Subject: Re: John, be careful
From: Brent Budowsky <[email-masked]>
To: John Podesta <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 18 May 2015 15:54:07 -0400

BTW, I may doing an Elizabeth Warren column soon.  If I write that my optimum scenario
would be for Elizabeth to ultimately give  a big endorsement to HRC and give the keynote
speech at the Convention, totally off the record, would that give you a problem?  It would
be my personal opinion only, but if you have a problem with my suggesting this as my idea,
I won't tell anyone and I won't include it, deferring to you......

Sent from my iPad

> On May 18, 2015, at 2:48 PM, John Podesta <[email-masked]> wrote:
> 
> Message heard, although I think caution will ultimately be measured by what she says and what she's for rather than how many press gaggles she does. And in that regard,  I don't think she'll be cautious or imperial. But no sense working them into a lather.
> 
>> On May 18, 2015 2:02 PM, "Brent Budowsky" <[email-masked]> wrote:
>> I am not going to raise this publicly, but one of HRC's opponents will soon charge that she is running an "imperial campaign."  If it is the right opponent, Democrat or Republican, the charge will resonate.  Probably 90% of the total media coverage
>> of HRC has a negative slant, from her paid speeches to foundation donations to
>> not answering questions from the press.  Her caution on policy has created a news
>> vacuum that is filled by these other stories.  And while I don't have the highest regard for most of the campaign press corps, they are getting dangerously unhappy about HRC refusing to answer questions.
>> 
>> If we look at a long curve of her numbers, there is reason for serious concern if
>> trends continue and I see nothing today that will change them.
>> 
>> What I hear from many many Democrats is that there is something off-key about
>> her campaign and the hope that Republican candidates are so bad she can win
>> by playing cautious.  That is a very dangerous way to run for president.
>> 
>> What I hear from "average voters" is basically a shrug, no enthusiasm, wait and
>> see, with some real doubts.....
>> 
>> There is a missing element in her campaign and it is troubling.  The "imperial campaign" charge will resonate when the right candidate figures it out....
>> 
>> Sent from my iPad