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Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, pictured here on Tuesday, March 3, has become one of the most powerful people in Washington. Here's a look at her life and career through the years.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Before she married Bill Clinton, she was Hillary Rodham. Here, Rodham talks about student protests in 1969, which she supported in her commencement speech at Wellesley College in Wellesley, Massachusetts.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Rodham, center, a lawyer for the Rodino Committee, and John Doar, left, chief counsel for the committee, bring impeachment charges against President Richard Nixon in the Judiciary Committee hearing room at the U.S. Capitol in 1974.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton helps first lady Rosalynn Carter on a campaign swing through Arkansas in June 1979. Also seen in the photo is Hillary Clinton, center background.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Bill Clinton embraces his wife shortly after a stage light fell near her on January 26, 1992. They talk to Don Hewitt, producer of the CBS show "60 Minutes."

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

With Hillary, Democratic presidential candidate Bill Clinton waves to the crowd at his victory party after winning the Illinois primary on March 17, 1992.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Al Gore, Tipper Gore, Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton wave to supporters at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York, after they gave speeches on family values on August 23, 1992.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton gestures at a campaign rally November 3, 1992, in Denver. After taking office, President Clinton chose his wife to head a special commission on health care reform, the most significant public policy initiative of his first year in office.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Bill and Hillary Clinton have a laugh together on Capitol Hill in 1993.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton pours herself a cup of tea in 1993 while testifying to the Senate Education and Labor Committee about health care reform.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton speaks at George Washington University on September 10, 1993, in Washington during her husband's first term.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton waves to the media on January 26, 1996, as she arrives at federal court in Washington for an appearance before a grand jury. The first lady was subpoenaed to testify as a witness in the investigation of the Whitewater land deal in Arkansas.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Hillary Clinton looks on as President Clinton discusses the Monica Lewinsky scandal in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on January 26, 1998.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Hillary and Bill Clinton arrive at Foundry United Methodist Church on August 16, 1998, in Washington. He became the first sitting president to testify before a grand jury when he testified via satellite about the Lewinsky matter.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton shakes hands during a St. Patrick's Day parade in the Sunnyside neighborhood of Queens, New York, on March 5, 2000.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton waves to the crowd as she arrives on the stage at the Democratic National Convention on August 14, 2000, in Los Angeles.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton campaigns for a Senate seat October 25, 2000, at Grand Central Station in New York.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Hillary Clinton is sworn in as a senator of New York in a re-enactment ceremony with, from left, President Clinton, nephew Tyler, daughter Chelsea, brother Hugh Rodham, mother Dorothy Rodham and Vice President Al Gore on January 3, 2001, in Washington.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Andrew Cuomo, Eliot Spitzer and Clinton celebrate with a crowd of Democratic supporters after their wins in various races November 7, 2006, in New York.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton speaks during a post-primary rally on January 8, 2007, at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

The Clintons pay a visit to the 92nd annual Hopkinton State Fair in Contoocook, New Hampshire, on September 2, 2007.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton speaks at a campaign rally September 2, 2007, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. She was running for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton addresses a question during a debate with other Democratic presidential candidate at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, on September 26, 2007. Also pictured are U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, left, and former U.S. Sen. Mike Gravel of Alaska.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Felipe Bravo, left, and Christian Caraballo are covered with Hillary Clinton stickers in downtown Manchester, New Hampshire, on January 8, 2008.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton campaigns in Council Bluffs, Iowa, with her daughter, Chelsea, on January 1, 2008, two days ahead of the January 3 state caucus.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton waves as she speaks to supporters at the National Building Museum on June 7, 2008, in Washington. After pulling out of the presidential race, Clinton thanked her supporters and urged them to back Barack Obama to be the next president of the United States.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Obama and Clinton talk on the plane on their way to a Unity Rally in Unity, New Hampshire, on June 27, 2008.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Obama watches Clinton address the Democratic National Convention on August 26, 2008. The two endured a long, heated contest for the 2008 nomination.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Sen. Charles Schumer, left, looks toward Secretary of State designate Clinton as Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Sen. John Kerry, center, looks on during nomination hearings January 13, 2009, on Capitol Hill.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton testifies during her confirmation hearing for secretary of state on January 13, 2009, in Washington.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton, as secretary of state, dances with a local choir while visiting the Victoria Mxenge Housing Project in Philippi, a township on the outskirts of Cape Town, South Africa, on August 8, 2009.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton looks through binoculars toward North Korea during a visit to an observation post July 21, 2010, at the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton walks up the steps to her aircraft as she leaves a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on July 23, 2010, in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Hillary and Bill Clinton pose on the day of their daughter's wedding to Marc Mezvinsky on July 31, 2010, in Rhinebeck, New York.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

