Clinton Campaign to Participate in Wisconsin Vote Recount

On Saturday, Hillary Clinton’s campaign announced that it will take part in a vote recount in Wisconsin. The recount was initiated on by Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein. The recount comes in light of fears that voting technology may have been tampered with in the state. In a post on Medium, Clinton lawyer Marc Elias wrote that, while their internal investigations did not reveal an evidence of vote tampering, the campaign will take part in the recount.

A number of prominent politicians and Clinton supporters have called upon the Clinton campaign to challenge the results in battleground states such as Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. There is a building frustration among Clinton’s supporters for a lack of comment from the former presidential candidate’s campaign, especially as Clinton’s lead in the popular vote count remains close to 2 million. Elias says that the campaign appreciates the support, but they have not felt the need to push for expensive recounts. He wrote, “The campaign is grateful to all those who have expended time and effort to investigate various claims of abnormalities and irregularities. While that effort has not, in our view, resulted in evidence of manipulation of results, now that a recount is underway, we believe we have an obligation to the more than 64 million Americans who cast ballots for Hillary Clinton to participate in ongoing proceedings to ensure that an accurate vote count will be reported.” Read Elias’s full post below:

Listening and Responding To Calls for an Audit and Recount

Over the last few days, officials in the Clinton campaign have received hundreds of messages, emails, and calls urging us to do something, anything, to investigate claims that the election results were hacked and altered in a way to disadvantage Secretary Clinton. The concerns have arisen, in particular, with respect to Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania — three states that together proved decisive in this presidential election and where the combined margin of victory for Donald Trump was merely 107,000 votes.

It should go without saying that we take these concerns extremely seriously. We certainly understand the heartbreak felt by so many who worked so hard to elect Hillary Clinton, and it is a fundamental principle of our democracy to ensure that every vote is properly counted.

Moreover, this election cycle was unique in the degree of foreign interference witnessed throughout the campaign: the U.S. government concluded that Russian state actors were behind the hacks of the Democratic National Committee and the personal email accounts of Hillary for America campaign officials, and just yesterday, the Washington Post reported that the Russian government was behind much of the “fake news” propaganda that circulated online in the closing weeks of the election.

For all these reasons, we have quietly taken a number of steps in the last two weeks to rule in or out any possibility of outside interference in the vote tally in these critical battleground states.

First, since the day after the election we have had lawyers and data scientists and analysts combing over the results to spot anomalies that would suggest a hacked result. These have included analysts both from within the campaign and outside, with backgrounds in politics, technology and academia.

Second, we have had numerous meetings and calls with various outside experts to hear their concerns and to discuss and review their data and findings. As a part of this, we have also shared out data and findings with them. Most of those discussions have remained private, while at least one has unfortunately been the subject of leaks.

Third, we have attempted to systematically catalogue and investigate every theory that has been presented to us within our ability to do so.

Fourth, we have examined the laws and practices as they pertain to recounts, contests and audits.

Fifth, and most importantly, we have monitored and staffed the post-election canvasses — where voting machine tapes are compared to poll-books, provisional ballots are resolved, and all of the math is double checked from election night. During that process, we have seen Secretary Clinton’s vote total grow, so that, today, her national popular vote lead now exceeds more than 2 million votes.

In the coming days, we will continue to perform our due diligence and actively follow all further activities that are to occur prior to the certification of any election results. For instance, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania conduct post-election audits using a sampling of precincts. Michigan and many other states still do not. This is unfortunate; it is our strong belief that, in addition to an election canvass, every state should do this basic audit to ensure accuracy and public confidence in the election.

Beyond the post-election audit, Green Party candidate Jill Stein announced Friday that she will exercise her right as a candidate to pursue a recount in the state of Wisconsin. She has indicated plans to also seek recounts in Pennsylvania and Michigan.

Because we had not uncovered any actionable evidence of hacking or outside attempts to alter the voting technology, we had not planned to exercise this option ourselves, but now that a recount has been initiated in Wisconsin, we intend to participate in order to ensure the process proceeds in a manner that is fair to all sides. If Jill Stein follows through as she has promised and pursues recounts in Pennsylvania and Michigan, we will take the same approach in those states as well. We do so fully aware that the number of votes separating Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton in the closest of these states — Michigan — well exceeds the largest margin ever overcome in a recount. But regardless of the potential to change the outcome in any of the states, we feel it is important, on principle, to ensure our campaign is legally represented in any court proceedings and represented on the ground in order to monitor the recount process itself.

