Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks at Georgetown University in Washington, Friday, March 31, 2017, on the important role that women can play in international politics and peace building efforts. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
On Friday, Hillary Clinton spoke at an event on the campus of Georgetown University. She spoke about the importance of women being in leadership in America and around the world. She stressed the importance of women taking part in peace negotiations and the peace process. Clinton said that when women are involved “peace negotiations [and] agreements are less likely to fail and more likely to last.” Clinton’s backed up her claim with data from United Nations Women. The speech was her second this week, and she took the opportunity to take a swipe at President Donald Trump saying, “Here I go again, talking about research, evidence, and facts.” Watch a video from the event below and read a transcript of Clinton’s speech HERE.
Before the majority of Americans head to the polls on Tuesday, the campaign has heated up in the battle between Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump. Clinton has outlined a comprehensive platform while what has been offered by Trump little substance and foundation. Clinton’s platform is built on a career of public service and an understanding of domestic and foreign policies. While everyone may not agree with all of platform points, taken as a whole it is clear that she has put together a solid plan to more the country forward and ensure that everyone has an opportunity to live up to their full potential.
When Clinton has introduced a major platform topic, we add it to the Platform category of the website. Looking through Clinton’s speeches and policy proposals, a clear plan emerges. From Clinton’s kickoff rally in June 2015 to the announcement of her plan to combat bullying just a few weeks ago, a list of Clinton’s platform speech topics and announcement dates are below:
Since launching her campaign in April 2015, Hillary Clinton has outlined a number of major platform points in a series of speeches. As we near the election, the campaign has heated up in the battle between Clinton and Republican Donald Trump. With a little over a month to go, it is important that Clinton continue to deliver substantive speeches and combat a Trump platform that offers no substance or foundation. Clinton’s platform is built on a career of public service and an understanding of domestic and foreign policies. While everyone may not agree with all of platform points, taken as a whole it is clear that she has put together a solid plan to more the country forward and ensure that everyone has an opportunity to live up to their full potential.
When Clinton has introduced a major platform topic, we add it to the Platform category of the website. Looking through Clinton’s speeches and policy proposals, a clear plan emerges. From Clinton’s kickoff rally in June 2015 to the announcement of her plans to protect the rights of disabled Americans earlier this month, a list of Clinton’s platform speech topics and announcement dates are below:
Hillary Clinton held two rallies in Florida today with the first being in Fort Pierce. While Clinton spoke about a number of her key platform points, she introduced a new plan focused on expanding national service opportunities. She said that the plan will appeal to younger adults just out of college saying, “Studies have shown that millennials are particularly interested in volunteerism and are looking for ways to contribute to their communities. Applications to AmeriCorps positions are five times greater than the current number of slots available and the Peace Corps has seen a 32 percent increase in applications compared to the previous year.” A video of Clinton’s speech is below.
In Coral Springs, Clinton held a rally where she continued to tout her national service plan along with her broad platform. Clinton also went after Republican Donald Trump for his attacks on former Miss Universe Alicia Machado, calling a series of early morning Tweets attacking Machado “unhinged, even for him.” She then spoke about Trump’s lack of preparation for Monday night’s debate saying, “Did any of you see the debate the other night? Well, I think that it was pretty clear that there are two very different choices for our country based on two very different visions of the kind of America that we want to have. You know, my view is that we are already great and if we work together we will become even greater in the years ahead.” A video from the Coral Spring event is below.
While Clinton spoke at length about her plan for a National Service Reserve at both events, The Briefing released full details of the plan today as well. An outline of the plan is below:
Enable local and state leaders to activate highly-motivated and well-trained volunteers to address the most pressing issues in the community
Provide reservists with the opportunity to earn special certification for 50, 100, and 250 hours of service per year
Work with employers to encourage them to support employees in the Reserve through initiatives like volunteer time off
Draw on new AmeriCorps members to recruit, train, and lead the Reserve
Dramatically expand year-long service positions, with the vision that every person who wants to serve full-time can do so
Engage returning veterans as well as Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and other national service alumni in the Reserve as a way for them to continue to contribute to the common good
Expand service opportunities for encore: Clinton wants to expand service opportunities for all Americans throughout their lives, with a special focus on people over age 55
Grow Peace Corps to create additional opportunities for Americans to serve in countries around the world
On Friday, Hillary Clinton convened a group of bipartisan National Security experts to discuss a number of global issues. The key focus of the group’s discussion was defeating ISIS and combating terrorism. Following the meeting, Clinton held a press briefing during which she spoke about the importance of Republicans and Democrats working together on issues of national security. She also criticized Donald Trump saying that the experts she has spoken with are “chilled” by what Trump has said and proposed. A video of Clinton’s remarks is below as is a release from Hillary for America about the meeting, including list of those who attended.
