Subject: Congressional Update/Endorsement
From: Amanda Renteria <[email-masked]>
To: John Podesta <[email-masked]>, Robby Mook <[email-masked]>
Cc: Marlon Marshall <[email-masked]>, Brynne Craig <[email-masked]>
Date: Sun, 3 May 2015 15:49:38 -0400

John, Robby,

Want to give you a quick update on where we are on Congressionals and next
steps.   Let me know if you see anything else missing.  This does not
include downtown/k street efforts (we just don't have capacity for K street
right now,  plus, they are getting attention from Finance).

Tnx,

Amanda

*Here’s what are doing*

 ·        *Customized Endorsements: *Any office that contacts us to endorse
we customize their endorsement to help us with the Ramp Up Organizing
Program, fundraising, and/or list building.  This makes them feel a part of
the campaign and allows us to use their energy practically and in ways they
can be most helpful.  For example: For Congressman McGovern’s endorsement
he will endorse via social media and press release a few days before our
5/16 Grassroots event in MA. This will allow him to drive traffic to the
event and our website to donate and volunteer. Congressman McGovern will
also speak at the grassroots event and rally the troops.

·         *Caucus Plan: *We have been contacting our Caucus leads to
solidify who is not with us and how to bring them over.  This resulted in
the idea of having a policy roundtable.

·         *Weekly Communications: *Members want to know what is happening
and what they can do. We are working on a weekly newsletter that will
include specific asks every week to engage our endorsed supporters.

·         *Heads Up Emails: *Anytime there is something that either hits
all of our Members or specific to caucuses, we are sending out emails.  This
past week we sent out a heads up to all CBC Chief of Staffs the night
before her speech at Columbia University to let them know what she’d be
speaking about.

*Next Steps*

*1. May 12: HRC Meets with Senate and House Caucus.*

The goal of HRC meeting with the caucuses will be to remind members she
understands them, give her rationale, explain the four fight, talk about
how we can work together (overlap of Senate/House seats), and finish with
firing them up – what’s at stake.

*2. May 12: Policy Roundtables with Progressives, CBC, CHC, and CAPAC
Staff.*
These policy roundtables will be with the staff of these caucuses. We will
have a representative from the Political and Policy Department at each of
these. The goal will be to come out with 3-5 policy targets and 3-5
political events that fit into our 4 fights. In addition, we will want to
figure out how to roll out endorsements that fit into our 4 fights as well
as have a good system of amplification and pushback for HRC key policies.

*3. June TBD: HRC meets with CBC, CHC, AAPI.*

HRC will meet with the members and have a conversation with the members. We
hope to have their endorsement plans by then.

*4. June TBD: Staff meets staff.*

Meeting with Chiefs and Tri-Caucus Staffers to provide an update of the
campaign post Official Launch and introduce Outreach Directors.

 *Specific Leads and Notes*

*VERMONT*

LEADS: Leahy and Mayor Miro Weinberger

Leahy/and his Chief will continue to talk about her
qualifications/experience and his support her.  If articles come up, they
will work behind the scenes to let reporters know he is supportive of HRC.

Mayor Miro Weinberger endorsed HRC on same day that Bernie Sanders
announced. This was huge for them because Sanders introduced him into
politics and they have deep political and personal ties. Because of that
they don’t want to put their foot on his neck further but want to let it
breathe a bit then come up for air and start to be more active on political
and fundraising.

Former Governor Madeleine Kunin tweeted “I’m supporting Hillary, the
campaign is organizing in 50 states. First Vermont event: Brattleboro May
4, library, 6-7pm. She’s ramping up!”

We called through the VT State Legislature to gauge who was supportive and
if they would promote the first LOP grassroots event in Brattleboro on
Monday. They are in session so mostly left messages but here are the
responses we have:

·         Senator Becca Balint: Will Endorse, will promote LOP event,
"whatever you need"

·         Senator Brian Campion: Not ready to endorse willing to promote
LOP event

·         Representative Sarah E. Buxton: Supportive but wants to wait
after session will help with House Parties after June, will promote the LOP
event

·         Representative Kevin Christie: Supportive. Not ready to endorse.
Willing to LOP event and wants to work with LOP Brandon to convene in
Hartland.

