memo: themes for 2016 emerge as summer 2014 winds down

8/12/2019 Memo: Themes for 2016 Emerge as Summer 2014 Winds Down

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Themes for 2016 Emerge as Summer 2014 Winds Down

TO: Undisclosed

FROM: Isaac Wright, Director, Correct The Record

DATE: July 31, 2014

SUBJECT: August Reading - Themes of 2016 Emerging

Seven central themes are emerging leading up to the 2016 presidential contest and apotential Hillary Clinton candidacy.

Republican leaders and operatives don't want to run against Hillary Clinton and haveapplied a full-court press in an attempt to stop her from entering the race or, at least,diminish her as a candidate. Right-wing strategists realize Hillary Clinton is well suited

for a 2016 general election and are spending significant quantities of money, politicalcapital, and time hoping to undercut Clintonsmomentum, forward-thinking vision andrecord of accomplishment.

It hasnt worked. Public opinion has leveled out from record-high approval ratings inher tenure as the countrys top diplomat, and key indicators suggest the right-wingattack machine is not substantially changing the dynamic. The American people haven'tallowed it. They know better. They know who is focused on the future. Americans wantHillary to lead.

Seven key themes integral to a 2016 Clinton candidacy have emerged, speaking to thesubstantive strength of a potential Clinton candidacy that begins in the Democraticprimary and ends in the White House. Clintons perception among the Democratic basehas evolved into a unique party unity never before seen by either party.

1. Public opinion is much better for Clinton now than in 2008.

2. Americans across the ideological spectrum, liberals and moderates in particular,are looking positively to a Hillary Clinton run for president.

3. Voters, specifically Democrats, are eager for her experience.

4. Clinton is in step with her party on core issues, particularly income inequality.

5. No credible challenger can amass the kind of broad party support Clinton has.

6. Voters are behind her, not just politicos.

7. Hillary Clinton's work ethic has been on display for months. Clinton and hersupporters, if she chooses to run, do not want a coronation but rather will work hard,seek voters support and build a winning coalition.


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Considering these seven themes, one can understand why Republicans are so nervousabout a potential Clinton candidacy, and why the right wing feels the need to double-down on their failed attacks even now.

1. Public opinion is much better for Clinton now than in 2008.

According to a recent polling analysis by Vox, Hillary Clintons poll numbersare much better than at this point in the 2008 cycle. But back in early 2007, shereached only 30 to 40 percent in polls of Democratic voters indicating that amajority of Democrats weren't yet on board with a Clinton candidacy. Now, sheregularly tops 60 percent in polls, and sometimes even breaks70 percent,as youcan see on RealClearPolitics.

Clintons strength among Democrats extends toIowa,the first in the nationprimary contest in which she came in third in 2008. Iowa Democrats view Clintonpositively by a whopping 89%-6% score.

A majority of Democrats 63%want Hillary Clinton to be the 2016Democratic presidential nominee, according to a June CNN/ORC Internationalpoll.

An extraordinary72%of liberal Democrats said they would vote for Hillary

Clintonin the 2016 presidential primary.

2. Americans across the ideological spectrum, liberals and

moderates in particular, are looking positively to a Hillary

Clinton run for president.

Fifty-five percent of Americans say that Hillary Clinton can relateto and

understand the problems of average citizens, according to a NBC News/Wall Street

Journal/Annenberg poll from June 26-28.

Only6%of liberal Democrats dont think Hillary Clinton should run for

president in 2016, according to a Washington Post/ABC News poll released in June.

Only11%of Democrats would prefer a candidate more liberalthan Hillary

Clinton, according to a June CNN/ORC International poll.
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Liberal Democrats approve of Hillary Clintons tenure as Secretary of State by

a margin of96-1.

Nearly9 in 10of liberal Democrats think Hillary Clinton is a strong leader.

Nearly9 in 10of liberal Democrats believe she is honest and trustworthy.

Americans of all backgrounds and all walks of life are hungry to hear from

Hillary.

o Sec. Clinton greeted nearly 1,000 people at her Hard Choices book tour

stop at a Sams Club in Seekonk, Massachusetts. According to the Boston

Globes coverage of Sec. Clintons Hard Choices book tour stop at a Sams Clubin Seekonk, Massachusetts, Against a backdrop of stacked paper towels andwater bottle packs in an aisle at a Sams Club, former US secretary of state HillaryClinton greeted nearly 1,000 people Saturday during a book signing at the retailwarehouse for her memoir, Hard Choices. Some even spent the night in theparking lot so they could be first to enter the store when it opened at 7 a.m. andline up for a signed copy and a few seconds with Clinton, widely discussed as afront-runner for the next presidential election. [Boston Globe, 7/27/14]

o More than 1,100 people lined up in St. Paul to meet Sec. Clinton on herHard Choices book tour. According to the Associated Press, More than 1,000

people have lined up in St. Paul to meet former Secretary of State Hillary Clintonand buy a copy of her book. 1,100 people bought advanced copies of Clintonslatest book, Hard Choices. They waited in a line Sunday that stretched out thedoor of Common Good Books and down the block, in temperatures that reached85 degrees. [Associated Press,7/21/14]

