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Hillary Clinton Quotes
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Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton is an American politician and diplomat who served as the First Lady of the United States from 1993 to 2001, U.S. Senator from New York from 2001 to 2009, 67th United States Secretary of State from 2009 to 2013, and as the Democratic Party's nominee for President of the United States in the 2016 election.

Born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in the Chicago suburb of Park Ridge, Clinton graduated from Wellesley College in 1969 and earned a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School in 1973. After serving as a congressional legal counsel, she moved to Arkansas and married Bill Clinton in 1975. In 1977, she co-founded Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. She was appointed the first female chair of the Legal Services Corporation in 1978 and became the first female partner at Rose Law Firm the following year. As First Lady of Arkansas, she led a task force whose recommendations helped reform Arkansas's public schools.

As First Lady of the United States, Clinton was an advocate for gender equality and healthcare reform. Her marital relationship came under public scrutiny during the Lewinsky scandal, which led her to issue a statement that reaffirmed her commitment to the marriage. In 2000, Clinton was elected as the first female Senator from New York. She was reelected to the Senate in 2006. Running for president in 2008, she won far more delegates than any previous female candidate but lost the Democratic nomination to Barack Obama. During her tenure as U.S. Secretary of State in the Obama Administration from 2009 to 2013, Clinton responded to the Arab Spring by advocating military intervention in Libya. She helped to organize a diplomatic isolation and international sanctions regime against Iran in an effort to force curtailment of that country's nuclear program; this would eventually lead to the multinational Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action agreement in 2015. Upon leaving her Cabinet position after Obama's first term, she wrote her fifth book and undertook speaking engagements.

Clinton made a second presidential run in 2016. She received the most votes and primary delegates in the 2016 Democratic primaries and formally accepted her party's nomination for President of the United States on July 28, 2016 with vice presidential running mate Senator Tim Kaine. She became the first female candidate to be nominated for president by a major U.S. political party. She lost the presidential election to Republican opponent Donald Trump in the Electoral College, despite winning a plurality of the popular vote. She received more than 65 million votes, the 3rd-highest count in a U.S. presidential election, behind Obama's victories in 2008 and 2012. Following her loss, she wrote her third memoir, What Happened, and launched Onward Together, a political action organization dedicated to fundraising for progressive political groups.

✵ 26. October 1947
Hillary Clinton photo
Hillary Clinton: 312   quotes 8   likes

Hillary Clinton Quotes

“So I made a mistake. That happens. It proves I'm human, which you know, for some people, is a revelation…. I was also told that the greeting ceremony had been moved away from the tarmac but that there was this eight-year-old girl and I said, 'Well, I, I can't, I can't rush by her, I've got to at least greet her.' So I greeted her, I took her stuff and I left. Now that's my memory of it.”

Hillary Clinton

March 25, 2008, regarding her recent remarks on Bosnia. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/03/25/politics/main3967223.shtml?source=mostpop_story
Presidential campaign (January 20, 2007 – 2008)

People , Girl , Memory

“None of us can close our eyes to the fact that we do face enemies who use their distorted version of Islam to justify slaughtering innocent people.”

Hillary Clinton

Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016), Speech about the Orlando Shooting (June 13, 2016)

People

“The Orlando terrorist may be dead, but the virus that poisoned his mind remains very much alive. And we must attack it with clear eyes, steady hands, unwavering determination and pride in our country and our values.”

Hillary Clinton

Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016), Speech about the Orlando Shooting (June 13, 2016)

Dead , Country

“I think the Congress should support the president’s request to fund programs that would protect people and change the culture of criminality and violence in Central America, helping people be able to stay safely in their homes and countries.”

Hillary Clinton

Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016), Democratic Presidential Debate in Miami (March 9, 2016)

People , Home , Support , Thinking

“We discovered Japan for Heaven sakes.”

Hillary Clinton

Goldman Sachs Builders And Innovators Summit (29 October 2013), WikiLeaks. "Read the speeches Hillary Clinton wanted kept secret, part three" http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/read-the-speeches-hillary-clinton-wanted-kept-secret-part-three/article/2604660, Washington Examiner (15 October 2016).
Attributed

“Life is too short, time is too precious, and the stakes are too high to dwell on what might have been. We have to work together for what still can be.”

Hillary Clinton

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/07/clinton-concession-speech_n_105842.html, Washington D.C., June 7, 2008
Presidential campaign (January 20, 2007 – 2008)

Life , Time

“Too often, training and retraining doesn’t work as it should. If you don’t have a four-year degree, if you haven’t really had the chance to upgrade your skills over the years, it’s hard to just make a course correction. We need to have apprenticeships and community college and technical programs, starting in high school and moving all the way up to older workers. Whether you’re trying to start your career or you’ve spent decades contributing to our economy, you deserve better.”

