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POTUS and the Administration
White House developing legislative strategy to pass Pacific trade deal
THE HILL // VICKI NEEDHAM
The White House is developing a plan to pass a sweeping Pacific Rim trade deal in Congress this year. White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Thursday that Obama administration officials have been in touch with congressional Democrats and Republicans who are supportive of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) to "develop a legislative strategy for moving forward." "We're going to continue to consult about the best path forward and we would like to see Congress act soon to approve the agreement," Earnest told reporters. Earnest said that the White House is pushing for a vote in Congress before the lame-duck session after the November elections. "And the case that we have made is consistent with the argument that the Chamber of Commerce and other influential Republican-leaning organizations have made, which is that every day that goes by is a missed opportunity for American businesses and American workers to benefit from this agreement," he said.
Obama grapples with Vietnam arms ban, human rights on eve of trip
REUTERS // MATT SPEALNICK AND DAVID BRUNNSTROM
President Barack Obama is still grappling with a historic decision on whether to lift the U.S. arms embargo on Vietnam just days before he travels there, the White House said on Thursday, signaling that human rights concerns could be a sticking point. Support has grown within the U.S. administration and on Capitol Hill to fully remove or at least further ease the ban on weapons sales, bolstering ties between former wartime enemies Washington and Hanoi to counter a rising China. But Obama also faces stiff opposition in some quarters. Ending the embargo - something Vietnam has long sought - would sweep away one of the last major vestiges of the Vietnam War era as Obama makes his first trip there beginning on Monday. It would also anger Beijing, which condemned Obama's partial lifting of the ban in 2014 as interference in the region.
Biden: Sanders should be "more aggressive" in condemning backers' attacks
CBS NEWS // REENA FLORES
After a chaotic Democratic state convention in Nevada over the weekend, Vice President Joe Biden is pushing Bernie Sanders to do more when it comes to reigning in his supporters' attacks on the party. "What Bernie's going to have to do if that happens again -- he's going to have to be more aggressive in speaking out about it," Biden told reporters Wednesday at an event in Columbus, Ohio. In Nevada Saturday, Sanders supporters took issue with what they believed was an unfair process of selecting delegates that favored Clinton. Security was forced to shut the convention down after Sanders backers reportedly threw chairs and heckled California Sen. Barbara Boxer. Democratic National Committee chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz came out with a stern warning for Sanders Tuesday, saying the party was "deeply concerned about the troubling details" out of Las Vegas.
Joe Biden Pens Open Letter to 12-Year-Old Version of Himself
YAHOO NEWS // TONY MACCIO
As part of the CBS This Morning segment "Note to Self," Vice President Joe Biden penned an open letter to a younger version of himself, 12-year-old Joey Biden. "Dear Joe, you're only 12," Biden begins. "Your stutter is debilitating. It embarrasses you, and the bullies are vicious." Biden goes on to discuss taking the advice of his parents, who taught him the values that eventually led to his involvement in social justice and politics. "An intolerance for the abuse of power will inspire you to stand up for civil rights," he writes. "And because you listened, you'll live a life fully consistent with what you were taught by mom and dad and your faith." Biden also opens up about the incredible losses he has experienced during his life. In 1972 his wife and young daughter died in a car accident. And in 2015 he lost his son Beau to brain cancer.
Judge quotes movies to rebuke Justice Dept. lawyers in Obama immigration case
POLITICO // SEUNG MIN KIM
A federal judge slapped an extraordinarily unusual order on Justice Department lawyers on Thursday, saying they misled him about details of President Barack Obama's executive actions on immigration, ordering up names of certain immigrants here illegally and calling on the administration's attorneys to take a legal ethics course every year. In a sternly-worded order, U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen argued that lawyers for the Obama administration were intentionally deceptive when they discussed how many work permits had been issued under Obama's November 2014 immigration directive. The Supreme Court is currently weighing the legality of Obama's actions. "The misconduct in this case was intentional, serious and material," Hanen wrote in the 28-page order filed Thursday. "In fact, it is hard to imagine a more serious, more calculated plan of unethical conduct." At issue is a batch of work permits issued by the Obama administration to certain immigrants without legal status shortly before Hanen handed down his order blocking the implementation of Obama's controversial executive actions. All together, Obama's actions could affect more than 4 million immigrants here without legal status.
Obama Administration Considers Lifting Vietnam Arms Embargo
WALL STREET JOURNAL // CAROL LEE AND JAMES HOOKWAY
President Barack Obama is considering removing restrictions on the sale of arms to Vietnam as he prepares to visit there next week, a move that would mark a significant shift in U.S. policy as he tries to strengthen ties between the two nations. Ben Rhodes, a deputy national-security adviser, said administration officials have been discussing with members of Congress the possibility of lifting the arms embargo, a step Vietnam has long lobbied the U.S. to take. The push has drawn new momentum from the standoff between Vietnam and other countries with China over resources and territory in the region. The U.S., while taking no position on the disputes themselves, has backed smaller countries against Beijing in calling for multilateral talks to settle disputes. Mr. Obama will outline "how we intend to approach [the embargo] going forward" when he meets with Vietnamese officials, including President Tran Dai Quang, Mr. Rhodes said.
Democrats
Democrats expect Warren to play peacemaker once primary ends
THE HILL // ALEXANDER BOLTON
Democratic senators expect Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) will soon make moves to mollify restive liberals and unify the Democratic Party behind Hillary Clinton. Several Democratic senators say they have approached Warren about the role she can play, insisting she is best positioned to mend the schism between the Clinton and Bernie Sanders wings of the party. Warren has a loyal following among the more liberal Democrats who favor Sanders. She has told colleagues she will play the role of peacemaker, but not until after the last major round of primaries on June 7. "I think Elizabeth can and will be very helpful," said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), a Clinton backer who spoke to Warren on Wednesday. "She is very interested, at least in my conversations with her, in doing everything she can to help get the party to unite for November," she added.
DNC to offer Sanders more seats on convention platform committee: report
THE HILL // JESSIE HELLMANN
The Democratic National Committee plans to offer Bernie Sanders seats on a key platform committee this summer at the party's convention, according to a Washington Post report. Sanders has said remaining in the race despite lagging behind rival Hillary Clinton in delegates is a way to shape the party's platform to align with his own progressive politics; his proposals include a $15 national minimum wage and a single-payer healthcare system. Tensions between Sanders and the Democratic Party have grown in recent weeks as he accuses the party of stacking the deck against him in an effort to hand Clinton the nomination. He recently sent a letter to DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz demanding more committee spots at the convention.
DNC to offer Sanders a convention concession
WASHINGTON POST // ABBY PHILLIP AND ANNE GEARAN
In an attempt to head off an ugly conflict at its convention this summer, the Democratic National Committee plans to offer a concession to Sen. Bernie Sanders - seats on a key convention platform committee - but it may not be enough to stop Sanders from picking a fight over the party's policy positions. Allies of both Clinton and Sanders have urged Democratic leaders to meet some of Sanders's more mundane demands for greater inclusion at the Philadelphia convention. Their decision to do so is expected to be finalized by the end of the week, according to two people familiar with the discussions. But growing mistrust between Sanders supporters and party leaders have threatened to undermine that effort. Even with the committee assignments, Sanders plans an aggressive effort to extract platform concessions on key policies that could prompt divisive battles at a moment when front-runner Hillary Clinton will be trying to unify the party. Among other issues, he plans to push for a $15 national
Reid calls McConnell 'classless'
POLITICO // BURGESS EVERETT
Harry Reid said Thursday that Mitch McConnell's description of him as "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" in a leaked book excerpt was a "classless" move that he would never have done to his fellow Senate leader. In a brief interview, Senate Minority Leader Reid (D-Nev.) jabbed McConnell for not giving him any heads-up that his book would contain such a diss of Reid. In the excerpt, McConnell writes that Reid is "rhetorically challenged," acts differently in private than in public and that his "lack of restraint goes against what is expected from a party leader." "Boy, that book must not be selling very well if he needs that to pep it up," Reid said on Thursday. "I just think it's fairly classless."
Bipartisan Puerto Rico crisis bill introduced, debt looms
REUTERS // DANIEL BASES AND SUSAN HEAVEY
U.S. lawmakers on Thursday began coalescing around revised bipartisan legislation to help address Puerto Rico's unpayable debt burden, which now threatens a full-blown humanitarian crisis. Released close to midnight on Wednesday, the House Natural Resources Committee's revised bill includes a strong oversight board to direct how and when the island pays its bills and leaves many earlier proposals in place. Puerto Rico has already defaulted on some of its roughly $70 billion in debt while trying to cope with a 45 percent poverty rate among its 3.5 million U.S. citizens. In addition, it is reeling from a Zika virus outbreak that is hurting its critical tourism industry. Language allowing Puerto Rico to cut repayments to creditors without their consent, known as a "cram-down," remains. The bill does not prioritize pensioners over bondholders, but the language remains muddied, one analyst surmised.
De Blasio, Seeking High Ground, Skips Hearing on Control of New York's Schools
NEW YORK TIMES // KATE TAYLOR
He had been very respectful, he said. He had testified for nearly four hours and had answered many questions. The facts were clear. Yet his opponents still wanted to play political games. Well, he said, he would no longer play along. Mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat seeking to extend mayoral control of New York City's schools in the face of a Republican-controlled State Senate that appears intent on thwarting him, reached on Thursday for one of his default political strategies: When outgunned, claim the moral high ground. "I wish this was about the substance," Mr. de Blasio said in an interview on WNYC of the Senate's reluctance to act on mayoral control. "I wish it was about our children and parents. I'm having trouble seeing how it is." Mr. de Blasio made his comments to justify his decision to skip a Senate hearing on the matter on Thursday. He and the schools chancellor, Carmen Fariña, traveled to Albany two weeks ago to testify at an initial hearing for several hours. The session on Thursday was in Manhattan, opposite City Hall. Nonetheless, Mr. de Blasio said on Wednesday that he would not testify. Ms. Fariña attended and testified.
California Senate passes gun control package
REUTERS // SHARON BERNSTEIN
The California Senate on Thursday passed a sweeping package of gun control bills that would require background checks for ammunition purchasers, ban possession of high-capacity magazines and establish a firearms violence research center. The bills, whose passage through the Assembly are far from assured, are at the heart of a political duel between Senate leader Kevin de Leon and Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, both Democrats, who are proposing competing plans in advance of key election campaigns. "Gun violence has reached epidemic proportions across our nation," de Leon, who represents Los Angeles, said as he introduced the bills on the Senate floor on Thursday. "We cannot stand by while our communities suffer from this horrific violence."
Republicans
G.O.P. Donors Shift Focus From Top of Ticket to Senate Races
NEW YORK TIMES // NICK CORASANITI and ASHLEY PARKER
Hundreds of millions of dollars that Republican groups had been poised to spend in the 2016 presidential election are now increasingly likely to move into Senate and House races, as many big donors look to distance themselves from the party's presumptive nominee, Donald J. Trump. These groups and their Democratic counterparts have already spent more than $25 million on advertising in Senate general election races alone, according to Kantar Media/CMAG, significantly outpacing both the 2014 and 2012 campaigns in outside spending. And more than $134 million in advertising for Senate races alone has been reserved by groups for the general election.
Tom Cotton Thinks America Isn't Locking Enough People Up
HUFFINGTON POST // MOLLIE REILLY
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) is criticizing efforts to reform America's criminal justice system, arguing on Thursday that the country actually has an "under-incarceration problem" - even though the U.S. has the world's largest prison population. Cotton gave a speech on criminal justice Thursday at the Hudson Institute, a conservative think tank in Washington, D.C. During his remarks, he argued that policy goals like reducing mandatory minimum sentences, restoring voting rights for felons and reducing barriers to employment for ex-offenders are misguided and "dangerous." "The claim that too many criminals are being jailed, that there is over-incarceration, ignores an unfortunate fact: For the vast majority of crimes, a perpetrator is never identified or arrested, let alone prosecuted, convicted and jailed," Cotton said. "Law enforcement is able to arrest or identify a likely perpetrator for only 19 percent of property crimes and 47 percent of violent crimes. If anything, we have an under-incarceration problem."
House Passes $81 Billion Measure for Veterans and Military Construction
NEW YORK TIMES // DAVID HERSZENHORN AND EMMARIE HUETTEMAN
The House on Thursday approved an $81.6 billion spending measure for veterans affairs and military construction programs after hours of contentious floor debate that at times focused on cultural disputes, including efforts to restrict the flying of the Confederate flag and a bitter split over workplace protections for gays and lesbians employed by federal contractors. Those disputes showed once again that the societal fissures that divide Republicans and Democrats are never far below the surface of any debate in Congress, even over a relatively routine spending measure. The debate over workplace protections had spilled over from Wednesday night when Republicans inserted an amendment to the annual military policy bill that would overturn an executive order by President Obama banning federal government contractors from discriminating against employees based on sexual orientation.
7 Republicans Flipped Their Vote on LGBT Amendment, Setting Them Up for Attack
ROLL CALL // SIMONE PATHE
After seven Republicans switched their votes from "yes" to "no" Thursday on a measure that have would have protected LGBT workers from discrimination from federal contractors, Democrats quickly turned the votes into an election issue. "House Republicans are so committed to discriminating against LGBT Americans, that they broke regular order to force their members to reverse their votes and support Republicans' bigotry," Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said in a statement. [Moral Victory on Confederate Flag, Painful Defeat on LGBT Protection] The identities of the seven vote-switchers were not publicly recorded on the House floor. The amendment failed 212-213. Democrats in the House were in an uproar, shouting "Shame, Shame, Shame," and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer protested because the presiding officer did not require that the members record the changes.
House turns into battleground over LGBT rights
WASHINGTON POST // KAROUN DEMIRJIAN
The House floor is turning into an emotional, and at times ugly, battleground over LGBT rights, as Democrats accuse Republicans of promoting bigotry and discrimination over proposals GOP leaders say are intended to protect freedom of religion from government overreach. The conflict erupted on Thursday when Republican leaders successfully whipped their members to vote down a Democratic amendment that sought to prevent taxpayer dollars from being used to pay contractors that discriminate against employees on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. The proposal authored by Rep. Sean Maloney (D-N.Y.), an openly gay member of Congress, appeared on the cusp of being adopted as the vote came to a close, but at the last minute six Republican members switched their votes and the amendment was defeated on a 212-to-213 vote.
House Lawmakers Feud Over Failed Antidiscrimination Measure
WALL STREET JOURNAL // KRISTINA PETERSON
An angry fight erupted on the House floor Thursday when an antidiscrimination measure failed by a single vote after some Republican lawmakers changed their positions. Democrats chanted "shame" when last-minute GOP opposition sank an amendment from Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D., N.Y.) that appeared moments earlier to have the votes to pass. The amendment to the military construction spending bill would have prevented taxpayer funds from going to government contractors who refused to comply with an executive order barring them from hiring or firing employees based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The measure was blocked in a 212-213 vote, with all 213 no votes coming from Republicans. Yes votes came from 183 Democrats and 29 Republicans.
Lawmakers vote down LGBT rights measure
REUTERS // PATRICIA ZENGERLE
Shouts of "Shame, shame, shame," erupted in the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday as Republican lawmakers narrowly defeated legislation to protect the civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees of government contractors. The measure, an amendment to a veterans and military construction spending bill introduced by New York Democrat Sean Maloney, initially had enough "yes" votes to pass, according to the count in the House chamber. But House Republican leaders extended the time allowed for the vote as they urged enough party members to change their positions to defeat it by a vote of 213 to 212. All 183 Democrats who voted backed the amendment, joined by 29 Republicans. All 213 "no" votes were from Republicans. Eight House members - three Republicans and five Democrats - did not vote. Lawmakers are allowed to change their vote in the few minutes between voting and the result being declared. LGBT rights have been a hot-button issue during the 2016 election season.
McConnell touts 'Senate squad' in Wes Anderson-style video
THE HILL // PAULINA FIROZI
Republican senators are touting their accomplishments in a new Wes Anderson-style video called "Senate Squad." In the clip, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell struts around the U.S. Capitol, greeting his "squad" as the video lists the senators and thier specific legislative accomplishments. It features Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Lamar Alexander (R-Ten.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), John Thune (R-S.D.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas). Some of the accomplishments include expediting natural gas exports, sanctions on North Korea, modernizing energy policy and combating heroin and prescriptions drugs.
Oklahoma's Legislature Passed A Bill Making It A Felony To Perform An Abortion
HUFFINGTON POST // SAMANTHA LACHMAN
Oklahoma's legislature passed a first-in-the-nation law Thursday that would make it a felony for abortion providers to perform or induce the procedure. Senate Bill 1552 now heads to the desk of Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin (R). It contains no exceptions for cases of rape and incest or to protect the health of a pregnant person. (Abortions necessary to save the mother's life are acceptable under the law.) Doctors would be barred from obtaining a license to practice medicine in the state if they violated the law, which refers to performing an abortion as "unprofessional conduct." The minimum punishment for the law would be one year in jail. The Center for Reproductive Rights said in April that it was "closely watching" the legislation. There's no doubt that the bill would be challenged if Fallin gives her approval. Her office told a local news outlet that it wouldn't comment until her staff had reviewed the legislation.
Oklahoma Law Banning Abortion Unlikely to Reach Supreme Court
ROLL CALL // ERIC GARCIA
A bill passed on Thursday by the Oklahoma legislature that would make performing abortions a felony punishable by jail time would not likely lead to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, legal experts say. The bill is now with Gov. Mary Fallin, who hasn't expressed an opinion on it and has five days to act. Proponents said it was passed with the intent of restricting abortion rights through the courts, and its sponsor hopes it will eventually be a means of overturning the landmark 1973 Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal. But experts think that's unlikely. "Clearly on the trial and court of appeals levels, the law would unlikely to be upheld," said Jonathan Turley, a professor of constitutional law at George Washington University.
In a reversal, Md. Gov. Larry Hogan signs bill limiting civil asset forfeiture
WASHINGTON POST // ASHLEY BALCERZAK
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan on Thursday became the latest state leader to sign contentious legislation restricting civil asset forfeiture - the process that allows police to seize and keep property suspected of being connected to illegal activity without having to convict, or even charge, the owner with a crime. Hogan's signature represents a stark reversal for the Republican governor, who, under pressure from high-profile law enforcement groups, vetoed a bill on the same subject last year. The General Assembly promptly overrode the veto to pass that measure and then introduced additional changes this year that limit state involvement in a federal forfeiture program and require authorities to report what they seize. Widespread civil forfeiture has been controversial since becoming a key tool in the drug war in the 1980s. The back-and-forth in Maryland is part of a fresh round of battles being waged in statehouses nationwide because Congress has stalled on passing federal reforms - though a new federal measure was introduced Thursday.
Rep. Renee Ellmers supports North Carolina 'bathroom bill,' thinks federal government should back off
WASHINGTON POST // CATHERINE HO
Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.), who is facing a tough primary challenge in June, declared her support Thursday for North Carolina's controversial "bathroom bill," which requires people to use public restrooms that correspond with their birth gender, not the gender with which they identify. In a debate against her primary challengers Rep. George Holding (R-N.C.) and Raleigh physician Greg Brannon, Ellmers said she does not believe the new law, also known as House Bill 2 or HB2, is discriminatory. However, she acknowledged that since charges of discrimination have been brought, the law should be examined closely. "I do believe in the essence of HB2," Ellmers said. "I do believe the federal government needs to back off. This is a state issue and needs to be handled by the general assembly and the governor."