The campaign is grateful to all those who have expended time and effort to investigate various claims of abnormalities and irregularities. While that effort has not, in our view, resulted in evidence of manipulation of results, now that a recount is underway, we believe we have an obligation to the more than 64 million Americans who cast ballots for Hillary Clinton to participate in ongoing proceedings to ensure that an accurate vote count will be reported.

For all the latest, follow our Scheduled Events page and follow Clinton on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

News Source: The Washington Post, CNN, Medium

Chelsea Clinton: Three Reasons to Vote for Hillary

Earlier this week, US Weekly published an article by Chelsea Clinton entitled “3 Reasons to Vote for My Mom.” The magazine asked the daughters of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump to write a short article explaining why voters should support their parent, and only Chelsea responded. What Chelsea wrote is below:

1. She cares about children — not just her own (me!).

Growing up, I never doubted I was my mom’s first priority. My mom’s first questions over dinner always focused on what I’d learned that day and what I hoped to learn and do tomorrow. She would then share what she’d worked on as a lawyer and an advocate. I loved knowing what legal aid was in first grade and about health-care reform in eighth grade. I remember being so proud of what my mom was doing to achieve more and better opportunities for all kids, including her efforts to improve public schools in Arkansas.

I have so many memories as a kid of tagging along with my mom to work some Saturdays after my Brownie troop meeting or soccer game — a trade-off she made so she could be at those family dinners, those meetings and those games — and looking up to her (figuratively and literally!) as she worked so hard as a lawyer and champion for kids. My mom ensured I knew how lucky I was. Ensuring that every child has the chance to live up to their God-given potential is the driving motivation of my mom’s life. It’s why she’s still working on paid family and medical leave, early childhood education and health-care reform — and why she’ll combat climate change, make college actually affordable and so much more. She knows the future is at stake for all our kids.

2. She keeps fighting — and never forgets who she is fighting for.

I have seen my mom do some pretty remarkable things — and, yes, I am biased — including helping to create the Children’s Health Insurance Program [or CHIP, which offers low-cost health coverage to children]. In 1994, when I was 14, my mom’s efforts on universal health care were unsuccessful. It was hard to watch, but I wasn’t surprised when my mom didn’t give up. She dusted herself off and got right back out on the front lines to advocate for kids. A few years later [in 1997], CHIP was created. I don’t think it ever occurred to her to stop fighting, because she never forgot what’s at stake. Today, CHIP provides more than 8 million children with the health care they need.

3. She’s an example to girls.

Politics has taken on a new urgency for me since becoming a parent. Politics now feels more personal than ever before because I know who we elect both shapes the legislation that gets passed and sets an example for our children.

So, while I am unabashedly and unapologetically biased toward my mom, I couldn’t imagine a better president for our children and grandchildren. I am going to vote for the candidate whose actions and words tell my daughter, Charlotte, and my son, Aidan — and all children — that a girl can grow up to be president. And that would be true whether or not Hillary was my mom. I can’t wait to cast my vote for her on November 8 and hope you will too.

For all the latest, follow our Scheduled Events page and follow Clinton on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. Also, be sure to subscribe to the campaign’s official Podcast, With Her.

News Source: US Weekly

Hillary Clinton Publishes Op-Ed About Being a Working Mother

First Lady of Arkansas Hillary Rodham Clinton with her daughter Chelsea, 13th May 1984. (Photo by Mike Stewart/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images)

Today, an op-ed by Hillary Clinton was published by Fortune magazine. In the article, Clinton discusses what she learned from being a working mother. She writes about how she had to struggle her career as a lawyer and raising her daughter. She goes to say that while progress has been made, more needs to be done. Clinton then outlines a number of her proposals aimed at helping working and single mothers including raising the minimum wage, ensuring that women receive equal pay, ensuring everyone has access to affordable childcare, and providing paid leave for new parents. Read the full op-ed below or on Fortune.

Hillary Clinton: What I Learned From Being a Mom Who Works
September 29, 2016

We’ve made progress, but have a ways to go.

When I was pregnant with my daughter Chelsea, I asked about the maternity leave policy at the law firm where I worked. I was surprised to find out that we didn’t have one. I soon learned why: No woman who worked in our office had ever come back to work full-time after having a baby.

Well, I wanted to come back. I loved what I did. And it was important to me to contribute to my family’s finances, especially now that we were having a baby.

Finally, as my due date approached, I decided to take matters into my own hands. When Chelsea was born, my employer agreed to grant me four months off to be home with her. I’d still earn an income, though it would be smaller; part of my income was determined by the fees I generated for the firm, which would fall to zero while I was on leave. That made sense to me. And it meant a lot that I could have that time with my new daughter, knowing that my job would be waiting for me when I came back.