Hillary Clinton

Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016), Speech in Orlando, Florida (September 21, 2016)

School , Way , Communication , Chance

“If we're serious about keeping our country safe, we also can't afford to have a President who's in the pocket of the gun lobby. I'm not here to repeal the 2nd Amendment. I'm not here to take away your guns. I just don't want you to be shot by someone who shouldn't have a gun in the first place. We should be working with responsible gun owners to pass common-sense reforms and keep guns out of the hands of criminals, terrorists and all others who would do us harm.”

Hillary Clinton

Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016), (July 28, 2016)

Sense , Country

“I did say we needed to be very concerned about little children coming to this country — on their own, very often — many of them not making it. And when they got here, they needed, as I have argued for, legal counsel, due process, to make a decision. We need to end private detention, we need to end family detention.”

Hillary Clinton

Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016), Democratic Presidential Debate in Miami (March 9, 2016)

Children , Family , Decision , Country

“Once and for all, the Saudis, the Qataris, and others need to stop their citizens from directly funding extremist organizations, as well as schools and mosques around the world that have set too many young people on a path toward radicalization. When it comes to blocking terrorist recruitment, we have to identify the hotspots—the specific neighborhoods and villages, the prisons and schools—where recruitment happens in clusters.”

Hillary Clinton

Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016), Speech on fighting ISIS (November 20, 2015)

People , World , School

“He (Donald Trump) called for a new tax loophole – let’s call it the Trump Loophole – because it would allow him to pay less than half the current tax rate on income from many of his companies. He’d pay a lower rate than millions of middle class families.”

Hillary Clinton

Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016), Speech in Warren, Michigan (August 11, 2016)

Family

“I believe they point to a fundamental truth about our economy. It can seem like a zero sum, when you are competing for a job, a promotion, or a contract if someone wins and someone loses, but that is not the full picture. If you step back, you’ll see we’re all in this together. If we can grow together, we can all rise together. Because, you know what I like to say, we are stronger together, and that’s why the fourth question is key.”

Hillary Clinton

Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016), Speech in Warren, Michigan (August 11, 2016)

Truth , Question

“The Republicans, the opponents no longer have an argument. And certainly, we hear a lot coming from the Republican side that is absolutely out of touch with reality. We raised money through the congressional appropriations process. We enhanced the border security. That part of the work is done. Everybody that I know has looked at it said, okay, we have a secure border. There’s no need for this rhetoric and demagoguery that’s still —is carried out on the Republican side. You’ve run out of excuses. … I understand him, he’s (Donald Trump) talking about a very tall wall. Right? A beautiful tall wall. The most beautiful tall wall, better than the Great Wall of China, that would run the entire border. That he would somehow magically get the Mexican government to pay for. And, you know, it’s just fantasy. And in fact, if he cared to know anything about what members of Congress, like the senator and I have done, where it was necessary, we did support some fencing. Where it was necessary, we did add border patrol agents. We have done what by any fair estimate would have to conclude is a good job, quote, “securing the border.””

Hillary Clinton

So let’s get about the business of comprehensive immigration reform.
Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016), Democratic Presidential Debate in Miami (March 9, 2016)

Money , Beauty , Quotes , Understanding

“In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including Al Qaeda members, though there is apparently no evidence of his involvement in the terrible events of September 11, 2001. It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons. Should he succeed in that endeavor, he could alter the political and security landscape of the Middle East, which as we know all too well affects American security. This much is undisputed… This is a difficult vote. This is probably the hardest decision I have ever had to make. Any vote that may lead to war should be hard, but I cast it with conviction.”

Hillary Clinton

Senate speech (10 October 2002) http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2002_record&docid=cr10oc02-70
Senate years (2001 – January 19, 2007)

War , Intelligence , Decision

“America's strength doesn't come from lashing out. Strength relies on smarts, judgment, cool resolve, and the precise and strategic application of power.”

Hillary Clinton

Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016), (July 28, 2016)

“A big part of our plan will be unleashing the power of the private sector to create more jobs at higher pay. And that means for us, creating an infrastructure bank to get private funds off the sidelines and complement our private investments.”

Hillary Clinton

Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016), Speech in Warren, Michigan (August 11, 2016)

Parting

“Like it or not, women are always subject to criticism if they show too much feeling in public.”

