma Abedin is standing in her kitchen, shortly after her husband Anthony Weiner’s candidacy for mayor of New York City has been rocked by new revelations in the sexting scandal that forced him to resign from Congress in 2011. |
| A voice from behind a camera perched inside her Manhattan apartment asks her to describe how she feels. After some silence as she makes a cup of coffee, Abedin offers a sole observation as she walks away: “It’s like living a nightmare.” | A voice from behind a camera perched inside her Manhattan apartment asks her to describe how she feels. After some silence as she makes a cup of coffee, Abedin offers a sole observation as she walks away: “It’s like living a nightmare.” |
| The scene is one of many painful moments in Weiner – a revelatory documentary about the former congressman’s failed effort to revive his political career in the 2013 New York race. Its arrival in the heat of a presidential election has cast a spotlight once more on Abedin, the trusted aide to Hillary Clinton who has emerged in recent years as a prominent figure in her own right. | The scene is one of many painful moments in Weiner – a revelatory documentary about the former congressman’s failed effort to revive his political career in the 2013 New York race. Its arrival in the heat of a presidential election has cast a spotlight once more on Abedin, the trusted aide to Hillary Clinton who has emerged in recent years as a prominent figure in her own right. |
| Even as she keeps a low profile on the campaign trail, Abedin has long been a subject of public fascination – not simply because of the ways in which her private life has held traces similar to that of her boss, but largely due to her own rise as Clinton’s right-hand woman. She has been dubbed as Clinton’s “secret weapon”, in a profile in Vogue that also celebrated her sartorial flair, as well as the former first lady’s “shadow”. | Even as she keeps a low profile on the campaign trail, Abedin has long been a subject of public fascination – not simply because of the ways in which her private life has held traces similar to that of her boss, but largely due to her own rise as Clinton’s right-hand woman. She has been dubbed as Clinton’s “secret weapon”, in a profile in Vogue that also celebrated her sartorial flair, as well as the former first lady’s “shadow”. |
| But despite spending nearly two decades in such close proximity to one of the most prolific politicians in the world, Abedin’s discomfort with the spotlight is readily apparent in the film that features her for the first time in the role of a protagonist. | But despite spending nearly two decades in such close proximity to one of the most prolific politicians in the world, Abedin’s discomfort with the spotlight is readily apparent in the film that features her for the first time in the role of a protagonist. |
| In one scene, she expresses her anxiety over the prospect of being stumped by a question on Weiner’s policy prescriptions – recalling an incident a week earlier as she travels to a campaign event with her husband. | In one scene, she expresses her anxiety over the prospect of being stumped by a question on Weiner’s policy prescriptions – recalling an incident a week earlier as she travels to a campaign event with her husband. |
| “That woman was like, what’s his position on … and I’m like, I don’t know what the hell his position is on X,” Abedin frets. | “That woman was like, what’s his position on … and I’m like, I don’t know what the hell his position is on X,” Abedin frets. |
| In another, she works the phones from within Weiner’s campaign headquarters to help raise money for what was intended to be a comeback bid. When one target turns her down, Weiner retorts: “This is your A-list?” Abedin indicates she is not entirely at ease tapping into her extensive political network, although she subsequently persuades another donor to write a maximum contribution. | In another, she works the phones from within Weiner’s campaign headquarters to help raise money for what was intended to be a comeback bid. When one target turns her down, Weiner retorts: “This is your A-list?” Abedin indicates she is not entirely at ease tapping into her extensive political network, although she subsequently persuades another donor to write a maximum contribution. |
| Abedin acknowledges in the film the trait that has perhaps most characterized her stature as one of Clinton’s closest confidantes: she has long eschewed the limelight in favor of what she has confessed is an intentionally behind-the-scenes presence. | Abedin acknowledges in the film the trait that has perhaps most characterized her stature as one of Clinton’s closest confidantes: she has long eschewed the limelight in favor of what she has confessed is an intentionally behind-the-scenes presence. |
| As captured in the documentary, she tells a group of women gathered at a New York City fundraiser for her husband’s mayoral bid: “Those of you who know me are probably surprised to see me standing up here. I’m usually back of the room, as far away from the microphone as possible.” | As captured in the documentary, she tells a group of women gathered at a New York City fundraiser for her husband’s mayoral bid: “Those of you who know me are probably surprised to see me standing up here. I’m usually back of the room, as far away from the microphone as possible.” |
| There is perhaps no better reflection of this than Abedin’s existence on the campaign trail, always close to Clinton but seldom occupying center stage. | There is perhaps no better reflection of this than Abedin’s existence on the campaign trail, always close to Clinton but seldom occupying center stage. |
