Trump said, “A foreign telecom giant faced possible State Department sanctions for providing technology to Iran, and other oppressive regimes. So what did this company do? For the first time ever, they decided to pay Bill Clinton $750,000 for a single speech. The Clintons got their cash, the telecom company escaped sanctions.”
The State Department and independent media outlets ranging from The Washington Post and the New Yorker, to Vox and ABC found the Clinton Cash contained no compelling evidence of favoritism for Clinton Foundation donors. According to the New Yorker’s John Cassidy, author Peter Schweizer “doesn’t back up his suggestions of wrongdoing with much in the way of concrete evidence.” Vox’s Jonathan Allen agreed, stating Clinton Cash failed to “prove – or even assert – that Hillary Clinton took any official action because of contributions to the Clinton Foundation,” and outlets noted that the book relied heavily on innuendo and circumstantial evidence over any hard facts.
In fact, when media outlets and experts reviewed the book, they found errors and inaccuracies that required correcting. Schweizer was forced to correct or make “significant revisions” to “seven or eight” passages containing inaccuracies, including multiple passages attempting to connect some of President Clinton’s speeches to Secretary Clinton’s actions at the State Department.
During multiple television appearances touting his book, author Peter Schweizer was forced to admit that he had no concrete evidence of the alleged quid pro quos for Clinton Foundation donors. The Hill reported on Schweizer’s acknowledgment that “he has no smoking gun proving that either Hillary Clinton or former President Bill Clinton sought to further the interests of donors to the Clinton Foundation in improper ways.” During an appearance on ABC, Schweizer simply stated, “we don’t have direct evidence,” for the assertions in the book. Even Fox News reported on the author’s acknowledgment that he lacked evidence.
Donald Trump touted previously debunked allegations from Schweizer’s Clinton Cash that Hillary Clinton spared Swedish telecom company Ericsson from Iran sanctions after Bill Clinton was paid hundreds of millions for a speech. When Yahoo News investigated this allegation it confirmed that “circumstantial evidence” was put together in order to imply a connection between Bill Clinton’s speech and the Iran Sanctions. Two sets of sanctions were imposed by President Obama via executive action, not by Clinton. The 2011 sanctions “specifically dealt with companies assisting Iran’s petroleum sector and nuclear energy,” and the 2012 sanctions “was directed at the users of technology who sought to stifle dissidents, as opposed to the equipment manufacturers.”
The Clinton Foundation is a global non-profit organization dedicated to increasing opportunity for women and girls, improving global health, and creating economic opportunity and growth around the world. Despite right wing attacks, the Foundation has been praised by national and international leaders, business, and charity organizations for its effective and lifesaving work around the globe. Among its numerous initiatives, the Clinton Foundation has ensured access to affordable HIV/AIDS treatment to 9.9 million people, reducing the costs of treatments by over 80% . Since its inception, the Clinton Global Initiative has brought together philanthropists and businesses to improve the lives of over 430 million people.
Philanthropists are attracted to the Clinton Foundation due to its highly regarded efficiency. The American Institute of Philanthropy awarded the Foundation consecutive A and A+ ratings for using nearly all contributions for its charitable activities. Following attacks on the Clinton Foundation’s fundraising, FactCheck.org highlighted that the Foundation “conducts most of its charitable activities directly,” ensuring that the vast majority of money raised would be used to further its global mission.
Donald Trump was a supporter of the Clinton Foundation. Individually and through the Donald J. Trump Foundation, he has donated more than $100,000 to the Foundation and has attended a meeting of Clinton Global Initiative. Donald Trump’s daughter, Ivanka, also supported the Clinton Foundation with donations between $5,000 and $10,000.
]]>In a speech this morning at the Brookings Institution, Hillary Clinton laid out a clear-eyed vision on how best to guarantee that Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon. Clinton’s plan not only includes support for the nuclear deal currently pending before Congress, but also a series of “distrust and verify” measures to keep up global pressure on Iran. “I don’t see Iran as our partner in implementing the agreement,” Clinton said today. “I believe that Iran is the subject of the agreement.” Confronting Iran is nothing new for Clinton—as Secretary of State she built the coalition that enacted the toughest global sanctions in history, which forced Iran back to the negotiating table.
On the other side of the aisle, the Republican candidates are letting Dick Cheney call the shots, and many are irresponsibly arguing that they will walk away from an agreement embraced by most of America’s leading international allies. As Clinton said in her remarks today, “several Republicans boast that they’ll tear up this agreement […] that’s not leadership, that’s recklessness.”
