Tim Kaine campaigned in Wisconsin on Tuesday where he focused on the sharp contrast between presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. At his first event in Appleton, Kaine spoke about the optimistic and inclusive platform assembled by Clinton, then compared it to the divisive plans proposed by Trump. Kaine also spoke about the two candidates’ different background. He spoke about Clinton’s passion for children and families and how she has fought for both during her long career. Meanwhile, Trump has been more focused on himself. Kaine concluded the event by speaking about the importance of Wisconsin to Clinton and himself and he urged everyone to take advantage of early voting or to head to the ballot box on November 8th. A video from the event is below.
Kaine then speak at a rally in Madison. He spoke about the importance of Wisconsin in the election saying that they are one of the key battleground states. Kaine spoke about Clinton’s platform and her support of a progressive agenda. He said, “You have a proud progressive tradition that goes back a long, long time.” He continued, “I’m excited to have somebody in the Oval Office bringing 40 years of passionate battling for families and kids. Donald Trump does have a passion, it’s just Donald J. Trump.” Kaine urged everyone to vote on November 8th because every vote is important in a close election. A video from the event will be posted when/if available.
Meanwhile, Kaine’s wife, Anne Holton, spoke at three early voting events in Iowa. She spoke at events in Carroll, Des Moines, and Boone. At each, she stressed the importance of the election and urged everyone to get out and vote. More details from the events will be posted when/if available.
On Tuesday, three fundraisers were held on behalf of Hillary for America. The first two were in New York and featured Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. She spoke at events in Syracuse and Rochester. Then, in Washington, DC, Heather Boushey held an event.
On Friday, Hillary Clinton returned to Iowa where she stressed the importance of voting at events in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines. During the event in Cedar Rapids, Clinton stressed the importance of the election saying that it is in the hands of voters to decide what type of country we want. She said, “The choice is yours as to what kind of country we will have.” Clinton attacked her Republican rival, Donald Trump, for his divisive campaign tactics and disrespectful comments about women, immigrants, and Muslims. She spoke about a number of her platform points focusing on women’s issues such as reproductive rights, equal pay, and paid family leave. She concluded by urging everyone to get out an vote on election day or to take advantage of early voting. A video from the event is below.
In Des Moines, Clinton spoke at Roosevelt High School about the importance of voting and taking advantage of early voting in Iowa. Clinton spoke about a number of platform points including her plans to grow the economy, create jobs by investing in infrastructure and clean energy, and making college more affordable for students, both past and future. She criticized the vision for America outlined by Trump and said that it is important that we continue the progress started by President Barack Obama. Watch a video of Clinton’s speech below.
On Friday, FBI Director James Comey sent a letter to a Congressional Judiciary Committee explaining that the FBI had decided to reopen the case investigating Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server during her tenure as Secretary of State. The three page letter did not go into much detail which lead the Clinton campaign to respond. Campaign Chair John Podesta released a statement calling on Comey and the FBI to release more information surrounding their reasoning considering the election is less than two weeks away. The statement from Podesta is below.
“Upon completing this investigation more than three months ago, FBI Director Comey declared no reasonable prosecutor would move forward with a case like this and added that it was not even a close call. In the months since, Donald Trump and his Republican allies have been baselessly second-guessing the FBI and, in both public and private, browbeating the career officials there to revisit their conclusion in a desperate attempt to harm Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.
FBI Director Comey should immediately provide the American public more information than is contained in the letter he sent to eight Republican committee chairmen. Already, we have seen characterizations that the FBI is ‘reopening’ an investigation but Comey’s words do not match that characterization. Director Comey’s letter refers to emails that have come to light in an unrelated case, but we have no idea what those emails are and the Director himself notes they may not even be significant.
It is extraordinary that we would see something like this just 11 days out from a presidential election.
The Director owes it to the American people to immediately provide the full details of what he is now examining. We are confident this will not produce any conclusions different from the one the FBI reached in July.”
The FBI did elaborate later in the day saying that additional evidence related to the Clinton investigation was discovered on a laptop seized during the investigation of Rep. Anthony Weiner. FBI officials said that the bureau will investigate the newly discovered emails on the laptop and that it is possible that the emails could be duplicates of ones previously turned over by the Clinton camp. State Department officials said they have not been made aware of the FBI’s new evidence. More details are likely to be released in the coming weeks, but the news of a reopened investigation could affect Clinton at the polls.