| Although in the formal role of Clinton’s vice-chairwoman, Abedin has been at her boss’s side almost every step of the way – helping usher the Democratic frontrunner swiftly along rope lines and ensuring that each day runs as smoothly as can be in the frenetic environment of the campaign trail. | Although in the formal role of Clinton’s vice-chairwoman, Abedin has been at her boss’s side almost every step of the way – helping usher the Democratic frontrunner swiftly along rope lines and ensuring that each day runs as smoothly as can be in the frenetic environment of the campaign trail. |
| Often, one might not notice her lingering in the background if not for Clinton mulling aloud at local retail stops which flavor of ice cream or baked goods they should pick up for the road before turning to consult Abedin. | Often, one might not notice her lingering in the background if not for Clinton mulling aloud at local retail stops which flavor of ice cream or baked goods they should pick up for the road before turning to consult Abedin. |
| The role she occupies is, of course, far more expansive than that of being simply a body woman. On a typical day, Abedin is gathering policy updates, working through the nuts-and-bolts of a grueling campaign schedule, and serving as an overall surrogate and adviser. As a Clinton aide told Politico last year, Abedin is “for all intents and purposes” the No 3 on the campaign. | The role she occupies is, of course, far more expansive than that of being simply a body woman. On a typical day, Abedin is gathering policy updates, working through the nuts-and-bolts of a grueling campaign schedule, and serving as an overall surrogate and adviser. As a Clinton aide told Politico last year, Abedin is “for all intents and purposes” the No 3 on the campaign. |
| That she is one of the most recognizable and admired members of Clinton’s team is evidenced by the chants of “Huma!” that occasionally greet her when she enters a room of supporters. It is also apparent in the relative wall of silence among Clinton staffers and allies who declined to be interviewed about Abedin, a sign of their sensitivity toward the headlines that are once again fixated on her personal life. | That she is one of the most recognizable and admired members of Clinton’s team is evidenced by the chants of “Huma!” that occasionally greet her when she enters a room of supporters. It is also apparent in the relative wall of silence among Clinton staffers and allies who declined to be interviewed about Abedin, a sign of their sensitivity toward the headlines that are once again fixated on her personal life. |
| Abedin’s notoriety was well-established before the public invasion of her privacy and has largely been a product of the fruits of a seemingly tireless work ethic. | Abedin’s notoriety was well-established before the public invasion of her privacy and has largely been a product of the fruits of a seemingly tireless work ethic. |
| One such testament to her life in public service transpired in 2012, when even Republicans rose to Abedin’s defense in a rare show of bipartisan support after a group of hard-right conservatives in the House of Representatives falsely pushed a conspiracy theory that she and other Muslim Americans had ties to the Muslim brotherhood and were seeking to infiltrate the US government. | One such testament to her life in public service transpired in 2012, when even Republicans rose to Abedin’s defense in a rare show of bipartisan support after a group of hard-right conservatives in the House of Representatives falsely pushed a conspiracy theory that she and other Muslim Americans had ties to the Muslim brotherhood and were seeking to infiltrate the US government. |
| Arizona senator John McCain even took to the floor of the US Senate to rebuke what he deemed “an unwarranted and unfounded attack on an honorable woman, a dedicated American and a loyal public servant”. | Arizona senator John McCain even took to the floor of the US Senate to rebuke what he deemed “an unwarranted and unfounded attack on an honorable woman, a dedicated American and a loyal public servant”. |
| Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to immigrant parents from south Asia, Abedin was raised in Saudi Arabia before returning to the US to study at George Washington University. It was shortly thereafter, in the fall of 1996, that she found herself assigned to the first lady’s office as an intern to Clinton’s then-chief of staff Melanne Verveer. | Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to immigrant parents from south Asia, Abedin was raised in Saudi Arabia before returning to the US to study at George Washington University. It was shortly thereafter, in the fall of 1996, that she found herself assigned to the first lady’s office as an intern to Clinton’s then-chief of staff Melanne Verveer. |
| Veveer recalled her as “very mature, knowledgeable [and] very responsible” despite her young age. | Veveer recalled her as “very mature, knowledgeable [and] very responsible” despite her young age. |
| “She stood out in more ways than everybody else,” Veveer said in an interview, adding that Abedin’s longevity with Clinton has made her an invaluable asset.“She has had an extremely longstanding relationship, and these relationships are really important ... because you get to know the orbit of people around your boss, you get to know the likes and dislikes, what’s important and unimportant,” Verveer said.Knowing Abedin, she added that the public scrutiny was “very, very hard”. | “She stood out in more ways than everybody else,” Veveer said in an interview, adding that Abedin’s longevity with Clinton has made her an invaluable asset.“She has had an extremely longstanding relationship, and these relationships are really important ... because you get to know the orbit of people around your boss, you get to know the likes and dislikes, what’s important and unimportant,” Verveer said.Knowing Abedin, she added that the public scrutiny was “very, very hard”. |