2016 Democrats
CBS/NYT national poll: Hillary Clinton's lead over Donald Trump narrows
CBS NEWS // ANTHONY SALVANTO, FRED BACKUS, SARAH DUTTON AND JENNIFER DE PINTO
Looking ahead to the general election in November, Donald Trump trails both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders among registered voters, although by slightly narrower margins than last month. Hillary Clinton now holds a six-point lead over Donald Trump, down from 10 points a month ago. Trump trails Bernie Sanders by 13 points, down from 17 points. Contentious primary contests on both sides haven't turned off many primary voters from voting for their party's candidate in a likely November match-up between Trump and Clinton, even if these candidates are not their preferred primary choice. Seventy-one percent of Republican voters who did not support Trump in the primaries would still vote for him against Clinton. On the Democratic side, 72 percent of Sanders supporters would vote for Clinton against Donald Trump.
Yes, Clinton is winning the popular vote - by a wide margin
WASHINGTON POST // PHILIP BUMP
Writer and activist Shaun King has a prolific presence on social media and an outspoken passion for Bernie Sanders. King appeared in Sanders's Spike Lee-directed promotional video that came out shortly before the New York primary, and he has consistently advocated for the senator from Vermont on Twitter for months. On Thursday, he used Twitter to vent about something that frustrated him: Hillary Clinton's assertion that she leads the Democratic primary by 3 million votes, a figure that he says is inaccurate and overstated. It isn't.
Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton Set for Clash on Gun Control
NEW YORK TIMES // TRIP GABRIEL
If more people were armed, Donald J. Trump says at rallies, mass shootings like those in Paris and San Bernardino, Calif., would be less deadly. If you have a permit to carry a concealed weapon, he wants to make it valid in all 50 states, as simple as a driver's license. And Mr. Trump himself has a permit to carry a concealed handgun, which he is not shy about mentioning. "Somebody attacks me, oh, they're gonna be shocked," he warned last year. Mr. Trump, who promises to "totally protect" the Second Amendment, is scheduled to speak on Friday at the annual convention of the National Rifle Association, on the cusp of a general election in which gun issues are expected to be more prominent than in recent presidential races. His address should signal how far he is likely to go in pressing gun rights to energize the Republican base in the fall campaign.
Clinton Calls Democratic Race 'Done,' Says Trump Unqualified
BLOOMBERG POLITICS // MARGARET TALEV
Hillary Clinton essentially declared the Democratic nomination race over, moving to quash concerns about an uprising by Bernie Sanders's supporters and refocus Democrats on defeating Republican Donald Trump, who she called unqualified to hold the nation's highest office. "I will be the nominee for my party," the former secretary of state said in an interview with CNN on Thursday. "That is already done. There is no way I won't be." Asked whether she believes presumptive Republican nominee Trump is qualified to be president, Clinton said, "No, I do not." Sanders's campaign responded by saying voters have "growing doubts" about Clinton. Trump issued a statement saying: "She has bad judgment and is unfit to serve as president at this delicate and difficult time in our country's history."
Clinton: 'No way' I won't be Democratic nominee
POLITICO // NICK GASS
Hillary Clinton on Thursday said there is "no way" that she will not be the Democratic presidential nominee in 2016, and that Bernie Sanders would do well to unify behind her as the party's standard-bearer against Donald Trump "I will be the nominee for my party, Chris," the former secretary of state told CNN's Chris Cuomo in an interview from Park Ridge, Illinois. "That is already done, in effect. There's no way that I won't be." As for Bernie Sanders, Clinton said "he has to do his part to unify." "He said the other day that he'll do everything possible to defeat Donald Trump. He said he'd work seven days a week. I take him at his word," Clinton said. "I think the threat that Donald Trump poses is so dramatic to our country, to our democracy and our economy that I certainly expect Sen. Sanders to do what he said he would." Clinton dodged a question from Cuomo on whether she would choose Sanders as her running mate.
Hillary Clinton Says There Is 'No Way' She Won't Win Nomination
WALL STREET JOURNAL // TIM HANRAHAN AND LAURA MECKLER
Hillary Clinton said the Democratic presidential race is effectively over and "there is no way" she won't be the party's nominee. In an interview with CNN Thursday, Mrs. Clinton also said that she is confident the party will unify ahead of the general election, despite rival Bernie Sanders's pledge to keep fighting until the summer convention. In recent weeks, Mrs. Clinton has pivoted away from the primary battle, where she holds a large delegate lead, and toward the general election and presumptive GOP opponent Donald Trump. "I will be the nominee for my party," she told CNN Thursday. "That is already done, in effect. There is no way that I won't be." Mrs. Clinton was asked if she believed Mr Trump is qualified to be president. "No, I do not," she said, and cited his recent comments on British leaders, NATO and North Korea. Based on his comments and policies, "I think it adds up to a very troubling picture," Mrs. Clinton said. When asked about the anger from Mr. Sanders and his supporters, she said, "I have every confidence we're going to be unified."
Clinton calls Trump too unsteady to be president
REUTERS // STEVE HOLLAND AND SUSAN CORNWELL
Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton pivoted to a general election match-up against Republican candidate Donald Trump on Thursday, saying he is dangerously unpredictable and not qualified to be president. Confident that she is finally close to defeating U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont for the Democratic nomination, Clinton turned heavy fire on Trump, who has been running about even with her in national polls of voters looking ahead to the Nov. 8 presidential election. On the Republican side, Trump promoted top aide Paul Manafort to serve as campaign manager and chief strategist, the Trump campaign said. Corey Lewandowski, the Trump aide who has been campaign manager, retains that title and will continue to oversee day-to-day operations, the campaign said. In addition, Trump has hired veteran Republican lawyer A.B. Culvahouse to help vet potential vice presidential running mates, a source close to the campaign said.
Hillary Clinton sent a very clear message to Bernie Sanders today: Enough is enough
WASHINGTON POST // CHRIS CILLIZZA
Hillary Clinton has been waiting (relatively) patiently for Bernie Sanders to recognize the mathematical and political realities of his current situation and either end his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination or heavily scale back the rhetoric he has been using against her. He has done neither. And in an interview Thursday with CNN, Clinton made clear that she's had enough. Here's the key piece of what she said to CNN's Chris Cuomo: "I went all the way to the end against then-Senator Obama. I won nine out of the last 12 contests back in '08. I won Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia. So I know the intense feelings that arise, particularly among your supporters as you go toward the end. But we both were following the same rules just as both Senator Sanders and I are following the same rules, and I'm 3 million votes ahead of him and I have an insurmountable lead in pledge delegates and I'm confident that just as I did with Senator Obama, where I said, you know what? It was really close. Much closer. Much closer than it is between me and Senator Sanders right now."
2016 Republicans
GOP elite line up behind Donald Trump
POLITICO // ALEX ISENSTADT
The Never Trump moment is over. While a small group of Republicans has wrung its hands raw over the choice between the GOP's nominee and Hillary Clinton, the party's firmament - social and intellectual conservatives, the lobbyist and donor class, powerful operatives and outside groups - is increasingly getting in line behind Donald Trump. Never mind that many of them complain about his bombastic and unpredictable political style. The thawing has slowly but surely begun - and it's visible everywhere -- from mega-donors like Foster Friess rallying Republican governors to Trump, to Mitt Romney's allies agreeing to raise money for him, to leaders of the Never Trump movement conceding their cause is lost.
Republicans Want Their Party to Unify Behind Donald Trump, Poll Shows
NEW YORK TIMES // JONATHAN MARTIN AND DALIA SUSSMAN
An overwhelming majority of Republican voters say their party's leaders should get behind Donald J. Trump, even as he enters the general election saddled with toxic favorability ratings among the broader electorate, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll. And as Mr. Trump faces deep skepticism with general election voters and some Republican holdouts, the Democratic front-runner, Hillary Clinton, is grappling with Senator Bernie Sanders and how to win over his impassioned supporters. Both parties thus approach their July nominating conventions with significant unease and hurdles to overcome. Mr. Trump and Mrs. Clinton are widely disliked by voters, and both parties will need to repair schisms that might spell doom in an ordinary election year. But this, of course, is no ordinary year.
Veteran strategist Paul Manafort becomes Trump's campaign chairman
WASHINGTON POST // JENNA JOHNSON
Paul Manafort, the veteran strategist who joined Donald Trump's campaign two months ago to wrangle convention delegates, was given a new title on Thursday: campaign chairman and chief strategist. Manafort, who has decades of political experience in the United States and overseas, will continue to help the campaign prepare for the Republican convention in July but he will primarily focus on gearing up the general election, according to campaign spokeswoman Hope Hicks. Trump's longtime campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, will continue in that role and continue to oversee many day-to-day campaign operations.
Manafort to GOP aides: Trump's 'behavior can be changed'
POLITICO // BUGRESS EVERETT SEUNG MIN KIM AND ELI STOKOLS
Donald Trump's newly empowered chief strategist sought to convince top GOP congressional officials on Capitol Hill that Trump can compete for the Latino vote, exploit Hillary Clinton's weaknesses and become a Reagan-esque figure in the party, according to attendees and sources familiar with the meeting. After Trump himself attempted to sooth House and Senate Republican leaders over how the presumptive nominee will conduct his campaign and work to keep Congress in GOP control, it was Paul Manafort's turn on Thursday to try and win over some of the top GOP operatives in the party. Facing a room full of seasoned campaign veterans and longtime congressional aides at D.C. law firm Jones day on Capitol Hill, Manafort struck a confident tone. He told attendees that Ronald Reagan used to be criticized just like Trump is now for his polarizing reputation within the Republican Party, the sources said. And the senior Trump adviser said the campaign will work hard to court Latinos, despite Trump's poor approval ratings among Hispanics and Trump's controversial comments about Mexican immigrants, said one attendee. Though Manafort has joined the campaign to bring an extra layer of seasoning to an operation filled with fresh-faced Republican operatives, he insisted that his power is limited: Trump, he said in so many words, is going to be Trump.
The Daily Trail: Why Donald Trump is having a good month
WASHINGTON POST // REBECCA SINDERBRAND
Forget the headlines - Donald Trump is having a very good month. This isn't just because his businesses may be seeing a campaign-year boost, or because Democrats have currently wrested the title of "Party Most Likely To Experience Arrests On the Convention Floor" away from the GOP. At this point in the year, when presumptive nominees tend to take a bit of a break from the road, the campaign action is largely defined by moves you can't capture on camera. And right now, Donald Trump appears to be making the right ones. Today, Chris Cillizza took a closer look at a few of them.
Donald Trump's and Hillary Clinton's High Negatives Could Prove Tough to Lower
WALL STREET JOURNAL // NIEL KING JR. AND AARON ZITNER
Elections are always a game of positives versus negatives. If you're the candidate, you do your best to talk yourself up and your opponent down. This year's presidential brawl will test the depths of those downs and-very likely-the limits of both front-runner's efforts to go up. In the battle over image, the two likely presidential nominees face a challenge not seen in modern history. No modern candidate has entered the fray at this point of the race with deeper negatives than either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton. And if history is any guide, their room for improvement is scant, especially because of their nearly 100% name recognition. In the most recent Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll, those holding a negative view of Mrs. Clinton exceeded those who held a positive view by 24 percentage points. It was even worse for Mr. Trump, who came in 41 points underwater.
Exclusive: More than 100 lawsuits, disputes, tied to Trump and his companies
USA TODAY // NICK PENZENSTADLER AND DAVID WILSON
While Donald J. Trump refuses to release his federal tax returns, saying his tax rate is "none of your business," a USA TODAY analysis found Trump's businesses have been involved in at least 100 lawsuits and other disputes related to unpaid taxes or how much tax his businesses owe. Trump's companies have been engaged in battles over taxes almost every year from the late 1980s until as recently as March, the analysis of court cases, property records, and other documents across the country shows. At least five Trump companies were issued warrants totaling more than $13,000 for late or unpaid taxes in New York state just since Trump declared his candidacy in June 2015, according to state records. This spring, as Trump flew to campaign rallies around the country aboard his trademark private jet, the state of New York filed a tax warrant to try to collect $8,578 in unpaid taxes from the Trump-owned company that owns the Boeing 757. The company has since paid that tax bill. As recently as last week, Trump said he was "willing to pay more" taxes personally and that "taxes for the rich will go up somewhat" if he becomes president. But the lawsuits and other tax-related disputes show a different reality for his businesses.
Trump delegate indicted on weapons, child pornography charges
REUTERS // JULIA HARTE
A Maryland man who is a delegate for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has been indicted for illegally shipping explosives, owning a machine gun and producing child pornography, the U.S. Justice Department said on Thursday. Caleb Bailey, 30, was indicted by a grand jury in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt, Maryland, on Wednesday. He was elected to be a delegate for Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, and is still listed as one on the state's board of elections website. Joe Cluster, executive director of the Maryland Republican Party, confirmed Bailey had been indicted and told Reuters the party was asking Bailey to resign from the delegation. "I don't know too much about him beyond what I've read," said Cluster, who declined to comment further. Bailey had hundreds of illegal weapons stored in a bunker beneath his garage, including dozens of machine guns, smokeless grenades and gas canisters, along with ready-to-eat meals, according to a law enforcement official briefed on the investigation.
Trump's Supreme Court picks have close ties to GOP senators
POLITICO // SEUNG MIN KIM
Sen. John Cornyn is a personal acquaintance of Don Willett, one of the people on Donald Trump's list of potential Supreme Court nominees: Both men share the distinction of having served on Texas' highest court. Another Trump favorite, Thomas Lee, is the brother of Utah Sen. Mike Lee. Colorado Supreme Court Justice Allison Eid was once Sen. Cory Gardner's law professor. And Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley was so pleased with an Iowa judge included on Trump's list that the senator said he would've personally recommended Steven Colloton to a future president considering a high court justice. In selecting names for his list of potential Supreme Court picks, Trump seemed to make direct appeals to Senate Republicans by choosing their associates and even relatives, along with jurists who have long been household names among conservatives. Willett - a colorful and prolific Twitter user who now serves on the Texas Supreme Court - knows Cornyn well, the No. 2 Senate Republican said on Thursday. The two men didn't serve at the same time, but Cornyn called him a "good man" and "kind of a unique guy."
Super PAC Backing Donald Trump Reveals List of Supporters
NEW YORK TIMES // MAGGIE HABERMAN
A "super PAC" supporting Donald J. Trump released a partial list of 27 supporters on Thursday, as officials for the group said they would report on Friday having no debt last month and raising more than $1 million. The group, Great America PAC, released a list of names that included the former actress and conservative pundit Stacey Dash, the New York businessman Robert Lapidus and the petroleum executive James Volker. The group is one of at least four potential super PACs in the works to support Mr. Trump. Stanley Hubbard, a businessman who signed up with the group in the last few weeks, said in a statement that it was imperative to continue trying to amass support for Mr. Trump. The supporters' list was intended to show a broad range of regional support around the country.
Pro-Trump Super PAC Shows Off List of New Donors
WALL STREET JOURNAL // REBECCA BALLHAUS
Great America PAC, a super PAC backing presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump, is stacking its donor ranks, rolling out a new list of wealthy backers as it seeks to solidify its status as the primary outside group backing the New York businessman. Investor Yuri Vanetik and TD Service Financial Corp. founder Dale Dykema, who each bundled up to $100,000 for 2008 GOP nominee John McCain, are among the new donors backing the super PAC, according to a list of "top-level supporters" provided by the group. Clean Energy Fuels chief executive Andrew Littlefair and William Reid, the former chairman of Gold Resource Corporation who gave $30,000 to a super PAC backing 2012 nominee Mitt Romney, have also pledged to donate to the super PAC. Augusta Petrone, the wife of Ambassador Joseph Petrone who served as an honorary New Hampshire co-chairwoman for Rudy Giuliani's 2008 presidential campaign, and Stacey Dash, a conservative commentator and actress best known for her role in the film "Clueless," are also on the list.
After months of getting help from Christie, Trump returns the favor
WASHINGTON POST // KATIE ZEZIMA
Ever since Gov. Chris Christie dropped out of the Republican presidential race and backed Donald Trump, he has taken quite a beating while helping the man he calls "Mr. Trump" try to win the White House. Now, after months of kowtowing to Trump, the roles were reversed - if only for a few hours. Trump appeared at a fundraiser here Thursday night to help retire the debt Christie still carries from his failed presidential campaign. The two men appeared at a National Guard armory outfitted with chandeliers, where people paid $200 to get in the door and help Christie pay down about $400,000 in campaign obligations - though some said they got in for free. Trump also appeared at a $25,000-per-head event to help fill the coffers of the New Jersey Republican Party.
Editorials/Op-Eds
Stealing From Ebola to Fight Zika
NEW YORK TIMES // THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Nobody should be surprised when the present House of Representatives, dominated by penurious reactionaries, produces a stingy response to a danger that calls for compassionate largess. But for sheer fecklessness it's hard to top the House's response this week to the Zika virus. The salient feature is that in providing money to fight one health menace, it steals from other funds meant to fight an even more dangerous threat - the Ebola virus. In February, President Obama asked Congress for $1.9 billion to help fight Zika, a virus that can cause severe birth defects and has been linked to neurological disorders in adults. Transmittable by mosquitoes and through sex, Zika broke out last year in Brazil and has since spread to the United States and other countries. Experts fear there could eventually be hundreds of thousands of infections in Puerto Rico, where nearly half the population lives below the poverty line, with possibly hundreds of babies affected. States in the American South with large mosquito populations are also at particular risk. On Thursday, the Senate voted for $1.1 billion in emergency funds for research, vaccine development, mosquito control efforts and other programs. The bill does not provide as much money as public health agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say they need, but it is a decent start.
Overdue change in overtime pay: Our view
USA TODAY // THE EDITORIAL BOARD
For most people, a salaried job paying $25,000 a year is far from exceptional. It corresponds to an hourly wage of roughly $14, which isn't enough to live on in many pricey metro areas. But, according to existing federal labor rules, a $25,000 job can be classified as managerial or given another designation that exempts it from overtime pay. That's why the Obama administration moved this week to change those rules. As of Dec. 1, the minimum annual salary that can be excluded from overtime will be raised from $23,660 to $47,476, unless opponents manage to block the change in Congress or the courts. The move is long overdue. The percentage of people eligible for overtime has been in a free fall since its high in 1975. Then, 62% of salaried workers were paid overtime for work over 40 hours. Today the number is 7%. And it was even lower before 2004, when the Bush administration made some needed changes.
Much-needed relief for debt-ridden Puerto Rico
WASHINGTON POST // THE EDITORIAL BOARD
IN A badly broken Washington, even small victories for normal governmental process count as cause for celebration. Consider Thursday's agreement between House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) and the Obama administration on a measure to help Puerto Rico out of its debt crisis. The need for legislation is obvious and urgent, given Puerto Rico's insolvency, its $2 billion debt payment due in July and the lack of any bankruptcy-like mechanism for resolving the situation under existing law. That's why Mr. Ryan had set a March 31 deadline for action by the House - only to be thwarted by an effective, but not very transparent, lobbying effort led by hedge funds with an interest in blocking restructuring of Puerto Rican bonds they bought at fire-sale prices. Taking to the airwaves with hyperbolic warnings of an impending taxpayer "bailout," these interests helped distort and delay House work on a bill, pushing Puerto Rico and its beleaguered populace right to the edge of financial collapse - and a possible humanitarian crisis.
Republicans' stunningly illogical attempt to end the District's budget autonomy
WASHINGTON POST // THE EDITORIAL BOARD
IN THEIR push to repeal a measure giving D.C. the right to spend its own tax dollars, House Republicans repeatedly sounded the argument that the Constitution gives Congress "supreme authority" over the District. They are right about that power. But that doesn't answer why a party that professes to champion local control and abhor government overreach would choose to undermine self-government in an American city that is home to 700,000 people. The illogic, even by Washington standards, is stunning. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee voted along party lines this week to advance a bill that would nullify budget autonomy for the District. D.C. voters overwhelmingly approved budget autonomy in a 2013 referendum. The measure, though subject to differing legal interpretations, has been upheld in court. Moreover, before it went into effect, Congress had an opportunity to overturn it but instead chose not to act.