Read the letter from Comey to Congress below (download the letter HERE).
UPDATE (10/28): Following an event in Des Moines, Iowa, Hillary Clinton spoke at a press event and addressed the issues of the FBI reopening its investigation. Clinton said that the FBI needs to release additional details regarding its investigation with the election being less than two weeks away. “Voting is underway, so the American people deserve to get the full and complete facts immediately,” she said. She said that she was confident that nothing new would be found and that she did not know what new evidence the FBI might be referring to adding, “Right now, your guess is as good as mine, and I don’t think that’s good enough.” A video of Clinton’s statement is below.
UPDATE (10/29):The Washington Post obtained a copy of an internal memo sent by FBI director James Comey to FBI employees. In the letter, he briefly explains his reasoning for taking the early details of an investigation to Congress. Read the letter below:
To all:
This morning I sent a letter to Congress in connection with the Secretary Clinton email investigation. Yesterday, the investigative team briefed me on their recommendation with respect to seeking access to emails that have recently been found in an unrelated case. Because those emails appear to be pertinent to our investigation, I agreed that we should take appropriate steps to obtain and review them.
Of course, we don’t ordinarily tell Congress about ongoing investigations, but here I feel an obligation to do so given that I testified repeatedly in recent months that our investigation was completed. I also think it would be misleading to the American people were we not to supplement the record. At the same time, however, given that we don’t know the significance of this newly discovered collection of emails, I don’t want to create a misleading impression. In trying to strike that balance, in a brief letter and in the middle of an election season, there is significant risk of being misunderstood, but I wanted you to hear directly from me about it.
Jim Comey
UPDATE (10/29): Hillary for America responded to the news with several press releases and a post on Medium from campaign chair John Podesta.
UPDATE (10/30): The FBI announced that it obtained a warrant to search the emails found on a laptop belonging to former Congressman Anthony Weiner. While it is unclear how many emails on the laptop, if any, are relevant to the Hillary Clinton email investigation, an official revealed that there are over 650,000 emails on the computer. It is likely that the majority belong to the former Congressman, but his wife, Clinton aide Huma Abedin, also used the laptop. FBI officials also revealed today that several lower level investigators knew the emails existed weeks ago, but only recently brought them to the attend of Director James Comey. It is also unclear why a warrant was received after Comey briefed Congress of the investigation on Friday.
Hillary for America campaign chair John Podesta and campaign manager Robby Mook have been on the defensive since the revelations were announced. The campaign released a video about the facts of the case and calling for more details to be released considering the timing. The video released by The Briefing is below.
UPDATE (10/31): Former Attorney General Eric Holder wrote an op-ed in The Washington Post in which he called FBI director James Comey “a good man,” but said that he made a mistake by telling Congress about evidence that may have nothing to do with the Hillary Clinton email case. In the editorial, Holder says, “The department has a practice of not commenting on ongoing investigations. Indeed, except in exceptional circumstances, the department will not even acknowledge the existence of an investigation. The department also has a policy of not taking unnecessary action close in time to Election Day that might influence an election’s outcome. These rules have been followed during Republican and Democratic administrations. They aren’t designed to help any particular individual or to serve any political interest. Instead, they are intended to ensure that every investigation proceeds fairly and judiciously; to maintain the public trust in the department’s ability to do its job free of political influence; and to prevent investigations from unfairly or unintentionally casting public suspicion on public officials who have done nothing wrong.” Read the full editorial HERE.
Tim Kaine attended three campaign events on Wednesday. The first two events were in Ohio, and he began by speaking at a canvass kick-off event in Upper Arlington. Kaine spoke about the importance of Ohio in this election and urged supporters and volunteers to canvass for Hillary Clinton. “Donald Trump cannot be president without Ohio. That means you’ve got this election right in the palm of your hands, Ohio,” he said. Kaine wrapped up by urging everyone to vote on November 8th. A video form the event is below.
