Clinton Spokesman Merrill: “When People Call For The Donations To Be Returned, They Are Dismissing The Fact That Lives Will Be Affected, Even Lost.” “People are trying to make this political forget the human toll of HIV/AIDs or earthquakes or that as governments have fewer resources around the world. That’s exactly where NGO’s need to step into the void to help improve people's lives. When people call for the donations to be returned, they are dismissing the fact that lives will be affected, even lost.” [Nick Merrill, 3/2/15] …AND EMPHASIZED THE UNUSUALLY HIGH LEVEL TRANSPARENCY SURROUNDING THE FOUNDATION’S DONATIONS Clinton Spokesman Merrill: “Unlike Many Other Similar Charities, The Foundation Voluntarily Discloses All Of Its Contributors' Names, Right On The Clinton Foundation Website.” “Let’s remember why journalists are able to dig through all these records. Because unlike many other similar charities, the Foundation voluntarily discloses all of its contributors' names, right on the Clinton Foundation website. And it refuses to take anonymous contributions. No charity is required to do these, but the Clinton Foundation does it, on its own accord.” [Nick Merrill, 3/2/15] Clinton Spokesman Merrill: Clinton Foundation “Refuses To Take Anonymous Contributions.” [Nick Merrill, 3/2/15] Clinton Spokesman Merrill: Clinton Foundation “Counts Among Its Contributors And CGI Participants President George H.W. Bush, Laura Bush, Condi Rice, John McCain, Mitt Romney, Carly Fiorina, And Dozens Of Governors And Mayors From Both Sides Of The Aisle.” [Nick Merrill, 3/2/15] REPORTS THAT STATE DEPARTMENT LAWYERS DID NOT EXHAUSTIVELY VET BILL CLINTON’S PAID SPEECHES DURING SECRETARY CLINTON’S TENURE RAISED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ROLE CLINTON FOUNDATION DONATIONS MAY HAVE PLAYED IN ORGANIZING THOSE SPEECHES Politico: In Reviewing Bill Clinton Speeches For Potential Conflicts Of Interest, “State Department Lawyers Acted On Sparse Information About Business Proposals And Speech Requests And Were Under The Gun To Approve The Proposals Promptly.” “In hundreds of documents released to POLITICO under the Freedom of Information Act, not a single case appears where the State Department explicitly rejected a Bill Clinton speech. Instead, the records show State Department lawyers acted on sparse information about business proposals and speech requests and were under the gun to approve the proposals promptly.” [Politico, 2/25/15] Politico: “In A 2009 Memo Greenlighting [President Clinton Speaking Engagements], A State Department Ethics Official Specifically Asked About Possible Links Between President Clinton’s Speaking Engagements And Donations To The Clinton Foundation.” “In a 2009 memo greenlighting those talks, a State Department ethics official specifically asked about possible links between President Clinton’s speaking engagements and donations to the Clinton Foundation. However, the released documents show no evidence that the question was addressed. ‘In future requests, I would suggest including a statement listing whether or not any of the proposed sponsors of a speaking event have made a donation to the Clinton Foundation and, if so, the amount and date,’ wrote Jim Thessin, then the State Department’s top ethics approver and No. 2 lawyer.” [Politico, 2/25/15] State Department Spokesman On Bill Clinton Speaking Arrangements: “In Several Respects, Secretary Clinton’s Commitments Went Beyond The Requirements Of Applicable Laws And Regulations…We Believe Secretary Clinton Honored Fully These Undertakings.” [Politico, 2/25/15] Clinton Foundation: “President Clinton And The Clinton Foundation Both Held Themselves To Much Higher Standards Than Existing Rules For Spouses Of Government Officials, And For The Organizations With Which They Are Affiliated.” [Politico, 2/25/15]