·         Representative Sarah Copeland-Hanzas: Lyle - Willing to promote
event on facebook or email, says its Good for us that BS is running, once
session is over willing to be more public about support

·         Representative Emily Long: Supportive, Does not want to endorse
yet, will promote LOP event

·         Representative Kesha K. Ram: Spoke not ready to support. Wants to
see how campaign plays out, but will promote LOP events to get young people
engaged

·         Representative Matthew Trieber: Supportive. Not ready to endorse.
Not a fan of Sanders. Will promote LOP event.

·         Representative Samuel Young: Not going to endorse now, willing to
promote LOP event, and help on LOP in counties in the NE Kingdom.

*MARYLAND*

LEADS: *Hoyer, Cardin, Mikulski

-We have entire delegation except Rep. Sarbanes

-We are working with Hoyer-Cardin-Mikulski to secure in state endorsements

-Ideal roll-out would be in conjunction with our organizing meetings (like
VT)

Current Status: We are talking with Hoyer-Cardin-Mikulski to roll this out
May 9th.

*NEW YORK*

LEADS: *Joe Crowley, Nydia Velasquez, Nita Lowey

-We are still missing an official announcement from: Engel, Tonko

-We were thinking we could do a NY endorsement around an NY Open House.

Current Status: Robby is concerned about this approach.

*PROGRESSIVES *LEADS: *Rosa DeLauro, Jan Schakowsky, Jared Polis (But,
working with Grijalva COS to secure logistics)

-Amanda has been in touch with COS and Members who want to engage on
Progressive issues. In talking with Grijalva’s COS we brainstormed a policy
roundtable.

-To gather the others, they want to know they will be able to influence our
thinking on policy.  Even the most progressive members, recognize her need
to be practical.  But, they also want to be given some credit when we do
roll out specific proposals.

*CBC*

LEADS: Butterfield, Fudge, Cleaver
- Marlon and Brynne have had a number of conversations with Leads to
solicit names for AfAm Director and Congressional Director.

*CHC *LEADS: *Grace Napolitano, Raul Ruiz, Michelle Lujan Grisham, Joaquin
Castro

- Amanda has been in touch on Latino Outreach Director and RPDs will also
provide a heads up on NV Dreamer roundtable.

*AAPI*

LEADS: *Judy Chu, Mark Takano, Tulsi Gabbard, Ami Bera, Grace Meng

- Amanda and Brynne need to reach out to Leads before hiring AAPI director.

These have not fallen off the radar, but not as much a priority right now;

NEW DEMS: *Ron Kind (JD Grom)

BLUE DOGS: *Cheri Bustos

*SENATE UPDATE*

Because we have most of their support, the Senate is more interested in our
structure going forward.  From conversations with COS, the endorsed Senate
offices want to get together in May.  However, everyone believes it’s
important for HRC to talk with Members BEFORE moving forward on
structure.  Behind
the scenes, Amanda has a group of COS that provide a heads up on
controversial issues and problems.

*31 Senators have endorsed publicly, 2 have expressed support privately,
and 11 have not committed*.  This includes all names reported by the Hill
on 4/14/2015 and from return emails, calls, and online messaging (see
spreadsheet below for notes on individual Senators).

Here are the 11 members not committed:

  Angus King

Not there

Not committed

AR: not sure we want to do anything here

Bob Menendez

Strong yes

Not committed

AR: will be supportive, but hold on pushing for public endorsement

Chris Murphy

In House

Not committed

AR: reaching out to Blumenthal's Chief of Staff

Ed Markey

In House

Not committed

AR: rumor is his endorsement is tentative because of Boston politics

Elizabeth Warren

Not there

Not committed

AR: this is an HRC relationship

Harry Reid

No

Not committed

AR: first step is HRC addressing the caucus

Jack Reed

Not committed

Wants to talk to HRC before endorsing

Jeff Merkley

Elected 08

Not committed

AR: reaching out to Chief of Staff

Joe Donnelly

In House

Not committed

It is believed that Donnelly will endorse HRC next week

Jon Tester

Not committed

Working with staff at DSCC, but HRC needs to call

Tom Carper

Stayed out

Not committed

AR: reaching out to Chief of Staff

-- 
Amanda Renteria
National Political Director
Hillary for America #Hillary2016
559-426-5756 (o)
650-868-1188 (c)
Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/renteriaforcongress> or Twitter
<https://twitter.com/AmandaRenteria>