o Schenectady Daily Gazette: Within the first hour of business, Northshirehad already sold 200 copies of [Hard Choices]. According to SchenectadyDaily Gazettes coverage of Sec. Clintons Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Hard Choicesbook stop, Only 1,000 tickets were availablefor the signing and they were goingfast Monday morning. A crowd of roughly three dozen people was waitingoutside the Broadway entrance to purchase the book to receive thecomplimentary ticket. Within the first hour of business, Northshire had alreadysold 200 copies of the political memoir, which has been at the top of the NewYork Times best-seller list. By later afternoon, 500 more copies had been sold.[Schenectady Daily Gazette (N.Y.), 7/15/14]

o Chappaqua Daily Voice (N.Y.): Sec. Clinton repeatedly shook hands with
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the long line of attendees at the Chappaqua Library Hard Choices book

signing on June 29, 2014. According to the Chappaqua Daily Voice (N.Y.),Hundreds flockedto the Chappaqua Library on Sunday afternoon for the chance

to meet potential 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton at her book signingevent. The former First Lady, secretary of state and U.S. Senator, herself aChappaqua resident, signed copies of her new memoir, Hard Choices, andrepeatedly shook hands with the long line of attendees. The event was co-sponsored by The Village Bookstore, a shop in Pleasantville, and Simon &Schuster, which is the publisher of Clinton's book. [Chappaqua Daily Voice(N.Y.),6/29/14]

o Sec. Clinton addressed a sold-out crowd of 2,200 people who came to herHard Choices book tour stop at the Orpheum Theatre in SanFrancisco.According to SFGates coverage of Sec. Clintons Hard Choices booktour stop at the Orpheum Theatre, If I decide to do it, I will talk about it everyday, she told a sold-out crowd of 2,200 at the Orpheum Theatre in SanFrancisco, during a tour promoting her new book, Hard Choices, a memoir ofher years as secretary of state in the Obama administration. I have a set ofexperience and for my entire life, Ive been an advocate for people who need avoice, need someone in their corner, she told KQED host Scott Shafer. [SFGate,6/26/14]

o Sec. Clinton appeared at a sold-out authors event for Hard Choices atWarwicks Books in La Jolla on June 25, 2014.According to CBS 8, Former

Secretary of State and first lady Hillary Clinton is scheduled to promote her newbook in La Jolla Wednesday morning and later present a keynote address at amajor biotech convention in San Diego. She ll appear at a sold-out authors eventat 8:30 a.m. at Warwicks Books in La Jolla, where she will sign copies of HardChoices. [CBS 8,6/25/14]

o 50 people lined up to get tickets ahead of Sec. Clintons Dayton, Ohio HardChoices book tour stop. According to Dayton Daily News (O.H.), About 50people were in line this morning to get tickets to meet Hillary Rodham Clintonwhen she visits the Books & Company at The Greene. The line formed about twohours before the store opened today at 9 a.m. Clinton will sign copies of her book

Hard Choices on Friday starting at 7 p.m. A limited number of tickets areavailable by pre-purchasing a book, according to the store. [Dayton Daily News(O.H.), 6/23/14]

o More than 2,000 tickets were sold for Sec. Clintons Austin Hard Choicesbook tour stop. According to KTBC Fox 7 Austins coverage of Sec. ClintonsHard Choices book tour stop at the Long Center in Austin, Texas, More than2,000 tickets were sold to fill the hall at the Long Center. The night is bein g
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described as a conversation with Hillary Rodham Clinton. I learned two things. Ilearned a lot about losing, she told the crowd. [KTBC Fox 7 Austin, 6/20/14]

o

Dozens of people lined up overnight for Sec. Clintons Hard Choices booktour stop in Los Angeles.According to CBS Los Angeles, Dozens of people linedup overnight for a scheduled Hillary Clinton book signing at The Grove. Clintonwill sign copies of her new book, Hard Choices, at Barnes & Nobles at 11:30a.m. [CBS Los Angeles,6/19/14]

o 1,400 people attended Sec. Clintons sold-out Hard Choices book tourstop in Edmonton at the Shaw Conference Centre.According to CBC Newscoverage of Sec. Clintons speech at the Shaw Conference Centre, While HillaryClinton did not say if she would run for president in 2016, she did manage toinspire many of the 1,400 people in the sold-out crowd at the Shaw ConferenceCentre Tuesday. Clinton was in Edmonton for the first time promoting herrecently released memoir Hard Choices. [CBC News,6/18/14]

o Approximately 1,200 people came to Sec. Clintons Hard Choices book

tour stop at the University Book Store in Seattle on June 18, 2014.According to the Puget Sound Business Journal, Hillary Rodham Clinton was inSeattle Wednesday to sign copies of her new book, Hard Choices at theUniversity Book Store. Approximately 1,200 people came out to meet the formerFirst Lady, who many believe will be running for President in 2016. She arrivedaround 5 p.m. Wednesday and left at about 7:15 p.m. Lines snaked through the

entire store as people waited to have their books signed. [Puget Sound BusinessJournal,6/18/14]

o Hundreds of people gathered to meet Sec. Clinton at the Harvard BookStore on June 16, 2014. According toBoston.com,Hillary Clinton was perchedon a chair Monday evening at the Harvard Book Store where hundreds of peoplehad gathered to meet her. Others lined the streets hoping to catch a glimpse ofthe woman many hope will become the next president. Clad in a bright turquoisesuit, she showed no sign that she has spent the last week on the first leg of agrueling cross-country tour to publicize her recent book, Hard Choices, whichchronicles her years as secretary of state. [Boston.com, 6/17/14]

o Politico, on Sec. Clintons Hard Choices book tour stop in Arlington,

Virginia: Store employees are preparing for her arrival Saturday to sign1,000 books in two hours. According to Politico, It could easily be mistakenfor preparations for a presidential campaign event. The signs were hung just so.An advance team has scouted out the location. Local police officers have beenrequested. Officials were weighing the all-important decisions about where toput the TV cameras and how to manage the lines of eager well-wishers. All the
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presidential-style activity is for the next stop on the Hillary Clinton book tour forHard Choices. At the sprawling Costco in Arlington, Va., store employees arepreparing for her arrival Saturday to sign 1,000 books in two hours. [Politico,

