Using Republicans as Shield, Clinton Dodges Again on Wall Street Speeches

Just what exactly did Hillary Clinton tell Wall Street bankers when she thought only they were listening?

“I am very happy to release all of my paid speeches to Wall Street. Here it is… There ain’t none.”
—Bernie SandersWhen she was first asked the question last month by a journalist during a campaign stop in New Hampshire, Clinton just laughed in response before turning away. Subsequently, during a televised debate, Clinton said she would “look into” it.

But the concern over the content of her paid speeches to Wall Street firms has only grown in recent weeks and on Tuesday night, during a town hall event in South Carolina, Clinton answered the question by saying she would only release transcripts of her remarks if “everybody does it” and argued that she was being treated differently than other presidential candidates. “Why is there one standard for me and not for everybody else?” she asked CNN moderator Chris Cuomo.

“That includes the Republicans,” said Clinton, “Because we know they have given a lot of speeches.”

Watch the exchange with Clinton:

Earlier in the event, Bernie Sanders was asked if he would release transcripts of his paid speeches or appearances.

“I have given some speeches, and money was donated to charity way, way back,” Sanders responded. “I got a few dollars. If I can find the transcripts, I’m very, very happy to do it.”

But making the obvious contrast, Sanders explained that he has never agreed to the kind of speaking engagements that resulted in millions of dollars of fees like the ones given by Clinton after she left the State Department.