Hillary Clinton book Living History

Living History (June 9, 2003)
Senate years (2001 – January 19, 2007)

Women , Feeling

“My job titles only tell you what I've done. They don't tell you why.”

Hillary Clinton

Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016), (July 28, 2016)

“No one should have any illusions about what’s really going on here. The names may have changed… Racists now call themselves "racialists." White supremacists now call themselves "white nationalists." The paranoid fringe now calls itself "alt-right." But the hate burns just as bright. And now Trump is trying to rebrand himself as well. Don’t be fooled.”

Hillary Clinton

Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016), Speech in (August 25, 2016)

Hate , Fools , Change

“I hope, Mr. President, that we can pass a law that criminalizes flag burning and desecration.”

Hillary Clinton

Senate Session https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4633289/senator-hillary-rodham-clinton-protects-united-states-flag-june-27-2006 (27 June 2006)
Senate years (2001 – January 19, 2007)

Law , Hope

“Mr. Khan, paid the ultimate sacrifice in his family, didn't he. And what has he heard from Donald Trump? Nothing but insults, degrading comments about Muslims, a total misunderstanding of what made our country great, religious freedom, religious liberty. It's enshrined in our Constitution, as Mr. Khan knows, because he's actually read it.”

Hillary Clinton

At a church in Cleveland. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/07/31/khizr-khan-calls-trump-a-black-soul-says-mcconnell-ryan-have-moral-obligation-to-repudiate-him/ The Washington Post (July 31, 2016)
Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016)

Family , Freedom , Reading , Country

“We are safer when communities respect the police and police respect communities.”

Hillary Clinton

Source: Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016), Speech in Orlando, Florida (September 21, 2016)

Communication

“I was sleep-deprived, and I misspoke.”

Hillary Clinton

citation needed
Presidential campaign (January 20, 2007 – 2008)

Sleep

“You know, when you run for president, you need to be judged by what you have done. I think the evidence is pretty clear.”

Hillary Clinton

Press conference https://grabien.com/story.php?id=61634, Las Vegas, Nevada (4 August 2016)
Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016)

Thinking

“Look what the Iraq Study Group came up with. You know, that was a totally nonpartisan group of, you know, 10 wise Americans, you know, some of them Republican, some of then Democrats from different, you know, experiences. They came out with a long list of recommendations. Now, you can say well, I wouldn't agree with that one or wouldn't agree with this one, but the fundamental point they made is that there is no military solution. There is only a political resolution and you've got to bring everybody into the game in order to move it forward, you know. And for whatever reason, this administration rejects that. They won't talk to bad people. That means they won't talk to the Iranians and the Syrians… If they're our enemies, then believe me, I think they are, because they certainly don't wish us any well outcome, then we need to know more about them. I think it's a sign of strength to get into a process with people who you are concerned about their motives, who's really calling the shots. This administration won't do that. So, to a certain extent we're flying blind.”

Hillary Clinton

Interview http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,244985,00.html with Greta van Susteren on FOX News (19 January 2007)
Senate years (2001 – January 19, 2007)

People , Game , Motivation , Thinking

“You know, joining a gang is like having a family. It's feeling like you're part of something bigger than yourself. So we're either going to have gangs that murder and rob and do the things that are so destructive to the gang members and to the community. Or, we're going to have positive gangs. We're going to have positive alternatives for young people.”

Hillary Clinton

Clinton: We Need Positive Gangs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVD0pvWL6R4; as quoted in * 2016-04-21
Clinton: We Could Have Positive Gangs
Chandler Gill
Free Beacon
http://freebeacon.com/culture/clinton-need-positive-gangs/.
Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016)

People , Family , Feeling , Communication

“He took a lie detector test. I had him take a polygraph, which he passed, which forever destroyed my faith in polygraphs”

Hillary Clinton

laughter
Recorded audio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2f13f2awK4, speaking about a man, on trial for raping a 12 year old girl, whom she was appointed to defend. Quoted at Frontpage Mag http://www.frontpagemag.com/point/234515/former-12-year-old-rape-victim-hillary-clinton-daniel-greenfield and ABC News http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2014/06/hillary-clinton-dogged-by-1975-rape-case. Audio recording at: Free Beacon http://freebeacon.com/politics/audio-hillary-clinton-speaks-of-defense-of-child-rapist-in-newly-unearthed-tapes.
1980s

Lie , Faith , Laughter

“As president, I will take steps to ban the box, so former presidents won't have to declare their criminal history at the very start of the hiring process.”

