​Hi all,
Please find Correct The Record's weekend talking points package both attached and below. Thanks!
2.27.15 Weekend Package
1.       Hillary Clinton: Silicon Valley Speech Highlights
2.       Clinton Foundation Praise
3.       Hillary Clinton: Champion on Equal Pay
4.       Hillary Clinton: Tough on Terrorism
5.       Hillary Clinton: Accomplishments
 


HIGHLIGHTS FROM HILLARY CLINTON’S SPEECH IN SILICON VALLEY

BACKGROUND: Hillary Clinton gave a speech on Tuesday, February 24th to the tech community in Silicon Valley where she laid out her vision for the future and discussed some of the most pressing issues facing America and the world today. Here are some highlights from the speech, in Hillary’s own words:

The Economy:

“We have to restore economic growth with rising wages for the vast majority of Americans, and we have to restore trust and cooperation within our political system so that we can act like the great country we are.” 
“If we want to find our balance again, we have to figure out how to make this new economy work for everyone… We can’t do it without really empathizing and understanding what our neighbors are going through. But I think we can help more families find a way forward, find their footing in the middle class, find a way to see rising wages and rising hopes. I think it’s within our grasp, but I know it’s not inevitable. Our economic success is not a birthright, it can’t be inherited, it has to be earned by each generation, just like it was earned by those who came before us.”
“Now, it can be easy to get discouraged sometimes if you look only at the headlines, but if you look at the trend lines you can see there is a movement stirring across our nation. It is about putting families first. It is about creating a 21st century economy for 21st century families.” 
Women’s Equality:

·         “Inclusivity is more than a buzzword or a box to check. It is a recipe for success in the 21st century.”

·         “In so many ways our economy seems to be operating like it’s still 1955. And that’s not just a problem for working women. It’s a problem for everyone.  Just think about all he hard-working families that depend on two incomes to make ends meet. When one is short-changed, the entire family suffers.”

·         “We all cheered at Patricia Arquette’s speech at the Oscars. Because she’s right: it’s time to have wage equality once and for all.”

·         “This great unfinished business of the 21st Century really is moving toward the full participation of girls in every aspect of society all over the world. That is a goal that has inspired me from the time I was an advocate for children and families through today and which I took with me into the State Department.”

·         “Now the bottom line from all the data and all the stories is this, we still have a long way to go but progress is possible, especially when we make a commitment of resources and political will. In fact I think we are at a pivotal point that requires all of us to work together, roll up our sleeves, figure out what we’re going to do, whether it’s here in Silicon Valley or [halfway around the world, to help shape the future we want, to close the digital divide, to unlock our full potential, crack every last glass ceiling.”

Bipartisanship:

“I’d like to bring people from right, left, red, blue, get them into a nice, warm purple space where everybody’s talking and where we’re actually trying to solve problems…That would be my objective if I decide to do this.”
ISIS:

“It’s a very hard challenge, because you can’t very well put American or Western troops into fight this organism, you have to use, not only air force, but also army soldiers from the region, and particularly from Iraq … A lot of the right moves are being made, but this is a really complicated and long-term problem.”
Net Neutrality:

“I would vote for net neutrality.” 
 
 

 
TALKING POINTS: PRAISE FOR THE CLINTON FOUNDATION

BACKGROUND: 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. The right wing has been attacking the Clinton Foundation for accepting foreign donations, even though the foundation goes above and beyond the requirements to ensure transparency. The work of the Clinton Foundation has received high praise, from a wide array of individuals.

The right-wing spin machine is at it again, attacking Hillary Clinton, this time because the Clinton Foundation accepted funds to do good works around the globe.  Without these donations and the efforts of the Clinton Foundation, fewer people would have access to affordable HIV/AIDS medication; fewer people would have access to clean water; developing communities in nations across Africa, Asia, and South America would have fewer economic opportunities; and fewer children in the U.S. would have access to healthy foods.
The right wing doesn’t tell that part of the story. In fact, Republican leaders and pundits have praised the Clinton Foundation for the same kind of efforts they are now criticizing.
Some of these “donations” were multi-year grants started even before Hillary Clinton was Secretary of State.  Others, such as contributions from the government of Algeria, were direct aid to the victims of natural disaster.  Yet the right wing would rather people suffer than continue to acknowledge the good works of the Clinton Foundation as they have in the past.
PRAISE FOR THE CLINTON FOUNDATION: The Clinton Foundation has received enormous praise from people all over the political spectrum. Here are just a few examples:

Christopher Ruddy, the chief executive of Newsmax: “There’s a good reason why he pledged a seven-figure donation to the Clinton Foundation. ‘I really like what he does,’ says Ruddy, referring to Clinton Foundation name partner and former president Bill Clinton…In a phone call with the ex-president last week, Ruddy says he explained, ‘I’m proud of what you’re doing, and I don’t care what they say on Fox News.’” [Washington Post, 2/23/15]
Sen. John McCain: “Let me also congratulate you, Mr. President, on the great work of the Clinton Global Initiative. It says a lot about a man that after 12 years as a governor, and another eight years at the Resolute desk, he is still working hard in service to others.” [McCain remarks, 9/25/08; video]
Mitt Romney: “The Clinton Global Initiative has also demonstrated the effectiveness of entrepreneurship and social enterprise. You endeavor to not only comfort the afflicted, but to also change lives [through] freedom, free enterprise, and the incomparable dignity of work.” [Romney remarks to CGI, Wall Street Journal, 9/25/12; Video]
Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers: Referring to Hillary Clinton’s work with the Clinton Foundation, she said, “They have done a whole lot of good work. In fact, they’ve actually done real job creation with union pension funds where we have worked together to try to rebuild our infrastructure, try to create jobs, and try to have good, you know, returns on the money. And she's also done a lot of work in terms of early childhood.” [MSNBC’s The Ed Show, 2/23/15]
Sen. Elizabeth Warren: “Earlier this month, Warren sent out a fundraising email on behalf of the Clinton Foundation, the philanthropic foundation run by former President Bill Clinton.” [MassLive, 12/24/12]
 

 
TALKING POINTS:  HILLARY CLINTON: CHAMPION OF EQUAL PAY

Background: Secretary Clinton’s record on equal pay is an insight into her core values – her belief that every American, regardless of gender, should be able to earn an equal day’s pay for an equal day’s work. By virtue of hard work and fair play, all Americans should have the opportunity to live the American Dream.
·         Hillary Clinton Pushed for Equal Pay Legislation:
o   In the Senate, Hillary Clinton championed the fight for paycheck fairness, introducing the Paycheck Fairness Act in 2005 and 2007 to help prevent and eliminate paycheck discrimination.       
o   Senator Clinton fought to expand workers’ rights to take pay discrimination issues to court.  She was an original co-sponsor of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. 
·         Hillary Clinton Bypassed Congress to Fight for Pay Equity:
o   Senator Clinton worked directly with young women to help them be paid equally for equal work.  Senator Clinton published a guide for young professional women on getting equal pay, titled, “Know How to Ask & Know Your Rights: A Pay Equity Guide on How to Help Yourself in the Workplace.”  
o   Senator Clinton pushed the Bush Administration to enforce equal pay laws by calling for an investigation into their enforcement of equal pay.  The investigation found that the Bush Administration was not monitoring the enforcement of pay equity laws.  
·         Hillary Clinton Fought for Equal Pay Worldwide:
o   As First Lady, Clinton went to China and spoke forcefully about wage disparities.  It was there that she famously said, “women’s rights are human rights.” Clinton pointed to wage inequities as a problem that needed to be solved: “Families rely on women for labor in the home; and increasingly, families rely on women for income needed to raise healthy children and care for other relatives. As long as discrimination and inequities remain so commonplace around the world - as long as girls and women are valued less, fed less, fed last, overworked, underpaid, not schooled and subjected to violence in and out of their homes - the potential of the human family to create a peaceful, prosperous world will not be realized.” 
o   As the Secretary of State, Clinton launched the Equal Futures Partnership to fight for women’s political and economic empowerment. 
o   Secretary Clinton asked U.S. embassies to help “unleash the potential of women to spur economic development.”

 
TALKING POINTS: TOUGH ON TERRORISM

MESSAGE: In a changing and unpredictable world, Hillary Clinton’s leadership on issues of national security has kept America secure and helped make the world a safer place.