Hillary Clinton today brought together a bipartisan group of distinguished national security officials to discuss the challenges our next commander-in-chief will face. Today’s conversation, which focused largely on defeating ISIS and the global network of terrorism, gave Clinton the opportunity to discuss these crucial issues with a wide range of experts with different background and diverse perspectives – something she has always been deeply committed to and will continue to seek as president.
Clinton said, “We won’t always see eye to eye, but when it comes to questions of war, peace and the safety of our country, we can’t let party affiliations stand between us. We need to put partisanship aside and work together for the good of all of us. I know we can do it. I have seen it happen under both Republican and Democratic presidents. That will be my goal if I am elected this fall.”
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Clinton added, “National security experts on both sides of the aisle are chilled by what they’re hearing from the Republican nominee. That may be the number one reason why this election is the most important in our lifetime. So I’m not waiting until November, I’m bringing Democrats and Republicans together now because I plan to get right down to work on Day One. The stakes are too high, and the issues too serious for anything less than that level of preparedness. Americans should be able to count on their president and Commander-in-Chief to provide rational, confident and even keeled leadership, especially in tumultuous times like these so I’m very grateful to the men and women that I met with today — experts with a broad range of understanding and willingness to share their insights– and I look forward to receiving their advice in the days and weeks ahead.”
Today’s conversation included a wide range of experts, including nonpartisan military leaders as well as top national security officials who served under both Democratic and Republican administrations.
Working Session Participants:
General John Allen, USMC (ret.), former Special Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS, former Commander of the International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces Afghanistan (via videoconference)
Rand Beers, former Deputy Homeland Security Advisor and former Acting Secretary of Homeland Security
Daniel Benjamin, Former Ambassador-at-large and Coordinator for Counterterrorism at the U.S. Department of State
Ambassador Reuben Brigety, Former U.S. Ambassador to the AU, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs
Secretary Michael Chertoff, former Secretary of Homeland Security
Richard Fontaine, former foreign policy advisor to Senator John McCain
Chris Fussell, former Aide-de-Camp to then-Lieutenant General Stanley McChrystal at the Joint Special Operations Command, former Navy Seal
Kathleen Hicks, former Principal Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, former Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Forces
Juliette Kayyem, former Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security
Michael Morell, former Acting Director and Deputy Director of the CIA
Secretary Janet Napolitano, former Secretary of Homeland Security (via videoconference)
Matt Olsen, former Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC)
General David Petraeus, USA (ret.), former Director of the CIA, former Commander of the International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces Afghanistan (via videoconference)
Admiral James Stavridis, USN (ret.), former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO (via videoconference)
Vikram Singh, Former Deputy Assistant secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia
Michael Vickers, former Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence
This morning, the campaign also rolled out an updated list of 110 retired generals and admirals who have endorsed Hillary Clinton as the only candidate in this race prepared to be commander-in-chief, 15 of whom came out in the 48 hours after the Commander-In-Chief Forum.
Clinton is honored by the overwhelming support of those who have served our country and looks forward to continuing these important national security discussions with bipartisan leaders in the coming months. In a new Hillary for America television ad released today, Hillary Clinton makes the case that the “Only Way” we solve problems is bringing people together like she did today.
On Wednesday, Hillary Clinton addressed the American Legion National Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio. During her speech, Clinton framed the United States as “exceptional” and a “leader” in the world. “When we say America is exceptional, it doesn’t mean that people from other places don’t feel deep national pride, just like we do. It means that we recognize America’s unique and unparalleled ability to be a force for peace and progress, a champion for freedom and opportunity,” she said.
Clinton argued that the United States and the world cannot afford the election of Donald Trump. Blasting Trump she said, “You don’t build a coalition by insulting our friends or acting like a loose cannon. You do it by putting in the slow, hard work of building relationships.” She went on to criticize Trump’s visit with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto today saying that one visit does not make up for months of his divisive rhetoric. Clinton wrapped up saying that she believes that this election is “about how to make things better,” and, as president, she vowed to do just that. A video of Clinton’s speech is below.
On Wednesday, it was announced that representatives of the Colombian government and FARC had reached a peace agreement. The agreement ends nearly fifty years of war that has cost over 200,000 lives. Negotiations between the two groups began in November 2012. Hillary Clinton released a statement cautiously celebrating the end of warfare in Colombia and promised that, if she is elected president, the United States would remain a partner in the ongoing peace process. A copy of Clinton’s statement is below.