These kinds of situations are commonplace today, with more women entering the workforce than ever before. Today, nearly half of all full-time employees are women. Through our contributions, talent, insights, and very presence, we’ve changed the workplace forever. There’s no going back to the days when women were fired for getting married or pregnant, or were excluded from entire professions. Thank goodness.

But let’s be real. We still have a long way to go. Our policies just haven’t kept up with the challenges women and families face today.

Too many women still aren’t paid fairly. On average, women earn 20% less than men do for full-time, year-round work. Women of color earn even less. And when a working mom or grandmother earns less than she deserves, she’s not the only one who pays the price. Her children or grandchildren—whoever’s counting on her salary—do, too.

Women also make up the majority of minimum-wage workers, which means they make as little as $14,500 a year for full-time work. That’s below the national poverty line. Many of those women are raising kids on that income. Raising the federal minimum wage would do a lot for those families.

Meanwhile, even though the number of women running companies, labs, universities, and philanthropies is growing, it’s still too small. So is the number of women serving in elected office. That means women aren’t always included in decision-making, and their needs and concerns aren’t always reflected in government policy or workplace norms.

And we’re making it too hard to balance work and family. That’s true for all parents, but especially mothers. Women are breadwinners in more households than ever, yet they still do the lion’s share of childcare.

Many are feeling the squeeze. I’ve had moms break down in tears as they describe the heartbreak of returning to work just a few days after delivering their baby, because they don’t have paid leave at their jobs. Staying with their child for a few months would mean losing too many paychecks, maybe even their job.

In April, I met a mom in Newton, Iowa, who held her four-and-a-half-month-old in her arms. She said to me, “I’m counting on you to know what it’s like to be a working mother. Please help us working mothers and fathers have more time with our babies.”

I’m not going to let her down.

One thing we can do is invest in affordable childcare. Right now, childcare is more expensive than college tuition in many states. Let’s make sure no family has to spend more than 10% of their income on childcare by making historic investments in childcare assistance and providing tax relief to working families.

Let’s finally join every other advanced economy in the world and guarantee paid leave. I’m proposing 12 weeks of paid medical leave to recover from a serious illness, and 12 weeks of paid family leave to care for a new child or a sick relative. After all, moms and dads both deserve to spend time with their babies.

Let’s encourage employers to adopt family-friendly work policies, like flexible and fair scheduling and tele-work, so parents can both work and be there for their families.

Let’s raise the minimum wage. No one who works full-time should be forced to raise their kids in poverty.

And at long last, let’s finally ensure equal pay for women. It’s time for Congress to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act—which I cosponsored when I was in the Senate—to give women the tools they need to fight discrimination in the workforce. We also need to promote pay transparency so that women have the information they need to negotiate fairly for their wages.

These aren’t just women’s issues. They’re economic issues and family issues. And they need to be a top priority for our next president. If we’re going to build a globally competitive workforce, we can’t afford to leave any talent on the sidelines. We can’t keep short-changing working families.

I’ll never forget what it was like to be a mom at work. It wasn’t easy. And I was lucky: I had financial security, a supportive employer, and affordable childcare. Too many families don’t. I’ve met so many parents stuck in impossible situations, at their wits’ ends trying to make it all work. It just shouldn’t be this hard to work and have a family.

As president, it’ll be my mission to bring our economy and workplaces into the 21st century, so all of our contributions are respected—both women’s and men’s—and families can thrive.

For all the latest, follow our Scheduled Events page and follow Clinton on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. Also, be sure to subscribe to the campaign’s official Podcast, With Her.

News Source: Fortune

Number of Prominent Republicans and Independents Backing Hillary Clinton Grows

Hillary for America and Together for America released a list of Republicans and Independents who are supporting Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump for president. Their release is below.

Following Hillary Clinton’s successful debate on Monday night, Together for America announced today that the ranks of Republicans and Independents who are stepping forward to back Hillary Clinton for President are growing. An additional 40 prominent leaders — including several senior administration officials and congressional staff, officials from the national security community, business leaders, and more than 10 prominent elected officials from battleground states — are all stepping forward to put country ahead of party.

Today’s announcement includes: three former Members of Congress: Sherwood Boehlert (NY), Claudine Schneider (RI), and John Schwarz (MI); former administration officials, including a Deputy Under Secretary of Transportation for President Ford, Solicitor General of the United States under President Reagan, chief White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush, Director of Presidential Personnel for President Reagan, and others; national security officials like the former Director of the White House Situation Room for President Bush on 9/11 and Legal Advisor to the National Security Council; and political leaders including Finance Co-Chair of Florida Governor Rick Scott’s 2014 campaign, a New York City Budget Director under Mayor Giuliani, a former Chairman of Veteran and Military Families Advisory Board for Mitt Romney’s 2012 campaign, a former senior advisor to the McCain for President Campaign, a former Attorney General of Arizona, and many others.