U.S. President Barack Obama and Clinton observe a moment of silence before a NATO meeting November 19, 2010, in Lisbon, Portugal.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton listens as Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu makes a brief statement November 29, 2010, before a bilateral meeting at the State Department in Washington.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton shakes hands with a child during an unannounced walk through Tahrir Square in Cairo on March 16, 2011.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Clinton and members of Obama's national security team receive an update on the Osama bin Laden mission May 1, 2011, in the Situation Room of the White House.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton checks her personal digital assistant prior to departing Malta on October 18, 2011.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton dances while in Cartagena, Colombia, on April 15, 2012.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton enjoys a beer at Cafe Havana in Cartagena, Colombia, on April 15, 2012.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton appears with little makeup during an event in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on May 6, 2012. She tells CNN, "I feel so relieved to be at the stage I'm at in my life right now ... Because you know if I want to wear my glasses, I'm wearing my glasses. If I want to wear my hair back I'm pulling my hair back. You know at some point it's just not something that deserves a lot of time and attention."

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton speaks as Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai listens during a news conference at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, on July 7, 2012.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton arrives at Ben Gurion International Airport in Israel on July 15, 2012.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton looks on as Obama makes a statement in response to the attack at the U.S. Consulate in Libya on September 12, 2012.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton applauds Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi during a ceremony where Suu Kyi was presented with the Congressional Gold Medal on September 19, 2012.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Bill Clinton kisses his wife after introducing her at the Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting on September 24, 2012, in New York City.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton shakes hands with Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, while attending a reception with Prince William, second from right, in New York in December.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Democratic presidential candidate, former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton gestures before speaking to supporters Saturday, June 13 on Roosevelt Island in New York, in a speech promoted as her formal presidential campaign debut.

Continued here:
Hillary Clinton: Upside and downside of her record - CNN.com

Story highlights

In a huge blow to President Barack Obama's trade agenda, the Democratic front-runner now says she opposes the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership, a massive trade deal she once helped negotiate as secretary of state. But that's not all. Clinton has broken from her vocal support of several of Obama's policies on several high-profile issues in recent weeks -- including immigration, Syria and the Keystone pipeline.

Here's a look at five major issues on which the two Democratic leaders have differences:

Clinton has a long history with free trade. After all, it was her husband, President Bill Clinton, who signed the first regional mega-deal: the North American Free Trade Agreement. And Clinton herself as secretary of state helped get the ball rolling in negotiations over the 12-country Trans-Pacific Partnership -- once calling it the "gold standard" of trade pacts.

But she delivered a major blow to the deal on Wednesday, announcing her opposition to it just two days after Obama's top trade negotiator announced that the United States has, after years of negotiations, reached an agreement.

"As of today, I am not in favor of what I have learned about it," Clinton told PBS on Wednesday. "I don't believe it's going to meet the high bar I have set."

RELATED: 45 times Clinton pushed the trade bill she now opposes

As a presidential candidate, she had previously criticized two of its elements. She's called for more of a focus on currency manipulation, which is being addressed on the sidelines of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. And she has joined Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, in criticizing the deal's inclusion of a mechanism that allows companies to challenge whether countries' laws and regulations live up to their international trade commitments. But that, too, was the subject of last-minute changes designed to appease liberal critics.

Obama's administration has aggressively enforced immigration laws, ramping up deportations in an effort to immunize the White House from being accused of lax security efforts as it worked with Congress to pass immigration reform (an effort which failed). Deportations reached an all-time high of 438,421 in 2013.

Clinton has previously said Obama has little choice but to enforce the laws on the books. But in an interview with Telemundo on Monday, she said it's time for a different approach.

Asked if she thinks Obama has done everything within his executive power to improve the current immigration system, Clinton cited the President's increased enforcement of deportation laws as a mistake.

