Carly Fiorina Promoted Herself As Unconnected To The Clintons

Fiorina: “I Didn't Get A Call From Bill Clinton Before I Jumped In The Race ... Maybe It's Because I Haven't Given Money To The Foundation Or Donated To His Wife's Senate Campaign.” From CNBC's write-up of Fox News' early 'happy hour' debate:

“We need a nominee who is going to throw every punch, not pull punches, and someone who cannot stumble before he even gets in the ring,” she said. “I am not a member of the political class. I am a conservative.”

And she took aim at GOP frontrunner Donald Trump, who reportedly spoke by phone with Bill Clinton shortly before he jumped into the presidential race.

“I didn't get a phone call from Bill Clinton before I jumped in the race,” she said. “Any of you get a phone call from Bill Clinton? I didn't. Maybe it's because I haven't given money to the Foundation or donated to his wife's Senate campaign.” [CNBC, 8/7/15]

Fiorina Has Extensive Business Ties To Clinton Foundation

ThinkProgress: Fiorina Has Appeared On Foundation Panels, Sits On Boards With Active Commitments To Clinton Foundation.  From ThinkProgress' reporting on a February 2015 speech in which Fiorina criticized the Clinton Foundation:

She failed to mention during her speech that she appeared at a Clinton Foundation event in Denver last year and is on the advisory board of one organization and the chair of another that have an active commitments to the foundation.

The commitments to the Clinton Foundation come from the The National Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, which has agreed to put $3.7 million toward creating “an exhibition space near the National Mall in Washington, DC to celebrate entrepreneurship and innovation in America” and “programs to reach 50,000 youth with in-person experiences that foster interest in entrepreneurship,” and Good 360, which partnered with Hilton Worldwide in “finding alternative ways to recycle, donate, or reuse waste instead of sending it to the landfill” for a $2 million commitment.

Fiorina appeared on a panel at the Clinton Foundation's event in Denver last year on economic opportunities, a panel that also had President Bill Clinton. [ThinkProgress, 2/26/15]

Media Outlets Play Clip Of Fiorina's Attack Without Disclosing Her Involvement With The Clinton Foundation

On CNN, Chris Kofinis Says Fiorina “Seems To Be The Best, Most Effective Critic Against Hillary Clinton.” On the Aug. 7 edition of CNN's CNN Newsroom, host Carol Costello failed to point out Fiorina's ties to the Clinton Foundation when guest Chris Kofinis said that Fiorina “seems to be the best, most effective critic against Hillary Clinton,” after the program aired Fiorina's claim that she has no connection to the Clintons. [CNN, CNN Newsroom, 8/7/15]

Fox's Elisabeth Hasselbeck Praises Fiorina's “Specific” Clinton Foundation Criticism. On the Aug. 7 edition of Fox News' Fox & Friends, co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck introduced an interview with Fiorina by praising her debate performance and replaying her comments about the Clinton Foundation.

HASSELBECK: You know, someone who was really specific and had a specific following was Carly Fiorina. And she really, maybe some people were surprised by this, but she had an uptick in terms of searches on her name and this might be why.

[FIORINA CLIP]: I didn't get a phone call from Bill Clinton before I jumped in the race. Did any of you get a phone call from Bill Clinton? I didn't. Maybe it's cause I hadn't given money to the foundation or donated to his wife's senate campaign. [Fox News, Fox & Friends, 8/7/15]

CNN's Brooke Baldwin Introduces Interview With Fiorina By Replaying Clinton Foundation Comment. On the Aug. 7 edition of CNN's New Day, anchor Brooke Baldwin introduced her interview with Carly Fiorina by replaying her Clinton Foundation comments. However, Baldwin failed to ask the candidate about her extensive ties to the organization. [CNN, New Day, 8/7/15]