The list comes on the heels of yesterday’s announcement that former Republican Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, U.S. Senator John Warner of Virginia, is supporting the Clinton-Kaine ticket. In August, Together for America launched with an initial 50 endorsements.

John Podesta, Chair of Hillary for America

“At the first debate, which was viewed by 84 million Americans, Hillary Clinton strengthened her support with voters in that debate because she offered a vision of an America rooted in the belief that we are stronger together, while Donald Trump was unprepared, had nothing to offer on straightforward policy questions, and once again, showed that he had lacked the knowledge, values, and temperament to be president. Watching that debate made clear how unique this election is. The growing group of Republicans and Independents who are backing Hillary is a testament to how important the choice is in this election — it’s really not about Republicans or Democrats, it’s about what country we will be, it’s about our children’s future and which candidate can bring people together to get things done, which candidate is fit to serve the office of President and Commander in Chief. People know that Hillary has a successful track record of working across the aisle, of bringing people together to get solutions and solve problems and that’s why she continues to attract support from all parties. Today, Together for America is announcing that the ranks of Republicans and Independents who are stepping forward to back Hillary Clinton for president is growing, an additional 40 prominent leaders, including several senior administration officials in Republican administrations and congressional staff, officials from the national security community, business leaders and more than 10 prominent Republican-elected officials from battleground states are all stepping forward to put country ahead of party.”

These endorsements send a strong signal to Republican and Independent voters that respected leaders are putting country over political party in this election.

Sherwood Boehlert, Former U.S. Congressman from New York (1983-2007)

“I have seen firsthand Hillary’s commitment to helping people, and how hard she works to deliver what she’s promised. As a Senator, she worked across party lines to get things done, including helping bring jobs to the rust belt communities of upstate New York. She’s smart, she’s informed, she’s responsive, and she’s responsible. She has the right temperament for the job. The choice in this election is obvious.”

Claudine Schneider, Former U.S. Congresswoman (1981-1991) and first woman elected to major political office in Rhode Island

“The debate this week made crystal clear that only one candidate in this race is prepared, qualified, and temperamentally fit to be President of the United States. Hillary Clinton can work across the aisle and bring people together to get things done. Her life has been one of public service: representing Americans’ interests, and working cooperatively to build consensus for solutions. I was proud to be elected as part of the Reagan Revolution, to work with President Reagan, and to be a Republican my entire adult life. But when it comes to this election, I have to put my country ahead of my party, and that means voting for Hillary Clinton.”

Deborah Loewer, Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy (Ret.), and former Director of The White House Situation Room (2001-2003)

“My support of Clinton is derived from the hard lessons learned during my years of service to our country. I served as The Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon. I commanded the USS CAMDEN, the USS MOUNT BAKER and all of the U.S. Navy’s mine warfare assets. I deployed to every region on the globe — including the Persian Gulf and the Asia Pacific — in support of our nation’s security. I watched and listened and firmly believe Clinton understands not only how to deploy our forces, but also, how to bring them safely home when the mission is done.”

Nicholas Rostow, Former Special Assistant to Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush for National Security Affairs and Legal Advisor to the National Security Council under Colin Powell and Brent Scowcroft (1987-1993); Counsel and Deputy Staff Director of the Cox Committee (House Select Committee on U.S. National Security and Military/Commercial Concerns with the People’s Republic of China) (1998-1999); Staff Director of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (1999-2000); General Counsel and Senior Policy Advisor to the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations (2001-2005)

“George Washington exhorted his fellow citizens to put the country above party or parochial interest. His message is especially compelling this year. Though I have served in three Republican administrations, I shall vote for Mrs. Clinton. Of the candidates with a realistic chance of winning, she alone has the competence to be President.

“Competence is important. Foreign and domestic crises — including economic collapse, major terrorism, some new cyber harm, and increased tensions with Russia or China — are foreseeable. Mr. Trump has not in any way demonstrated a capacity to preserve and protect the American republic. He has shown no respect for the essential work of government, the democratic system, or the Constitution. Of the two principal candidates, Hillary Clinton is by far the safer bet to guide the ship of state in the choppy seas ahead. This is not a year for protest votes. The vote must be for Secretary Clinton.”

The full list of Republicans and Independents newly participating in Together for America is below. The previous list is available here.