RELATED: Clinton faults Obama for strict deportation

"The deportation laws were interpreted and enforced very aggressively during the last six and a half years, which I think his administration did in part to try to get Republicans to support comprehensive immigration reform," Clinton said. "It was part of a strategy. I think that strategy is no longer workable."

She added: "I'm not going to be breaking up families. And I think that is one of the differences. I totally understand why the Obama administration felt as though they did what they did under the circumstances. But I think we've learned that the Republicans, at least the current crop, are just not acting in good faith."

Clinton has supported Obama's executive actions to forestall deportations for so-called "Dreamers" -- undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children -- as well as the undocumented parents of U.S. citizens. She's promised to expand on those actions.

Clinton has also cast herself as an independent voice from Obama in Syria.

In her book "Hard Choices," she wrote that as secretary of state, she urged the President to arm Syrian rebels -- much earlier than he ultimately did.

RELATED: Obama subtly pushes back against Clinton, Panetta on Syria

Clinton has prodded the administration to allow more Syrian refugees into the United States, too, pinning her goal at 65,000 -- many more than the 10,000 the White House is currently making plans to accommodate.

And most recently, Clinton has called for a no-fly zone in Syria -- which Obama opposes. It's a split not just with Obama, but with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who has complained that a no-fly zone could lead to the United States becoming further enmeshed in the conflict there.

Obama dinged Clinton for her position in a news conference last week.

"Hillary Clinton is not half-baked in terms of her approach to these problems," he said. "But I also think that there's a difference between running for president and being president."

RELATED: In contrast to Clinton, Sanders opposes no-fly zone in Syria

Clinton has broadly promised to protect and even expand on Obama's signature health care law. But there's at least one element she wants to roll back: the so-called "Cadillac tax" on premium insurance plans.

The tax was designed to hit those who can best afford it, helping pay for the law's expansion of Medicaid and subsidies for lower-income insurance buyers. Obama's White House has consistently supported it, saying that it's necessary to keep down the cost of the law.

But labor unions have blasted it, calling it a thorn in the side as they attempt to negotiate more favorable health insurance plans for workers at school districts, governments and companies.

RELATED: Hillary Clinton: End Obamacare tax on top health plans

"I have proposed new reforms to build on the progress we've made and lower out-of-pocket costs for families," said Clinton in a statement issued September 29. "That's why, among other steps, I encourage Congress to repeal the so-called Cadillac tax, which applies to some employer-based health plans, and to fully pay for the cost of repeal."

Another issue to watch: Whether Clinton will break with Obama on the law's medical device tax.

Clinton was at the helm of the State Department when it began a years-long environmental review of the Keystone XL pipeline. That review still isn't finished -- and for months, she deflected questions about her position on whether the pipeline should move forward or not, saying she wants her old agency to finish its work first. It's the same posture the White House has taken -- Obama has yet to rule on the 1,179-mile Canada-to-Texas pipeline.

But in September, Clinton finally ran out of patience -- with the process, and with the political hits she was taking for ducking the issue.

Liberals have long opposed the pipeline, blocking attempts by congressional Republicans to override the State Department and green-light the project. Sanders and O'Malley were highlighting Clinton's refusal to take a position as evidence that they better suited the party's base. Last month, she announced her opposition to the pipeline.

RELATED: Hillary Clinton opposes Keystone XL pipeline

"I think it is imperative that we look at the Keystone pipeline as what I believe it is -- a distraction from important work we have to do on climate change," Clinton told a community forum in Des Moines, Iowa. "And unfortunately from my perspective, one that interferes with our ability to move forward with all the other issues. Therefore, I oppose it."

It wasn't just a change of rhetoric for a presidential candidate. Her opposition was also a reversal for Clinton herself, who had said in 2010 as secretary of state that she was "inclined" to approve the pipeline.

