Subject: RE: Fundraiser talking points
From: Dennis Cheng <[email-masked]>
To: Dan Schwerin <[email-masked]>, Jennifer Palmieri <[email-masked]>, Kristina Schake <[email-masked]>, Huma Abedin <[email-masked]>, Jake Sullivan <[email-masked]>, Robby Mook <[email-masked]>, John Podesta <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2015 18:02:46 -0400

I think it’s helpful for her to explicitly talk about the $100mm goal, if
Comms is ok with that. Edits below in yellow.

Also, I think it would be helpful to also talk about the important of
building the campaign’s list, esp since we are playing catch up there as
well – thoughts?

·        The first step is to win the primary.  So we’re focused on raising
primary dollars… which we can invest right away in building an organization
and reaching voters. And we’re focused on building our email and social
media lists. We’re starting this campaign with a list one-tenth the size of
President Obama’s list in 2012. Which is why it’s important for you to ask
your friends to sign up at hillaryclinton.com.

·         Now, I know there’s been a lot of big talk out there about
needing to raise $2.5 billion!  That’s ridiculous.  In 2012, President
Obama and Governor Romney each raised just over $1 billion, and that
included primary, general, and DNC dollars.  And the most immediate
parallel is to 2011, when the President raised a total of $100 million in
primary money.  That’s what we’re focused on right now – how to raise $100
million in primary dollars by the end of this year.

*From:* Dan Schwerin [mailto:[email-masked]]
*Sent:* Monday, April 27, 2015 5:50 PM
*To:* Jennifer Palmieri; Dennis Cheng; Kristina Schake; Huma Abedin; Jake
Sullivan; Robby Mook; John Podesta
*Subject:* Fundraiser talking points

Team, below and attached are draft talking points for the fundraisers
tomorrow.  A few notes:

1) She won't have a podium so these are just a guide

2) Dennis, please confirm that we want to mention the $100m goal

3) Note the reference to Supreme Court oral arguments

4) Note the contrast paragraph

*HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON*

*TALKING POINTS FOR CAMPAIGN FUNDRAISERS*

*NEW YORK, NY*

*TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2015*

·      [*Thank you and acknowledgements*]

·      This election is going to come down to a clear choice about the kind
of country we want to build for our children and grandchildren.

·      Americans have come back from tough economic times.  But the deck is
still stacked for those at the top.  I’m running for President because
everyday Americans and their families need a champion.  And I want to be
that champion.  To help more Americans get ahead and stay ahead.

·      I want you to join me in taking on four big fights:

·      First, building an economy for tomorrow, instead of yesterday, where
being middle class means something again.  Americans should be able to make
a little more and worry a little less.  Start a business.  Pay for
college.  Know that their health care will be there when they need it,
without breaking the bank.  Look forward to retirement with confidence, not
anxiety.

·      Second, strengthening our families and communities, because when
families are strong, our country is strong. I’ve devoted my entire life to
this.  It’s the foundation that will make it possible for every American to
reach their God-given potential – regardless of who you are, where you were
born, or who you love.

·      Today, as you know, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments about
marriage equality – which I fully support.  It’s amazing and inspiring how
far we’ve come as a country in such a short period of time.  But, as we saw
again recently in Indiana, we have a long way to go to guarantee that all
our people have the rights, dignity, and opportunity they deserve.  And
I’ll be talking about that throughout this campaign.

·      The third fight is fixing our broken political system.  I want to
get things done, so I’ll work with anyone who has a good idea.  But I’ll
also take on the powerful forces trying to take us backwards.  And in this
campaign, with your help, I’m going to fight with every possible resource.
But we do need to get rid of all the unaccountable money, even if it takes
a constitutional amendment.

·      Fourth, I’ll protect our country from the threats that we see, and
the ones that are still over the horizon.  We have to assert confident
American leadership to shape global events rather than be shaped by them.

·      All four of these fights will put us up against some pretty powerful
opposition.  You’re already hearing the usual suspects start with the
attacks.  And if you listen to the Republican candidates, it’s like being
in a time machine.  More of the same old top-down economics that crashed
our economy.  More of the same old divisive rhetoric that poisoned our
politics.  More of the head-in-the-sand attitude toward equality and
science.  And let’s not kid ourselves – they’re going to have a limitless
bank account to try to make this old playbook sound new again.

·      So it’s not going to be easy.  But I’ve spent my whole life fighting
for children, for families, standing up for America.  And I think people
know... I don’t quit.

·      I’m going to work my heart out to earn every vote -- starting with
yours.

·      I’ve had two great trips so far to Iowa and New Hampshire and I’ve
met so many people who are excited about this campaign.  I’m telling
everyone to go to hillaryclinton.com and join our team.  We’re ramping up
in all fifty states.  And we’re not taking anything for granted.

·      The first step is to win the primary.  So we’re focused primarily on
raising the primary dollars… which we can invest right away in building an
organization and reaching voters.

·      Now, I know there’s been a lot of big talk out there about needing
to raise $2.5 billion!  That’s ridiculous.  In 2012, President Obama and
Governor Romney each raised just over $1 billion, and that included
primary, general, and DNC dollars.  And the most immediate parallel is to
2011, when the President raised a total of $100 million in primary money.
That’s what we’re focused on right now – how to raise $100 million by the
end of this year.

·      The only way to do that is to pitch a very big tent and welcome in a
lot of new friends and supporters.  And we can’t do it without you.

·      I’m so grateful for everything you’ve done already.  And I hope that
you’ll lead the way recruiting new donors to join us as Hillstarters.

·      [*Acknowledge the Regional Finance Director as point of contact*]

·      For me, this really is about doing everything I can to make sure
that every child -- not just my grandchild, but every child -- has a chance
to live up to his or her God-given potential.  That’s what I was raised to
believe by my church and my family, and that’s what I’ll be fighting for in
this campaign.

·      Thank you so much for joining me in this journey.

###