Kaine then traveled to Springfield where he spoke to a crowd of supporters about the importance of 2016 election and Clinton’s plans to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to prosper in America. As in Upper Arlington, he spoke about the importance of Ohio and urged voters to reject the hateful rhetoric spread by the Trump campaign. Kaine also went after Trump for comments he made about women saying, “To just say this is the way men are, this is the real Donald Trump. But, this isn’t real men, folks.” A video from the Springfield event is below.
Kaine’s final event of the day was in Asheville, North Carolina where he spoke to supporters on the campus of the University of North Carolina-Asheville. Kaine attacked Trump for spreading the idea that the American democracy is rigged. Now (Trump) is attacking American democracy itself. Donald Trump is now perpertrating the lie that, ‘Oh the election is all set against me.’ We know what’s going on: He’s losing. Donald Trump has never been willing to take responsibility for anything so it’s not like he’s going to stand up and say, ‘Well, I lost. I guess must have run a divisive campaign.’ … If he loses, it’s going to be somebody else’s fault and so he’s he’s going around saying the election’s set against him.” Watch a video of the rally below.
Anne Holton, Kaine’s wife, was in Iowa where she held events in four cities. Her first event was in Des Moines where she held a discussion with local educators and parents about bullying in schools. Holton then spoke at early voting events in Ottumwa and Burlington. At each event, she encouraged everyone to get out and vote on, or before, election day. Holton’s final Iowa event was in Davenport where she attended a debate watch party with a group of supporters. Full coverage from today’s Iowa events will be posted when/if available.
This weekend, Hillary Clinton received the endorsement of four major prominent newspapers from across the country. The first was Nebraska’s Omaha World-Herald, the first time the paper has endorsed a Democrat since President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932. The paper’s editorial board says that while Clinton has political faults, she is by far more qualified than Republican Donald Trump. The board concludes, “Clinton’s legislative experience and decades of political involvement — as first lady of Arkansas, first lady of the United States, U.S. senator from New York, secretary of state and two-time presidential candidate — make her the better prepared of the two major candidates for the office of president of the United States.” Read the full endorsement HERE.
The Wisconsin State Journal also published their endorsement of Clinton concluding that the country cannot risk a Trump presidency. The paper’s board said, “Trump’s scandal-a-day campaign has shown he would distract, isolate and embarrass our nation. The world doesn’t need a United States in retreat, nor a stark reset of America’s politics and international posture. The world needs a U.S. president who can actually lead. Clinton is that leader, and the world needs America to get this right.” Read the full article HERE.
Clinton has also earned the endorsement of the New Orleans newspaper The Times-Picayune. The paper’s editorial board says that Clinton is the better choice for New Orleans and Louisiana saying, “As for which candidate is better for Louisiana, there is no contest. Mrs. Clinton is committed to investments in infrastructure, including ports, that would benefit our state. She also wants to offer preschool to every 4-year-old, something that fits Louisiana’s goal of expanding and improving the quality of early childhood education. But for New Orleanians, perhaps the most compelling contrast between Mr. Trump and Mrs. Clinton is his intolerance and her inclusiveness. New Orleans has diversity in its DNA. A president who routinely degrades African-Americans, Hispanics, Muslims and women could not, and would not, represent us.” Click HERE to read the full endorsement.
In Iowa, The Des Moines Register’s editorial board asked what message Americas wanted to send to a ever interested global community. Do we want to pick the candidate that has run a divisive campaign or one that still believes in the promise of America? The board believes it is important that the American citizens elect a leader that represents our values, and for them that is Clinton. They conclude, “On Election Day, all of us share the privilege and responsibility of protecting the principles on which this country was founded and for which so many others have died: justice, liberty, equality and opportunity for all. In this particular election, only one of the two major-party candidates stands prepared to honor America and uphold its highest ideals. The Des Moines Register endorses Hillary Clinton for president.” Read the full editorial HERE.
Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine's wife, Anne Holton, speaking at Iowa Together Organization Office in Sioux City. pic.twitter.com/y1G83b5gQd
On Sunday, as Hillary Clinton prepared for the second presidential debate, Anne Holton was on the campaign trail in Iowa. At two stops, Council Bluffs and Sioux City, Holton spoke about the importance of voting and urged supporters to canvass for Clinton and to take full advantage of Iowa’s early voting. This evening in Des Moines, Holton attended a debate watch party at Creative Visions.