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5 times Hillary Clinton broke with Obama - CNNPolitics.com

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, pictured here on Tuesday, March 3, has become one of the most powerful people in Washington. Here's a look at her life and career through the years.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Before she married Bill Clinton, she was Hillary Rodham. Here, Rodham talks about student protests in 1969, which she supported in her commencement speech at Wellesley College in Wellesley, Massachusetts.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Rodham, center, a lawyer for the Rodino Committee, and John Doar, left, chief counsel for the committee, bring impeachment charges against President Richard Nixon in the Judiciary Committee hearing room at the U.S. Capitol in 1974.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton helps first lady Rosalynn Carter on a campaign swing through Arkansas in June 1979. Also seen in the photo is Hillary Clinton, center background.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Bill Clinton embraces his wife shortly after a stage light fell near her on January 26, 1992. They talk to Don Hewitt, producer of the CBS show "60 Minutes."

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

With Hillary, Democratic presidential candidate Bill Clinton waves to the crowd at his victory party after winning the Illinois primary on March 17, 1992.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Al Gore, Tipper Gore, Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton wave to supporters at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York, after they gave speeches on family values on August 23, 1992.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton gestures at a campaign rally November 3, 1992, in Denver. After taking office, President Clinton chose his wife to head a special commission on health care reform, the most significant public policy initiative of his first year in office.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Bill and Hillary Clinton have a laugh together on Capitol Hill in 1993.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton pours herself a cup of tea in 1993 while testifying to the Senate Education and Labor Committee about health care reform.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton speaks at George Washington University on September 10, 1993, in Washington during her husband's first term.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton waves to the media on January 26, 1996, as she arrives at federal court in Washington for an appearance before a grand jury. The first lady was subpoenaed to testify as a witness in the investigation of the Whitewater land deal in Arkansas.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Hillary Clinton looks on as President Clinton discusses the Monica Lewinsky scandal in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on January 26, 1998.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Hillary and Bill Clinton arrive at Foundry United Methodist Church on August 16, 1998, in Washington. He became the first sitting president to testify before a grand jury when he testified via satellite about the Lewinsky matter.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton shakes hands during a St. Patrick's Day parade in the Sunnyside neighborhood of Queens, New York, on March 5, 2000.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton waves to the crowd as she arrives on the stage at the Democratic National Convention on August 14, 2000, in Los Angeles.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton campaigns for a Senate seat October 25, 2000, at Grand Central Station in New York.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Hillary Clinton is sworn in as a senator of New York in a re-enactment ceremony with, from left, President Clinton, nephew Tyler, daughter Chelsea, brother Hugh Rodham, mother Dorothy Rodham and Vice President Al Gore on January 3, 2001, in Washington.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Andrew Cuomo, Eliot Spitzer and Clinton celebrate with a crowd of Democratic supporters after their wins in various races November 7, 2006, in New York.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton speaks during a post-primary rally on January 8, 2007, at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

The Clintons pay a visit to the 92nd annual Hopkinton State Fair in Contoocook, New Hampshire, on September 2, 2007.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton speaks at a campaign rally September 2, 2007, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. She was running for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton addresses a question during a debate with other Democratic presidential candidate at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, on September 26, 2007. Also pictured are U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, left, and former U.S. Sen. Mike Gravel of Alaska.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Felipe Bravo, left, and Christian Caraballo are covered with Hillary Clinton stickers in downtown Manchester, New Hampshire, on January 8, 2008.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton campaigns in Council Bluffs, Iowa, with her daughter, Chelsea, on January 1, 2008, two days ahead of the January 3 state caucus.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton waves as she speaks to supporters at the National Building Museum on June 7, 2008, in Washington. After pulling out of the presidential race, Clinton thanked her supporters and urged them to back Barack Obama to be the next president of the United States.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Obama and Clinton talk on the plane on their way to a Unity Rally in Unity, New Hampshire, on June 27, 2008.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Obama watches Clinton address the Democratic National Convention on August 26, 2008. The two endured a long, heated contest for the 2008 nomination.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Sen. Charles Schumer, left, looks toward Secretary of State designate Clinton as Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Sen. John Kerry, center, looks on during nomination hearings January 13, 2009, on Capitol Hill.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton testifies during her confirmation hearing for secretary of state on January 13, 2009, in Washington.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton, as secretary of state, dances with a local choir while visiting the Victoria Mxenge Housing Project in Philippi, a township on the outskirts of Cape Town, South Africa, on August 8, 2009.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton looks through binoculars toward North Korea during a visit to an observation post July 21, 2010, at the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton walks up the steps to her aircraft as she leaves a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on July 23, 2010, in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Hillary and Bill Clinton pose on the day of their daughter's wedding to Marc Mezvinsky on July 31, 2010, in Rhinebeck, New York.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

