Seven Things We Learned From Barbara Mikulski's Email Exchanges With Hillary Clinton

By Molly Podlesny
Dec. 3, 2015

The State Department this week released another batch of Hillary Clinton's emails as Secretary of State. Her exchanges with Sen. Barbara Mikulski were interesting, mostly for what they revealed about the digital communication habits of Maryland's senior senator. Some messages appear professionally written, edited and spell checked. The vast majority, um, do not.*

1) She loves "Downton Abbey."

In a 2013 email thanking the former Secretary of State for an invitation to a party, Mikulski mentioned a toast in which Clinton apparently made a reference to the popular period piece set in England. "( Am a fan. R U?)," Mikulski asked.

2) "Fit n sparkly" is a phrase from which she does not shy away.

In the same 2013 email following up on the party, Mikulski gushed over Clinton's appearance. "You. - so fit n sparkly." It's unclear what Clinton wore that earned the high praise.

3) She may not be the best at typing on a smartphone.

Mikulski seems to be fond of the space bar. And putting periods after everything. For example, from a 2012 email with the subject line "Happy.Happy.Birthday": "Dear.Friend. Good. Wishes. - Blessings n A. Dem. Victory. ----- . A. Lucky Day for the. Planet. When u. Were. Born."

4) She has a "more the merrier" mentality when it comes to punctuation.

In the same happy birthday email, Mikulski knew that one exclamation point would not get the job done in explaining her hope for a Democrat victory.

5) She helps keep tabs on husbands.

Former President Bill Clinton spoke at a fundraising event for Mikulski in October 2010. At 10:05 p.m., she let Hillary Clinton know her husband was "on his way home to u////."

6) Mikulski is the pal we all need when times are tough.

Sent in September 2012 after the Benghazi attacks, Mikulski made sure Clinton knew she had her support.

7) Clinton and Mikulski seem like email besties.

Clinton sent this to Mikulski in April 2010, after Mikulski kicked off her Senate re-election campaign. While Mikulski may be the more enthusiastic typist of the two, it's clear the affection goes both ways. Heck, the two apparently used to go on pierogi tours together.
*Mikulski's press office confirmed that the emails in the Clinton release were authored by the senator.