Talks about Trump transition team in 3rd paragraph
Chris Christie On His Role As Transition Chairman For Donald Trump: "But As Some Of You May Know About Presidential Transitions, The Chairman's Running The Show And I Will Do That And I Will Make The Major Decisions That Need To Be Made, Of Course In Consultation With The Candidate." CHRISTIE: "I'm honored to be asked by Donald to have the responsibility of putting together a plan that will carry his first 200 days in office and a plan that will help him to populate the 4,000 federal jobs he'll need to fill in a relatively short order if he were to become president. That's not something, none of that stuff can be done in 75 days between the election and the inaugural. And so we're going to begin work earnestly now that the announcement's been made and I've been asked. Listen, in terms of time, the fact is that in the beginning, there will be some decent time for me to put a good team together. But as some of you may know about presidential transitions, the chairman's running the show and I will do that and I will make the major decisions that need to be made, of course in consultation with the candidate." [NJTV, 5/11/16
]
Chris Christie On Traveling Out-Of-State While Serving As Donald Trump's Transition Chairman: "I've Always Been Able To Manage My Time Pretty Well And I Don't Think It Will Take Me Out Of State Much At All. Maybe To Washington D.C. Every Once In A While." "But in the end, a lot of the work will be done by men and women who will volunteer their time as traditionally has happened across the country to bring their expertise to bear on all the different issues that a new president would have to confront. So I can't give you an exact amount of time, Michael, but I've always been able to manage my time pretty well and I don't think it will take me out of state much at all. Maybe to Washington D.C. every once in a while." [NJTV, 5/11/16
]
--

