“We had the best base of donors and bundlers and raisers ever in 2008. It was even better in 2012. And it’s much better in 2016 than 2012,” said Wade Randlett, a San Francisco-based Democrat who has raised money for Clinton, Obama and Democratic causes for decades. “The Obama people basically 100 percent in are favor of Hillary. There’s really no loss because of ideology or bad blood. And she has added an enormous number of people, especially women.”
A look at the fundraisers bolstering Hillary Clinton's campaign
Fundraisers have been giving donations of all sizes to Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. Contributions of $200 or less accounted for almost 40% of the $62 million donations overall for July. Much of the money has been given online from a grassroots level. Clinton has also been busy attending fundraising parties where tickets to get in can go for $10,000 to $50,000. Wade Randlett, founding Board Member of Bay Area Democrats, has hosted many of these parties and each time notices, "-she starts by saying that the economy is working for all of us in the room, but it’s not working for too many people and her job is to make it work for everybody.” Randlett welcomed Clinton back to the Bay Area as recently as this week to an event including Apple CEO Tim Cook. Although they are a fraction of the support, the big ticket donors gathering at these parties have provided a boost to the overall campaign's funds. Clinton's campaign budget has stayed ahead of Republican front runner Donald Trump as a result of a strong network of Democrats across the country who are ready to back her up.
Republican ideas fail to see big picture
The Republican's presidential front-runners floated around many haphazard ideas during the debate this week.. Many approaches and policy ideas for the main issues on voter's minds were suggested, but they seemed to lack a full view of the picture. One popular idea among the debaters was more building more walls to solve immigration, which does not account for the challenges of constructing and maintaining a fence in the desert. Even Ben Carson, retired surgeon missed, entirely missed that point when he proposed not one, but two fences along each other. It goes to show how there is disconnect between the ideal and the real with many of these candidate's platforms.
Obama nominates first openly gay Army secretary
Obama continues his mission to provide more Americans the chance for opportunities. Since the reversal of many anti-gay rules within the military, the armed forces have become a more tolerable branch of government. This has made life easier for servicemen like defense and national security specialist Eric fanning, who after 25 years of working in Congress and the Pentagon, has been nominated for Army secretary, making him the first openly gay person to help lead one of the country's armed forces. If the Senate approves Fanning, he will work with top Army general, Mark Milley, to improve the nation's largest military branch.
Recollecting Hillary's greatest achievements
During the debate this month, Carly Fiorina asked the public what Hillary Clinton's proudest achievements were. The public gladly responded back with many answers for her to choose from. Senator Chuck Schumer recalled his experience with Hillary when she was on the Senate, and her key role in securing $21 billion for New York to rebuild after the attacks of 9/11. Former secretary of energy and New Mexico governor, Bill Richardson, praised her diplomacy skills, which she used as Secretary of State to heal relationships with the international community after the Bush administration's tenure. CNN analyst Paul Begala picked the sanctions she rallied other countries to place on Iran, which paved the way for Obama's current deal. These are but a few suggestions. Take the time to reflect yourself on her achievements. What do you think they are?
The issues voter's have in mind
A recent CNN poll found the three most important issues on voters' minds to be: abortion, gun control, and immigration. Nearly 71% of Americans believe that Planned Parenthood should continue to be funded, which has been a steady stance on the issue for the past several years now. Public opinion on gun control laws remains a divided issue, with 41% asking for stricter measures, and 49% saying they are fine as they are now. On immigration, 46% agreed on a plan to make those who are here legal, while 39% favored border security, and only 17% sought for deportation. Despite these numbers, many Republicans candidates are still touting plans such as cutting off Planned Parenthood's services to women, or starting a mass deportation of immigrants and their children. Democrats on the other hand have spoken of policies more in tune to what Americans ask for.
Democrats rally to uphold Iran deal
The strong organizational support between the Democrat party has been on display in recent weeks. President Obama has worked closely with party leaders such as Senators Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi to explain the deal to its 46 Senate Democrats and 188 House Democrats. Experts like Department of Energy secretary and nuclear physicist Ernest Moniz became a prolific voicefor the agreement's ability to curtail Iran's nuclear capabilities, which drew in Senators like Maria Cantwell, the last Democrat to step out in favor of the deal. The efforts of Democrats has overshadowed the Republican's media campaign against the deal, whom have provided no alternatives to President Obama's negotiations with Iran.
Hillary shows her new moves
Add the "Whip" and "Nae Nae" to Hillary's campaign repertoire. The democratic candidate had fun on the Ellen Degeneres Show on Thursday afternoon. Aside from dancing with rapper Silentó, she matched fashion with a 5-year old fan, and opened up on her nearly one year old granddaughter, Charlotte.
Remembering 9/11
Today the country remembers the losses it suffered on 9/11/2001, but also recalls the heroic acts of help that helped Americans get back on their feet. President Obama held a moment of silence to honor the fallen and brave of that tragic day. In an official statement, Obama is calling September 11, 2015 as Patriot Day and National Service and Remembrance Day. Take time today to reflect on how giving to one another has helped the country persevere.
Hillary is staying strong and keeping it cool
Although Hillary's poll numbers have slightly dipped recently, her campaign still sits ahead of others' with strong support. Her campaign is starting to point to key allies such as Agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack, and Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire as an example. Her campaign's strengths have kept Hillary relaxed, which was how she was described by attendees at a recent fundraiser in New York.
Another Senator backs Obama's Iran deal
Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley has stepped out in support of President Obama's Iran deal. This gain for Obama helps circumvent a sustainable veto against his deal, which would need only three more Democrat Senators to vote against it. Congress is expected to vote on a resolution for the deal by September 17th.