U.S. President Barack Obama and Clinton observe a moment of silence before a NATO meeting November 19, 2010, in Lisbon, Portugal.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton listens as Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu makes a brief statement November 29, 2010, before a bilateral meeting at the State Department in Washington.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton shakes hands with a child during an unannounced walk through Tahrir Square in Cairo on March 16, 2011.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Clinton and members of Obama's national security team receive an update on the Osama bin Laden mission May 1, 2011, in the Situation Room of the White House.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton checks her personal digital assistant prior to departing Malta on October 18, 2011.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton dances while in Cartagena, Colombia, on April 15, 2012.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton enjoys a beer at Cafe Havana in Cartagena, Colombia, on April 15, 2012.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton appears with little makeup during an event in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on May 6, 2012. She tells CNN, "I feel so relieved to be at the stage I'm at in my life right now ... Because you know if I want to wear my glasses, I'm wearing my glasses. If I want to wear my hair back I'm pulling my hair back. You know at some point it's just not something that deserves a lot of time and attention."

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton speaks as Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai listens during a news conference at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, on July 7, 2012.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton arrives at Ben Gurion International Airport in Israel on July 15, 2012.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton looks on as Obama makes a statement in response to the attack at the U.S. Consulate in Libya on September 12, 2012.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton applauds Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi during a ceremony where Suu Kyi was presented with the Congressional Gold Medal on September 19, 2012.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Bill Clinton kisses his wife after introducing her at the Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting on September 24, 2012, in New York City.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Clinton shakes hands with Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, while attending a reception with Prince William, second from right, in New York in December.

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Hillary Clinton's career in the spotlight

Democratic presidential candidate, former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton gestures before speaking to supporters Saturday, June 13 on Roosevelt Island in New York, in a speech promoted as her formal presidential campaign debut.

Continue reading here:
'SNL' gave Hillary Clinton better deal than Sarah Palin ...

The 30-second spot will air nationally on cable channels and highlights McCarthy's comment, as well as the $4.5 million the House panel investigating the deaths of four Americans in the 2012 Benghazi attacks.

It's the latest effort by Clinton's campaign to go on offense about an issue -- her exclusive use of a private email server during her tenure as secretary of state, which the Benghazi committee helped unearth -- that has dogged her campaign from its outset.

In a Fox News interview last week, McCarthy said: "Everybody thought Hillary Clinton was unbeatable right? But we put together a Benghazi special committee. A select committee. ... What are her numbers today?"

The Clinton ad's narrator says: "The Republicans have spent millions attacking Hillary because she's fighting for everything they oppose. From affordable health care to equal pay, she'll never stop fighting for you and the Republicans know it."

Clinton also made a passionate attack against Republicans herself on Monday, knocking the House Select Committee on Benghazi as "nothing but a partisan exercise," and saying if Democrats were doing something similar to Republicans, she would have shut it down.

RELATED: Hillary Clinton gets choked up discussing gun control

"I would have never done that and if I were president and there were Republicans or Democrats thinking about that, I would have shut it down," she told NBC's "Today."

When asked by NBC's Savannah Guthrie if she would have made an issue out of the use of a personal email server had two high profile Republicans - Karl Rove or Dick Cheney - done the same thing, Clinton said angrily, "I would have never have done that. Look at the situation they chose to exploit to go after me for political reasons. The deaths of four Americans."

Last week, McCarthy ignited a backlash when he described how the committee had been effective at damaging Clinton's poll numbers. McCarthy has since walked back his comments.

"I am sorry that I made a choice that has resulted in this kind of situation and I have said I made a mistake," Clinton said, before adding, "It is also, as we well know, it is the way the Republicans are trying to bring, as they admit, my poll numbers down."

Asked if the Benghazi committee should be disbanded, Clinton responded, "Now that they have admitted that it is a political partisan committee for the sole purpose of trying to go after me," but added that it is "up to the Congress" if they want to keep it going.

"If they are going to have it still running, I will be there," she said.

Republican spokesman for the committee Jamal Ware disputed Clinton's characterization Monday.

