In addition to Friday’s fundraiser, numerous foundation’s major donors will convene Monday for a three-day gathering of the Clinton Global Initiative conference in New York City.
Advertisement
Rose talked with the 42nd president about the annual Clinton Global Initiative.
After grudgingly following her doctor’s orders to slow down and rest to recuperate from pneumonia, and watching Donald Trump seize the spotlight and pull even or ahead in some key swing states such as OH, the Democratic presidential nominee has signaled she is eager to make a feisty comeback at a crucial moment in the election. He said that if you put Hillary down anyplace in the world, she would make things better. It is by far the largest piece of the Clinton-branded charities, accounting for about 60 percent of the spending done by the dozen or so organizations under the Clinton name.
Always the master orator, Bill Clinton contrasted his measured, positive remarks to his introductory speakers-including state Rep. Ed Gainey, U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle and Allegheny County Councilman Dewitt Walton-and to the emotionally charged rhetoric heard nationally. However, in late August the New York Times editorial board demanded that the Clintons cut ties with their own charity: “The Clinton Foundation has become a symbol of the Clintons’ laudable ambitions, but also of their tangled alliances and operational opacity”, it wrote.
“If you think it’s OK to make unlawful contributions out of your personal family account and then attack my foundation. then he’s the guy”, Clinton said.
In his interview with Rose, the former president insisted Trump’s “pay-for-play” accusations are inaccurate. “It’s a insane time we live in, you know, when people think there’s something unusual about getting the flu”.
“I don’t care who asked for what”. “I certainly did it as Secretary [of Health and Human Resources] with requests from Republicans in Congress so I don’t find it unusual”.
“The State Department does not believe it is inappropriate for the administration to consider individuals suggested by outside organizations when deciding who to invite to an official function”, State Department Director of Press Relations Elizabeth Trudeau said in a statement.
Advertisement
The Rainbow Room party is a “bad idea”, said one Clinton supporter who has worked with the foundation, who predicted that the fundraiser would call even more attention to the Clintons relationships with their donors.