6/13/14]

o BuzzFeed: One thousand fans waited in line for hours on Tuesday morning

some since Monday night to get a brief moment with Clinton and anautographed copy of her memoir, titled Hard Choices.According toBuzzFeedscoverage of Sec. Clintons Hard Choices book tour stop at UnionSquare in New York City, One thousand fans waited in line for hours on Tuesdaymorning some since Monday night to get a brief moment with Clinton andan autographed copy of her memoir, titled Hard Choices. But the carefullymanaged event, the first stop on a national publicity tour to promote the newbook, allowed little interaction between Clinton and her readers, or reportersthere to cover the signing. As attendees waited in a line that stretched aroundthe block, staffers handed out a list of guidelines for the event. A piece of paperwith eight bullet points warned fans that Clinton would not be personalizing thebook or signing memorabilia. NO posed photography with the author , the rulesheet advised. [BuzzFeed,6/10/14]

o People lined up more than 17 hours before Sec. Clintons Hard Choices

book signing in Manhattan.According to Business Insider, Hillary Clintonmight keep Sean Brennan up all night Monday evening. Brennan told BusinessInsider he arrived at the Barnes & Noble in Manhattans Union Square shortly

after 2 p.m. Monday to line up for the first signing of Clintons book tour, whichbegins Tuesday. A little before 9 p.m., Brennan was the first of four peoplequeued up for the event. [Business Insider,6/9/14]

3. Voters, specifically Democrats, are eager for her experience.

If Sec. Clinton ran for president, she would probably be the best-preparedcandidate in American history. According to a Gail Collins column in TheNewYork Times, If Hillary Clinton ran for president again, she would probably be thebest-prepared candidate in American history: one whos lived in the White House,

served in the United States Senate, a woman who knows virtually every head ofstate in the world and also has a strong opinion about the merits of the Peruvianminister of development and social inclusion.

Clintons experience at the State Department is mentioned most frequently asher biggest positive. A recentPew pollfound that Clintons tenure at theStateDepartment is mentioned most frequently as her biggest positive (by 12%) andthat if she runs for president in 2016, Hillary Clinton would bring a number of
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potential strengths to the race, from her tenure as secretary of state to her perceivedtoughness and honesty. In fact, says Pew, Overall, 67% approve of Hillary Clintonsjob performance as secretary of state, while just 25% disapprove. Fully 91% of

Democrats approve of the way she handled her job as secretary, as do a majority(64%) of independents.

Her leadership skills as an executive are hardly in dispute now. A formerObama 2008 campaign aide toldThe Hill, Hillary has more than redeemed herselfwith many through her services as secretary of State Her leadership skills as anexecutive are hardly in dispute now.

People are looking for someone whose central skill is how to work the powerstructure to move the agenda. InThe New Republic,[Larry] Grisolano, Obamas

polling honcho from 2008, concedes, It may be that coming out of this period,where Congress has been so obstinate, so difficult to move ... that people are lookingfor someone whose central skill is how to work the power structure.

4. Clinton is in step with her party on core issues, particularly

income inequality.

Its about income inequality, not Iraq. As Bloomberg Business Weeknoted,Clinton doesnt have the kind of glaring vulnerability with Democrats she did last

time around because of her vote in favor of the Iraq War. Theres just noequivalent.

90% of liberal and centrist Democrats say the government should address

income inequality,an issue on which Clinton has a long and substantive record .According to Pew Research, To be sure, majorities of 60% or more amongRepublicans and Democrats across the ideological spectrum agree that inequality ison the rise, and about 90% of liberal and centrist Democrats say the governmentshould do something about it. [Pew Research,1/29/14]

HILLARY CLINTON: Working to raise the minimum wage. Throughout herSenate career, Hillary Clinton was a staunch supporter of increasing the minimumwage and voted repeatedly to protect and increase it. She was an original cosponsorof theFair Minimum Wage Act of 2007,and authored the2006and2007Standingwith Minimum Wage Earners Act to tie Congressional salary increases to anincrease in the minimum wage. Asshe saidat the time, her bill would have ensuredthat every time Congress gives itself a raise in the future that Americans get a raisetoo. This is the right and fair thing to do for hardworking Americans.
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HILLARY CLINTON: Advocating for out-of-work Americans. Hillary Clinton has arecord of working across the aisleto helpout-of-work Americans. In what the New

York Timescalleda case study of how legislative objectives can trump ideology,Clinton teamed up with Republican Senator Don Nickles of Oklahoma at thebeginning of 2003 to help deliver added unemployment benefits to millions ofAmericans. Senator Clinton continued fighting to extend unemployment benefi tsfor Americans who were out of work, cosponsoring amendments and bills toextendbenefits through theend of 2003and into2004,andvotingto provide emergencyunemployment benefits during the 2008 financial crisis.