"Perhaps Secretary Clinton should at least do what the 50 other witnesses interviewed by this Committee, including survivors of the attacks, have done, and wait until she appears to make a judgment," he said in a statement.

Flanked by voters sitting at red checkered picnic tables and with pancakes sizzling in the background, Clinton used the more than an hour on NBC to cast herself as the most prepared candidate in the 2016 field and subtly knock Bernie Sanders, her stoutest opponent for the Democratic nomination.

Clinton aides rolled out the candidate's plan to combat gun violence on Monday morning, pledging to close background check loopholes and allow victims to sue gun manufacturers.

During the town hall, Clinton said she wanted "to push hard to get more sensible restrains on gun ownership in the wrong hands and then try to keep track of people who shouldn't have guns."

"If anything else were killing 33,000 of our people, we would come together and say 'hey, what are we going to do about this,'" Clinton said.

Clinton also previewed how she may go after Sanders on college affordability, an issue she has knocked the Vermont independent on before.

Clinton's plans would promises that students would not have to "borrow to pay for tuition, books and fees to attend a 4-year public college in their state. Sanders, on the other hand, has pledged totally tuition free public college and universities.

"I am a little different than those who say free for everybody," Clinton said, not mentioning Sanders by name. "I am not in favor of making college free for Donald Trump's kids."

Sanders' message has been resonating in New Hampshire, though, and the new state of play in the state is Sanders in the lead and Clinton in second.

"I have got work to do in New Hampshire," Clinton said bluntly, before noting that she leads in Iowa, South Carolina, Nevada and nationally.

Asked if she was surprised by the rise of Sanders, the former secretary of state bluntly said "no."

"I really believe this is great for the Democratic Party and for this election," she said. "We want to turn out as many people as possible in order to understand and believe what we both believe."

Republican front-runner Donald Trump is also expected to talk at a "Today" town hall in the coming weeks, but a date has not been announced yet.

CNN's Dan Merica contributed from Hollis, New Hampshire. CNN's Tom LoBianco contributed from Washington.

Originally posted here:
Hillary Clinton hits 'partisan exercise' Benghazi panel ...

The Democratic frontrunner appeared on the 41st season premiere of NBC's "Saturday Night Live" playing a bartender named "Val" who kept the drinks coming to cast member Kate McKinnon's downhearted Clinton character.

"Oh Val, I'm just so darn bummed. All anybody wants to talk about is Donald Trump," said McKinnon's Clinton.

"Donald Trump? Isn't he the one that's like, 'Uh, you're all losers?'" the real life Clinton responded in a deeper than usual voice as she mocked the outspoken Republican candidate.

The moment sent the "SNL" audience into a fit of laughter.

McKinnon's Clinton continued that she wanted Trump to win the primaries so she could "destroy him, and mount his hair in the Oval Office."

At one point, "SNL" announcer Darrell Hammond appeared in the bar in his classic role as Bill Clinton.

Hammond's Clinton looked alarmed when he saw the two Hillarys and yelled, "Oh my God! They're multiplying" before running off screen.

McKinnon's Clinton said that "Val" was really easy to talk to, which Clinton said was the first time she had "ever heard that."

"Oh Val, I wish you could be president," McKinnon said.

"Me too!" Clinton responded to cheers.

Related: Hillary Clinton gushes about SNL alter egos ahead of tonight's appearance

The much anticipated segment made Clinton the brunt of the jokes over how long it took her to come out against the Keystone pipeline and support gay marriage.

But her appearance on SNL was also the latest television appearance by Clinton meant to show her in a more likeable light and boost her sagging poll numbers.

"A vote for Hillary is a vote for four more years of Kate McKinnon's impression," Clinton tweeted as soon as the sketch with McKinnon ended.

Clinton wasn't the only person impersonating Donald Trump on Saturday night.

"SNL" castmember Taran Killam showed off his newly won role as the business magnate during the show's cold open.

It was an impersonation that Trump apparently approved of. Trump retweeted a user during the show who said, "@TaranKillam plays a way better fake @realDonaldTrump than a real @HillaryClinton plays herself."

Related: Taran Killam will play Donald Trump on 'Saturday Night Live'

CNNMoney (New York) October 4, 2015: 1:13 AM ET

Continued here:
Hillary Clinton does her best Donald Trump impression on ...