Christie: Today I'm pleased to announce that the growing health and solvency of our trust fund, which now has a positive balance of $1.8 billion will allow for yet another tax cut to be realized by our employers. We had announced just a few weeks ago a $200 million tax cut effective July 1. We're now announcing that we will increase that tax cut on July 1 by another $180 million making for a total tax cut of $380 million for our employers as of July 1.
-
Christie: I want to save Atlantic City. So does the Senate president. I would hope that the speaker would too. But if he's going to force Atlantic City to bankruptcy, that's going to be his call. I've done my job. I've said what I'd sign. And, by the way, when Sen. Sweeney and Assemblyman [Lou] Greenwald came out with a compromise, I said I'd be willing to look at it. But that wasn't good enough either. The only person who's not come to the table with anything, the reason he doesn't have a seat at the table? You got to bring something to the table. What's he brought, except defiance? So, I want to save Atlantic City, the Senate president wants to save Atlantic City and I think a majority of the state Legislature wants to. But speaker is bringing nothing to the table. Once again today he comes with nothing. Promised a vote today. He was going to get this thing passed. He didn't, again. So what's next now, Mr. Speaker? He can send out as many press releases as he wants blaming me but if I don't have anything on my desk to sign, and he can't point me to the inherent authority he says I have, well what am I supposed to do?
Christie: I'm honored to be asked by Donald to have the responsibility of putting together a plan that will carry his first 200 days in office and a plan that will help him to populate the 4,000 federal jobs he'll need to fill in a relatively short order if he were to become president. That's not something, none of that stuff can be done in 75 days between the election and the inaugural. And so we're going to begin work earnestly now that the announcement's been made and I've been asked. Listen, in terms of time, the fact is that in the beginning, there will be some decent time for me to put a good team together. But as some of you may know about presidential transitions, the chairman's running the show and I will do that and I will make the major decisions that need to be made, of course in consultation with the candidate. But in the end, a lot of the work will be done by men and women who will volunteer their time as traditionally has happened across the country to bring their expertise to bear on all the different issues that a new president would have to confront. So I can't give you an exact amount of time, Michael, but I've always been able to manage my time pretty well and I don't think it will take me out of state much at all. Maybe to Washington D.C. every once in a while.
Aron: And Christie was asked whether becoming transition chair lessens his chances of being Trump's running mate. He said that's up to Donald, but he sounded like he wouldn't mind. I'm Michael Aron. Mary Alice, back to you.
From: Sarge, Matthew
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2016 4:24 PM
To: Comm_D
Subject: RE: Video Request: Christie Press Conference
"Donald Trump is a very persuasive guy" but recalls 4 years ago "I was on the short list the last time so it doesn't mean a heck of a lot"
VP "not something we discussed" when Christie asked to lead Trump transition
From: Sarge, Matthew
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2016 4:12 PM
To: Comm_D
Subject: Video Request: Christie Press Conference