• John Elizabeth Alemán, Miami Beach Commissioner
• Jacob Avneri, Nevada Republican; Retired businessman; Stepfather of a U.S. Soldier who was killed in action in Afghanistan
• Stuart Bernstein, Former U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark for President George W. Bush
• Sherwood Boehlert, Former U.S. Congressman from New York (1983-2007)
• Phil Brady, Special Assistant to Vice President George H.W. Bush (1985-1988); Deputy Counsel to President Ronald Reagan (1988-1989); General Counsel U.S. Department of Transportation (1989-1991); Assistant to the President and Staff Secretary to President George H.W. Bush (1991-1993); member of the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library Board
• Michael Browne, Former Deputy Under Secretary of Transportation under President Gerald Ford and Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner in two Republican administrations
• Warren Chase, Palm Beach Gardens, former Naval officer and Vietnam veteran; Republican candidate for Congress; Two-term Reagan appointee; 2012 member of Governor Romney’s Defense Policy Working Group
• James Clad, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for President George W. Bush
• Tim Clancy, Former Chief of Staff, Rep. Sherwood Boehlert
• Anita Daly, New York Republican; former Saratoga County Supervisor for 22 years
• Howard Denis, Former Maryland State Senator (1977-1995); former Montgomery County Council member (2000-2006); and five-time delegate to the Republican National Convention
• Douglas Durst, Chairman of the Durst Organization
• Miguel “Mike” Fernandez, Jeb Bush, major supporter; Lifelong Republican; Republican Finance Co-Chairman Florida Governor’s 2014; Chairman MBF Healthcare Partners; former Chairman Simply Healthcare; former Chairman CarePlus Health Plans
• Charles Fried, Solicitor General of the United States under President Ronald Reagan (1985-1989) and Beneficial Professor of Law at Harvard Law School
• Diedra Garcia, Colorado Republican and former CEO of the Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Carlos Gonzalez, New Hampshire Republican State Representative
• Marty Haynie, Comptroller of Orange County, Florida
• Saif Ishoof, Florida Republican and Community Leader
• Abe Lackman, NYC’s Budget Director under Mayor Giuliani; Secretary of the NYS Senate Finance Committee and special advisor to Joseph L. Bruno, the NYS Senate Majority Leader
• Mark P. Lagon, D, Former U.S. Ambassador-At-Large to Combat Trafficking in Persons (2007-2009); Centennial Fellow, School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University
• Deborah Loewer, Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy (Ret.), and former Director of The White House Situation Room (2001-2003)
• David Maddux, Colorado Republican; Navy Veteran; Project Manager in Denver
• Rosario Marin, Former U.S. Treasurer (2001-2003)
• Jack McGregor, Former Pennsylvania State Senator from Pittsburgh and the founder of the National Hockey League’s Pittsburgh Penguins
• Helen Migchelbrink, Colorado Republican and Engineer in Fort Collins
• David Nierenberg, President of Nierenberg Investment Management Company; one of eight original national finance chairs of Romney for President (2006-2012)
• Richard Painter, Walter Richey Professor of Corporate Law at the University of Minnesota Law School and former associate counsel to the president and chief White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush
• Mark Pasquerilla, Chairman and CEO of Crown American and a former At-Large Delegate to the 2004 and 2008 Republican National Conventions
• William A. Pierce, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Health and Human Services (2001-2005) and former press secretary for Congresswoman Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Congressman William Thomas (R-CA)
• Nicholas Rostow, Former Special Assistant to Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush for National Security Affairs and Legal Advisor to the National Security Council under Colin Powell and Brent Scowcroft (1987-1993); Counsel and Deputy Staff Director of the Cox Committee (House Select Committee on U.S. National Security and Military/Commercial Concerns with the People’s Republic of China) (1998-1999); Staff Director of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (1999-2000); General Counsel and Senior Policy Advisor to the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations (2001-2005)
• Scott Rutter, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army (Ret.); former Chairman of the National Advisory Board: Veterans and Military Families, Romney for President
• Mark Salter, Former chief of staff to Senator John McCain and senior advisor to the McCain for President campaign
• Claudine Schneider, Former U.S. Congresswoman (1981-1991) and first woman elected to major political office in Rhode Island
• John J.H. Schwarz, D., Former U.S. Congressman from Michigan (2005-2007)
• Rick Stoddard, Colorado Republican and Banker in Denver
• Martin Torrey, Commander, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
• Robert H. Tuttle, Former Assistant to the President and former Director of Presidential Personnel for President Ronald Reagan; U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom for President George W. Bush
• Roger Wallace, Co-Chair of the Woodrow Wilson Center’s Mexico Institute Advisory Board and member of the Council on Foreign Relations; former Deputy Undersecretary for International Trade at the U.S. Department of Commerce (1989-1991); former Chair of the Inter-American Foundation (2003-2009); and former Deputy to the National Co-Chair of the 1980 Reagan Bush Campaign
• Lezlee Westine,Former White House Director of Public Liaison under and Deputy Assistant to President George W. Bush
• Grant Woods, Arizona Attorney General (1991-1999)

The individuals listed herein have endorsed in their personal capacity and this does not reflect the endorsement of any organization, corporation or entity with which they are affiliated. Titles and affiliations of each individual are provided for identification purposes only. While all the individuals herein are newly involved with Together for America, some have previously made public pronouncements about their support for Hillary Clinton since our last Together for America announcement.

