Hillary Clinton seeks to clear up 'dead broke' comment
Hillary Rodham Clinton on Tuesday sought to contain the damage done by her comment that she and her husband were "dead broke" after he left the White House, saying that she understands the economic challenges facing many Americans.
"Let me just clarify ... I fully appreciate how hard life is so for many Americans today," Clinton said during a live interview on ABC News. "It's an issue I've worked on and cared about my entire adult life."
Clinton continued:
Clinton was defending the lucrative speaking fees that she and her husband earn in an interview that aired Monday with ABC's Diane Sawyer when she made the comment that the couple were "not only dead broke, but in debt" in 2001 when Bill Clinton's presidency ended. The remark sparked charges of elitism from the Republican National Committee and comments on Twitter suggesting the former secretary of State -- who is considering a 2016 presidential campaign -- was tone deaf.
"Despite a six-figure taxpayer-funded income and a book deal worth $8 million, it's laughable to think that Bill and Hillary Clinton left the White House broke," said RNC spokesman Jahan Wilcox, adding that the Clintons own homes in New York and Washington plus earn six figures per paid speech. "It's clear nobody could be more out of touch than Hillary Clinton."
Clinton's financial disclosure forms filed in 2000 show the couple had assets worth at least $781,000 and as much as nearly $1.8 million. The form, which Clinton filed as a Senate candidate, show she and her husband owed between $2.3 million and $10.6 million in legal bills at that time, according to the Associated Press. Her advance for Living History, her first memoir, was a reported $8 million.
Clinton is conducting a host of media interviews in conjunction with her latest book, Hard Choices, which went on sale Tuesday. In an interview with Paste BN's Susan Page, Clinton said the landscape for a woman running for president in 2016 -- whether or not it's her -- is more welcoming than it was in 2008 when she experienced sexism on the campaign trail.
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