A reader writes to say that Hillary Rodham Clinton was indeed asked about her “vast, right-wing conspiracy” charge on another occasion. I remember it, too — but had forgotten. It was during the general-election campaign of 2000. HRC was debating her Republican opponent, Rick Lazio. And Tim Russert asked her about the “vast, right-wing conspiracy.” Here is how the candidate responded:

Well, you know, Tim, that was a — a very — a very painful time for me, for my family, and for our country. It is something that I regret deeply that anyone had to go through. And I wish that we all could look at it from the perspective of history, but we can’t yet. We’re going to have to wait until those books are written. But from my perspective, you know, I — very hopeful that we can go forward in a united way. That certainly is what I’ve tried to do.

(My original post here.)