Clinton announces guests for first debate

by Jesse Byrnes - 09/26/16 8:42 AM ET

When Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton takes to the debate stage Monday night, she’ll be addressing an audience that includes several guests intended to underscore her campaign narrative that she is a fighter for women and children.

Among guests of Clinton will be a 9/11 survivor, a domestic violence survivor, a woman with cerebral palsy who has long worked with Clinton, and a pen pal of Clinton’s during her time as first lady.

{mosads}The details on her guests, provided by a Clinton campaign official, come as Republican nominee Donald Trump feuds with the Clintons over the attendees for the presidential debate at New York’s Hofstra University, the first of three between the pair.

Trump over the weekend threatened to bring Gennifer Flowers, who had an affair with former President Bill Clinton, after news that Hillary Clinton’s campaign had invited Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, an outspoken Trump critic.

Just got a front row seat to watch @HillaryClinton overwhelm @realDonaldTrump at the “Humbling at Hofstra” on Monday. It Is On !

— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) September 23, 2016

If dopey Mark Cuban of failed Benefactor fame wants to sit in the front row, perhaps I will put Gennifer Flowers right alongside of him!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2016

Trump’s running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, said Sunday that Flowers wouldn’t be attending the debate, though Cuban’s presence is likely to receive some attention Monday night.

Beyond Cuban, Clinton’s campaign is bringing a number of guests that it hopes will help Clinton as she attempts to portray herself as a defender of women.

Lauren Manning, who was injured in the 9/11 attacks and spoke at this year’s Democratic National Convention, will be among Clinton’s guests, a campaign official said. Clinton worked with Manning to get benefits for survivors and first responders after the terrorist attacks.

Maxine Outerbridge, a single mom who survived domestic violence, provides a face for Clinton’s work on behalf of the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Anastasia Somoza, the woman with cerebral palsy who said at the convention that she pitied Trump, will also be in attendance, along with Aleatha Williams, who become pen pals with Clinton when she was 8 and Clinton was first lady, the campaign official said.

Tags Bill Clinton Donald Trump Hillary Clinton Mike Pence