Hillary Clinton’s campaign scrambled to frame two unrelated policy points as “women’s issues” ahead of a September 2015 volunteer organizing event in Ohio, the latest emails from WikiLeaks show.
On September 9, 2015, Lauren Peterson, a speechwriter for the campaign, sent around talking points for the event to key members of the policy and communications team.
Hillary Clinton speaks during a campaign rally at UA Local 525 Plumbers and Pipefitters Union hall on November 2, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada (Getty Images)
“I also wanted to flag this line, which she has not said before,” Peterson.
“Standing up and saying loudly and clearly that yes, black lives matter [sic] – that’s a women’s issue, too. And demanding an end to the epidemic of violence against transgender women of color in this country is a women’s issue.”
“Which one hasn’t she said?” asked communications director Jennifer Palmieri.
“She hasn’t said these words,” Peterson responded. “Demanding an end to the epidemic of violence against transgender women of color in this country is a women’s issue.”
Palmieri wrote back that “if policy is okay, I am.”
Top foreign policy advisor Jake Sullivan added that the line “seems indisputable to me.”
“Agree! [sic]” chimed in senior policy advisor Ann O’Leary.