Additional comments are available below:

John Elizabeth Alemán, Miami Beach Commissioner

“In Miami Beach, we cannot support a candidate who believes climate change is a hoax. Donald Trump refuses to accept the science that points to this imminent concern, which jeopardizes our national security. Hillary Clinton will be a president who makes America the world’s clean energy superpower and will take affirmative action on climate change. That’s why, in this election, I will vote for Hillary Clinton.”

Jacob Avneri, Nevada Republican; Retired businessman; Stepfather of a U.S. Soldier who was killed in action in Afghanistan

“As someone who lost a stepson in Afghanistan, I was deeply offended by the remarks that Trump has made against the men and women in our armed forces and against Gold Star parents. It also pains me to hear the disparaging and divisive comments Trump has made against Latinos, like my wife and step kids. Trump does not respect that Americans are born equal, and the way he has run his campaign makes me afraid for the future of our country should he become president. Secretary Clinton, for all her faults, has demonstrated a lifetime of concern for all Americans and will make an effective leader and role model for all. Even though I have been a lifelong Republican, I will be putting my country ahead of my party this election — I will proudly cast my vote for Secretary Clinton in November.”

Michael Browne, Former Deputy Under Secretary of Transportation under President Gerald Ford and Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner in two Republican administrations

“As a Marine Corps veteran who volunteered to fight in the Vietnam War, I am dismayed by Donald Trump’s approach to the military and to veterans. He loves to talk aggressively about war and militaristic actions. Yet, he dodged the draft during the Vietnam War by obtaining 5 deferments to avoid serving his country, including the excuse of heel spurs, which then magically disappeared. He has insulted John McCain, an American hero, because he was a prisoner of war and insulted the parents of an American hero who died serving his country in Iraq because they are Muslim. Such a man should not be Commander in Chief.”

Warren Chase, Palm Beach Gardens, former Naval officer and Vietnam veteran; Republican candidate for Congress; Two-term Reagan appointee; 2012 member of Governor Romney’s Defense Policy Working Group

“By temperament and by long experience, Hillary Clinton is very clearly prepared to serve as our Commander in Chief. We live in a dangerous world with multiple, complicated threats to our national security. Hillary knows what must be done to protect our freedom in these uncertain times. She will listen to our allies and work with them because she understands that we are stronger together.”

James Clad, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for President George W. Bush

“Secretary Clinton has demonstrated her skills as Secretary of State, especially but by no means exclusively in helping other Asian countries counter Chinese bullying in the western Pacific. For Republicans and Democrats alike, everything in national security requires clarity and steadiness, whether managing nuclear weapons or balancing great power rivalries. Never losing sight of the national interest is key — a discipline which Secretary Clinton possesses in full measure. Our adversaries must never hear flippancy or ignorance in America’s voice. They should never take satisfaction from an incompetent president. Giving an incoherent amateur the keys to the White House this November will doom us to second or third class status. In my career, I’ve seen close-up what happens when American reliability falters. It’s not pretty, for us or for the world. There is no choice: In razor sharp contrast to her opponent, Secretary Clinton is ready, steady and prepared. With a proven preference for bipartisanship, she must win this election.”

Anita Daly, New York Republican; former Saratoga County Supervisor for 22 years

“As a lifelong Republican, with 22 years of elected service in a predominantly Republican county, I am supporting Hillary for President. As a wife, mother and grandmother, I view this presidential election as a choice between known and unknown leadership qualities and not at all about party affiliation. Simply put, Hillary Clinton is prepared to be President.”

Douglas Durst, Chairman of the Durst Organization

“As a New York City developer, I have had a front-row seat to the curious career of Donald Trump. He morphed from a builder to a showman to an aspiring statesman. I have seen nothing in the forty years I have known Donald to qualify him to be President of the United States. Hillary Clinton, on the other hand, is a tested public servant with a steady hand and head that is ready to lead.”