HILLARY CLINTON: Getting equal pay for equal work. The Paycheck Fairness Act,which Hillary Clinton introduced in2005and2007,would have amended the Fair

Labor Standards Act to prevent employer retaliation against workers who claimwage discrimination, or workers who inquire about or discuss their wages. Thisconcept was adopted, in part, by President Obamas April 2014Executive Orderprohibiting federal contractorsfrom retaliating against employees who discuss theirwages. Clinton also cosponsored theLilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009,whichbecame the first law signed by President Obama. The Act, which expanded workersrights to take pay discrimination issues to court, was also introduced in2007andwas cosponsored by Clinton.

HILLARY CLINTON: Fighting for middle-class tax cuts. As a Senator, HillaryClinton supported progressive tax policies that required millionaires to pay their

fair share. She opposed the Bush tax cuts in2001and2003,and she supported avariety of middle-class tax cuts, including tax credits forstudent loan recipientsandkeeping in place the tax cuts for those who make under $250,000 a year. Clintonhassaidthat inherited wealth and concentrated wealth is not good for America, andshe has consistently voted against repealing the estate tax on millionaires, doing soin2001,2002,and2006.

HILLARY CLINTON: Strengthening health care for millions of children. In theSenate,Hillary Clinton looked for ways to strengthen the State Childrens HealthInsurance Program,introducingbillsto allow states to expand the program that shehelped createas First Lady. The program, created in 1997, has increased health

coverage for millions of children in low-income and working families. Ted Kennedy,one of the lead sponsors of the bill,saidthe program wouldn't be in existence todayif we didn't have Hillary pushing for it from the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue.

HILLARY CLINTON: Fighting poverty as a private citizen. Hillarys first job out oflaw school was for the newly formed Childrens Defense Fund, an organization shewould later chair. TheCDF haspartnered with numerous organizations andworked with policy makers to build bipartisan support to enact laws that have
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helped millions of children fulfill their potential and escape poverty because theyreceived the health care, child care, nurturing, proper nutrition and education theydeserve. Today, as part of theToo Small to Fail Initiativeto improve the health and

well-being of children five and under, Hillary Clinton is working to close the wordgap for kids in low-income families who often have smaller vocabularies than theirclassmates. Clintonpoints outthat this disadvantage leads to further disparities inachievement and success over time, from academic performance and persistence toearnings and family stability even 20 and 30 years later.

HILLARY CLINTON: Expanding access to early childhood education forchildren in lower-income families. Senator Clinton introduced theReady to LearnActwith Republican Senator Kit Bond of Missouri to award competitive matchinggrants to schools, child care providers, and Head Start providers for voluntary fullday pre-K for lower-income four-year olds. Clinton also joined with Bond on hisEducation Begins at Home Actto provide competitive grants for early childhoodhome visitation, including for families with English language learners. The Act alsocalled for revisions to Early Head Start programs, including training in parentingskills and child development. And, as U.S. News & World Reportnoted, HillaryClinton helped establish the first HIPPY program in Arkansas three years beforeHIPPY USA was formally organized, which expanded early childhood education toeconomically disadvantaged families. As ABC Newsreported, What started as anawkward phone conversation [with HIPPY founder and Israeli doctor AvimaLombard] where [Hillary] Clinton had to explain that Arkansas was one of the stateson top of Texas resulted in a partnership that cultivated the HIPPY programs

largest statewide network.

HILLARY CLINTON: Strengthening healthcare for rural Arkansans. As theNewYork Timeswrote in 1993, Her public involvement in policy issues began only afew months after her husband was inaugurated to his first term as Governor on Jan.10, 1979, when he appointed her to be the chairwoman of the 44-member RuralHealth Advisory Committee. Her work with that board in developing programs toexpand health care in the state's isolated farm and mountain country began a careerof committee work on health and education issues. And as a board member ofArkansas Children's Hospital she was credited with starting a process that hastrained a generation of pediatricians to work in poor rural areas, and has made

emergency care available for children across the state through a network ofambulances and helicopters.

5. No credible challenger can amass the kind of broad party

support Clinton has.
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The massive support atthis point in an election cycle is unprecedented inmodern politics.According to National Journal, Hillary Clinton has dominated theDemocratic presidential discussion like few other candidates before her. Two years

out from the Iowa caucuses, she already has a top-tier super PAC, a grassrootsorganizing machine, dozens of big donors ready to open their wallets, and massivesupport from Democratic voters. Its unprecedented in modern politics, veteranWashington operatives agree. [National Journal,2/12/14]

In Hillary Clinton, the United States of America is now experiencing a rare, if

not unprecedented, political phenomenon.According to Time, Hillary Clintonhas not decided whether to run for President again. I have this on good authority,despite a recent barrage of reports detailing the many moves that signal a campaignin the making. People close to Clinton and familiar with her thinking insist that she

hasn't made a decision. Perhaps it all comes down, in Clintonian fashion, todefinitions. It depends on the meaning of the word decide. And on the meaning ofthe word run. In Hillary Clinton, the United States of America is now experiencing arare, if not unprecedented, political phenomenon; she requires a new lexicon.Clinton is so globally famous, so politically wired and so primed for the presidencyafter two campaigns at her husbands side and one epic race of her own that her lifeas a private citizen has become virtually indistinguishable from her life as acandidate. [Time,1/27/14]

