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Re: 'This Week' Transcript: 'Clinton Cash’ Author Peter Schweizer

From:nmerrill@hillaryclinton.com To: kfinney@hillaryclinton.com CC: jpalmieri@hillaryclinton.com, jferguson@hillaryclinton.com, jschwerin@hillaryclinton.com, HRCrapid@googlegroups.com Date: 2015-04-26 15:24 Subject: Re: 'This Week' Transcript: 'Clinton Cash’ Author Peter Schweizer

Not to pile on, but this is therapeutic to watch. George is cool as a cucumber, doesn't rush into it, but just destroys him slowly but surely over the course of the interview, culminating when he asks him about A/S Fernandez confirming that HRC had absolutely nothing to do with the Uranium 1 deal. On Sun, Apr 26, 2015 at 10:46 AM, Karen Finney <kfinney@hillaryclinton.com> wrote: > It was beautiful to watch > > Sent from my iPhone > > On Apr 26, 2015, at 10:37 AM, Jennifer Palmieri < > jpalmieri@hillaryclinton.com> wrote: > > This is amazing. A pleasure to read. > > Sent from my iPhone > > On Apr 26, 2015, at 10:31 AM, Jesse Ferguson <jferguson@hillaryclinton.com> > wrote: > > great work everyone. this interview is perfect. he lands nothing and > everything is refuted (mostly based on our work) > > On Sun, Apr 26, 2015 at 9:49 AM, Josh Schwerin < > jschwerin@hillaryclinton.com> wrote: > >> 'This Week' Transcript: 'Clinton Cash’ Author Peter Schweizer >> Apr 26, 2015, 9:34 AM ET >> >> *This is a rush transcript for April 26, 2015. It will be updated and may >> contain errors.* >> >> >> *http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/week-transcript-clinton-cash-author-peter-schweizer/story?id=30568766&singlePage=true >> <http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/week-transcript-clinton-cash-author-peter-schweizer/story?id=30568766&singlePage=true>* >> >> GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS, HOST: And the author of "Clinton Clash," Peter >> Schweizer, joins us now. >> >> Thank you for joining us this morning, Peter. >> >> You know, I was looking at the book jacket right here and you say that, >> here in the book jacket that your reporting raises serious and alarming >> questions about judgment of possible indebtedness to an array of foreign >> interests and ultimately, a fitness for high public office. >> >> So how does your reporting show that Hillary Clinton >> <http://abcnews.go.com/topics/news/whitehouse/hillary-clinton.htm> may >> be unfit for the presidency? >> >> PETER SCHWEIZER, AUTHOR, "CLINTON CLASH": Well, I think the real question >> here, George, is when you ever have an issue of the flow of funds to >> political candidates, whether that's to their campaigns, whether that's to >> private foundations, whether that's to their spouse, is there evidence of a >> pattern of -- of favorable decisions being made for those individuals? >> >> And I think the -- the point that we make in the book is that there is a >> troubling pattern. >> >> There are dozens of examples of that occurring. >> >> Some people, I think particularly the Clinton camp, would say that these >> are all coincidence. I don't think, when you're talking about 12 instances, >> you're talking coincidence. I think you're talking trend. >> >> STEPHANOPOULOS: But you take it pretty far. You write that, "The pattern >> of behavior is troubling enough to warrant further investigation by law >> enforcement (INAUDIBLE).".. >> >> SCHWEIZER: Correct. >> >> STEPHANOPOULOS: Do you have any evidence that a crime may have been >> committed? >> >> SCHWEIZER: Well, I think it's -- if you look at a couple of recent >> examples. For example, Governor McConnell down in Virginia, or you look at Senator >> Menendez <http://abcnews.go.com/topics/news/us/robert-menendez.htm>, in >> these cases, you didn't have evidence of a quid pro quo. What you had was >> funds flowing to elected officials, some of them gifts, some of them >> campaign contributions and actions that were being taken by those public >> officials that seemed to benefit the contributors. >> >> Certainly, I think it warrants investigation. What that investigation >> will reveal, we'll see. >> >> STEPHANOPOULOS: But a criminal investigation? >> >> SCHWEIZER: Well, we'll see. I mean that's what the Governor McConnell has >> faced and that's what Menendez has faced. >> >> STEPHANOPOULOS: But the... >> >> SCHWEIZER: And I think the evidence here is far more widespread in terms >> of repeated action than there were in those two instances. >> >> STEPHANOPOULOS: As you know, the Clinton campaign says you haven't >> produced a shred of evidence that there was any official action as >> secretary that -- that supported the interests of donors. >> >> SCHWEIZER: Well... >> >> STEPHANOPOULOS: We've done investigative work here at ABC News, found no >> proof of any kind of direct action. And an independent government ethics >> expert, Bill Allison, of the Sunline Foundation (ph), wrote this. He said, >> "There's no smoking gun, no evidence that she changed the policy based on >> donations to the foundation." >> >> No smoking gun. >> >> Is there a smoking gun? >> >> SCHWEIZER: Yes. The smoking gun is in the pattern of behavior. And here's >> the analogy I would give you. It's a little bit like insider trading >> <http://abcnews.go.com/topics/business/insider-trading.htm>. I wrote a >> book on Congressional insider trading a couple of years ago and talked with >> prosecutors. >> >> Most people that engage in criminal insider trading don't send an e-mail >> that says I've got inside information, buy this stock. >> >> The way they look at it, they look at a pattern of stock trades. If the >> person has access to that information and then they do a series of >> well-timed trades. That warrants investigation. >> >> I think the same thing applies here. >> >> By the way, what's important to note is it was confirmed on Thursday, >> both by "The New York Times" and "The Wall Street Journal >> <http://abcnews.go.com/topics/business/the-wall-street-journal.htm>," >> that there are multi-million dollar, non-disclosed donations that were made >> to the Clinton Foundation >> <http://abcnews.go.com/topics/news/issues/clinton-foundation.htm> that >> were never disclosed by the Clintons. >> >> This is a direct breach of an agreement they suggested with the White >> House. >> >> STEPHANOPOULOS: That -- that is an issue for them, but it's not a >> criminal -- it's nothing that would warrant a cmii. >> >> So let's look at some of the specifics behind your pattern. >> >> SCHWEIZER: Sure. >> >> STEPHANOPOULOS: A lot of focus on the sale of a company, Uranium One, to >> a -- to a Russian <http://abcnews.go.com/topics/news/russia.htm>company. >> Of course, Frank Drisdra (ph), who had committed, what, a $130 million, a >> pledge to the Clinton Foundation back in 2006, had had an interest in this >> company. >> >> But he actually sold it. >> >> SCHWEIZER: Well, he sold his stock, but his firm, Endeavor Financial, >> continued to do finance deals well after that. And the individuals involved >> in the book, as you probably read, there are nine -- count them, nine major >> contributors to the Clinton Foundation who were involved in that nuclear >> deal. >> >> The two individuals who were the financial advisers on the deal of the >> sale to the Russians, they're both major Clinton Foundation supporters. The >> chairman of that Foundation, Ian Telfer, whose donations were not >> disclosed, campaign -- and sorry, Clinton Foundation contributor. And there >> are others. >> >> So this is not just about Frank Giustra. This is multiple layers >> (INAUDIBLE)... >> >> STEPHANOPOULOS: OK, but you didn't disclose in your book that he had sold >> the interest. >> >> SCHWEIZER: Yes. >> >> STEPHANOPOULOS: Beyond that, this deal was approved by a -- a board of >> the government called the CFIUS Board. >> >> SCHWEIZER: Correct. >> >> STEPHANOPOULOS: This actually chaired by the secretary of the Treasury... >> >> SCHWEIZER: Correct. >> >> STEPHANOPOULOS: -- not the secretary of State. >> >> SCHWEIZER: Right. >> >> STEPHANOPOULOS: Eight other agencies on board, the secretary of State, >> Homeland Security, Defense, Commerce... >> >> SCHWEIZER: Right. >> >> STEPHANOPOULOS: -- Energy, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission... >> >> SCHWEIZER: Right. >> >> STEPHANOPOULOS: -- signed off on it. And even though the State Department >> was one of nine agencies to sign off on it, there's no evidence at all that >> Hillary Clinton got directly involved in this decision. >> >> SCHWEIZER: Well, I think it warrants further investigation. And there's a >> couple of things that need to be clarified. >> >> Number one, she was one vote -- or the State Department was one vote on >> CFIUS. But any agency has veto power. So it needs to be unanimous. So they >> had to support this agreement. >> >> The second thing that I would say is that in the midst of all of this, >> Hillary Clinton was in charge of the Russian reset. She was in charge of -- >> in -- of the A123 nuclear agreements with the Russians. She was the one >> that was meeting with Lavrov. There were four senior congressmen on >> national security issues that raised concerns about this issue... >> >> STEPHANOPOULOS: But wait a second. There were nine different agencies... >> >> SCHWEIZER: Sure. >> >> STEPHANOPOULOS: -- who approved it. >> >> Doesn't that suggest that that was because there was no national security >> concern, not because of some nefarious influence by Hillary Clinton? >> >> SCHWEIZER: But -- but look at the nine individuals that were on the CFIUS >> committee, the nine agencies represented. >> >> Who was, by far, the most hawkish on CFIUS issues in the past? >> >> Hillary Clinton. She was big on rejecting the Dubai ports deal. She was >> big on other issues. She sponsored legislation when she was in the Senate >> to straighten CFIUS. >> >> This was a signature issue for her and this is totally out of character... >> >> STEPHANOPOULOS: But the assistant secretary who sat -- the assistant >> secretary of State who sat on the committee said she never intervened on >> any CFIUS issue at all. >> >> SCHWEIZER: Well, I think that deserves further scrutiny. I would question >> that. >> >> To argue that (INAUDIBLE)... >> >> STEPHANOPOULOS: But based on what? >> >> Based on what? >> >> SCHWEIZER: Well, I think based on her (INAUDIBLE)... >> >> STEPHANOPOULOS: Do you have any evidence that she actually intervened in >> this