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Re: Arkansas flag and Robert E Lee day

Adding Tony and Christina to share the background we have found on the issue. Sent from my iPhone On Jun 22, 2015, at 2:25 PM, Tina Flournoy <Tina@presidentclinton.com> wrote: I have someone looking through WJC’s Governor’s papers now. Will revert * We can push back on Jake on the star; frankly the revelvant question about Robert E Lee Day is whether or not HRC and WJC support ending the holiday and the other states where it is celebrated. (I dont think Jake will care shy it was created in the first place in terms of whether or not he chooses to talk about it)There is a movement pushing for abolishing the holdiday and all others related to the confederacy. So a statement denouncing all would shut down this piecemeal oppo push. Would also like to say something publicly before HRC does the JJ dinner in Arkansas so it doesn't become a will she or wont she narrative leading up to the dinner. On Mon, Jun 22, 2015 at 1:55 PM, Nick Merrill <nmerrill@hillaryclinton.com> wrote: If there is revisionist history going on and good reason on the combining of holidays I think that's worth explaining against Jake's uncorroborated oppo he's being fed. On Jun 22, 2015, at 1:22 PM, Tina Flournoy <Tina@presidentclinton.com> wrote: He's just inaccurate -- the additional star on the flag for the Confederacy was added in 1924. Neither I nor anyone I've talked to in Arkansas (including WJC) knows what the rationale was behind the 1987 deal - - though something WJC said has given me a thread to look into. And if you want to know the rationale for combining Robert E. Lee and MLK - happy to explain. ----- FYI - Tapper just followed up just now with the below note. My sense is his hosting CNN's Republican debate and the criticism he got for doing CGI is contributing to his keeping at this one. From Tappper: "Just confirming that you’re not going to have any comment on steps President Clinton took during his gubernatorial tenure to honor the Confederacy – designating one of the stars (among many) on the Arkansas flag in honor of the Confederacy, and separate measures to honor Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee. I’m not saying that steps taking in the 80s to honor the Confederacy are the same exact thing as waving the rebel flag at the state house in South Carolina today. But honoring the Confederacy is what it is, and it seems reasonable to ask about that. Thoughts?" Sent from my iPhone > On Jun 20, 2015, at 11:35 PM, Jennifer Palmieri < jpalmieri@hillaryclinton.com> wrote: > > Thought it was a good idea to link up chains and level set with > everyone on Arkansas press issues. > > Someone moved oppo research today designed to put WJC and HRC in a > tough spot by noting that the Arkansas flag has a confederate star on > it and WJC signed legislation making a Robert E. Lee holiday in 1987. > I believe there is legislation in the Arkansas legislature to repeal > the holiday. > > There has been some limited activity on Twitter about this and we have > only gotten one question from Jake Tapper. (We are not responding to > him tonight.). So I don't think this is something we need to resolve > tonight but the issue could hang around and HRC could get asked about > it - so worth thinking about potential responses. > > The Robert E Lee question has popped up now and then, going back to > WH days. As far as we can discern, we have never engaged in a > substantive way. > > Team WJC - when ready, would you let us know your all thoughts on how > and if we should engage on these questions? I imagine making a > decision on the Arkansas flag and the holiday repeal may make for > complicated politics back home - so understand this is tricky and > could take time to figure out. > > We will stand by on our end, or happy to do a call tomorrow to talk through. > > HRC has an event at a black church on Tuesday in St Louis, for awareness. > > Thanks, all. > > > > > > Sent from my iPhone