| “It’s extremely difficult in terms of having to cope with something she’s unaccustomed to,” Veveer said. “She is a very private person, she has never coveted the public eye.” | “It’s extremely difficult in terms of having to cope with something she’s unaccustomed to,” Veveer said. “She is a very private person, she has never coveted the public eye.” |
| When she became an intern, Abedin was an aspiring journalist – she has said her idol was Christiane Amanpour. Instead, she would fill several high-ranking positions within Clinton’s team and log tens of thousands of miles of travel with the former first lady, New York senator and secretary of state. | When she became an intern, Abedin was an aspiring journalist – she has said her idol was Christiane Amanpour. Instead, she would fill several high-ranking positions within Clinton’s team and log tens of thousands of miles of travel with the former first lady, New York senator and secretary of state. |
| In a recent interview for the podcast Call Your Girlfriend, Abedin’s admiration for Clinton was clear as she recounted their initial interactions and what drew her into a relationship that has since weathered 20 years of ups and downs. | In a recent interview for the podcast Call Your Girlfriend, Abedin’s admiration for Clinton was clear as she recounted their initial interactions and what drew her into a relationship that has since weathered 20 years of ups and downs. |
| Their first encounter was all but 30 seconds, as Clinton posed for a photo session with interns. “I was shaking, I was so nervous,” Abedin recalled. | Their first encounter was all but 30 seconds, as Clinton posed for a photo session with interns. “I was shaking, I was so nervous,” Abedin recalled. |
| What was more striking, she noted, was her memory of the night Bill Clinton was re-elected as president that November. As he and Hillary emerged before thousands of supporters in Little Rock, Arkansas, Abedin stood near the rope line with a group friends. | What was more striking, she noted, was her memory of the night Bill Clinton was re-elected as president that November. As he and Hillary emerged before thousands of supporters in Little Rock, Arkansas, Abedin stood near the rope line with a group friends. |
| “She walked by, and she shook my hand, and our eyes connected,” Abedin said. “And I just remember having this moment where I thought, ‘Wow, this is amazing.’ It just inspired me.” | “She walked by, and she shook my hand, and our eyes connected,” Abedin said. “And I just remember having this moment where I thought, ‘Wow, this is amazing.’ It just inspired me.” |
| Although Clinton proved unsuccessful in her first attempt to break the presidential glass ceiling, it was Abedin who accompanied her boss to meet Barack Obama in Chicago after his 2008 victory to discuss the role of secretary of state. | Although Clinton proved unsuccessful in her first attempt to break the presidential glass ceiling, it was Abedin who accompanied her boss to meet Barack Obama in Chicago after his 2008 victory to discuss the role of secretary of state. |
| Abedin subsequently made the transition to the State Department with Clinton, appointed as her deputy chief of staff. She is all but certain to assume a top job in a potential Clinton administration, an obvious choice for chief of staff. | Abedin subsequently made the transition to the State Department with Clinton, appointed as her deputy chief of staff. She is all but certain to assume a top job in a potential Clinton administration, an obvious choice for chief of staff. |
| Their closeness was perhaps best encapsulated by Hillary Clinton herself, who at the 2010 nuptials between Abedin and Weiner, presided over by Bill Clinton, said: “I have one daughter. But if I had a second daughter, it would be Huma.” | Their closeness was perhaps best encapsulated by Hillary Clinton herself, who at the 2010 nuptials between Abedin and Weiner, presided over by Bill Clinton, said: “I have one daughter. But if I had a second daughter, it would be Huma.” |
| Much like her boss, Abedin continues to endure a level of public scrutiny over her marriage that would arguably not apply to any man in her shoes. | Much like her boss, Abedin continues to endure a level of public scrutiny over her marriage that would arguably not apply to any man in her shoes. |
| Three years after the Weiner scandal, in the aforementioned podcast interview, Abedin reflected on how the experience helped her develop a layer of steel that enabled her to keep her head down and simply ignore the fuss. | Three years after the Weiner scandal, in the aforementioned podcast interview, Abedin reflected on how the experience helped her develop a layer of steel that enabled her to keep her head down and simply ignore the fuss. |
| “I could not do what I’m doing for Hillary – I’m on the road a lot on the campaign, I have a four-year-old son – and I don’t think I could do this if I didn’t have the support of a spouse who is willing to basically be a stay-at-home dad as much as he can.” | “I could not do what I’m doing for Hillary – I’m on the road a lot on the campaign, I have a four-year-old son – and I don’t think I could do this if I didn’t have the support of a spouse who is willing to basically be a stay-at-home dad as much as he can.” |
| Politics, she added, “can often be a contact sport”. | Politics, she added, “can often be a contact sport”. |
| “It’s not for everybody.” | “It’s not for everybody.” |