Sec. Clinton was the single biggest frontrunner for a Democratic presidential

nomination in the history of the Washington Post-ABC News poll. According to

the Washington Post, Hillary Rodham Clintons 61-point edge over Joe Biden in newWashington Post-ABC News polling makes her the single biggest frontrunner for aDemocratic presidential nomination in the history of the poll, an affirmation of theconventional wisdom that the nomination is hers for the taking. Clinton stands at aneye-popping 73 percent in a hypothetical 2016 primary race with Biden, the sittingvice president, who is the only other candidate in double digits at 12 percent.Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who has signed a letter along with a handfulof other Democratic senators urging Clinton to run, is at 8 percent. And thats it.That lead is almost three times as large as the one Clinton enjoyed in Post-ABCpolling in December 2006, the first time we asked the 2008 Democratic presidentialprimary ballot question. [Washington Post, The Fix,1/30/14]

Sec. Clintons support placed her in the strongest position for any non-incumbent in the modern era. According to FiveThirtyEight, Were more than 20months from the first Republican presidential primary, and the pool of candidates isinchoate. Pollsters are asking voters about 10 candidates, none of whom registershigher than 20 percent support in early state or national surveys. Its the mostdivided GOP field at this point in the cycle since the parties reformed the nominationprocess in the 1970s. But on the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton has the field pretty
http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/is-hillary-clinton-blocking-a-new-generation-of-democratic-leaders-20140212http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/is-hillary-clinton-blocking-a-new-generation-of-democratic-leaders-20140212http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2162918,00.htmlhttp://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2162918,00.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/01/30/hillary-clinton-is-the-biggest-frontrunner-for-the-democratic-presidential-nomination-ever-yes-ever/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/01/30/hillary-clinton-is-the-biggest-frontrunner-for-the-democratic-presidential-nomination-ever-yes-ever/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/01/30/hillary-clinton-is-the-biggest-frontrunner-for-the-democratic-presidential-nomination-ever-yes-ever/http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2162918,00.htmlhttp://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/is-hillary-clinton-blocking-a-new-generation-of-democratic-leaders-20140212


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much to herself, and theres little sign that party leaders are encouraging others torun (as they did in 2008). Despite the fact that she hasnt declared her intention torun yet, shes polling at 60 to 70 percent the strongest position for any non-

incumbent in the modern era and 30 points higher than at this point in the 2008cycle. [FiveThirtyEight, 3/26/14]

Former Obama campaign advisor: Sec. Clinton is in a more dominant positionthan anyone Ive seen in an open-seat race probably in my lifetime. Accordingto the National Journal, To call her a prohibitive front-runner is a comicalunderstatementshe has a lock on the Democratic money machine, unprecedentedsupport from the partys base, and a pseudo-campaign ready and waiting for her totake charge. Is there a potential Barack Obama lurking out there? I dont seeanybody on the horizon right now, says a former senior adviser to the 2008campaign that beat Clinton. Shes in a more dominant position than anyone Iveseen in an open-seat race probably in my lifetime. [National Journal,3/17/14]

6.

Voters are behind her, not just politicos.

Clintons strength amongst the Democratic base remains energized, despite an

onslaught of attacks. Republicans have spent much of 2014 attacking HillaryClinton with everything but the proverbial kitchen sink, at times through their ninenational Super PACs and projects devoted to stopping her from being President inaddition to their party apparatus and other traditional infrastructure. The right

wing even generated three books this summer devoted to smearing the Clintons,peddling gossip and speculation.

A recent poll in the key swing state of Florida shows that while right wingersare throwing punches, they arent connecting.Peter A. Brown, assistant directorof the Quinnipiac University Poll, analyzed July survey results for Florida,concluding:o Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton may be taking some criticism recently

in the news media and among some liberal Democratic precincts, but nothinghas changed among average voters in Florida where she remains queen of thepolitical prom.

o

Two-thirds of Democrats say she is their candidate for 2016 and none of theothers even makes it into double digits.

o Secretary Clinton leads the Republicans against whom she is matched by doubledigits with the exception of former Gov. Bush who trails her by 7 points.

o Inside the Beltway they may be talking about Mrs. Clinton's potentialweaknesses should she run in 2016. But at this point in Florida, the nation'slargest presidential swing state, her assets overwhelm any vulnerabilities.
http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/clinton-is-polling-like-an-incumbent-and-that-could-help-her-in-2016/http://www.nationaljournal.com/magazine/for-some-democrats-taking-on-hillary-clinton-isn-t-such-a-crazy-idea-20140317http://www.nationaljournal.com/magazine/for-some-democrats-taking-on-hillary-clinton-isn-t-such-a-crazy-idea-20140317http://www.quinnipiac.edu/news-and-events/quinnipiac-university-poll/florida/release-detail?ReleaseID=2063http://www.quinnipiac.edu/news-and-events/quinnipiac-university-poll/florida/release-detail?ReleaseID=2063http://www.quinnipiac.edu/news-and-events/quinnipiac-university-poll/florida/release-detail?ReleaseID=2063http://www.nationaljournal.com/magazine/for-some-democrats-taking-on-hillary-clinton-isn-t-such-a-crazy-idea-20140317http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/clinton-is-polling-like-an-incumbent-and-that-could-help-her-in-2016/


