déluge.’ (After Assad, chaos.) The power vacuum in Iraq after the fall of Saddam and the disbanding of the Iraqi Army offered a cautionary tale. But if the United States could train and equip a reliable and effective moderate rebel force, it could help hold the country together during a transition, safeguard chemical weapons stockpiles, and prevent ethnic cleansing and score settling. But could it be done? The key would be thoroughly vetting the rebel fighters to ensure we first weeded out the extremists and then maintained close intelligence sharing and operational coordination with all our partners.” [Hillary Clinton, Hard Choices, 6/10/14] Secretary Clinton: “The Failure To Help Build Up A Credible Fighting Force” Among The Syrian Opposition “Left A Big Vacuum, Which The Jihadists Have Now Filled.” “I know that the failure to help build up a credible fighting force of the people who were the originators of the protests against Assad—there were Islamists, there were secularists, there was everything in the middle—the failure to do that left a big vacuum, which the jihadists have now filled. They were often armed in an indiscriminate way by other forces and we had no skin in the game that really enabled us to prevent this indiscriminate arming.” [The Atlantic, 8/10/14] SECRETARY CLINTON DID NOT CLEARLY SUPPORT PRESIDENT OBAMA’S TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP DEAL Secretary Clinton: “Any Trade Deal Has To Produce Jobs And Raise Wages And Increase Prosperity And Protect Our Security.” “Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton hedged Tuesday on whether she will support a trade package gaining traction in Congress but opposed by some in her party’s politically potent liberal wing. ‘Any trade deal has to produce jobs and raise wages and increase prosperity and protect our security,’ Clinton said during a tour of a community college that focuses on technical skills. ‘We have to do our part in making sure we have the capabilities and the skills to be competitive.’” [Washington Post, 4/21/15] Washington Post: “Clinton's Campaign Has Previously Said That She Will Closely Watch Efforts To Complete The Deal, Known As The TPP.” “Clinton's campaign has previously said that she will closely watch efforts to complete the deal, known as the TPP. ‘We shouldn't be giving special rights to corporations at the expense of workers and consumers,’ Clinton spokesman Nick Merrill said last week.” [Washington Post, 4/21/15] SECRETARY CLINTON SIGNALED SHE WAS OPEN TO CHANGES IN THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT Washington Times: “Hillary Rodham Clinton Began To Carefully Ease Away From President Obama On Wednesday, Saying She Wanted To Build Upon ‘What Works’ In The President’s Signature Health Care Law And Opened The Door To Health Insurance Changes Usually Backed By Republicans.” “Hillary Rodham Clinton began to carefully ease away from President Obama on Wednesday, saying she wanted to build upon ‘what works’ in the president’s signature health care law and opened the door to health insurance changes usually backed by Republicans. The former secretary of state also said her presidential campaign was working on a plan to ‘jump start’ small businesses that have been held back during the economic recovery by excessive regulations and government red tape.” [Washington Times, 4/15/15] CAMPAIGN FINANCE 2016ERS CHRISTIE ACCUSED CLINTON OF HYPOCRISY FOR AIMING TO RAISE $2.5B FOR HER CAMPAIGN WHILE ADVOCATING FOR STRICTER CAMPAIGN FINANCE REGULATIONS