“I join people around the world in celebrating the historic peace agreement in Colombia, which brings to a close the longest-running internal armed conflict in the Americas. I applaud those who forged this pact. And I’m proud of the American diplomats who supported them at every step along the way. Now Colombia must turn this agreement into a just and lasting peace. As President, I’ll ensure that the United States remains their partner in that process. The people of Colombia deserve nothing less. And the safety and security of our hemisphere and world will be strengthened by Colombia’s success.
After more than 50 years of war, a new day now dawns in Colombia. The road ahead is long. But this long-awaited milestone is worth celebrating.”
On Wednesday during the RNC, Governor Mike Pence, running mate of Donald Trump, commented that as president Trump would stand with our allies. Trump than contradicted Pence saying that the United States may not defend NATO members in the Batlics, even against a Russian attack. Trump’s comments about NATO have come under fire in recent weeks. He has been criticized for waffling on the pledge to defend our allies. In a statement, Hillary for America Senior Policy Advisor Jake Sullivan criticized Trump’s views on NATA and accused him of being too close to Russian president Vladimir Putin. A copy of the statement is below.
“Tonight, Mike Pence said Donald Trump would stand with our allies. Tonight, Donald Trump flatly contradicted him.
For decades, the United States has given an ironclad guarantee to our NATO allies: we will come to their defense if they are attacked, just as they came to our defense after 9/11. Donald Trump was asked if he would honor that guarantee. He said… maybe, maybe not.
Ronald Reagan would be ashamed. Harry Truman would be ashamed. Republicans, Democrats and Independents who help build NATO into the most successful military alliance in history would all come to the same conclusion: Donald Trump is temperamentally unfit and fundamentally ill-prepared to be our Commander in Chief.
The President is supposed to be the leader of the free world. Donald Trump apparently doesn’t even believe in the free world.
Over the course of this campaign, Trump has displayed a bizarre and occasionally obsequious fascination with Russia’s strongman, Vladimir Putin. And he has the policy positions – and advisors – to match. Just this week, we learned that the Trump campaign went to great lengths to remove a plank from the GOP platform about aid to Ukraine that would have offended Putin, bucking a strongly held position within his own party. Previously, he celebrated the Brexit vote, and in turn, casually predicted the disintegration of Europe. And now, he won’t even commit to protecting our NATO allies against a Russian invasion. It is fair to assume that Vladimir Putin is rooting for a Trump presidency.
More broadly, Trump has apparently decided that America lacks the moral authority to advance our interests and values around the world. He has adopted the logic and positions of China, Russia, and Iran. And there will be plenty of time in the days ahead to address his strategy to strengthen our coalition against ISIS, which apparently can be summed up in one word, ‘meetings.’
The choice in this election is clear. Hillary Clinton will defend our allies. She will protect our people. And she will uphold a bipartisan tradition of American foreign policy that has made us the greatest force for peace, progress, and prosperity the world has ever known.”
On Friday, Bill Clinton attended four events in Southern California on behalf of Hillary Clinton. The first event was in Burbank where he spoke about Hillary’s experience and her robust platform plans to move America forward. He also spoke about violence at a rally held by Republican nominee Donald Trump in San Jose. Bill asked Hillary’s supporters to listen to all ideas respectfully and peacefully. He said, “If people want to protest Mr. Trump or Hillary or me or anyone, fine, but it should be peaceful. People should be able to have their say. We should listen to everybody respectfully. We can win this argument; we don’t need to shout it down.” Bill concluded by asking for voters’ support in the June 7 Democratic primary. A video from a member of the audience is below.
He then spoke at Get Out the Vote events in Pacoima, Woodland Hills, and Santa Monica. At each of the events, he continued to tout Hillary’s experience and platform. At each event, he criticized Trump and the Republicans. In Santa Monica, Bill said that it wasn’t until Hillary left the State Department that the attacks on her began. He said, “All these Republicans were slobbering all over her ’til she left the state department, thought she was wonderful.” Bill asked for voters’ support in the upcoming primary. Additional videos from the day’s events will be posted when/if available.
On Wednesday, Hillary Clinton held a campaign rally in Backwood, New Jersey where she focused on the November election and the presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump. She called Trump “reckless” and “dangerous” and criticized his divisive rhetoric. Clinton, speaking at Camden County College, she spoke about a number of her platform points and called out Republicans who have criticized her husband’s record as president. She said, “I’m really proud of that record and I’ll tell you what, if Republicans want to criticize it I’m going to ask them, what are they criticizing, the peace or the prosperity?” New Jersey holds its primary on June 7. A video from the event is below.
Hillary Clinton Speeches 