Sounds like Christie will serve as Trump running mate if asked


Me too.
Sent from my iPhone
On May 4, 2016, at 8:01 AM, Miranda, Luis
> wrote:
I’m good with this.
Luis Miranda, Communications Director
Democratic National Committee
202-863-8148 – MirandaL@dnc.org
- @MiraLuisDC
From: Manriquez, Pablo
Sent: Wednesday, May 04, 2016 9:48 AM
To: Banfill, Ryan; Miranda, Luis; Paustenbach, Mark; Walker, Eric
Subject: Request - DWS//BARITIROMO//FOX BIZ//SUNDAY
Who: DWS and Maria Bartiriomo.
What: Live one on one interview for Maria Bartiromo’s Sunday show on Fox Business Channel, “Sunday Morning Futures”. The subject matter will be a state of the race election update with specific topics determined by Saturday’s news cycle.
When: 8 May, 10AM EST hour.
Where: At DWS’s convenience.
NOTE:  Maria’s been trying to get DWS back on her show for a couple of weeks. We’ve not been opposed to it but hasn’t worked out logistically.
Pablo Manriquez
Democratic National Committee
Phone: 202.572.5488
Email: pablo@dnc.org
web: democrats.org
Twitter: @Pablo_DNC


[Project Vantage]
IN-HOUSE SCHEDULE
LAST UPDATED 4/24/2016 1:58:59
All times are Eastern Standard Time
SIGNIFICANT UPDATES (Full Schedule Below):
SUNDAY, APR 24, 2016
NEW DONALD TRUMP: 04/24/2016, 4:00 PM: Rally Rider Jet Center Hagerstown, MD [Trump Campaign]
NEW HILLARY CLINTON: 04/24/2016, Attending church at Triumph Baptist Church Philadelphia, PA [@danmericaCNN]
NEW TED CRUZ: 04/24/2016, 2:30 PM: Rally Woodrow Wilson Middle School Terre Haute, IN [mywabashvalley.com]
NEW TED CRUZ: 04/24/2016, 6:00 PM: Rally 715 Locust Street, Evansville, IN [eventbrite]
MONDAY, APR 25, 2016
NEW BERNIE SANDERS: 04/25/2016, 8:00 PM: Rally 3301 Market St, Philadelphia, PA [Sanders Campaign]
NEW BERNIE SANDERS: 04/25/2016, 2:30 PM: Rally Fitzgerald Field House at the University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA [Sanders Campaign]
NEW DONALD TRUMP: 04/25/2016, 7:00 PM: Rally Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza 255 Highlands Park Blvd, Wilkes-Barre Township, PA [Trump Campaign]
NEW DONALD TRUMP: 04/25/2016, 4:00 PM: Rally West Chester University 700 S High Street, West Chester, PA [Trump Campaign]
NEW HEIDI CRUZ: 04/25/2016, 8:00 PM: Meet and Greet 702 W Norfolk Ave, Norfolk, NE [eventbrite]
NEW HEIDI CRUZ: 04/25/2016, 1:00 PM: Meet and Greet 1101 South 119th St, Omaha, NE [eventbrite]
NEW HEIDI CRUZ: 04/25/2016, 3:30 PM: Meet and Greet 406 North Main St, Freemont, NE [eventbrite]
NEW HILLARY CLINTON: 04/25/2016, 7:30 PM: GOTV Event Courtyard of Philadelphia City Hall Philadelphia, PA [Clinton Campaign]
NEW HILLARY CLINTON: 04/25/2016, 11:15 AM: GOTV Event 500 N Market St, Wilmington, DE [Clinton Campaign]
NEW HILLARY CLINTON: 04/25/2016, 2:45 PM: GOTV Event Westmoreland County Community College Youngwood, PA [Clinton Campaign]
TUESDAY, APR 26, 2016
NEW HEIDI CRUZ: 04/26/2016, 2:00 PM: Meet and Greet 140 N 8th St, Lincoln, NE [eventbrite]
THURSDAY, APR 28, 2016
NEW DONALD TRUMP: 04/28/2016, Rally Evansville, IN [14news.com]
NEW JOHN KASICH: 04/28/2016, 9:30 PM: Town Hall Central Medford High School 815 S. Oakdale Avenue, Medfrd, OR [eventbrite]
SATURDAY, MAY 07, 2016
NEW DONALD TRUMP: 05/07/2016, Rally Puget Sound Region, WA [Seattletimes.com]
NEW DONALD TRUMP: 05/07/2016, Rally Near Vancouver, WA [seattletimes.com]
NEW DONALD TRUMP: 05/07/2016, Rally Spokane, WA [seattletimes.com]
FULL SCHEDULE:
LAST UPDATED 4/24/2016 1:58:59
All times are Eastern Standard Time
SUNDAY, APR 24, 2016
GOP EVENTS
NEW DONALD TRUMP: 04/24/2016, 4:00 PM: Rally Rider Jet Center Hagerstown, MD [Trump Campaign]
NEW TED CRUZ: 04/24/2016, 2:30 PM: Rally Woodrow Wilson Middle School Terre Haute, IN [mywabashvalley.com]
NEW TED CRUZ: 04/24/2016, 6:00 PM: Rally 715 Locust Street, Evansville, IN [eventbrite]
04/24/2016, 8:00 PM: Fox News Town Hall. "Some candidates may attend" Constitution Center Philadelphia, PA [eventbrite]
DEMOCRAT EVENTS
BERNIE SANDERS: 04/24/2016, 7:00 PM: Rally New Haven Green New Haven, CT [Sanders Campaign]
BERNIE SANDERS: 04/24/2016, 12:00 PM: Rally Roger Williams Park, Temple to Music Providence, RI [Sanders Campaign]
HILLARY CLINTON: 04/24/2016, 2:15 PM: Get Out the Vote Event University of Bridgeport, Harvey Hubbell Gymnasium Bridgeport, CT [Clinton Campaign]
NEW HILLARY CLINTON: 04/24/2016, Attending church at Triumph Baptist Church Philadelphia, PA [@danmericaCNN]
MONDAY, APR 25, 2016
GOP EVENTS
NEW DONALD TRUMP: 04/25/2016, 7:00 PM: Rally Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza 255 Highlands Park Blvd, Wilkes-Barre Township, PA [Trump Campaign]
NEW DONALD TRUMP: 04/25/2016, 4:00 PM: Rally West Chester University 700 S High Street, West Chester, PA [Trump Campaign]
NEW HEIDI CRUZ: 04/25/2016, 8:00 PM: Meet and Greet 702 W Norfolk Ave, Norfolk, NE [eventbrite]
NEW HEIDI CRUZ: 04/25/2016, 1:00 PM: Meet and Greet 1101 South 119th St, Omaha, NE [eventbrite]
NEW HEIDI CRUZ: 04/25/2016, 3:30 PM: Meet and Greet 406 North Main St, Freemont, NE [eventbrite]
JOHN KASICH: 04/25/2016, 7:00 PM: Town Hall Montour High School 223 Clever Rd, McKees Rocks, PA [eventbrite]
JOHN KASICH: 04/25/2016, 1:00 PM: Town Hall Thomas Farms Community Center 700 Fallsgrove Dr, Rockville, MD [eventbrite]
DEMOCRAT EVENTS
NEW BERNIE SANDERS: 04/25/2016, 8:00 PM: Rally 3301 Market St, Philadelphia, PA [Sanders Campaign]
BERNIE SANDERS: 04/25/2016, 10:00 AM: Rally Riverfront Plaza, Riverfront Amphitheater Hartford, CT [Sanders Campaign]
NEW BERNIE SANDERS: 04/25/2016, 2:30 PM: Rally Fitzgerald Field House at the University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA [Sanders Campaign]
BERNIE SANDERS: 04/25/2016, MSNBC Town Hall Primetime [MSNBC]
NEW HILLARY CLINTON: 04/25/2016, 7:30 PM: GOTV Event Courtyard of Philadelphia City Hall Philadelphia, PA [Clinton Campaign]
NEW HILLARY CLINTON: 04/25/2016, 11:15 AM: GOTV Event 500 N Market St, Wilmington, DE [Clinton Campaign]
NEW HILLARY CLINTON: 04/25/2016, 2:45 PM: GOTV Event Westmoreland County Community College Youngwood, PA [Clinton Campaign]
HILLARY CLINTON: 04/25/2016, MSNBC Town Hall Primetime [MSNBC]
OTHER EVENTS
04/25/2016, 9:00 PM: California Senate Debate CA [playbook]
TUESDAY, APR 26, 2016
GOP EVENTS
BOB CORKER: 04/26/2016, 10:00 AM: SFRC Review of Resources, Priorities and Programs in the FY 2017 State Department Budget Request Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues Dirksen 419 Washington, DC
NEW HEIDI CRUZ: 04/26/2016, 2:00 PM: Meet and Greet 140 N 8th St, Lincoln, NE [eventbrite]
JOHN KASICH: 04/26/2016, 7:00 PM: Election night watch party Omni Severin Hotel 40 West Jackson Place, Indianapolis, IN [eventbrite]
JOHN KASICH: 04/26/2016, 10:00 AM: Town Hall Hamilton County Fairgrounds, Noblesville, IN [eventbrite]
TOM COTTON: 04/26/2016, 2:30 PM: Closed Hearing. Committee On Intelligence Hart 219 Washington, DC
OTHER EVENTS
04/26/2016, Republican Primaries: Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island
04/26/2016, Democratic Primaries: Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island
WEDNESDAY, APR 27, 2016
GOP EVENTS
BOB CORKER: 04/27/2016, 10:30 AM: SFRC: U.S. -China Relations: Strategic Challenges and Opportunities Dirksen 419 Washington, DC
BOB CORKER: 04/27/2016, 3:30 PM: Committee On Aging “Valeant Pharmaceuticals' Business Model: the Repercussions for Patients and the Health Care System” Hart 216 Washington, DC
DONALD TRUMP: 04/27/2016, 12:00 PM: Foreign Policy Speech. Highlights relationship between economics and national security. National Press Club Washington, DC [WSJ]
PAUL RYAN: 04/27/2016, Student Town Hall Georgetown Washington, DC [@Georgetown]
TOM COTTON: 04/27/2016, 3:30 PM: Committee On Aging “Valeant Pharmaceuticals' Business Model: the Repercussions for Patients and the Health Care System” Hart 216 Washington, DC
THURSDAY, APR 28, 2016
GOP EVENTS
BOB CORKER: 04/28/2016, 10:00 AM: SFRC Business meeting S-116 Washington, DC
NEW DONALD TRUMP: 04/28/2016, Rally Evansville, IN [14news.com]
NEW JOHN KASICH: 04/28/2016, 9:30 PM: Town Hall Central Medford High School 815 S. Oakdale Avenue, Medfrd, OR [eventbrite]
JOHN KASICH: 04/28/2016, 4:30 PM: Town Hall 1900 NW 18th Ave, Portland, OR [eventbrite]
NIKKI HALEY: 04/28/2016, 10:00 AM: Oversight and Management Efficiency Subcommittee hearing on "Transferring Guantanamo Bay Detainees to the Homeland: Implications for States and Local Communities." 311 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC
TOM COTTON: 04/28/2016, 2:00 PM: Intelligence Hearing. Closed Hart 219 Washington, DC
04/28/2016, Alaska GOP State Party Convention AK
FRIDAY, APR 29, 2016
GOP EVENTS
DONALD TRUMP: 04/29/2016, 3:00 PM: Speech at California GOP State Convention San Francisco, CA [@RonNehring]
JOHN KASICH: 04/29/2016, 10:30 PM: Speech at California GOP State Convention San Francisco, CA [@RonNehring]
JOHN KASICH: 04/29/2016, 5:00 PM: Town Hall Parc 55 55 Cyril Magnin Street, San Francisco, CA [commonwealthclub.org]
04/29/2016, California GOP State Party Convention CA
04/29/2016, Virginia GOP State Party Convention VA
SATURDAY, APR 30, 2016
GOP EVENTS
TED CRUZ: 04/30/2016, 3:00 PM: Speech at California GOP State Convention San Francisco, CA [@RonNehring]
04/30/2016, Arizona GOP State Party Convention AZ
04/30/2016, Delaware GOP State Party Convention DE
SUNDAY, MAY 01, 2016
GOP EVENTS
JEFF SESSIONS: 05/01/2016, 3:00 PM: Commencement Address University of Alabama Propst Arena Von Braun Center, Huntsville, AL [www.change.org]
MONDAY, MAY 02, 2016
GOP EVENTS
DOUG DUCEY: 05/02/2016, Gov. Doug Ducey will tout Arizona education excellence in his keynote address to the second annual Southwest Pathways Conference Doubletree Resort Scottsdale, AZ [Phoenix Business Journal]
TUESDAY, MAY 03, 2016
OTHER EVENTS
05/03/2016, Indiana Democratic Primary IN
05/03/2016, Indiana Republican Primary IN
WEDNESDAY, MAY 04, 2016
GOP EVENTS
COREY LEWANDOWSKI: 05/04/2016, 8:30 AM: Court for misdemeanor battery charge FL [@jacobnbc]
THURSDAY, MAY 05, 2016
GOP EVENTS
05/05/2016, North Carolina GOP State Party Convention NC
FRIDAY, MAY 06, 2016
GOP EVENTS
TOM COTTON: 05/06/2016, 6:00 PM: SC GOP 2016 Silver Elephant Dinner. Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center 1101 Lincoln Street, Columbia, SC [eventbrite]
SATURDAY, MAY 07, 2016
GOP EVENTS
NEW DONALD TRUMP: 05/07/2016, Rally Spokane, WA [seattletimes.com]
NEW DONALD TRUMP: 05/07/2016, Rally Puget Sound Region, WA [Seattletimes.com]
NEW DONALD TRUMP: 05/07/2016, Rally Near Vancouver, WA [seattletimes.com]
05/07/2016, South Carolina GOP State Party Convention SC
OTHER EVENTS
05/07/2016, Guam Republican Primary GU
05/07/2016, Guam Democratic Primary. GU
MONDAY, MAY 09, 2016
GOP EVENTS
TOM COTTON: 05/09/2016, 2:30 PM: Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Airland SR-232A Washington, DC
05/09/2016, Connecticut GOP State Party Convention Hartford, CT
TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2016
GOP EVENTS
TOM COTTON: 05/10/2016, 11:00 AM: Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel. SD-G50 Washington, DC
TOM COTTON: 05/10/2016, 3:30 PM: Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities SD-G50 Washington, DC
OTHER EVENTS
05/10/2016, Republican Primaries: Nebraska and West Virginia
05/10/2016, West Virginia Democratic Primary. WV
WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2016
GOP EVENTS
TOM COTTON: 05/11/2016, 9:30 AM: Senate Armed Services full committee markup of The National Defense Authorization Act for FY2017 SR-222 Washington, DC
THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016
GOP EVENTS
TOM COTTON: 05/12/2016, 9:30 AM: Senate Armed Services full committee markup of The National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2017 SR-222 Washington, DC
05/12/2016, Texas GOP State Party Convention TX
FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016
GOP EVENTS
NIKKI HALEY: 05/13/2016, 7:30 PM: Keynote at Tennessee GOP Statesman Dinner Music City Center Grand Ballroom Nashville, TN [
TOM COTTON: 05/13/2016, 9:30 AM: Senate Armed Services full committee markup of The National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2017 SR-222 Washington, DC
05/13/2016, Mississippi and Maryland GOP State Party Conventions
SATURDAY, MAY 14, 2016
GOP EVENTS
PAUL RYAN: 05/14/2016, Keynote at Wisconsin GOP Convention KI Convention Center 333 Main St, Green Bay, WI [minnesta.cbslocal.com]
05/14/2016, Nebraska and Oklahoma GOP State Party Conventions
MONDAY, MAY 16, 2016
GOP EVENTS
TED CRUZ: 05/16/2016, Miami-Dade GOP Lincoln Day Dinner. Invites sent out to other candidates. NOTE: No exact date yet. Miami-Dade County, FL [Miami Herald]
OTHER EVENTS
05/16/2016, Bridgegate Corruption Trial NJ [NJ.com]
TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016
OTHER EVENTS
05/17/2016, Democratic Primaries: Kentucky and Oregon.
05/17/2016, Oregon Republican Primary OR
WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016
GOP EVENTS
05/18/2016, Kentucky State Party Convention will occur before 5/18/2016 KY
05/18/2016, New York GOP State Party Convention NY
THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2016
GOP EVENTS
05/19/2016, Washington GOP State Party Convention WA
05/19/2016, Illinois and Minnesota GOP State Party Conventions
FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2016
GOP EVENTS
05/20/2016, Iowa, Missouri, New Mexico, and Vermont GOP State Party Conventions
TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2016
GOP EVENTS
CARLY FIORINA: 05/24/2016, 2016 Prescott Bush Awards Dinner Stamford, CT [@CTGOP]
OTHER EVENTS
05/24/2016, Washington State Republican Primary WA
THURSDAY, JUN 02, 2016
GOP EVENTS
06/02/2016, Idaho GOP State Party Convention Nampa, ID
FRIDAY, JUN 03, 2016
GOP EVENTS
06/03/2016, Wisconsin and Georgia GOP State Party Conventions
SATURDAY, JUN 04, 2016
GOP EVENTS
06/04/2016, Oregon GOP State Party Convention OR
OTHER EVENTS
06/04/2016, Virgin Islands Democratic Caucus VI
SUNDAY, JUN 05, 2016
OTHER EVENTS
06/05/2016, Puerto Rico Democratic Caucus. PR
TUESDAY, JUN 07, 2016
OTHER EVENTS
06/07/2016, Democratic Primaries: California, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, South Dakota, North Dakota
06/07/2016, Republican Primaries: California, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, South Dakota, North Dakota
THURSDAY, JUN 09, 2016
GOP EVENTS
06/09/2016, E2 Summit hosted by Mitt Romney. Will go June 9 to June 11 Stein Eriksen Lodge 7700 Stein Way, Deer Valley, UT [Email]
06/09/2016, Faith and Freedom Coalition's Road to Majority Conference. Goes to June 11. Omni Sheraton 2500 Calvert St NW, Washington, DC [Email]
TUESDAY, JUN 14, 2016
OTHER EVENTS
06/14/2016, District of Columbia Democratic Primary Washington, DC
MONDAY, JUL 18, 2016
GOP EVENTS
07/18/2016, Republican National Convention Quicken Loans Arena Cleveland, OH
TUESDAY, JUL 19, 2016
GOP EVENTS
07/19/2016, Republican National Convention Quicken Loans Arena Cleveland, OH
WEDNESDAY, JUL 20, 2016
GOP EVENTS
07/20/2016, Republican National Convention Quicken Loans Arena Cleveland, OH
THURSDAY, JUL 21, 2016
GOP EVENTS
07/21/2016, Republican National Convention Quicken Loans Arena Cleveland, OH
FRIDAY, AUG 12, 2016
GOP EVENTS
08/12/2016, Red State Gathering Aug 12-14 Denver, CO [email]
TUESDAY, AUG 23, 2016
GOP EVENTS
DONALD TRUMP: 08/23/2016, Washington Post Trump Book release [WaPo]
MONDAY, SEP 26, 2016
OTHER EVENTS
DEBATE: 09/26/2016, 1st Presidential Debate Wright State University Dayton, OH [Commission on Presidential Debates]
TUESDAY, OCT 04, 2016
OTHER EVENTS
DEBATE: 10/04/2016, Vice-Presidential Debate Longwood University Farmville, VA [Commission on Presidential Debates]
SUNDAY, OCT 09, 2016
OTHER EVENTS
DEBATE: 10/09/2016, 2nd Presidential Debate Washington University in St. Louis St. Louis, MO [Commission on Presidential Debates]
WEDNESDAY, OCT 19, 2016
OTHER EVENTS
DEBATE: 10/19/2016, 3rd Presidential Debate University of Nevada, Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV [Commission on Presidential Debates]
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It's a stupid hit at 7:30pm on a Friday. It will have zero impact. Totally pointless.
I also don't like that he got huffy with me/thinks we'll jump at his every command.
If we get ridiculed, the blame is squarely on him.
Mark Paustenbach
National Press Secretary &
Deputy Communications Director
Democratic National Committee
W: 202.863.8148
paustenbachm@dnc.org
From: Miranda, Luis
Sent: Friday, May 13, 2016 7:45 PM
To: Paustenbach, Mark
Subject: RE: FOR RR2: Expert Confirms Trump Lied
I like it.
________________________________
From: Paustenbach, Mark
Sent: Friday, May 13, 2016 7:41 PM
To: Miranda, Luis
Subject: FW: FOR RR2: Expert Confirms Trump Lied
Zac really wants to do this release. I passed initially and he got pissed. So, I put this together to keep the peace.
Mark Paustenbach
National Press Secretary &
Deputy Communications Director
Democratic National Committee
W: 202.863.8148
paustenbachm@dnc.org
From: Paustenbach, Mark
Sent: Friday, May 13, 2016 7:39 PM
To: RR2
Subject: FOR RR2: Expert Confirms Trump Lied
SL: Expert Confirms Trump Lied
Earlier today Donald Trump flatly denied that his voice was the one found
on tapes of conversations with a publicist named "John Miller." But a forensic analyst just confirmed to CNN that, in his estimation, Trump lied about it and was pretending to be his own a publicist on multiple occasions during dealings with reporters over the past three decades. This is just the latest in a long string of lies and half-truths from Trump, and more proof he does not have the judgment or temperament to be president.
View here

