Subject: Re: Platform Rollout Plan
From: April Mellody <[email-masked]>
To: Tracie Pough <[email-masked]>
Cc: Leah Daughtry <[email-masked]>, "Miranda, Luis" <[email-masked]>, Patrice Taylor <[email-masked]>, Hilary Rosen <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 23 May 2016 00:11:27 +0000

Ok. Will do. Thanks.

Sent from my iPhone

On May 22, 2016, at 8:10 PM, Tracie Pough <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>> wrote:

I think we should load up the q/a and he draft press release for her review. It looks as if she can't do 9 pm either. Stand by.

- TP

On May 22, 2016, at 7:31 PM, April Mellody <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>> wrote:

Tracie suggested I send the Q&A and tps to DWS prior to the call. Any comments or changes before I send? Thanks, April

Sent from my iPhone

On May 22, 2016, at 3:01 PM, April Mellody <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>> wrote:

w/o Chairwoman.  I have pasted below some Q and A l thought might be helpful for everyone to see before the call.

Q: What is your reaction to Sanders’ endorsement of your opponent?

A: Senator Sanders has to make his own decisions. I am focused on my job. That means doing what is best for the Democratic Party and the nation.  Donald Trump presents a great threat to our democracy and I am committed to ensuring we do everything to stop him. Democrats across the spectrum are fighting to improve the lives of all Americans. We are a party of substance and ideas and I want this platform process to bring the best of these solutions to the table so that we can emerge with a party platform that is a reflection of our collective priorities.

Q: You say that this is an attempt to allow all voices to be heard but doesn’t this committee skew very far towards the Clinton camp? After all, they get less appointees than Clinton and that’s before you make your appointments?

A: In reality, Sanders was awarded unprecedented representation on the committee so that his supporters have an opportunity to have significant substantive input into our platform.  My goal is for this to be as inclusive and as solutions-oriented as possible.  Both campaigns have brought smart ideas to the table and I want to be sure they are integrated into platform development.
Typically, these appointments are made either solely by the chair (as Ron Brown made them) or in consultation solely with the presumptive nominee (2008 and 2016). I thought this year it made sense to you above and beyond historical practice to ensure all Democrats are directly involved.

Significant attention has been paid to the potential for protests and demonstrations. How concerned are you about significant protests and disruptions at the convention?

As Democrats, we embrace the idea of peaceful – often heated – exchange of differing views and opinions. Diversity makes us strong, as a party and as nation. I am not concerned because I am confident that we will come together as we have always done.  Moreover, we have procedures, rules and processes in place for every eventuality. At the end of the day, we will resolve this the way we do in America – with a vote.

From: Leah Daughtry
Sent: Sunday, May 22, 2016 10:28 AM
To: Tracie Pough <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>>; Miranda, Luis <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>>
Cc: Patrice Taylor <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>>; April Mellody <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>>; Hilary Rosen <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>>; Debbie Wasserman Schultz <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>>
Subject: Re: Platform Rollout Plan

OK. I'm 12 hours ahead. Since folks are headed to church how about we talk this evening. I can do anytime from 7 Up til 830pm EDT. Lemme know ASAP since I'm going to bed soon

ldd
From:[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>
Sent:May 22, 2016 10:16 PM
To:[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>
Cc:[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>; [email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>; [email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>; [email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>; [email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>
Subject:Re: Platform Rollout Plan

We can not do this over email. Let's discuss by phone. I'm headed to church folks and DWS will be doing her calls. We will find a time when we can all talk and DWS can also give us an update at that time on how her calls are going.

- TP

On May 22, 2016, at 10:11 AM, Miranda, Luis <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>> wrote:
It's still your roll out, your appointments, but you will have validators up front to blunt the attacks from Bernie allies who will claim it's rigged. Having Cummings out gives it credibility, and we can put you out later.

Sent via the Samsung GALAXY S®4, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone

-------- Original message --------
From: Debbie Wasserman Schultz <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>>
Date: 05/22/2016 10:04 (GMT-05:00)
To: Tracie Pough <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>>
Cc: April Mellody <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>>, "Miranda, Luis" <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>>, Leah Daughtry <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>>, Patrice Taylor <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>>, Hilary Rosen <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>>
Subject: Re: Platform Rollout Plan
We need to discuss the point of disagreement as I feel strongly the initial rollout needs to be done by me. We can and should do alongside Cummings but I'm not going to hide.

Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.
From: Tracie Pough
Sent: Sunday, May 22, 2016 10:00 AM
To: Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Cc: April Mellody; Miranda, Luis; Leah Daughtry; Patrice Taylor; Hilary Rosen
Subject: Platform Rollout Plan

DWS- This is the plan that is being proposed post the conversation yesterday afternoon.

The major change from Friday is that you would not go out on TV.  Everything else is pretty much the same.  Everyone believes (including Hilary and Anita) that you going out tmrw to talk about the platform is not the best approach and we know you disagree.  We also believe this is an opportunity for validators to support you and the DNC and this plan allows for that.  I know you feel strongly about rolling the cmte out on television in your own voice so we need to discuss but the other elements of the plan have not changed.

We will schedule a time for you to talk with everyone involved.

Saturday May 21

Staff finalize updated roll out plan and update Chair

Finalize Public Affairs Guidance

  *   Talking Points
  *   Q&A

Connect with Cummings staff to update and get time to connect with Cummings
Identify and Secure Validators
            -Tom McMahon
            -Elaine Kamarck
            -Don Fowler
            -Paul Kirk

Sunday May 22
Drafting Committee Member Notification calls-DWS; Calls have been set between 1-3
Finalize Press Release -get quotes from DWS, Cummings  etc.

Prep Cummings

Lock In Preview/Launch Story Reporter

  *   Recommendation: Anne Gearan- Washington Post

Monday May 23
Finalize Drafting Member notification calls- a at calls that were not able to be connected on Sunday

Campaigns, Leadership and  DNC Notification calls (REID, NP, JEC, officers, etc)

Preview / Launch story runs in print in Washington Post

Press Release announcing Drafting Committee Members goes out

Pitch Cummings on TV in afternoon

Tuesday May 24
Announce public participation component of process- DNCC

- TP