Miguel “Mike” Fernandez, Jeb Bush, major supporter; Lifelong Republican; Republican Finance Co-Chairman Florida Governor’s 2014; Chairman, MBF Healthcare Partners; former Chairman, Simply Healthcare; former Chairman, CarePlus Health Plans

“I have arrived at this difficult moment. A moment that may define leaders and followers. I harbor no illusion that Hillary Clinton is perfect; none of us is. I do not see eye to eye on some issues with the former Senator from New York. However, Clinton is, without doubt, a vastly superior choice to Donald Trump. She is not impulsive, a dangerous quality in any position, but rather she is deliberate, intelligent, and experienced; and she has the humility to accept that she does not have all the answers. She has delegated effectively over the decades in public service. These attributes will serve her well as president.”

Charles Fried, Solicitor General of the United States under President Ronald Reagan (1985-1989) and Beneficial Professor of Law at Harvard Law School

“Respect for our country, its Constitution, its history and traditions, just a sense of common decency, require that we not allow Donald Trump to be elected president of the United States. To invoke party loyalty, to dwell on one’s reservations about Hillary Clinton, to contemplate not voting at all, or the silly and self-defeating gesture of voting for the Libertarian or Green Party candidate, would be a frivolous failure of the most urgent present duty of patriotism. I support and shall vote for Hillary Clinton. Any other course risks complicity in a national catastrophe.”

Carlos Gonzalez, New Hampshire Republican State Representative

“Whether as a new law school graduate, First Lady of Arkansas, First Lady of the U.S., Senator, or Secretary of State, Hillary has spent her career taking on the hard challenges and delivering for children, women, families, and our country. No matter the odds, she has been a champion for those who have been forgotten or left behind. Unlike Donald Trump, who continues to run a campaign fueled by divisive rhetoric, Hillary has squared her focus on policies that would actually make a real difference for families and businesses across New Hampshire. I know Hillary will help bring us together and work across the aisle to solve our biggest challenges and create opportunities for every American to succeed.”

Marty Haynie, Comptroller of Orange County, Florida

“With more than 15 years experience as a CPA in private industry, I was elected as the chief financial officer in one of Florida’s largest counties, where I have served for 28 years. I know the difference between private business and public service. It seems that Donald Trump does not. His arrogant refusal to release his tax returns is just one example of his utter lack of respect for the public, and his expectation that he can continue to make his own rules. For this and so many other reasons, I am proud to support Hillary Clinton for president.”

Saif Ishoof, Florida Republican and Community Leader

“In South Florida and across the nation, Americans are looking for a President who will bring us together to tackle the big challenges we face. With his divisive rhetoric and reckless policies, Donald Trump has proven himself unworthy and unfit to be in the Oval Office. Well before her time in the public eye, Hillary Clinton has dedicated her life to serving the American public. That’s why I’m proud to stand with Hillary Clinton.”

Mark P. Lagon, Ph.D, Former U.S. Ambassador-At-Large to Combat Trafficking in Persons (2007-2009); Centennial Fellow at the School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University

“I endorse Hillary Clinton for President because she will strongly promote U.S. leadership, strong bonds with democratic allies, and freer governance worldwide. The election of Donald Trump would be a calamity for America and for a stable and prosperous world. Hillary Clinton exhibits the distinctive qualities to be a strong President. Her deep experience and commitment to human rights and the U.S. as a unique positive force in the world deserve the backing of Republicans and Democrats alike.”

David Maddux, Colorado Republican; Navy Veteran; Project Manager in Denver

“I have always called myself an Eisenhower Republican. Ike would be horrified by where his party is today, as exemplified by Trump. Ralph Carr understood that we all should be equally, without exception, protected by our Constitution. This is now the time for us to be like Mr. Carr, to place our feet and votes and our hearts in a place where country comes before party, and decency comes before complacency. And for me that place, and my vote, will be with Secretary Clinton.”

Jack McGregor, Former Pennsylvania State Senator from Pittsburgh and the founder of the National Hockey League’s Pittsburgh Penguins

“I’ve been involved in Republican presidential campaigns for more than 60 years. It took the selection of Donald J. Trump to drive me out of my party. My old political heroes and mentors like Ike, Bill Scranton, John Sherman Cooper, my father and both grandfathers must be turning in their graves about my change in party registration. But I’m confident that every one of those honorable and dignified men would be repulsed by Donald Trump and saddened by what has become of their Republican Party. This is serious stuff, and I won’t waste my vote on a protest candidate. Since the future of our country may depend on preventing Donald Trump from becoming president, I’m with her this November, and I urge other Republicans to join me.”

