Subject: Re: DRAFT: Opening Statement
From: Cheryl Mills <[email-masked]>
To: Jennifer Palmieri <[email-masked]>, Phil Schiliro <[email-masked]>
Cc: Dan Schwerin <[email-masked]>, Phil Barnett <[email-masked]>, "[email-masked]" <[email-masked]>, "[email-masked]" <[email-masked]>, "[email-masked]" <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 20 Oct 2015 21:43:18 -0400

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 <
[email-masked]> 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 <[email-masked]>
> 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 <
> [email-masked]> 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 <[email-masked]>
>> 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 <
>> [email-masked]> 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 <[email-masked]> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Can we get this out by end of afternoon?
>>>>
>>>> *From*: Cheryl Mills [mailto:[email-masked]]
>>>> *Sent*: Monday, October 19, 2015 10:46 PM
>>>> *To*: Mandy Grunwald <[email-masked]>
>>>> *Cc*: Dan Schwerin <[email-masked]>; Kendall, David;
>>>> [email-masked] <[email-masked]>; Turner,
>>>> Katherine; [email-masked] <[email-masked]>;
>>>> [email-masked] <[email-masked]>;
>>>> [email-masked] <[email-masked]>;
>>>> [email-masked] <[email-masked]>; [email-masked] <
>>>> [email-masked]>; [email-masked] <
>>>> [email-masked]>; [email-masked] <
>>>> [email-masked]>; [email-masked] <
>>>> [email-masked]>; [email-masked] <
>>>> [email-masked]>; [email-masked] <
>>>> [email-masked]>; [email-masked] <[email-masked]>
>>>> *Subject*: Re: DRAFT: Opening Statement
>>>>
>>>> I would do both
>>>>
>>>> On Mon, Oct 19, 2015 at 10:44 PM, Mandy Grunwald <[email-masked]>
>>>> 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 <
>>>>> [email-masked]> 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 <
>>>>> [email-masked]> 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 <
>>>>>> [email-masked]> 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 <[email-masked]>
>>>>>>> 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:[email-masked]]
>>>>>>>> *Sent*: Sunday, October 18, 2015 01:40 PM
>>>>>>>> *To*: Jake Sullivan <[email-masked]>; Turner,
>>>>>>>> Katherine; Mandy Grunwald <[email-masked]>; Jennifer Palmieri <
>>>>>>>> [email-masked]>; Kendall, David; John Podesta <
>>>>>>>> [email-masked]>; Adrienne Elrod <[email-masked]>;
>>>>>>>> Philippe Reines <[email-masked]>; Sara Latham <
>>>>>>>> [email-masked]>; Cheryl Mills <[email-masked]>;
>>>>>>>> Heather Samuelson <[email-masked]>; Brian Fallon <
>>>>>>>> [email-masked]>; Huma Abedin <[email-masked]>;
>>>>>>>> Phil Schiliro <[email-masked]>; Phil Barnett <
>>>>>>>> [email-masked]>; Matt Siegler <[email-masked]>
>>>>>>>> *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 <
>>>>>>>> [email-masked]> 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 <
>>>>>>>>> [email-masked]> 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 <[email-masked]>
>>>>>>>>>> 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
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> [email-masked] | www.wc.com/kturner
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> *From:* Dan Schwerin [mailto:[email-masked]
>>>>>>>>>> <[email-masked]>]
>>>>>>>>>> *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 <
>>>>>>>>>> [email-masked]> 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 <
>>>>>>>>>> [email-masked]> 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 <[email-masked]>
>>>>>>>>>> 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>*
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>>>>> From: Jennifer Palmieri <[email-masked]>
>>>>>>>>>> To: Kendall, David <[email-masked]>
>>>>>>>>>> Cc: Dan Schwerin <[email-masked]>; Jake Sullivan <
>>>>>>>>>> [email-masked]>; John Podesta <
>>>>>>>>>> [email-masked]>; Adrienne Elrod <
>>>>>>>>>> [email-masked]>; Mandy Grunwald <[email-masked]>;
>>>>>>>>>> Philippe Reines <[email-masked]>; Sara Latham <
>>>>>>>>>> [email-masked]>; Cheryl Mills <[email-masked]>;
>>>>>>>>>> Heather Samuelson <[email-masked]>; Turner,
>>>>>>>>>> Katherine <[email-masked]>; Brian Fallon <
>>>>>>>>>> [email-masked]>; Huma Abedin <[email-masked]>;
>>>>>>>>>> Phil Schiliro <[email-masked]>; Phil Barnett <
>>>>>>>>>> [email-masked]>; Matt Siegler <[email-masked]>
>>>>>>>>>> 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 <[email-masked]>
>>>>>>>>>> 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
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> [email-masked] | www.wc.com/dkendall
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> *From:* Dan Schwerin [mailto:[email-masked]
>>>>>>>>>> <[email-masked]>]
>>>>>>>>>> *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>
>
>