I try to remember that this is the season of "dirt control" for many politicans. THEY KNOW what kind of dirt they have in their backgrounds and they also know that the OPPOSITION knows (or will eventually find out). Therefore, politicians will air their dirty laundry on their own terms, well in advance of the campaign season, so that any "shock value" disappears and by the time the campaign season heats up in earnest, it's all "old news".
It may have been Hillary's camp who got this Dubai stuff out there.
These are the same reporters that get ecstatic in reporting Laura Bush feels a different way about something than her husband does.
"Therefore, politicians will air their dirty laundry on their own terms, well in advance of the campaign
Season"
I agree. They rely on the average Americans incredibly short memory. It is very likely that this is preemptive damage control.