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Since launching in January 2013, Ready for Hillary has identified 2.5 millionHillary supporters, held more than 500 grassroots organizing and fundraising

events across the country, and raised over $8.25 million from more than90,000 donors.Ninety-eight percent of contributions were less than $100. Readyfor Hillary has shipped more than 500,000 bumper stickers and gotten 800,000people to sign a pledge to help Hillary Clinton win if she runs for President. Online,Ready for Hillary engages with its over 1.9 million Facebook supporters, cultivatinga digital grassroots infrastructure. In the last quarter alone, Ready for Hillaryreceived $2.5 million of donations from 43,000 individuals in all 50 states, DC,Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories, as well as from Americans living abroad, includingmembers of the military. [Ready for Hillary Press Release,7//15/2014]

7. Hillary Clinton's work ethic has been on display for months.

Clinton and her supporters, if she chooses to run, do not

want a coronation but rather will work hard, seek voters

support and build a winning coalition.

Nobody is looking for a coronation. Hillary Clinton toldFusions Jorge Ramos in aJulyinterview,Ithink there will probably be many candidates, referring to the

2016 Democratic primary. Im not sure Im going to run, but if I do, I thinkcompetition is healthy and if people want to get in and want to be in a primary,more power to them.

Contested primaries are healthy.MSNBCnoted,Hillary Clinton may be theprohibitive, if undeclared, frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nominationin 2016, but she still thinks itd be healthyfor the party to have a contestedprimary.

Sec. Clintons "Hard Choices" book tour also put to rest questions about herhealth and stamina. According to NPRs coverage of Sec. Clintons Hard Choices

book tour, The tour also put to rest questions about her health and stamina sheshowed no signs of the traumatic brain injury Karl Rove suggested she's suffered.[NPR,7/30/14]

Sec. Clinton: Each of us has talents. I have stamina. I have endurance. I have

health and a sense of mission. According to Stylist (U.K.) magazines interviewwith Sec. Clinton, I find it interesting that a woman with so much get-up-and-go, somuch drive and ambition, is quick to advise others to reduce the pressure where
https://www.readyforhillary.com/updates/ready-hillary-adds-more-33000-new-donors-second-quarter-raises-over-25-millionhttps://www.readyforhillary.com/updates/ready-hillary-adds-more-33000-new-donors-second-quarter-raises-over-25-millionhttp://fusion.net/Leadership/video/hillary-clinton-2016-candidates-902453http://fusion.net/Leadership/video/hillary-clinton-2016-candidates-902453http://fusion.net/Leadership/video/hillary-clinton-2016-candidates-902453http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/hillary-clinton-welcomes-healthy-democratic-primary-challengerhttp://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/hillary-clinton-welcomes-healthy-democratic-primary-challengerhttp://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/hillary-clinton-welcomes-healthy-democratic-primary-challengerhttp://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2014/07/30/336468262/hard-choices-tour-put-spotlight-on-clintons-strengths-weaknesseshttp://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2014/07/30/336468262/hard-choices-tour-put-spotlight-on-clintons-strengths-weaknesseshttp://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2014/07/30/336468262/hard-choices-tour-put-spotlight-on-clintons-strengths-weaknesseshttp://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/hillary-clinton-welcomes-healthy-democratic-primary-challengerhttp://fusion.net/Leadership/video/hillary-clinton-2016-candidates-902453https://www.readyforhillary.com/updates/ready-hillary-adds-more-33000-new-donors-second-quarter-raises-over-25-million


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possible. I think Im very lucky, she says again. Each of us has talents. I havestamina. I have endurance. I have health and a sense of mission. And Ive had thatever since I was a little girl. But it is something you have to maintain because you

can get drained. You have to be prepared and aware enough to say I need a goodnights sleep, I need a session of yoga, I need a good long walk. Whatever it is thatfills you up again. I cant stress that enough. [Stylist (U.K.), 7/16/14]

Sec. Clinton, on her health: I'm feeling great. According to a USA Todayinterview with Sec. Clinton published the same day as Hard Choices , Clinton looksrested and relaxed, laughing at several points in the interview and pounding thetable when the topic turned to growing income inequality, around the world and inthe United States. (She cites husband Bill Clinton's policies in the White House as atemplate for how to address that.) She says she suffers no symptoms from theconcussion that briefly gave her double vision and dizziness. I'm feeling great, shesays. [USA Today,6/10/14]

Sec. Clinton said luckily she has a lot of resilience and a lot of stamina. According to CNNs coverage of Sec. Clintons comments during a moderated Q&A atthe Unique Lives & Experiences series, And Clinton also seemed to take on somerecent Republican critiques of her health when she told the audience that whilerunning for president is exhausting, she luckily has a lot of resilience and a lot ofstamina. [CNN,6/3/14]

Sec. Clinton, on a competitive Democratic primary in 2016: I'm somebody

who believes anybody can run. According to Fusions coverage of Sec. Clintonsinterview with Jorge Ramos, Many observers think it's a foregone conclusion thatHillary Clinton will get the nod in the 2016 Democratic primary. Leaving aside hercoyness on whether she will actually run, Fusion's Jorge Ramos asked Clintonwhether she thinks her party would benefit from a competitive primary. Well, Ithink there will probably be many candidates, Clinton said. I mean, I'm somebodywho believes anybody can run. [Fusion,7/29/14]

