Instead of improving their extreme views on women – like the views of certain 2016 GOP candidates who oppose a woman’s right to choose, birth control, the Equal Pay Act, the Violence Against Women Act and more – Republicans feigned shock to Clinton’s comments and demanded an apology.

Naturally and unsurprisingly, the GOP’s concern doesn’t extend to actual offensive and baseless comparisons to terrorism made by its own candidates.

SHOT:

“Clinton compares GOP candidates’ views to those of terrorists, RNC wants apology” – Fox News‎, 8/27/15

CHASER:

“[Mike] Huckabee equated the terrorist actions of Islamic State to what he described as the immorality of Planned Parenthood and abortion.  After talking about ISIS, he said, ‘let us not be too smug in this country. Because we have sins to answer for.  ‘Since 1973, 60 million unborn children have died in their mother’s womb. If I’m president I will invoke the Fifth and 14^th Amendment of the Constitution and protect unborn life.’” [Des Moines Register, 8/26/15]

“[Ben Carson] favorably compared the terrorist group ISIS to the founding fathers of the United States. Carson praised ISIS for being ‘willing to die’ for their beliefs, just like America’s founders, and not compromising for ‘the sake of political correctness.’ He said that while ISIS had the ‘wrong philosophy,’ Americans could learn from their example.” [Think Progress, 1/15/15]

“[Rick] Santorum claimed if the [Iran] deal went through, Obama would be ‘the greatest funder of terrorism in the world’ and that ‘he has put Israel directly in the sights of an anti-Jewish, anti-Semitic country that wants to wipe it out.’” [Mediaite, 7/27/15]

“‘If this deal goes through, the Obama administration, President Obama, Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, will become the leading global financiers of radical Islamic terrorism,’ said [Ted] Cruz. He further criticized the deal for lifting the ballistic missile embargo, claiming it is tantamount to arming a theocratic regime that has pledged to murder Americans.” [Washington Examiner, 7/23/15]

“Scott Walker on Thursday said his experience undermining labor unions in Wisconsin has prepared him to take on the threat of the Islamic State in the Middle East.  ‘If I can take on 100,000 protesters, I can do the same across the world,’ Walker told a packed crowd at the Conservative Political Action Conference, in response to a question about how he would fight the terrorist group, which has killed thousands in Iraq and Syria.” [Huffington Post, 2/26/15]

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:

• “With vigorous enforcement, unyielding verification, and swift consequences for any violations, this agreement can make the United States, Israel, and our Arab partners safer.”

• Hillary Clinton supports the Iranian agreement because it provides “the most effective path of all the alternatives available to the U.S. and our partners to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.”

• As President, Hillary Clinton would “use every tool in our arsenal to compel rigorous Iranian compliance.”

• “The response to any cheating must be immediate and decisive – starting with the return of sanctions but taking no options off the table, including, if necessary, our military options.”

• “Sanctions for terrorism, and other non-nuclear sanctions, must remain a key part of U.S. strategy and must be vigorously enforced.”

• “The message to Iran should be loud and clear:  The United States will never allow you to acquire a nuclear weapon; not just during the term of this agreement – never.”

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.

• “We convinced all 27 nations of the European Union to stop importing Iranian oil and all 20 major global importers of Iranian oil – including Japan, India, China, and Turkey – to make significant cuts,” Clinton said in a 2012 speech. “Iran today exports more than one million fewer barrels of crude each day than it did just last year. Iran’s currency is worth less than half of what it was last November.”

Even conservative media praised Clinton’s negotiating strength.

• “Give Hillary Clinton credit for hitting a half-court shot at the buzzer,” read a 2010 Wall Street Journal editorial after a sanctions breakthrough. “Clinton surely pulled out every stop to get Russia and particularly China […] on board.”

When the historic new sanctions were put to Congress, Clinton fought tirelessly to see them passed.

• Clinton “brokereda last-minute compromise with House leaders” and, according to a recent book by a team of journalists, Clinton “became the de facto chairwoman of the conference committee” to help ensure the bill’s passage.

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,”

• Clinton has said. “In my eight years in the Senate, I supported every Iran sanctions bill that came up for a vote and I spoke out frequently about the need to confront the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions, its support for terrorism, and its hostility toward Israel.”

Hillary Clinton’s Steadfast Support of Israel:

• Secretary Clinton helped avert all-out war in Gaza by negotiating a cease-fire between Israelis and Palestinians.

• In the Senate, Hillary was “an outspoken defender of Israel and representative for American Jews,” according to CNN.

• By 2008, “a number of Jewish Democrats said her record with the community was unprecedented,” according to CNN.

• Hillary was an early supporter of Israel’s right to build a security barrier.

• Hillary cosponsored the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act in 2006 to block foreign assistance to Hamas.

• Hillary cosponsored the Syrian Accountability Act to pressure Syria to halt support for terrorism in the Middle East.

• For more information on Hillary Clinton’s steadfast support of Israel, please read Correct The Record’s latest research here.