Scott Walker said he would “terminate” the Iran nuclear deal “on day one.”
Scott Walker said that the United States should treat the inspection of Iran’s nuclear facilities the way parents treat inspections of teenage boys’ bedrooms.
Ted Cruz compared the Iran nuclear deal to the appeasement of Hitler.
Ted Cruz was one of 47 GOP senators that signed an open letter to Iranian leadership attacking a potential nuclear deal with Iran.
Donald Trump said the Iran nuclear deal was a “disastrous deal in so many ways” and that he would renegotiate it.
Jeb Bush opposed the Iran nuclear deal but “stopped well short of promising he’d undo the deal.”
Jeb Bush said he would never have negotiated with Iran in the first place.
Marco Rubio claimed that “nothing” in th Iran nuclear agreement was “binding on the next administration.”
Marco Rubio was one of 47 GOP senators that signed an open letter to Iranian leadership attacking a potential nuclear deal with Iran.
Ben Carson suggested that the Iran nuclear deal was “anti-Semitic.”
Mike Huckabee said the Iran nuclear deal would “take the Israelis and march them to the door of the oven.”
Chris Christie opposed the Iran nuclear deal.
Chris Christie provided “scant details on what he believes would be a good deal.”
Chris Christie on his ideal Iran deal: “I don’t know what the deal would look like.” [APPS National Security Summit, 7/29/15]
Carly Fiorina opposed the Iran nuclear deal and said she would renegotiate it.
Lindsey Graham said he would break the Iran nuclear deal on his first day in office.
Lindsey Graham claimed negotiating with Iran would put us “on the road to Armageddon.”
Lindsey Graham was one of 47 GOP senators that signed an open letter to Iranian leadership attacking a potential nuclear deal with Iran.
Bobby Jindal opposed the Iran nuclear deal and criticized Congressional Republicans for being outplayed in allowing it to pass.
Bobby Jindal was the first non-Congressional official to sign the GOP’s open letter to Iranian leadership attacking a potential nuclear deal with Iran.
John Kasich opposed the Iran nuclear deal but said he would not invalidate it.
Rand Paul vowed to vote against the Iran nuclear deal.
Rand Paul was one of 47 GOP senators that signed an open letter to Iranian leadership attacking a potential nuclear deal with Iran.
2007: Rand Paul on Iran: “It’s ridiculous to think they’re a threat to our national security….It’s not even that viable to say they’re a national threat to Israel.”
2008: Rand Paul on Iran: “I find it hard to believe that a country that can’t refine their gas is somehow a threat to our national security.”
2015: Rand Paul claimed he “never really indicated that [the Iranians] were of no threat.” [Fox News’ The Kelly File, 5/13/15]
Rick Perry pledged to invalidate the U.S.’ multilateral deal with Iran to limit Iranian nuclear capacity as one of his first acts as president.
Rick Perry was the second governor to back the Senate GOP’s open letter to Iranian leadership attacking a potential nuclear deal with Iran.
Rick Santorum called the Iran nuclear deal “a catastrophic capitulation.”
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Washington, DC – This evening, George W. Jeb Bush will offer remarks about U.S. foreign policy on “radical Islamic terrorism” including the rise of ISIS.
“If Jeb Bush wants to spread blame for the situation in the Middle East, he doesn’t need to look much further than his next family reunion,” said Brad Woodhouse, President of Correct The Record. “Jeb championed former President George W. Bush’s destructive foreign policy from Day One, from the invasion of Iraq based on faulty intelligence to the strategy regarding ISIS.
“Jeb must have gotten the Bush family discount on foreign policy advisors. He’s stocked his foreign policy team with a who’s-who of neoconservative, throwback, Bush foreign policy veterans including James Baker, Paul Wolfowitz and John Negroponte—folks who have turned breaking the Middle East into a science.
“Recently Jeb confirmed he would have invaded Iraq, even knowing what we know now, and then he reversed his position after days of agonizing confusion. Last week, Jeb claimed he wouldn’t put ‘boots on the ground’ to fight ISIS… but he would send U.S. special forces. Would he make them go barefoot?
“Jeb will swing for the fences on foreign policy tonight in order to distract from his inexperience and blatant hypocrisy. We at Correct The Record say it’s time for Jeb Bush to stop treating U.S. foreign policy like it began in 2009 and begin to acknowledge that his brother broke Iraq.”
