It frustrates me that with everything that he said that night, with all of the valid points that he brought up about the trouble we're in, that this is what the media is choosing to focus on. Frustrates me, but doesn't surprise me.
I don't think he "defended" Hillary. I think he made a valid point and spoke for a majority of the American citizens. That doesn't mean that anything illegal that Hillary may have done should be let go, but it does mean that we're all sick and tired of hearing about it. I mean, really. There are many, many more pressing issues that we need to be discussing (and more importantly, acting on), and that is what I believe that he meant.
It bothers the media severely that he isn't sh*t slinging. Anything they can get their hands on to try to make controversy is only going to get worse as we get closer to the election. I think he's beyond ready and prepared to be President. I also think that he is extremely passionate about his stance and therefore he gets very worked up about things. That doesn't mean he isn't ready, that means that he really cares and he is sick of the bought and paid for politicians with their robotic hand gestures, fake smiles, and action-less words.
Regardless of whether or not he "rehearsed" that line doesn't invalidate his point at all. Hillary made stupid choices. Those stupid choices were exacerbated by the Republican Party to shade over anything else that is happening right now. They want to embarrass her and make her back out of the race because, unfortunately, if she sticks with it she very well may win the whole thing. So this email thing has exploded and everywhere this woman goes that's all anyone is talking about.
Bernie doesn't have time to waste and so his point was just that. We have more pressing things to focus on in this country/world than her email situation.