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Re: DRAFT: Opening Statement

From:cheryl.mills@gmail.com To: jpalmieri@hillaryclinton.com, pschiliro@sb-atalaya.com CC: dschwerin@hillaryclinton.com, pbarnett@sb-atalaya.com, john.podesta@gmail.com, ha16@hillaryclinton.com, Jake.Sullivan@gmail.com Date: 2015-10-20 23:43 Subject: Re: DRAFT: Opening Statement

phil and jen can we get on the phone? I asked b/c I know I spoke with phil about this: 1. the goal is to submit statement for the record to meet the committee's request for her opening statment [phil recommends] 2. it is not the same as what she actually will say on thurs [everyone's point to preserve freshness of her statement] 3. the easiest way to do the first and not compromise the second was to re-submit her opening statment from jan 2013 rather than writing something new. 4. I can't tell if you are saying: a) agree with submitting her statement early but don't like the idea of using her prior opening statement; b) don't like the new opening statement and some of the new elements or c) something all together different. *I can join a call on 605-475-4700; code 306848 anytime from now until 1030pm but would love to address tonight rather than tomorrow.* best.s cdm On Tue, Oct 20, 2015 at 8:45 PM, Jennifer Palmieri < jpalmieri@hillaryclinton.com> wrote: > I talked to Brian. So long as we do not release the testimony ahead of > the hearing - it is okay. If we released it ahead of time, the press would > ding is for trolling the Committee and we would lose some of the moral high > ground we have going into the hearing. > > Sent from my iPhone > > On Oct 20, 2015, at 7:38 PM, Dan Schwerin <dschwerin@hillaryclinton.com> > wrote: > > Jen, that's correct. Should we revisit that decision? (I'm attaching a > revised statement for the record changing 10 committees to 7 Congressional > investigations). > > Also attaching here an updated oral opening statement for Thursday with > some new "this is political" language that folks should review. > > On Tue, Oct 20, 2015 at 6:41 PM, Jennifer Palmieri < > jpalmieri@hillaryclinton.com> wrote: > >> Know I missed discussions today - but this seems dangerous. If I >> understand this correctly - we are literally submitting her testimony from >> two years ago? >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> >> On Oct 20, 2015, at 6:22 PM, Phil Barnett <pbarnett@sb-atalaya.com> >> wrote: >> >> The introductory text has this line: "As you know, what happened in >> Benghazi has been scrutinized by a non-partisan accountability review >> board, more than 10 congressional committees, multiple news organizations, >> and law enforcement and intelligence agencies." >> >> I think we would be safer if we changed "more than 10 congressional >> committees" to "seven prior congressional investigations." >> >> Phil >> >> On Tue, Oct 20, 2015 at 5:58 PM, Dan Schwerin < >> dschwerin@hillaryclinton.com> wrote: >> >>> After further discussions, I believe the latest plan for this "statement >>> for the record" is to submit the verbatim text of her 1/23/13 opening >>> statement but not the Hard Choices chapter. I'm attaching that here and >>> please take another look at the introductory text. >>> Thanks >>> Dan >>> >>> On Tue, Oct 20, 2015 at 1:08 PM, Kendall, David <DKendall@wc.com> wrote: >>> >>>> Can we get this out by end of afternoon? >>>> >>>> *From*: Cheryl Mills [mailto:cheryl.mills@gmail.com] >>>> *Sent*: Monday, October 19, 2015 10:46 PM >>>> *To*: Mandy Grunwald <gruncom@aol.com> >>>> *Cc*: Dan Schwerin <dschwerin@hillaryclinton.com>; Kendall, David; >>>> jsullivan@hillaryclinton.com <jsullivan@hillaryclinton.com>; Turner, >>>> Katherine; jpalmieri@hillaryclinton.com <jpalmieri@hillaryclinton.com>; >>>> john.podesta@gmail.com <john.podesta@gmail.com>; >>>> aelrod@hillaryclinton.com <aelrod@hillaryclinton.com>; >>>> pir@hrcoffice.com <pir@hrcoffice.com>; slatham@hillaryclinton.com < >>>> slatham@hillaryclinton.com>; hsamuelson@cdmillsgroup.com < >>>> hsamuelson@cdmillsgroup.com>; bfallon@hillaryclinton.com < >>>> bfallon@hillaryclinton.com>; ha16@hillaryclinton.com < >>>> ha16@hillaryclinton.com>; pschiliro@sb-atalaya.com < >>>> pschiliro@sb-atalaya.com>; pbarnett@sb-atalaya.com < >>>> pbarnett@sb-atalaya.com>; matt@sb-atalaya.com <matt@sb-atalaya.com> >>>> *Subject*: Re: DRAFT: Opening Statement >>>> >>>> I would do both >>>> >>>> On Mon, Oct 19, 2015 at 10:44 PM, Mandy Grunwald <gruncom@aol.com> >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>>> Seems odd to put the tributes to the four guys into this statement, >>>>> since it is mostly the repackaged testimony. We can't overdo the tributes >>>>> to them and I think they should be done in person. >>>>> >>>>> Thx >>>>> >>>>> Mandy Grunwald >>>>> Grunwald Communications >>>>> 202 973-9400 >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Oct 19, 2015, at 8:33 PM, Dan Schwerin < >>>>> dschwerin@hillaryclinton.com> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> And here is a potential statement for the record, repackaging her >>>>> previous testimony and book chapter. I included pretty much the entire >>>>> chapter, because I'm not sure what the benefit is in cutting it down, but >>>>> happy to do that if others think that's better. >>>>> >>>>> On Mon, Oct 19, 2015 at 7:03 PM, Dan Schwerin < >>>>> dschwerin@hillaryclinton.com> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Here is a revised opening statement that now includes grace notes >>>>>> about the four victims and a reference to the excerpts of previous >>>>>> testimony submitted for the record. >>>>>> >>>>>> On Sun, Oct 18, 2015 at 10:57 PM, Dan Schwerin < >>>>>> dschwerin@hillaryclinton.com> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> Here is another updated draft, which I am going to share with HRC as >>>>>>> well. >>>>>>> Dan >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Sun, Oct 18, 2015 at 2:05 PM, Kendall, David <DKendall@wc.com> >>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I like it. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> My one question: in the 6th graf, before "At this point . . .", >>>>>>>> should the following be inserted--"After previously testifying about this >>>>>>>> matter in both the Senate and the House,"? >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> *From*: Dan Schwerin [mailto:dschwerin@hillaryclinton.com] >>>>>>>> *Sent*: Sunday, October 18, 2015 01:40 PM >>>>>>>> *To*: Jake Sullivan <jsullivan@hillaryclinton.com>; Turner, >>>>>>>> Katherine; Mandy Grunwald <gruncom@aol.com>; Jennifer Palmieri < >>>>>>>> jpalmieri@hillaryclinton.com>; Kendall, David; John Podesta < >>>>>>>> john.podesta@gmail.com>; Adrienne Elrod <aelrod@hillaryclinton.com>; >>>>>>>> Philippe Reines <pir@hrcoffice.com>; Sara Latham < >>>>>>>> slatham@hillaryclinton.com>; Cheryl Mills <cheryl.mills@gmail.com>; >>>>>>>> Heather Samuelson <hsamuelson@cdmillsgroup.com>; Brian Fallon < >>>>>>>> bfallon@hillaryclinton.com>; Huma Abedin <ha16@hillaryclinton.com>; >>>>>>>> Phil Schiliro <pschiliro@sb-atalaya.com>; Phil Barnett < >>>>>>>> pbarnett@sb-atalaya.com>; Matt Siegler <matt@sb-atalaya.com> >>>>>>>> *Subject*: Re: DRAFT: Opening Statement >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Flagging this draft again in hopes folks can take a look. >>>>>>>> Thanks >>>>>>>> Dan >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Sat, Oct 17, 2015 at 3:31 PM, Dan Schwerin < >>>>>>>> dschwerin@hillaryclinton.com> wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Here's a revised opening statement based on our discussion this >>>>>>>>> morning. >>>>>>>>> Dan >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On Sat, Oct 17, 2015 at 10:23 AM, Jake Sullivan < >>>>>>>>> jsullivan@hillaryclinton.com> wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> This is a big line of Gowdy questioning. How did you strike >>>>>>>>>> balance? Elsewhere you so close up shop when things get dangerous. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> On Oct 17, 2015, at 10:22 AM, Turner, Katherine <KTurner@wc.com> >>>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> One further thought on the current draft: we might consider >>>>>>>>>> softening the “Chris did not believe retreat was an option – and neither do >>>>>>>>>> I” line. I don’t think we want to suggest that there was a commitment to >>>>>>>>>> be there at any and all costs; but rather, that the known risks were being >>>>>>>>>> balanced with the reasons for being there, regular assessments of this >>>>>>>>>> balance were made, and that the people on the ground were best-positioned >>>>>>>>>> to contribute to those assessments. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> *Katherine Turner* >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> *Williams & Connolly LLP* >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> 725 Twelfth Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20005 >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> (P) 202-434-5487 | (F) 202-434-5029 >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> kturner@wc.com | www.wc.com/kturner >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> *From:* Dan Schwerin [mailto:dschwerin@hillaryclinton.com >>>>>>>>>> <dschwerin@hillaryclinton.com>] >>>>>>>>>> *Sent:* Friday, October 16, 2015 8:07 PM >>>>>>>>>> *To:* Mandy Grunwald; Jennifer Palmieri; Kendall, David; Jake >>>>>>>>>> Sullivan; John Podesta; Adrienne Elrod; Philippe Reines; Sara Latham; >>>>>>>>>> Cheryl Mills; Heather Samuelson; Turner, Katherine; Brian Fallon; Huma >>>>>>>>>> Abedin; Phil Schiliro; Phil Barnett; Matt Siegler >>>>>>>>>> *Subject:* Re: DRAFT: Opening Statement >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> A few more edits after talking with Phil S >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> On Fri, Oct 16, 2015 at 7:42 PM, Dan Schwerin < >>>>>>>>>> dschwerin@hillaryclinton.com> wrote: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Here are some modest revisions. Am going to send this over to HRC >>>>>>>>>> so she can start thinking about it as well. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Thanks all. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Dan >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> On Fri, Oct 16, 2015 at 7:00 PM, Dan Schwerin < >>>>>>>>>> dschwerin@hillaryclinton.com> wrote: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> That "backs of dead Americans" line is stolen from Hard Choices, >>>>>>>>>> so maybe a good idea to tweak slightly anyhow. I'll play with some >>>>>>>>>> alternatives. If folks have other concerns before I send on to HRC, please >>>>>>>>>> let me know. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> On Fri, Oct 16, 2015 at 6:13 PM, Mandy Grunwald <gruncom@aol.com> >>>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> I also think it's strong. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> I don't mind the "backs of dead Americans" because we need a bit >>>>>>>>>> of moral outrage. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> I suppose we can dial the language back, but the sense of outrage >>>>>>>>>> should remain. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> *Mandy Grunwald* >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> *Grunwald Communications* >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> *202 973-9400 <202%20973-9400>* >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> ----- >>>>>>>>>> From: Jennifer Palmieri <jpalmieri@hillaryclinton.com> >>>>>>>>>> To: Kendall, David <DKendall@wc.com> >>>>>>>>>> Cc: Dan Schwerin <dschwerin@hillaryclinton.com>; Jake Sullivan < >>>>>>>>>> jsullivan@hillaryclinton.com>; John Podesta < >>>>>>>>>> john.podesta@gmail.com>; Adrienne Elrod < >>>>>>>>>> aelrod@hillaryclinton.com>; Mandy Grunwald <gruncom@aol.com>; >>>>>>>>>> Philippe Reines <pir@hrcoffice.com>; Sara Latham < >>>>>>>>>> slatham@hillaryclinton.com>; Cheryl Mills <cheryl.mills@gmail.com>; >>>>>>>>>> Heather Samuelson <hsamuelson@cdmillsgroup.com>; Turner, >>>>>>>>>> Katherine <KTurner@wc.com>; Brian Fallon < >>>>>>>>>> bfallon@hillaryclinton.com>; Huma Abedin <ha16@hillaryclinton.com>; >>>>>>>>>> Phil Schiliro <pschiliro@sb-atalaya.com>; Phil Barnett < >>>>>>>>>> pbarnett@sb-atalaya.com>; Matt Siegler <matt@sb-atalaya.com> >>>>>>>>>> Sent: Fri, Oct 16, 2015 6:04 pm >>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: DRAFT: Opening Statement >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> I think it is good. Imagine the clip they will use is the >>>>>>>>>> partisan slugfest sentence. I don't love "backs of dead Americans" in that >>>>>>>>>> sentence. I think that is too graphic and splashes back on her as >>>>>>>>>> appearing to exploit their deaths. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> On Oct 16, 2015, at 3:40 PM, Kendall, David <DKendall@wc.com> >>>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> I like it. Just two thoughts. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> We twice call the ARB “independent”—I’d prefer to call it >>>>>>>>>> “non-partisan” as we do once in the draft. *Hard Choices* did >>>>>>>>>> not call it “independent”, and since it’s appointed by and responsible to >>>>>>>>>> the Secretary, I think we open an avenue of attack by calling it >>>>>>>>>> “independent”. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Can we get some more numbers into the early “diplomacy is >>>>>>>>>> dangerous” discussion? Sixty-six American diplomatic personnel and over a >>>>>>>>>> hundred contractors and locally employed staff killed since the 1970’s (or >>>>>>>>>> whatever the numbers are). I recognize we have some numbers on page 3 >>>>>>>>>> (Beirut bombing, 1998 attacks). >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> *David E. Kendall* >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> *Williams & Connolly LLP* >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> 725 Twelfth Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20005 >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> (P) 202-434-5145 | (F) 202-434-5029 >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> dkendall@wc.com | www.wc.com/dkendall >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> *From:* Dan Schwerin [mailto:dschwerin@hillaryclinton.com >>>>>>>>>> <dschwerin@hillaryclinton.com>] >>>>>>>>>> *Sent:* Friday, October 16, 2015 2:31 PM >>>>>>>>>> *To:* Jake Sullivan; John Podesta; Adrienne Elrod; Mandy >>>>>>>>>> Grunwald; Philippe Reines; Sara Latham; Cheryl Mills; Heather Samuelson; >>>>>>>>>> Kendall, David; Turner, Katherine; Brian Fallon; Jennifer Palmieri; Huma >>>>>>>>>> Abedin; Phil Schiliro; Phil Barnett; Matt Siegler >>>>>>>>>> *Subject:* DRAFT: Opening Statement >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Here is a draft of HRC's opening statement based on our >>>>>>>>>> discussion today. As Cheryl mentioned, we'd love to get this to HRC for a >>>>>>>>>> first read tonight or tomorrow, so quick feedback would be great. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Thanks >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Dan >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> ------------------------------ >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> This message and any attachments are intended only for the >>>>>>>>>> addressee and may contain information that is privileged and confidential. >>>>>>>>>> If you have received this message in error, please do not read, use, copy, >>>>>>>>>> distribute, or disclose the contents of the message and any attachments. >>>>>>>>>> Instead, please delete the message and any attachments and notify the >>>>>>>>>> sender immediately. Thank you. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>> <2015-10-19 Statement for the Record - 8pm.docx> >>>>> >>>>> >>>> >>> >> > <2015-10-20 Benghazi Testimony - 730pm.docx> > > <2015-10-20 Statement for the Record - 630pm.docx> > >