Sec. Clinton: I'm not sure I'm going to run but if I do, I think competition is

healthy and if people want to get in and want to be in a primary, more powerto them. According to Fusions coverage of Sec. Clintons interview with Jorge

Ramos, Clinton certainly remembers President Obama's sudden rise from one -termsenator to Democratic front-runner during in 2008, but she still sees the value of theprimary gauntlet. Competitive primaries can often help energize a party's basearound a candidate and steel their campaign for the general election, provided theprimary winner avoids gaffes and extreme positions won't sit well with crucialswing voters. Such a political trial would be a welcome part of her potentialcampaign, Clinton told Ramos. I'm not sure I'm going to run but if I do, I think
http://www.stylist.co.uk/people/hillary-clinton-on-criticism-taking-breaks-and-why-the-white-house-needs-a-woman#image-rotator-1http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2014/06/10/hillary-clinton-interview-hard-choices-book/10260885/http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2014/06/10/hillary-clinton-interview-hard-choices-book/10260885/http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2014/06/10/hillary-clinton-interview-hard-choices-book/10260885/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2014/06/03/hillary-clinton-downplays-controversy-around-bergdahls-release/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2014/06/03/hillary-clinton-downplays-controversy-around-bergdahls-release/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2014/06/03/hillary-clinton-downplays-controversy-around-bergdahls-release/http://fusion.net/Leadership/video/hillary-clinton-2016-candidates-902453http://fusion.net/Leadership/video/hillary-clinton-2016-candidates-902453http://fusion.net/Leadership/video/hillary-clinton-2016-candidates-902453http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2014/06/03/hillary-clinton-downplays-controversy-around-bergdahls-release/http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2014/06/10/hillary-clinton-interview-hard-choices-book/10260885/http://www.stylist.co.uk/people/hillary-clinton-on-criticism-taking-breaks-and-why-the-white-house-needs-a-woman#image-rotator-1


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competition is healthy and if people want to get in and want to be in a primary,more power to them, Clinton said. [Fusion,7/29/14]

Sec. Clinton said potential primary rivals were free to do whatever they

choose to do on whatever timetable they decide. According to the AssociatedPress coverage of an interview Sec. Clinton did with ABC News Diane Sawyer,Hillary Rodham Clinton's decision on seeking the White House again could stretchinto 2015, and she's making no commitments about testifying before a selectcongressional committee investigating the 2012 terrorist attacks in Benghazi, Libya.In an excerpt of an interview with ABC News that aired Sunday, the former secretaryof state said potential primary rivals are free to do whatever they choose to do onwhatever timetable they decide. [Associated Press,6/8/14]

Priorities USA co-founder: When you run an outside group, it is very helpfulto have some kind of organizing principle. In the absence of Clinton-as-candidate, Clinton-as-author is going to provide some basis for that. Accordingto BuzzFeeds coverage of emerging confusion surrounding what Sec. Clintonsmessage would be if she ran for president in 2016, Bill Burton, a former aide toPresident Obama who co-founded Priorities USA and now works as a consultant,said the book tour could provide the Clinton groups more material to work with.When you run an outside group, it is ver y helpful to have some kind of organizingprinciple, said Burton. In the absence of Clinton -as-candidate, Clinton-as-author isgoing to provide some basis for that. [BuzzFeed,5/27/14]

Correct The Record hosted two four-hour media training sessions forDemocrats in anticipation of the Hard Choices release. According toBuzzFeeds coverage of emerging confusion surrounding what Sec. Clinton smessage would be if she ran for president in 2016, Correct the Record, a researcheffort aimed at defending Clinton from Republican attacks, hosted two four -hourmedia training sessions last week for Democratic surrogates ahead of the midtermelections and in anticipation of the book, with a focus on making sure people areaware of her accomplishments [as secretary of state], according to one personfamiliar with the Correct the Record trainings. [BuzzFeed,5/27/14]

CTR released a memo a day ahead of the Hard Choices release to rebut

criticism of the book. According to Politico, The pro -Hillary Clinton group Correctthe Record is ramping up a defense of her book Hard Choices, which has beenwritten about at length in the lead-up to its release Tuesday. A memo releasedMonday from the groups director, Isaac Wright, rebuts critics who have called thebook too thin, too cautious or too boring, hitting back on 10 different points at issue.False and misleading attacks from the right will doubtlessly continue to escalatewith the release of Hillary Clintons book, Hard Choices, tomorrow, Wright writes.Certain patterns indicate the attacks will be predictable. [Politico,6/9/14]
http://fusion.net/Leadership/video/hillary-clinton-2016-candidates-902453http://fusion.net/Leadership/video/hillary-clinton-2016-candidates-902453http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_HILLARY_CLINTON?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULThttp://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_HILLARY_CLINTON?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULThttp://www.buzzfeed.com/rubycramer/the-wait-for-hillary-clintons-new-book-and-policy-specificshttp://www.buzzfeed.com/rubycramer/the-wait-for-hillary-clintons-new-book-and-policy-specificshttp://www.buzzfeed.com/rubycramer/the-wait-for-hillary-clintons-new-book-and-policy-specificshttp://www.buzzfeed.com/rubycramer/the-wait-for-hillary-clintons-new-book-and-policy-specificshttp://www.politico.com/story/2014/06/hillary-clinton-correct-the-record-hard-choices-107597.htmlhttp://www.politico.com/story/2014/06/hillary-clinton-correct-the-record-hard-choices-107597.htmlhttp://www.politico.com/story/2014/06/hillary-clinton-correct-the-record-hard-choices-107597.htmlhttp://www.buzzfeed.com/rubycramer/the-wait-for-hillary-clintons-new-book-and-policy-specificshttp://www.buzzfeed.com/rubycramer/the-wait-for-hillary-clintons-new-book-and-policy-specificshttp://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_HILLARY_CLINTON?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULThttp://fusion.net/Leadership/video/hillary-clinton-2016-candidates-902453