The gap between Trump and other Republicans is closing
Two new Iowa polls show Ben Carson closing in on Donald Trump's lead. With 60 times less media coverage than Trump, Carson has had a natural rise as opposed to Trump's aggressive campaign. Carson's rise may bring out a few revelations on Trump: either he's a passing fad for voters, or a candidate who strives in a distinct section from the rest of his party.
Key Senate races to watch
COLORADO
Democratic Senator: Michael Bennet
• Michael Bennet has used his background in business and public service to champion issues that are most important to middle class families in Colorado.
• Bennet has been an effective leader on issues such as immigration, small business support and education.
• Republicans are scrambling for a candidate after four of their top-choice candidates passed on the race, meaning there will likely be a divisive primary that will yield a second or third tier candidate.
• Colorado has gone blue in each of the last two Presidential elections, and Bennet was one of the few Democrats to win in a tough statewide race during the incredibly difficult 2010 cycle.
• Bennet already has a top staff in place, and Democrats are confident that he will be reelected.
Click here to support Michael Bennet
OHIO
Republican Senator: Rob Portman
Democratic Candidate: Former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland
• Rob Portman has shown over the course of his career that he puts special interests over Ohioans.
• Democrats have a top-tier candidate in the race in former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, who has spent his entire life helping working folks across the state.
• Strickland is a vigorous campaigner who will take this Senate seat back for Democrats.
• Democrats have won two out of the last three Senate races in Ohio and won the last Presidential year Senate race by 6 points despite being wildly outspent on television.
• Portman faced underwater approvals – with just 30% of voters approving of the job he has done – in a March PPP poll, June PPP poll and a June Quinnipiac poll showed that Portman is “undefined” to voters, even after four years in the Senate.
• In a June Quinnipiac poll, Portman trailed Strickland by six points.
Click here to support Ted Strickland
NEVADA
Departing Senator: Harry Reid
Democratic Candidate: Catherine Cortez Masto
• Nevada has gone blue in the last two presidential elections, and Democrats won a Senate race in Nevada by 5 points in 2010 despite the tough election cycle.
• Democrats already have a strong candidate in the race in former Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto, who will continue Harry Reid’s legacy of fighting for Nevada in the Senate.
• Cortez Masto has a strong record and reputation that will power her campaign to victory and ensure the seat stays in Democratic hands.
• Democrats avoided the possibility of a primary when Congresswoman Titus announced she would seek re-election to her House seat.
• Republicans’ top-choice recruit Governor Brian Sandoval recently passed on the race after public and private begging by national Republicans. His decision to pass on the race will likely leave Republicans with a damaging and expensive primary that will yield a second-tier candidate.
Click here to support Catherine Cortez Masto
ILLINOIS
Republican Senator: Mark Kirk
Democratic Candidate: Rep. Tammy Duckworth
• Mark Kirk is one of the most vulnerable Republican Senators up for reelection this cycle, and his record of supporting the government shutdown and planning to end Medicare as we know it won’t help his already steep odds in a deep blue state in a presidential year.
• Kirk was swept in during the 2010 wave election, and now must face a much more Democratic-leaning electorate.
• Kirk continues to face week after week of bad headlines over his inflammatory and over-the-top rhetoric.
• Democrats have a long list of credible candidates, and already have a strong candidate in the race in Rep. Tammy Duckworth.
• Recent public polling has highlighted Kirk’s vulnerability in Illinois. In February, a PPP poll showed Kirk with just 34% of voters approving of the job he has done.
• In a move aimed at distracting Illinois voters from his rough start, Kirk underscored how vulnerable he is by launching his first TV ad more than a year out from the election.
Click here to support Tammy Duckworth
MISSOURI
Republican Senator: Roy Blunt
Democratic Candidate: Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander
• Roy Blunt is a career politician who has lost sight of what matters to Missourians.
• Democrats won the last Presidential Senate race in Missouri by more than 15 points, and are poised to win again this cycle.
• Democrats have a strong candidate in the race in Secretary of State Jason Kander, who has dedicated his life to service and will make a great US Senator who always puts Missouri first.
Click here to support Jason Kander
WISCONSIN
Republican Senator: Ron Johnson
Democratic Candidate: Russ Feingold
• Ron Johnson was elected in the Tea Party wave of 2010, and for the past four years have never wavered from the rigid, extremist ideology on which he campaigned.
• Johnson has faced week after week of bad headlines for his suggesting that student loans are “too easy to get,” for saying he would “sure love to” get rid of the Department of Education, and most recently, for failing to push back on claims that President Obama is a “Muslim terrorist” and claiming that he trusts the Ayatollah more than the President.
• Johnson faces tough odds in Wisconsin in a presidential year. Wisconsin went decisively blue in the last two Presidential elections, and elected Tammy Baldwin in 2012.
• Democrats have recruited a top-tier candidate in Russ Feingold. Feingold has a strong reputation of working to create opportunity for all, and he is the strongest candidate to win this race.
• In a March PPP poll, only 32% of voters approved of the job Johnson has done and in April, Johnson trailed Russ Feingold by 16 points in a Marquette University Law poll.
Welcome to our new website!
We are proud to announce the launch of our newly revamped website. On behalf of all of us here at Bay Area Democrats, welcome! As we continue to add content, this redesign will allow us to take advantage of the most current tools to keep our members connected and updated on important news, issues and events. Please stay tuned for much more in the coming months!
Special thanks to the Bay Area Dems tech team, Mike Mach and Elizabeth Lam, for helping us to create the more connected, organized and modern website you see today. As always, if you have any suggestions or questions, leave a comment below. We'd love to hear from you!
Benson Tran, Executive Director