Hillary Clinton

Speech given to the Charleston NAACP, as quoted in * 2015-11-04
Oops: Hillary Accidentally Says Presidents Shouldn't Have to Disclose Criminal History
Alex Griswold
mediaite.com
http://www.mediaite.com/online/oops-hillary-accidentally-says-presidents-shouldnt-have-to-disclose-criminal-history/
Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016)

History , Box

“Donald Trump has a different view. He’s made a career out of stiffing small businesses from Atlantic City to Las Vegas. There are companies that were left hanging because he refused to pay their bills. A lot of those companies scraped together what the could to pay their employees, and many of them put their businesses at risk and some of them ended up taking bankruptcy. It wasn’t because Trump couldn’t pay them, it was because he wouldn’t pay them.”

Hillary Clinton

Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016), Speech in Warren, Michigan (August 11, 2016)

Business

“Always aim high, work hard, and care deeply about what you believe in. When you stumble, keep faith. When you're knocked down, get right back up. And never listen to anyone who says you can't or shouldn't go on.”

Hillary Clinton

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/07/clinton-concession-speech_n_105842.html, Washington D.C., June 7, 2008
Presidential campaign (January 20, 2007 – 2008)

Powerful , Faith

“They should be sent back as soon as it can be determined who responsible adults in their families are. There are concerns about whether all of them can be sent back, but I think all of them who can be should be reunited with their families…We have to send a clear message: Just because your child gets across the border, that doesn’t mean the child gets to stay. We don’t want to send a message that’s contrary to our laws or will encourage more children to make that dangerous journey.”

Hillary Clinton

per 18 June 2014 Washington Post article https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2014/06/18/hillary-minors-crossing-border-must-be-sent-home/?utm_term=.4fa77b8f5771
Interim (2013–2015)

Children , Family , Law , Thinking

“The clean power plan is something that Senator Sanders has said he would delay implementing, which makes absolutely no sense. We need to implement all of the president’s executive actions and quickly move to make a bridge from coal to natural gas to clean energy. That is the way we will keep the lights on while we are transitioning to a clean energy future. And when I talk about resilience, I think that is an area we can get Republican support on.”

Hillary Clinton

Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016), Democratic Presidential Debate in Miami (March 9, 2016)

Way , Support , Nature , Thinking

“I'm running for president. Everyday Americans need a champion, and I want to be that champion.”

Hillary Clinton

Tweet (12 April 2015) https://twitter.com/HillaryClinton/status/587336319321407488
Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016)

“I think Donald just criticized me for preparing for this debate. And, yes, I did. And you know what else I prepared for? I prepared to be president. And I think that's a good thing.”

Hillary Clinton

Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016), First presidential debate (September 26, 2016)

Thinking

“If you work hard, you do your part, you should be able to give your children all the opportunities they deserve. That is the basic bargain of America.”

Hillary Clinton

Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016), Speech in Warren, Michigan (August 11, 2016)

Children , Parting

“The terrorist in Orlando targeted LGBT Americans out of hatred and bigotry, and an attack on any American is an attack on all Americans.”

Hillary Clinton

Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016), Speech about the Orlando Shooting (June 13, 2016)

“If there is one message that echoes forth from this conference, let it be that human rights are women’s rights and women’s rights are human rights once and for all.”

Hillary Clinton

September 5, 1995
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/hillaryclintonbeijingspeech.htm
White House years (1993–2000)

Women

“I wonder if it's possible to be a Republican and a Christian at the same time.”

Hillary Clinton

C-SPAN broadcast (21 June 2004)
Senate years (2001 – January 19, 2007)

Time

“In 2015, Trump launched his own campaign for President with another racist lie. He described Mexican immigrants as rapists and criminals. And he accused the Mexican government of actively sending them across the border. None of that is true. Oh, and by the way, Mexico’s not paying for his wall either. If it ever gets built, you can be sure that American taxpayers will be stuck with the bill. Since then, there’s been a steady stream of bigotry.”

Hillary Clinton

Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016), Speech in (August 25, 2016)

Lie , Way

“My accomplishments as Secretary of State? Well, I'm glad you asked. My proudest accomplishment in which I take the most pride, mostly because of the opposition it faced early on, you know. The remnants of prior situations and mindsets that were too narrowly focused in a manner whereby they may have overlooked the bigger picture and we didn't do that. Very proud. I would say that's a major accomplishment.”