KEY POINTS:
Hillary Clinton has recognized the threat and taken a tough stance against ISIS saying, “we have to do everything we can to…marginalize extremists through the Middle East.”
This week, at a speech in Silicon Valley, Hillary Clinton said, “It’s a very hard challenge, because you can’t very well put American or Western troops into fight this organism, you have to use, not only air force, but also army soldiers from the region, and particularly from Iraq … A lot of the right moves are being made, but this is a really complicated and long-term problem.”
As Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton worked through diplomatic channels to help the United States fight terrorism and safeguard our national security.
Secretary Clinton made the case for the raid to bring Osama bin Laden to justice.
Clinton built relationships with key players in the Middle East and funded counterterrorism training initiatives.
Through negotiations with Russia, Clinton successfully worked to reduce the number of nuclear missile launchers in the world.
Clinton built and maintained a coalition to enact the toughest sanctions in Iran’s history in order to encourage Iran to abandon, or at least stall, its nuclear program.
Clinton negotiated the Gaza cease-fire between Israelis and Palestinians, helping avert an all-out war in Gaza.
Clinton played a role to end the war in Iraq and begin a transition to civilian society in Afghanistan.
Clinton instituted new roles at the State Department to fight terrorism:
Clinton created the Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications to combat Al-Qaeda’s growing influence online.
Clinton established the Bureau of Counterterrorism to advance counterterrorism objectives and our national security.
Clinton identified and led on important issues which affect our national security, such as the global empowerment of women and climate change. 
Clinton worked to empower women and girls around the world to participate in their economies.  This helps make economies stronger and more stable.
Clinton prioritized addressing climate change in her time at the State Department.  Weather events caused by climate change can lead to famine and destroyed infrastructure, which increase instability and unrest. 
Serving as a United States Senator representing New York during September 11, 2001, Hillary Clinton made it a priority to urge the pursuit of justice against Al Qaeda and improve our nation’s efforts to combat terrorism.
RECENT STATEMENTS ON ISIS:
Clinton: “Canada, the United States, and many other nations are working together to stop the spread of ISIS and other violent jihadi extremists in the region.” “Canada, the United States, and many other nations are working together to stop the spread of ISIS and other violent jihadi extremists in the region. These militants are targeting religious and ethnic minorities, kidnapping and beheading civilians, persecuting and enslaving women, and attracting foreign fighters, including some with Western passports from the United States and Canada who could easily return home. This fight is crucial, and more broadly, we have to do everything we can to empower moderates and marginalize extremists throughout the Middle East and the wider Muslim world.” [Sec. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Global Perspectives – Winnipeg, 1/21/15] 
Clinton: “There is a distorted and dangerous strain of extremism within the Muslim world that continues to spread.” “We are in a contest of ideas and values. And who are we contesting against? Well we are not contesting against the vast majority of Muslims. Islam itself is not the adversary. And the vast majority of Muslims are peaceful and tolerant people. Here amongst us this afternoon we see that every day, in Canada and the United States, with so many of our neighbors and fellow citizens. But we can’t close our eyes to the fact that at this time in our world history there is a distorted and dangerous strain of extremism within the Muslim world that continues to spread. Now its adherents may be few in number. But they have the capacity to cause profound damage, most especially, to their own communities. With these vicious few, we are confronting an ideology of hate – a worldview based on tearing down and dividing rather than building up and bringing together based on a claim to absolute truth and total intolerance for the beliefs and rights of their fellow human beings.” [Sec. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Global Perspectives – Winnipeg, 1/21/15]
 
 
 