19 of the 21 people who advise Jeb Bush on foreign policy “worked in the administrations of his father or brother.” “Former Florida governor Jeb Bush will announce his foreign policy vision in a speech Wednesday in Chicago. Accompanying that speech is a rollout of a slate of experts who will help guide the candidate on foreign policy issues. If Bush’s goal is to present himself as his ‘own man,’ that list of advisers undermines the point somewhat: 19 of the 21 people on it worked in the administrations of his father or brother.” [Washington Post, 2/18/15]
Jeb Bush inherited “the same advisory team” on foreign policy as his brother and father. “Bush has access to a lot of people by virtue of his family’s long history in Washington. That can be a mixed blessing. ‘Each president learns from those who came before — their principles . . . their adjustments,’ Bush plans to say in Chicago. ‘One thing we know is this: Every president inherits a changing world . . . and changing circumstances.’ And, on occasion, they inherit the same advisory team.” [Washington Post, 2/18/15]
Correct The Record is a strategic research and rapid response team designed to defend Hillary Clinton from baseless attacks.
Correct The Record ∙ http://correct2016.wpengine.com/∙ Facebook ∙ @CorrectRecord
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The Republican Party, on the other hand, is attempting to undercut this historic diplomatic breakthrough at every turn. But the American people know what true strength looks like. They only need to consult Hillary Clinton’s record of efforts to ensure that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon.
Hillary Clinton’s Response to Iran Agreement:
In a statement released this week, Clinton announced her support for the Iran agreement and emphasized the need to ensure its enforcement and compliance. Here are a few highlights:
Fighting For and Winning the Harshest Iran Sanctions in History:
As Secretary of State, Clinton built a sweeping international coalition to crack down on Iran.
Even conservative media praised Clinton’s negotiating strength.
When the historic new sanctions were put to Congress, Clinton fought tirelessly to see them passed.
Hillary Clinton has Long Been a Leader on the Iran Threat:
“I come to the current debate as a long-time advocate for crippling sanctions against Iran,”
Hillary Clinton’s Steadfast Support of Israel:
KEY POINTS:
• “Having worked for both Republican and Democratic secretaries of state, I think her [Hillary Clinton’s] performance in one of Washington’s toughest cabinet positions stands up well.”
• “She implemented Obama’s Asia pivot by focusing on that critical region as a first priority. She stood up to Beijing’s bullying of the Philippines and Vietnam in a dramatic test of wills with the Chinese Foreign Minister at an ASEAN meeting in 2010.”
• “She negotiated successfully to expand the international sanctions on Iran that eventually forced that difficult government to the negotiating table.”
• “She does not get enough credit for brokering an end to the rocket war between Hamas and Israel in late 2012, averting a possible major conflict.”
• “Clinton also brought to the office some of Madeleine Albright’s passion for democracy and human rights and the skill of Condoleezza Rice and James Baker in deploying American diplomatic power.”
• “As Nicholas Kristof wrote recently in The New York Times, she touted the importance of integrating development more closely with diplomacy and promoted programs to help women and girls succeed, especially in poorer countries.”
• “She is a protean figure on the national stage — experienced, tough-minded, and smart with in-depth knowledge of issues great and arcane.”
]]>Hillary Clinton’s record encompasses unfaltering support of Israel’s right to defend itself, forceful rejection of Iran’s push for nuclear weapons, and dedicated leadership in fighting for Israel on human rights issues. As Secretary of State, Hillary’s determination to halt Iran’s march towards nuclear armament was resolute. Since leaving the State Department, Hillary’s long-lasting bond with the Jewish community has continued.
“Welcome, Hillary. You are a great friend and a great champion of peace.”
-Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin, Netanyahu, 10/13/09
At The State Department
On The Subject Of Iran
After Leaving The State Department
Definition:
An ability to remember some facts while apparently forgetting others, especially when they are inconvenient.
For their own political convenience, the right wing is ignoring all of the achievements Hillary Clinton made with Russia as Secretary of State, including her efforts to successfully secure Russia’s cooperation in anti-terrorism efforts in Afghanistan, reaching a historic “lethal transit” agreement, allowing U.S. military planes to transport lethal materials over Russia to Afghanistan; her work with Russia to secure critical, crippling sanctions against Iran; and her role overseeing the passage and enactment of the New START Treaty reducing nuclear weapons and making us all safer.
]]>Secretary Clinton worked tirelessly to revitalize American diplomacy and strengthen alliances by traveling nearly a million miles for hundreds of meetings with foreign leaders in 112 countries. As America’s lead diplomat, Secretary Clinton understood the importance of engaging the public and took diplomacy directly to people around the world. Just as she was as a senator, Secretary Clinton was a workhorse, often taking on difficult challenges and addressing them directly around the world.