Hillary Clinton

Claimed to be from a speech in letter to the editor by Scott Boyer. " Hillary Clinton: A killer public speaker http://missoulian.com/news/opinion/mailbag/hillary-clinton-a-killer-public-speaker/article_c8a22488-10e7-11e4-8550-001a4bcf887a.html", Missoulian (). There is no record of Hillary Clinton having engaged in a public appearance on this date, nor any news account or transcript recording such a quote, according to snopes.com ( "Stating the Oblivious" http://www.snopes.com/politics/clintons/achievements.asp).
Misattributed

“I think cyber security, cyber warfare will be one of the biggest challenges facing the next president, because clearly we're facing at this point two different kinds of adversaries. There are the independent hacking groups that do it mostly for commercial reasons to try to steal information that they can use to make money. But increasingly, we are seeing cyber attacks coming from states, organs of states. The most recent and troubling of these has been Russia. There's no doubt now that Russia has used cyber attacks against all kinds of organizations in our country, and I am deeply concerned about this.”

Hillary Clinton

Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016), First presidential debate (September 26, 2016)

Money , Thinking , Country

“I’m committed to defending DAPA and DACA. I’m committed to going even further to get more people deferred action, to go as far as I can under the law. And I am committed to introducing comprehensive immigration reform with a path to citizenship in the first 100 days of my presidency.”

Hillary Clinton

Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016), Democratic Presidential Debate in Miami (March 9, 2016)

People , Law

“Donald Trump misses so much. He doesn’t see the success of black leaders in every field… The vibrancy of black-owned businesses…Or the strength of the black church… He doesn’t see the excellence of historically black colleges and universities or the pride of black parents watching their children thrive… And he certainly doesn’t have any solutions to take on the reality of systemic racism and create more equity and opportunity in communities of color. It takes a lot of nerve to ask people he’s ignored and mistreated for decades, "What do you have to lose?"”

Hillary Clinton

The answer is everything!
Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016), Speech in Reno, Nevada (August 25, 2016)

Children , People , Color , Communication

“The truth is, through all these years of public service, the “service” part has always come easier to me than the “public” part.”

Hillary Clinton

Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016), (July 28, 2016)

Truth , Parting

“No matter how far those dreams have taken me, I have always remembered, I’m the daughter of a small-business owner and the granddaughter of a factory worker — and proud of both.”

Hillary Clinton

Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016), Speech in Warren, Michigan (August 11, 2016)

Dreams , Business , Daughters

“It is time to put policy ahead of politics and success ahead of the status quo. It is time for a new strategy to produce what we need: a stable Iraq government that takes over for its own people so our troops can finish their job.”

Hillary Clinton

Speech in US Senate (21 June 2006)
Senate years (2001 – January 19, 2007)

People , Time , Success

“At the end of the day, the American people are going to be faced with some very tough judgments, because, at the current course this president is pursuing, I'm afraid that the next president will inherit this situation, with all of its complexity and all of its heartbreak… And let's not kid ourselves. I think this administration is also focused on Iran. And I think we need to send a very strong message that an administration with its track record of failure, of arrogance, of refusal to listen and learn from the disastrous steps that have, unfortunately, been taken should not be rushing off and putting American servicemembers in harm's way and possibly widening the conflict.”

Hillary Clinton

Interview with Gwen Ifill on PBS's NewsHour with Jim Lehrer (18 January 2007) http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/jan-june07/clinton_01-18.html
Senate years (2001 – January 19, 2007)

People , Way , Failure , Thinking

“Donald has consistently insulted Muslims abroad, Muslims at home, when we need to be cooperating with Muslim nations and with the American Muslim community. They're on the front lines. They can provide information to us that we might not get anywhere else. They need to have close working cooperation with law enforcement in these communities, not be alienated and pushed away as some of Donald's rhetoric, unfortunately, has led to.”

Hillary Clinton

Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016), First presidential debate (September 26, 2016)

Law , Home , Communication

“Let's stop for a second and remember where we were eight years ago. We had the worst financial crisis, the Great Recession, the worst since the 1930s. That was in large part because of tax policies that slashed taxes on the wealthy, failed to invest in the middle class, took their eyes off of Wall Street, and created a perfect storm. In fact, Donald was one of the people who rooted for the housing crisis. He said, back in 2006, "Gee, I hope it does collapse, because then I can go in and buy some and make some money." Well, it did collapse…. We have come back from that abyss. And it has not been easy. So we're now on the precipice of having a potentially much better economy, but the last thing we need to do is to go back to the policies that failed us in the first place.”

Hillary Clinton

Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016), First presidential debate (September 26, 2016)

Money , People , Hope , Parting

“Showing up is not all of life, but it counts for a lot.”

Hillary Clinton

Told to reporters http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/19/AR2009021903471.html on a flight to Soeul, Korea, February 20, 2009
Secretary of State (2009–2013)

Life