HILLARY CLINTON: ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Accomplishments as Secretary of State
·         Secretary Clinton helped restore America’s leadership and standing in the world. According to a Pew Research poll, America’s reputation abroad was significantly improved during Hillary Clinton’s tenure. 
·         Secretary Clinton made the case for the mission that killed bin Laden. 
·         Secretary Clinton helped avert all-out war in Gaza by negotiating a cease-fire between Israelis and Palestinians in November 2012, ending eight days of violence during which 140 Palestinians and five Israelis were killed. 
·         Secretary Clinton used diplomacy abroad to foster economic growth here at home. Under Clinton, U.S. exports increased by 33% and our exports to China increased by 50%. 
·         Secretary Clinton helped ensure the purchase of more than 200 Boeing 737s by an Indonesian company for over $20 billion, which is estimated to create over 100,000 U.S. jobs in the long run. 
·         Secretary Clinton’s focus on economic engagement resulted in increased investment for many other American businesses, including: 
o   An estimated $100 million for electric vehicles from Ohio to be sold in Iceland;
o   A $5 million contract for Virginia’s Aurora Flight Sciences with the Swiss Department of Defence;
o   An estimated $668 million contract with Palo Alto firms with Australia; and
o   An $80 million deal between the General Electric and Vietnam. 
·         Secretary Clinton initiated efforts in cyber security by creating the Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications to fight against terrorism online. 
·         Clinton’s State Department created the Bureau of Energy Resources to protect our energy infrastructure and influence how nations move to cleaner fuel. 
·         Secretary Clinton recognized women’s rights as a major foreign policy issue: 
o   Clinton created a new position at the State Department: Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues. 
o   Clinton brought together representatives from APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) nations, where they agreed to the “San Francisco Declaration,” an agreement to take concrete actions to realize the full economic potential of women. 
o   Sec. Clinton launched Women’s Entrepreneurship in the Americas (WEAmericas) to help women in Latin America and the Caribbean start and grow small businesses. 
o   Sec. Clinton’s State Department created the African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program to provide women with the tools and skills they need to more successfully implement the African Growth and Opportunity Act, and secured $200,000 to fund follow-up entrepreneurship training to support building businesses.
 
Accomplishments in the Senate
·         Senator Clinton coauthored the Pediatric Research Equity Act of 2003, compelling drug companies to conduct safety tests for products prescribed for children. This became law in 2003. 
·         CLINTON-GRAHAM TRICARE EFFORTS: Senator Clinton and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) expanded access to TRICARE for Guard Members and Reservists by the securing the inclusion of language improving TRICARE benefits in defense authorizations in 2004, 2005, and 2006.
o   In 2004, legislation originally co-sponsored by Clinton and Graham to give an extra year of TRICARE eligibility to Guard and Reserve members for every 90 days they have served, was signed into law as part of the defense authorization.  This went into effect at DoD in 2005. 
o   In 2005, Clinton and Graham successfully advocated for an amendment to be added to the defense authorization to make all members of the Selected Reserve eligible for TRICARE, also creating categories to delineate whether or not a Guard member or Reservist has been deployed. 
o   In 2006, Clinton and Graham secured in the defense authorization the inclusion of an amendment to allow all members of the Selected Reserve and their families to enroll in TRICARE with across the board cost-sharing of 28%.  
·         Senator Clinton authored a part of the 2001 “No Child Left Behind” bill, passed into law, which addressed a projected shortfall in teachers in our country by authorizing the funding to recruit and keep superior teaching professionals.
 ·         Senator Clinton wrote the Lifespan Respite Care Act, signed into law in 2006, to give short-term relief to family caregivers of individuals with special needs by providing grants to pay for respite care services. 
·         Senator Clinton co-authored a bipartisan extension of unemployment benefits for out of work Americans which was signed into law in 2003. 
·         Senator Clinton co-sponsored the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, which was signed into law in 2009.  She also co-sponsored the bill as originally introduced in 2007.
 
Accomplishments as First Lady
·         As First Lady, Hillary Clinton helped create the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.  The legislation’s authors repeatedly cited Clinton’s successful efforts to ensure $24 billion funding for the program, previously included in the Senate version of the bill, was included in the final measure that was signed into law in 1997 as part of the Balanced Budget Act. 
·         In 1995 as First Lady, Hillary Clinton brought the issue of women’s rights to the international stage like never before when she declared in Beijing, in a country with a record of violating women’s rights that “women’s rights are human rights.” 
·         As FLOTUS, Clinton convened two major conferences of experts to lay the groundwork for an expansion of Head Start.  Clinton and her staff worked with the President to develop policies which eventually led to a $20 billion investment in improving childcare. 
 
Accomplishments as First Lady of Arkansas
·         Hillary brought one of the first HIPPY programs in the United States to Arkansas to provide parents with the tools they need to prepare their children for school. 
o   By 1990, 19 of the 33 HIPPY programs in the country were in Arkansas. Today, there are 139 HIPPY program sites in 23 states and in D.C., serving 15,000 disadvantaged children. 
·         Clinton served as chairperson of the Arkansas Education Standards Committee to overhaul the Arkansas public education system with new educational standards, which were enacted by the state’s legislature. 
·         Hillary Clinton chaired the Rural Health Advisory Committee that developed programs to expand health care in the state's isolated farm and mountain communities.