Hillary Clinton and her unofficial adviser Sid Blumenthal dicussed a Democratic campaign against “Republican rape rage” in 2012, according to the latest batch of Clinton emails released by the State Department.
During that year’s presidential election, Blumenthal was working with a liberal group and said he suggested creating an ad highlighting all the Republicans’ “outrageous comments on women,” a possible reference to Republican Senate candidate Todd Akin’s “legitimate rape” controversy.
Blumenthal said he had written an ad on the subject to be read by the singer Cher, arguing it would help President Obama defeat Republican challenger Mitt Romney. He asked Clinton, then the secretary of state, get involved.
“Can you get all the Democratic women senators to issue a joint statement the Republican rape rage, women’s rights and Romney’s enabling and cowardice?” Blumenthal asked. “This fire needs gas.”
Blumenthal also wanted to enlist the vice president.
“Biden needs to raise his decibel on Republican rape rage and Romney as a supporter, enabler and profile in cowardice” Blumenthal wrote in the email to Clinton just days before the 2012 presidential election.
It’s not clear whether Clinton acted on Blumenthal’s request, but she did signal approval.
“Keep fighting the good fight,” she reponded. “Agree w your strategy. I will also tell Bill [Clinton].”