[Screenshot]


For approval
"The chair of the Republican National Convention and the highest-ranking Republican official in the country just said he couldn't support his party's nominee for president. That's a shocker - since Ryan and his fellow House Republicans paved the way for Trump with their extreme rhetoric, divisive policies, and obstruction. No matter how hard he tries to run away from Trump, Ryan can't protect his colleagues from the downballot destruction that their party's nominee will cause. P.S. - Ryan's district is only R+3. Might want to start shoring up your home base."
From: Walker, Eric
Sent: Thursday, May 05, 2016 4:32 PM
To: Kauffman, Nathan; Comm_D
Subject: RE: FLAG: Paul Ryan said he cannot endorse/support Trump right now
Quick statement:
"The chair of the Republican National Convention and the highest-ranking Republican official in the country just said he couldn't support his party's nominee for president. That's a shocker - since Ryan and his fellow House Republicans paved the way for Trump with their extreme rhetoric, divisive policies, and obstruction. No matter how hard he tries to run away from Trump, Ryan can't protect his colleagues from the downballot destruction that their party's nominee will cause. P.S. - Ryan's district is only R+3. Might want to start shoring up your home base."
From: Kauffman, Nathan
Sent: Thursday, May 05, 2016 4:04 PM
To: Comm_D
Subject: FLAG: Paul Ryan said he cannot endorse/support Trump right now

@jaketapper
Breaking -- @SpeakerRyan
tells @CNN
he cannot endorse/support @realDonaldTrump
right now -- turn on #TheLead
--
Nathan Kauffman
DNC Research Associate
574-849-4726


Your meeting was forwarded
Palermo, Rachel
has forwarded your meeting request to additional recipients.
Meeting
Lunch with Ryan
Meeting Time
Monday, May 02, 2016 12:00 PM-1:00 PM.
Recipients
Paustenbach, Mark
Guerra, Liana
All times listed are in the following time zone: (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
________________________________
Sent by Microsoft Exchange Server 2010


