Memo for 11am Sunday Debate Call
Team,
Attached is the memo for discussion on the 11am Sunday Debate Strategy Call. The memo is an attempt to capture our discussions before, during, and after last Thursday’s session in New York city. It contains three components: (1) a 10-page strategy memo, (2) some specific contrast riffs on issues vis-à-vis Sanders and O’Malley, and (3) “cheat sheets” on where HRC can use five-point plans and humanizing stories. Our focus on the call will be items (1) and (2).
The memo contains several specific formulations of “riffs,” and the contrast pages are obviously entirely made up of that. I would prefer NOT to use the call tomorrow to litigate specific language. If you have line edits, please send them before or after the call. Let’s focus tomorrow instead on:
1. Whether the strategic recommendations are the correct ones
2. Whether the lines of argumentation in the riffs and contrast sheets are correct ones
3. What ideas we are missing
With regard to the last point, Karen, Jake and I took some time to discuss whether, once again, we were missing an affirmative message or a contrast message that might be helpful. We focused specifically on the claim that HRC “gets results,” with an implied (or explicit) contrast with Sanders who has not demonstrated results. Language that might be used in such a riff could be:
· There’s another quality that’s important in a President – getting results. Plans and proposals are just plans and proposals – unless you can deliver.
· Over the course of my career , I’ve gotten results.
o I fought for – and won – health benefits for 360,000 National Guardspeople…
o 9/11 responders ….
o Copenhagen ….
o Beijing speech…..
o Other examples….
· So when you hear me say that I will fight for affordable prescription drugs, or child care for all working families, or a chance at college without crushing debt – these aren’t just ideas I am proposing – these are fights I am going to take on and win, because that’s what I’ve done.
· [Senator Sanders has a different record: He’s had some great ideas for a long time, but he hasn’t delivered. …]
I have not put this idea in the attached memo, because it is not something we discussed when we were all together. But I do think it merits discussion tomorrow, as we arguably have not armed HRC with enough tools to win this debate.
Talk to everyone at 11am.
Ron