David Nierenberg, President of Nierenberg Investment Management Company; one of eight original national finance chairs of Romney for President (2006-2012)

“I have decided to endorse and support Hillary Clinton for president, even though almost everybody else I will vote for this November will be a real Republican. Hillary Clinton knows her stuff. She is emotionally mature and centered. She respects and enjoys working with people from all backgrounds. She has the diplomatic skills needed to break the gridlock in Washington and lead our country well. America needs a steady hand on the tiller.”

Richard Painter, S. Walter Richey Professor of Corporate Law at the University of Minnesota Law School; and former associate counsel to the president and chief White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush

“Clinton’s campaign rhetoric echoes that of her husband and Barack Obama, two Democratic presidents who oversaw significant economic growth. It is not always the pro-business and pro-economic liberty message that Republicans want to hear, but investors and business owners know what we’ll get from Hillary and we can plan for the future. Trump, by contrast, is volatile and unpredictable — a businessperson’s and investor’s worst nightmare.”

Mark Pasquerilla, Chairman and CEO of Crown American and a former At-Large Delegate to the 2004 and 2008 Republican National Conventions

“I could not be more disappointed in my party’s choice of nominee. I served as a former Pennsylvania At-Large Delegate for the 2004 and 2008 Republican National Conventions and my father ran for Pennsylvania state treasurer on the same ticket as President Richard Nixon. I cannot stand by as Donald Trump hate mongers and bullies hard-working Americans around. Our country needs a president who will treat everyone with the respect they deserve and that’s why Hillary Clinton will have my vote on November 8.”

William A. Pierce, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Health and Human Services (2001-2005) and former press secretary for Congresswoman Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and for Congressman William Thomas (R-CA)

“Our choice this election could not be more clear — Hillary Clinton is a strong and clear supporter of American democracy interests at home and abroad and has a clear and coherent policy agenda for addressing the challenges facing the U.S. and the world. Donald Trump is a danger to our democracy.”

Scott Rutter, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army (Ret.); former Chairman of the National Advisory Board: Veterans and Military Families, Romney for President

“Secretary Clinton is dedicated and committed to supporting Veterans and their families. I have witnessed this firsthand. I would not be ‘with her’ if I didn’t think she was the best candidate to be our next President and Commander-in-Chief.”

Rick Stoddard, Colorado Republican and Banker in Denver

“I didn’t leave the Republican party, the party left me. It’s time for all Republicans and independents in Colorado to put country before party and vote for Secretary Clinton. Trump is too dangerous and too unfit to hold our nation’s highest office.”

Robert H. Tuttle, Former Assistant to the President and former Director of Presidential Personnel for President Ronald Reagan; U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom for President George W. Bush

“The Republican nominee for president has no government experience and has done nothing in his career to demonstrate that he is competent to be president. He has made repeated misstatements and inaccurate statements. He has insulted minorities, women, a war hero and Gold Star parents. He is unqualified and unfit to be president. I have never voted for a Democrat but I will vote for Secretary Clinton.”

Lezlee Westine, Former White House Director of Public Liaison under and Deputy Assistant to President George W. Bush

“Our nation faces a unique set of challenges that require steady and experienced leadership. That is why I am personally supporting Hillary Clinton. She has the expertise and commitment to American values to grow the economy, create jobs and protect America at home and abroad.”

Grant Woods, Arizona Attorney General (1991-1999)

“Hillary Clinton is one of the most qualified nominees to ever run for President. Donald Trump is the least qualified ever. The stakes are too high to stand on the sideline. I stand with Hillary Clinton for President.”

For all the latest, follow our Scheduled Events page and follow Clinton on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. Also, be sure to subscribe to the campaign’s official Podcast, With Her.

Clinton Makes First Campaign Stop in Oklahoma

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Today, Hillary Clinton was in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and I was there! This was my first time going to an event for Clinton, and I highly recommend it if you get the chance. Clinton spoke to an energetic crowd of about 1,000 at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame. She opened her speech by telling a story of her time as a lawyer in nearby Arkansas. She then went into a full rundown of her platform and plans as president. In speaking about her health care plans, Clinton took the opportunity to criticize Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin for not taking federal funding to expand Medicaid in the state. She wrapped up her speech telling the story of her parents humble background, and in particular, her mother’s rough childhood, and how she maintained optimistic and had a chance to better herself in spite of it. Clinton said she is dedicated to ensuring that everyone has that same opportunity. A full video from today’s speech is below.

While in Tulsa, Clinton attended a private fundraiser hosted by BOK Financial Corporation chairman George Kaiser and his wife Cookie. As with all private events, the fundraiser was closed to the press.

Clinton’s next scheduled event is in Minneapolis, Minnesota on December 15. For all the latest, follow our Scheduled Events page and follow Clinton on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo Note: All the photos in the gallery above were taken by the author.

News Source: Tulsa World