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CTR planned to send surrogates and Clinton advocates daily talking points.According to BuzzFeed, One of the organizations backing Hillary Clintons possible

presidential campaign announced on Wednesday that it would release daily talkingpoints to provide Democrats with a unified message ahead of 2016. Correct theRecord, a project housed under the Democratic super PAC, American Bridge, willsend surrogates and Clinton advocates a daily email program, The Daily Point, thegroups head, Burns Strider, wrote to supporters on Wednesday. [BuzzFeed,7/2/14]

Ready for Hillary launched The Hillary Bus for a coast-to-coast bus tourthat would shadow Sec. Clinton at a number of stops along her book tour.According to BuzzFeed, Hillary Clinton will tour the country this month to promote

her new memoir. And shell be followed by a rolling advertisement for her possiblecampaign. Meet The Hillary Bus. Ready for Hillary, an organization thats beenharnessing support for Clinton since early last year, announced plans for a coast-to-coast bus tour this summer. The bus fondly named the Hillary Bus willshadow Clinton at a number of stops on her national book tour, the groupannounced on Wednesday. The Hillary Bus will also travel to colleges, Democraticevents, and state fairs. [BuzzFeed,6/4/14]

Ready for Hillary said they are going to use their growing network to drivevolunteers and donations to congressional Democrats in 2014. According to theWashington Post, Officials with Ready for Hillary, which is working to harness

grass-roots support for Clinton, said they are going to use their growing network todrive volunteers and donations to congressional Democrats this year. Postcardsbeing sent to supporters in Iowa and other states will seek volunteers to help in2014 races. [The Washington Post,2/28/14]

Ready for Hillary distributed more than $175,000 to 33 state Democraticparties and national Democratic organizations. According to the Huffington Post,Ready for Hillary, the organization setting the stage for Hillary Clinton to run forpresident in 2016, has strategically distributed more than $175,000 to 33 stateDemocratic parties and national Democratic organizations. On May 28, Ready forHillary shifted from being a super PAC to what's known as a hybrid PAC. With the

new designation, the group can contribute directly to federal candidates while stillmaking unlimited expenditures like a super PAC (provided it's not coordinating withcampaigns). [Huffington Post,7/8/14]

Messina told Senate Majority PAC and House Majority PAC that Priorities USAplanned to make $250,000 donations to both groups. According to Politico,Priorities USA, the pro-Hillary Clinton super PAC that plans to eventually raisehigh-dollar donations, is making a fresh round of contributions to outside groups
http://www.buzzfeed.com/rubycramer/for-unified-message-pro-clinton-group-will-distribute-dailyhttp://www.buzzfeed.com/rubycramer/all-aboard-the-hillary-bus-fans-launch-national-tourhttp://www.buzzfeed.com/rubycramer/all-aboard-the-hillary-bus-fans-launch-national-tourhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/democrats-embrace-big-money-groups-but-some-fear-lack-of-focus-on-midterm-elections/2014/02/28/dbde5f48-9e6f-11e3-9ba6-800d1192d08b_story.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/democrats-embrace-big-money-groups-but-some-fear-lack-of-focus-on-midterm-elections/2014/02/28/dbde5f48-9e6f-11e3-9ba6-800d1192d08b_story.htmlhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/08/ready-for-hillary-money_n_5567110.html?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeedhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/08/ready-for-hillary-money_n_5567110.html?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeedhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/08/ready-for-hillary-money_n_5567110.html?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeedhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/08/ready-for-hillary-money_n_5567110.html?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeedhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/democrats-embrace-big-money-groups-but-some-fear-lack-of-focus-on-midterm-elections/2014/02/28/dbde5f48-9e6f-11e3-9ba6-800d1192d08b_story.htmlhttp://www.buzzfeed.com/rubycramer/all-aboard-the-hillary-bus-fans-launch-national-tourhttp://www.buzzfeed.com/rubycramer/for-unified-message-pro-clinton-group-will-distribute-daily


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focused on the midterms, POLITICO has learned. The groups co -chairman, Obama2012 campaign manager Jim Messina, told officials with Senate Majority PAC andHouse Majority PAC that Priorities will make donations of $250,000 apiece to each,

according to a source familiar with the discussions. Thats on top of earlier $250,000donations that Priorities already has given to both. [Politico,6/24/14]
http://www.politico.com/story/2014/06/priorities-usa-democratic-groups-108250.html?hp=l4http://www.politico.com/story/2014/06/priorities-usa-democratic-groups-108250.html?hp=l4http://www.politico.com/story/2014/06/priorities-usa-democratic-groups-108250.html?hp=l4

memo: themes for 2016 emerge as summer 2014 winds down

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