Secretary Clinton built and maintained a coalition to enact the toughest sanctions in Iran’s history.
Secretary Clinton helped impose the toughest sanctions in Iran’s history by getting Russia and China on board. Even the Wall Street Journal editorial board noted that, “Clinton surely pulled out every stop to get Russia and particularly China…on board.” And as Howard Dean recently told CNN, “Hillary Clinton cranked up the sanctions for the first time under President Obama that actually made the Iranians come to the table.”
Secretary Clinton played an integral role in the New START Treaty with Russia.
Secretary Clinton played an active role in reaching a missile reduction agreement with Russia, working to push it through the Senate and securing more than the necessary two-thirds majority. She entered the treaty into force in Munich with her Russian counterpart. As a result of the treaty’s passage, there will be fewer nuclear missile launchers. Simply put, the world is safer.
Secretary Clinton supported the raid that brought Osama bin Laden to justice.
As NBC News reported, “Secretary of Defense Robert Gates recommended an air strike with no forces on the ground. CIA Director Panetta supported a raid by Special Forces and so did Secretary of State Clinton.”
Secretary Clinton helped avert all-out war in Gaza by negotiating a cease-fire between Israelis and Palestinians.
In November 2012, after eight days of violence, Secretary Clinton negotiated a Gaza cease-fire with Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi. In an article titled “Hillary Clinton scores Gaza cease fire success,” Politico noted that, “Secretary of State Hillary Clinton got a Gaza cease-fire right at the moment hope seemed dead for a rapid end to the violence…”
Secretary Clinton played a role in bringing one war to an end and planning for the end of another.
Working closely with Department of Defense colleagues and as part of the President’s national security team, Secretary Clinton played a role in the end of war in Iraq and in beginning a transition in Afghanistan, with all NATO allies having agreed to stand-up a post withdrawal support plan. As President Obama told 60 Minutes, it was “all a consequence of the great work that Hillary did and her team did and the State Department did in conjunction with our national security team.”
Secretary Clinton was critical in America’s “pivot to Asia” strategy.
As Martin Indyk of the Brookings Institute wrote in Foreign Policy, “The ‘pivot’ to East Asia will probably be Obama’s most lasting strategic achievement… [but] it is Clinton’s too. She laid the groundwork, built the relationships, and developed the complex architecture of the new strategy — and she turned up at that pivotal moment in Vietnam in July 2010 to declare the U.S. commitment to the region.” Secretary Clinton earned praise for her work in opening up Burma, a place that had not been visited by a Secretary of State in 50 years.
Secretary Clinton worked to build the coalition to oust Qadhafi and stop massacres in Libya.
As the Washington Post reported upon the end of NATO operations in Libya, “U.S. officials and key allies are offering a detailed new defense of the approach and Clinton’s pivotal role – both within a divided Cabinet and a fragile, assembled-on-the-fly international alliance. What emerges from these accounts is a picture of Clinton using her mixture of political pragmatism and tenacity to referee spats among NATO partners, secure crucial backing from Arab countries and tutor rebels on the fine points of message management.”
Secretary Clinton engaged in economic statecraft.
Secretary Clinton’s focus on economic engagement resulted in increased investment through three new free trade agreements (Colombia, Panama and South Korea) and 15 Open Skies agreements including with Japan, Brazil, Saudi Arabia and Israel.
Secretary Clinton brought the State Department into the 21st Century.
Secretary Clinton helped the State Department adapt to emerging issues such as cyber security by creating the Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications to combat Al-Qaeda’s growing influence online. She recognized the important role of energy in U.S. foreign policy and helped create the Bureau of Energy Resources to protect our energy infrastructure and influence how nations move to cleaner fuel.
Secretary Clinton elevated the cause of women’s rights to new heights.
Secretary Clinton recognized women’s rights as a major foreign policy issue. It is, according to Newsweek, the area of “hardships faced by women and girls across the world–that her impact has been most profound.” Hillary convinced the White House to allow her to create a new position at the State Department: Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues. Newsweek continued, “Across the world, in diverse and deeply reactionary cultures, Clinton and [Ambassador-at-Large] Verveer have spoken and fought to liberalize attitudes on women’s role in the economy, girls’ schooling, women’s health, domestic violence, issues arising from war and conflict, and myriad other concerns.”
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