issue? >> >> SCHWEIZER: No, we don't have direct evidence. But it warrants further >> investigation because, again, George, this is part of the broader pattern. >> You either have to come to the conclusion that these are all coincidences >> or something else is afoot. >> >> STEPHANOPOULOS: And that -- that is that -- the Clintons do say it's a >> coincidence. As they say, you have produced no evidence. And I still >> haven't heard any direct evidence and you just said you had no evidence >> that she intervened here. >> >> But I do want to ask a broader question. >> >> It's been reported that you -- you briefed several Republicans on the >> Senate Foreign Relations Committee, including the chairman, Bob Corker. >> >> Did you offer any briefings for Democrats? >> >> SCHWEIZER: No, but I'd be glad to give them before the book is released. >> This was a -- a friend that asked me. He thought it would be a good idea to >> talk to these individuals. This was the committee that confirmed her. >> >> And I was glad to meet with them. They did not get copies of the book. >> They did not get any material. It was simply a verbal briefing. >> >> And I'd be glad to brief any Democrats before May 5th, when the book >> comes out. >> >> STEPHANOPOULOS: As you know, the Democrats have said this is -- this is >> an indication of your partisan interest. They say... >> >> SCHWEIZER: Well... >> >> STEPHANOPOULOS: -- you used to work for President -- President Bush as a >> speechwriter. You're funded by the Koch brothers. >> >> How do you respond to that? >> >> SCHWEIZER: Well, George, what did I do when this book was completed? >> >> I went to the investigative unit at "The New York Times," the >> investigative unit here at ABC. I went to the investigative unit at "The >> Washington Post." And I shared with them my findings, OK. These are not >> cupcakes. These are serious researchers and investigators. >> >> And they are confirming what I've reported. So people can look at the >> facts and... >> >> STEPHANOPOULOS: They haven't come -- they haven't confirmed any evidence >> of any crime. >> >> SCHWEIZER: Well, but -- but it's not up to an author to prove crime. I >> mean do you think that when people first started looking at Governor >> McConnell or they started looking at Menendez, that they immediately had >> evidence? >> >> You need subpoena power. You need access to records and information. You >> need access to e-mails. >> >> There's all sorts of things that you can do. You can't leave it up to an >> author to say that an author has to prove a criminal case. >> >> STEPHANOPOULOS: Finally, Bloomberg News is reporting that you're going to >> be looking into Jeb Bush's business dealings, as well. >> >> Is that true? >> >> What have you found? >> >> Where and when will you publish? >> >> SCHWEIZER: We've been working on it for about four months. We've been >> looking at land deals. We've been looking at an airport deal. We've been >> looking at some financial transactions involving hedge funds based out of >> the UK. >> >> We have already reached out to several media outlets and we're going to >> adopt a similar model that we have here, which is to share that information >> with investigative journalists at established news outlets, share with them >> that information. >> >> And I think that people will find it very, very interesting and >> compelling. >> >> Peter Schweizer, thanks very much. >> >> STEPHANOPOULOS: Thanks for having me, George. >> >> Up next, the roundtable on this Hillary book and augways (ph) from the >> campaign trail. >> >> Plus, same-sex marriage coming to the Supreme Court this week. >> >> Bruce Jenner's big announcement puts transgender issues in the spotlight. >> We debate the next frontier in civil rights. >> >> And we're back in just two minutes. >> >> -- >> Josh Schwerin >> Spokesperson >> Hillary for America >> @Josh Schwerin >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "HRCRapid" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to hrcrapid+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com. >> To post to this group, send email to hrcrapid@googlegroups.com. >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >> > > > > -- > > > > ---- > > Jesse F. Ferguson > Deputy National Press Secretary and Senior Spokesman > Hillary for America > @JesseFFerguson > Gchat: Jfferg > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "HRCRapid" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to hrcrapid+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com. > To post to this group, send email to hrcrapid@googlegroups.com. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "HRCRapid" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to hrcrapid+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com. > To post to this group, send email to hrcrapid@googlegroups.com. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "HRCRapid" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to hrcrapid+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com. > To post to this group, send email to hrcrapid@googlegroups.com. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "HRCRapid" group. 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