Luis,
Please hold.  DWS is reviewing a different, more accurate statement for release.  When I have it back, I will send to you.
Thank you.
From: April Mellody
Sent: Friday, May 6, 2016 5:17 PM
To: Leah Daughtry
; Patrice Taylor
Subject: Fwd: FOR DEEP BACKGROUND
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: "Miranda, Luis"
>
Date: May 6, 2016 at 5:16:07 PM EDT
To: April Mellody
>
Subject: RE: FOR DEEP BACKGROUND
Can't keep holding. If you don't have updated language we need to continue to background reporters. If you have something new please send my way.
[SigDems]
Luis Miranda, Communications Director
Democratic National Committee
202-863-8148 - MirandaL@dnc.org
- @MiraLuisDC
From: April Mellody
Sent: Friday, May 06, 2016 12:56 PM
To: Miranda, Luis
Subject: Re: FOR DEEP BACKGROUND
Hi Luis - Can you hold on this. We may want to change some of this based on what I am hearing here.
Sent from my iPhone
On May 6, 2016, at 12:53 PM, Miranda, Luis
> wrote:
How does the Democratic party platform writing process work? When do the drafting committees start getting appointed and meeting?
*       The Platform Drafting committee is a subcommittee of the Convention's Platform committee. It is made up of 15 people, appointed by the DNC Chair. We don't have any announcement to make on timing as of yet, however, they'll be appointed sometime in the coming weeks.
*       Because the Party's platform is a statement of our values, the DNC is committed to an open, inclusive and representative process. Both of our campaigns will be represented on the Drafting Committee, and just as we did in 2008 and 2012, the public will have opportunities to participate.
Is there a list of who is on the party platform committee?
*       Below you'll see our release on the Chair's appointments to the three standing committee  (Rules; Credentials; Platform). In addition to the Chair's appointments made in January and ratified by the DNC Executive Committee (25 for each committee for a total of 75 plus the leadership) there are 162 members of each standing committee who are elected in every state and territory according to the results of the primaries and caucuses. Those elections are ongoing and must conclude by June 25th.
*       Note that the Platform Drafting subcommittee - with 15 members appointed by the DNC Chair --  is separate from the three standing committees.
For Immediate Release
January 22, 2016
Contact: DNC Press - 202-863-8148
DNC Holds Executive Committee Conference Call
WASHINGTON - Due to today's inclement weather throughout the country, the Democratic National Committee's (DNC) Executive Committee held their Executive Committee meeting via conference call today, hearing from special guests such as Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey, Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chair Marcel Groen, and Democratic National Convention Committee CEO Leah Daughtry on preparations for the Democratic Convention to be held in the City of Brotherly and Sisterly Love in July. The previously-scheduled in-person meeting in Philadelphia, including a tour of the convention sites, was cancelled due to expected inclement weather.
Democratic National Committee Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz also delivered remarks during today's call. In addition, the DNC Executive Committee voted to ratify the Chair's 2016 Party Leader and Elected Official Member appointments to the Convention Standing Committees: Credentials, Platform, and Rules. The slate of the Chair's appointments is attached in PDF format.
DNC rules provide for the Chair to appoint 75 Party Leader and Elected Official Members to the three Convention Standing Committees.  These Party Leader Members serve in addition to and together with the over 160 members that are elected in each and every state to those same committees.
"I am extremely proud of the experienced group of individuals who are ready and dedicated to serving our Party on the Convention Committees," said DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz. "This slate represents the great variety of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences that make up our Party. We wanted to make sure that the diversity of our party was reflected to the highest levels in terms of race, gender, age, and geography and feel confident that these individuals will do a tremendous job in this capacity."
The bulk of the Standing Committee members will be elected from the states and territories during the delegate selection process.
The Chair also appointed Committee Co-Chairs as follows:
*         Credentials Committee: Lorraine Miller and Jim Roosevelt
*         Rules Committee: Former State Senator Leticia Van de Putte and former U.S. Congressman Barney Frank
*         Platform Committee: Governor Dan Malloy and former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin
###


What are we doing with the youtube?
From: Manriquez, Pablo
Sent: Tuesday, May 03, 2016 7:24 PM
To: Comm_D
Subject: Video Request: Tonight's Radio Hits
WHAT:                       HENRY MUNOZ ON FOX NEWS RADIO**
WHEN:                       Tuesday, 3 MAY at 7:35PM EST
WHAT:                       ERIC WALKER ON CBS NEWS
WHEN:                       Tuesday, 3 MAY, 7:44PM EST
WHAT:                       JOHN ZODY ON FOX NEWS RADIO
WHEN:                       Tuesday, 3 May at 8:25PM EST
**Pls try to turn around Henry’s hit ASAP so we can go through it with him. For Henry’s hit, DNC Clips unlisted — Title: Henry Munoz Discusses Indiana Primary on Fox News Radio
Pablo Manriquez
Democratic National Committee
Phone: 202.572.5488
Email: pablo@dnc.org
web: democrats.org
Twitter: @Pablo_DNC


Palermo Rachel,
Thank you for contacting us. This is an automated response confirming the receipt of your ticket. Our team will get back to you as soon as possible. When replying, please make sure that the ticket ID is kept in the subject so that we can track your replies.
Ticket ID: UHJ-992-60335
Subject: Factivists password not working again
Department: DNC Helpdesk
Status: Open
Kind regards,
Democratic National Committee
------------------------------------------------------
Helpdesk:


It’s good. Did you lock it in?
[SigDems]
Luis Miranda, Communications Director
Democratic National Committee
202-863-8148 – MirandaL@dnc.org
- @MiraLuisDC
From: Manriquez, Pablo
Sent: Tuesday, April 26, 2016 7:03 PM
To: Paustenbach, Mark; Miranda, Luis; Walker, Eric
Subject: FLAG: Trump on before DWS tomorrow
We’re getting pushed to 6:50 because Trump is calling in at 6:15AM. I’m going to go ahead and lock it in. Let me know if that’s not okay.
Pablo Manriquez
Democratic National Committee
Phone: 202.572.5488
Email: pablo@dnc.org
web: democrats.org
Twitter: @Pablo_DNC


Do we want to give Mike Allen some more dates for a possible Playbook breakfast with DWS?
When we couldn't do a joint one last time with Reince, he just had Reince on solo.
Not sure Mike would be interested in doing her as a solo guest but I can always ask.
That said, is there any news we want to make? Mike will certainly push hard for her to create a headline or two. If DWS definitely wants to do it, we should try to line up an event now before we need to get approval from the campaign for things like this.
Mark Paustenbach
National Press Secretary &
Deputy Communications Director
Democratic National Committee
W: 202.863.8148
paustenbachm@dnc.org


Outgoing call to +1 (866) 810-8093 (Other)
+1 (866) 810-8093
Other:  +1 (866) 810-8093
Microsoft Lync


DAMN Im so mean!
HA
Amy K. Dacey | Chief Executive Officer
Democratic National Committee
430 S. Capitol Street, SE Washington, D.C. 20003
202-528-7492 (c) | 202-314-2263 (o)
DaceyA@dnc.org
From:
, Mark
>
Date: Wednesday, April 27, 2016 at 4:52 PM
To: Amy Dacey
>
Cc: Luis Miranda
>
Subject: USA Today - Cruz picks Fiorina as running mate
Cruz picks Fiorina as running mate
Cooper Allen
and Fredreka Schouten
,
USA TODAY
4:38 p.m. EDT April 27, 2016
Ted Cruz announced Wednesday that Carly Fiorina, a former rival in the GOP race, would join him on the Republican ticket if he wins the nomination, calling her a "woman of deep principle."
"After a great deal of time and thought, after a great deal of consideration and prayer, I have come to the conclusion that if I am nominated to be president of the United States, that I will run on a ticket with my vice presidential nominee, Carly Fiorina," Cruz said at a rally in Indianapolis.
Cruz listed the qualities he looked for in a running mate, citing the need for someone with "knowledge," "judgment" and "character."
"Are they honest? Do they have core principles that come from their gut?” Cruz said, as he described the criteria he used in assessing a potential vice presidential pick.
The Texas senator recounted Fiorina's rise in the corporate world, calling her "brilliant and capable" and someone who has "shattered glass ceilings."
Speculation that Cruz would announce a running mate started swirling earlier in the day after the Texas senator teased that he had a "major announcement" to make later in the day. Campaign manager Jeff Roe earlier this week confirmed the campaign had arrived at a short list of possible vice presidential candidates.
Fiorina surged to the top tier of GOP presidential candidates last August and September following widely praised debate performances. However, her stock quickly fell and by early 2016 she had been relegated back to the undercard debate for low-polling GOP candidates. Cruz, in announcing his pick Wednesday, cited a moment during a September debate at the Ronald Reagan Library in California when she pushed back at Trump, who at criticized her looks in a recent interview.
“I think women all over this country heard very clearly what Mr. Trump said,” Fiorina retorted stonily during the debate in Simi Valley, Calif.
Cruz said she responded with "grace" and "class."
Fiorina ended her presidential campaign in February following a disappointing finish in the New Hampshire primary. A month later, the former Hewlett-Packard CEO endorsed Cruz in a surprise rally appearance in Miami. During her endorsement remarks, Fiorina called him “a constitutional conservative" who can "unite our party,”
Fiorina appears to have the support of Cruz’s biggest financial benefactor.
Last June, a pro-Cruz super PAC funded by New York hedge funder Robert Mercergave $500,000 to a group supporting Fiorina’s candidacy. Mercer, a reclusive and ultra-conservative billionaire, has pumped more than $13 million into the presidential contest to support Cruz’s candidacy so far.
Asked about that donation earlier this year, Kristina Hernandez, a spokeswoman for the Mercer-funded super PAC, told USA TODAY that “we … knew from the beginning she was a true conservative with a message that would resonate.”
Some questioned how much Fiorina's selection would affect the overall GOP race.
“This pick is an attempt to mute Trump’s appeal to voters who want a political outsider, but it is unlikely to have much impact," said Patrick Murray, director of theMonmouth University Polling Institute in a statement. "Republican voters already have an outsider candidate they like."
Democratic National Committee CEO Amy Dacey blasted the pick, calling it a "desperate move from a desperate and dying campaign."
Cruz’s move, which comes after a string of primary losses Tuesday to Trump, is an effort to jump-start his campaign. Fiorina’s presence also could put the spotlight once again on Trump’s derisive comments about women, just as the developer seeks to pivot to the general-election battle.
The announcement comes less than a week before Indiana's May 3 primary, which has emerged as possibly the Texas senator's last stand in his fight to keep Trump from winning the nomination outright.


I can also check with Matt Spence a former Obama DOD and NSC official who confounded the Truman Project and is now teaching at Yale.
Mark Paustenbach
National Press Secretary &
Deputy Communications Director
Democratic National Committee
202.863.8148
paustenbachm@dnc.org
On Apr 25, 2016, at 10:09 AM, Freundlich, Christina
> wrote:
For the call?
laurendillon
[9:55 AM]
i don't know that he reaches the level you're looking for/i dont know if very well but David Solimini came to our talkers meeting a number of months back and is associated with Truman
[9:55]
could be helpful on the call
[9:56]
his twitter does seem like he is on the HRC side of things
[9:57]
or maybe he can help find someone


Bullets attached for your use.
Thanks!


Put back in what we've done for state parties, including support I'm media monitoring etc... You cut too much... Put back in the hits on trump too.
Sent via the Samsung GALAXY S®4, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone
-------- Original message --------
From: "Garcia, Walter"
Date: 05/14/2016 18:52 (GMT-09:00)
To: "Miranda, Luis"
Cc: Regional Press
Subject: RE: FINAL ALASKA SPEECH (Edited: 5/14/16 @ 5:48pm AKST)
Excerpts below, Luis. Let me know if I’m good to blast, and I’ll do so right now (to our National and Alaska lists). Otherwise, I can hold until the AM.
For Immediate Release
May 14, 2016
Contact: DNC Press – 202-863-8148
Prepared Remarks for Delivery: DNC Chair Rep. Wasserman Schultz at Alaska State Convention
ANCHORAGE -- Tonight, DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz addressed the Alaska State Convention. Below you will find excerpts as prepared for delivery:
“As chair of the DNC, I’ve committed myself to getting to know my fellow Democrats with visits to all fifty states – and I’ll be honest, it’s been a little easier to reach those lower forty-eight.
…
“But I know I’m not the only one here tonight who travelled a great distance to be at the convention – I understand there are even as many as 40 high school students coming all the way from Juneau, and who registered to be delegates – let’s give them a hand for being the future of our party.
“And let me just thank everyone else here who has travelled from across our country’s largest state to show your support.
“Your enthusiasm, energy, your commitment, and your dedication to our party will make all the difference on Election Day.
…
“Here in Alaska the DNC helps fund direct mail campaigns to reach voters and help get them to the polls on Election Day.
“We fund salaries for critical staff under our state party partnerships. In fact, Kay Brown can tell you, she was one of the first State Party Partnership employees we ever hired.
“Since 2009, the DNC has directly provided the Alaska Democratic Party more than $625,000 in direct support.
“But it’s not just the funding -- the DNC has been out-pacing the GOP in how we offer direct support to our state parties with training, and bench-building; we share our deep research and communications capabilities in Alaska and across the country.
…
“But of course, our number one advantage comes from our candidates, and the contrast they’re offering Alaska voters and the American people.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the two candidates at the top of our ticket.
“From Day One, Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton have been running smart, substantive campaigns focused on the issues that matter.
“We’ve watched them engage honestly with voters, answer thoughtfully at town halls and debates, and deliver an aspirational message that speaks to the hopes and dreams of the American people…
“And no matter which one of our candidates becomes the nominee, we will be united coming out of our convention and headed toward Election Day.
“In the words of Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders ‘Trump will not be president.’
…
“I’m inspired here tonight – I wish everyone could see how much dedication the Democrats of Alaska have.
“Don’t believe for a second that just because the pundits like to paint Alaska red and say it isn’t a battleground state means you’re sidelined.
“In every presidential election since 2000, the percentage of Alaskans casting their vote for the Democrat has increased – from 27% in 2000 to more than 40% in 2012.
“This has already been an exciting election year nationally – working together, I know we can Dump Trump and, eventually turn Alaska Blue.
“I know we can count on you to keep working hard throughout this election.
“So thank you for all you’ve done to support our party, and thank you for everything you will do to bring us all the way to victory in November.
“Now on to victory! Thank you, Alaska Democrats!”
From: Garcia, Walter
Sent: Saturday, May 14, 2016 10:14 PM
To: Miranda, Luis
Cc: Regional Press
Subject: Re: FINAL ALASKA SPEECH (Edited: 5/14/16 @ 5:48pm AKST)
I'm on, and Deshundra/Shu-Yen are back-ups.
Sent from my iPhone
On May 14, 2016, at 9:54 PM, Miranda, Luis
> wrote:
Who's on duty to tee this up as a release of remarks as prepared for delivery?
We may cut a chunk, but let's get it ready.
________________________________
From: Bonosky, Garret
Sent: Saturday, May 14, 2016 9:48 PM
To: Miranda, Luis; Walsh, Tom; Walker, Eric
Cc: Kate Houghton; Kroll, Amy; Guerra, Liana; Banfill, Ryan; Geoff Burgan
Subject: FINAL ALASKA SPEECH (Edited: 5/14/16 @ 5:48pm AKST)
Garret Bonosky
Deputy Director, Office of the Chair
Democratic National Committee


Blasting.
From: Lykins, Tyler
Sent: Thursday, May 12, 2016 11:04 AM
To: Paustenbach, Mark; RR2
Subject: RE: FOR RR2: Trump Criticized from All Sides on Tax Returns
Good
From: Paustenbach, Mark
Sent: Thursday, May 12, 2016 10:54 AM
To: RR2
Subject: FOR RR2: Trump Criticized from All Sides on Tax Returns
SL: Trump Criticized from All Sides on Tax Returns
Donald Trump's refusal to release his tax returns, as well as his false claim that voters would learn nothing from them anyway, demonstrates he is not being forthright with the American people and is unfit to occupy the White House. His returns, according to experts, would answer a number of outstanding questions about whether Trump is paying his fair share and offer a true measure of his personal wealth and his charitable giving.
Never mind that Donald Trump is now backtracking on his previous commitment to transparency. When Trump first considered running for President in 1999, he said he, "probably wouldn't have a problem with" releasing his tax returns if he ran. Later, in 2012, he said if you're running for President, "at a minimum, probably, you're going to have to show your [tax] returns" and they should be released by April 1st of the election year.
Washington Post Fact Checker: Trump's false claim that 'there's nothing to learn' from his tax returns
"Trump falsely claims that voters would learn nothing from his tax returns. To the contrary, voters would learn a lot of information that Trump has long tried to hide from the public. Tax returns would help lift a veil of secrecy about Trump's finances - and let voters know whether his claims about his wealth and charitable giving are true, or if he's just a bombastic man behind the curtain akin to the Wizard of Oz. Four Pinocchios."
Wall Street Journal: Criticism Grows Over Trump's Withheld Tax Returns
"Mr. Trump has offered shifting explanations for his lack of disclosure, including the fact that his returns were currently under audit. He said voters aren't interested in the returns. And he said they don't reveal wealth. That's true, but they would show information about his sources of income, his aggressiveness in tax planning and his charitable deductions. Mr. Trump claims a net worth exceeding $10 billion, though independent estimates peg that far lower. Mr. Thorndike, who directs the Tax History Project at Tax Analysts, a nonprofit tax policy center, said the tradition of presidential and other candidates releasing returns exists for a reason. 'It's the principle of the disclosure, that someone running for the highest office in the land and someone who incidentally would be making sure that the rest of us live up to our tax obligations, should be willing to show us that he lives up to his,' Mr. Thorndike said."
Washington Post: Trump, prompting criticism, indicates he may not release tax returns before Election Day
"Former GOP nominee Mitt Romney, who has been one of his party's most vocal critics of Trump, called Trump's decision not to release returns 'disqualifying' in a statement release on social media. 'It is disqualifying for a modern-day presidential nominee to refuse to release tax returns to the voters, especially one who has not been subject to public scrutiny in either military or public service,' Romney wrote. 'Mr. Trump says he is being audited. So? There is nothing that prevents releasing tax returns that are being audited.' Romney has previously accused Trump of attempting to conceal a "bombshell" by withholding the release of his taxes, which he repeated again Wednesday. Romney's hesitation to release his own tax returns became an issue in the 2012 campaign."
Boston Globe: Trump says he won't release tax returns
"Trump's refusal to agree to release the documents prompted an immediate backlash from both Democrats and Republicans, including a harsh condemnation from 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney. ... Modern presidential candidates have grown accustomed to releasing documentation so voters can make informed decisions about their qualifications. The candidates release letters from their physicians that provide some details about their health, and usually release financial information as well. Trump himself was a major force pushing President Obama to release his birth certificate - and he also criticized Romney for not releasing his taxes earlier in 2012."
U.S. News and World Report: Trump Still Won't Release Tax Returns
"A closer look at Trump's finances might also feed skepticism of Trump's claim he is worth $10 billion. A businessman overseeing a vast real estate empire - albeit with multiple failed companies and four bankruptcies on his resume - Trump's tax returns won't reveal the true amount of his wealth, but they could clear up other lingering questions. In February, when Trump's taxes surfaced as a campaign issue, David Cay Johnston, author of 'Perfectly Legal: the Covert Campaign to Rig Our Tax System to Benefit the Super Rich - and Cheat Everybody Else,' detailed the kind of damning information Trump's full tax returns could potentially contain. Not only could the public learn his income and the scope of his charitable giving -which has been called into doubt - the returns could indicate whether Trump is leveraging his assets and thus vulnerable to defaulting on his debts. It also would show if he, like other wealthy Americans, has claimed negative income to avoid paying income tax."


Looks like there is a Trump protest happening in South Bend with a lot of interest. Whoo! Thanks to our interns for finding this out. I can ask Casey who goes to ND to reach out and put me in touch with one of the organizers if Eric thinks that is the way to move forward.

--
[DNC]
Rachel Palermo
Democratic National Committee
PalermoR@dnc.org
202-863-8041


I can do this.
Mark Paustenbach
National Press Secretary &
Deputy Communications Director
Democratic National Committee
202.863.8148
paustenbachm@dnc.org
On May 9, 2016, at 5:51 PM, DNC Press
> wrote:
FYI-
From: Brent Jabbour
Sent: Monday, May 09, 2016 5:50 PM
To: DNC Press
Subject: (TV) News with Ed Schultz Interview Request for Tuesday
Importance: High
Good Afternoon,
Is a Representative from the DNC available to be on the News with Ed Schultz on RT America Tuesday evening to discuss the Democratic primary and moving the campaign toward focusing on Trump?
We would be looking to do this between 8 – 8:30 PM ET if possible.
We have studios in Washington DC, New York, Los Angeles, and Miami, but could arrange a studio elsewhere if necessary.
I hope we can work this out.
Thanks,
Brent Jabbour
Booker
The News with Ed Schultz - RT America
701-552-0598
Brent.Jabbour@gmail.com
BJabbour@RTAmerica.tv


So you have it on email, this is good.
[SigDems]
Luis Miranda, Communications Director
Democratic National Committee
202-863-8148 – MirandaL@dnc.org
- @MiraLuisDC
From: Malasky, Mitch
Sent: Monday, April 25, 2016 4:15 PM
To: Miranda, Luis
Subject: SMPTE Conference
Here is the info for the conference. If you can let me know by the end of today, Rick can get me a ‘scholarship’ so we don’t have to pay. Thanks!

MM
________________________________
Mitch Malasky
Media Center Director
202 314 2259
malasky@dnc.org


Watch here
From: Sarge, Matthew
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2016 8:44 AM
To: Comm_D
Subject: Video Request: Trump surrogate Healy Baumgardner on Fox Biz
Around 6:32am
.@healybaum
: It is time once and for all we reclaim the White House and send the Clinton's packing.
Original Tweet:


Thanks, I appreciate the feedback!
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-------- Original message --------
From: Robert Zimmerman
Date: 04/29/2016 8:00 AM (GMT-05:00)
To: "Miranda, Luis"
Subject: email from Robert Zimmerman
Luis
You were excellent on CNN this morning. Your message was strong and confident.
Sean got caught up in trivia and sounded defensive.
It really was an excellent segment for you and Democrats!
Best,
Robert
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