Singer John Legend returned to his home state of Ohio to attend two events on behalf of Clinton. The first was on the campus of Central State University in Dayton where he urged everyone to register to vote by Tuesday’s deadline. He said, “I care so much about what happens to our young people. I care so much about what happens in this area, I care so much about what happens in Ohio, I care so much about the future of this country. That’s why I’m here to get you all to register to vote and hopefully to vote for Hillary Clinton.” Then, he traveled to Cincinnati where he appeared at Bogarts. During the event, he urged everyone to make sure they are registered to vote, then he performed a number of his songs for those in attendance. Videos from today’s events will be posted when/if available.
Meanwhile, a fundraiser was held in Las Vegas, Nevada on behalf of Hillary for America. The event featured a conversation with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.
On Wednesday, Chelsea Clinton campaigned on behalf of her mother, Hillary Clinton, in Iowa. She spoke at events in Dubuque and Sioux City, and focused on the importance of voting at both. She encouraged everyone who is unable to vote on November 8 to take advantage of early voting in Iowa, which is currently under way. Chelsea also spoke about a number of her mother’s platform points including reforming the Department of Veterans Affairs, continuing to improve the health care system, and Hillary’s plans to help rural Americans. At each event, Chelsea also took questions from those in attendance. Videos from the events will be added when/if available.
Senator Bernie Sanders campaigned for Hillary today in Iowa and Wisconsin. His first event was in Des Moines where he spoke to supporters at Drake University. During the event, Sanders spoke about Hillary’s economic plan and her proposals to ensure a college education is affordable, help students who are in debt refinance at lower interest rates, create new jobs across the country by investing in the country’s infrastructure and expanding clean energy. Sanders also stressed the importance of the election urging everyone to get out and vote. A video of Sanders’ speech is below.
Sanders then traveled to Madison, Wisconsin for an event supporting both Hillary and U.S. Senate candidate Russ Feingold. Sanders said that he supports Hillary because she supports a progressive platform and will fight for it as president. He then outlined a number of the issues she will work on as president including raising the minimum wage, creating a public option for health care, reforming the criminal justice system, and implementing campaign finance reform. He stressed that Hillary is better then the alternative, Republican Donald Trump, saying, “We will not allow bigotry to resurface in the United States of America. We have come too far.” Watch Sanders’ full speech below.
Sanders’ final event of the day was in Green Bay where he continued to focus on Clinton’s dedication to progress. He spoke about similar points as he had in Des Moines and Madison earlier in the day, but the Senator was greeted warmly. Sanders, an Independent from Vermont, has been on the campaign trail for Hillary since the Democratic National Convention in July. As Hillary’s former rival for the Democratic nomination, he has repeatedly said that he is dedicated to electing Hillary president in November. A video from the Green Bay rally will be added when/if available.
Meanwhile, a series of fundraisers were held across the country in support of Hillary for America. The first was in Washington, DC and featured Hillary Clinton, Eva Longoria, Julianna Margulies, and special performance by Estelle. The next event was in San Francisco, California and featured a conversation with Senator Elizabeth Warren. Then, in St. Augustine, Florida, an event was held at the home of Dawn and Patrick Canan. The event featured a conversation with Congresswoman Gwen Graham. The final event was a fundraiser for American citizens in London featuring Melanne Verveer, former Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues, U.S. Department of State.
On Thursday, Hillary Clinton held a rally in Des Moines, Iowa where she spoke about the importance of voting. While she covered a number of her platform points emphasizing family and the economy, the focus of the event was registering to vote and voting early. Today was the first day of in-person early voting in Iowa, and Clinton stressed that this option is available for those unable to vote during polling hours on November 8. Clinton said that she hopes young people turn out in large numbers to vote saying, “I would love to see that because every election is about the future. And honestly, it’s more about the future of young people and children than it’s ever been because of the difference in the approaches and the experiences of me and my opponent.” A video from the rally is below.
Anne Holton, wife of Tim Kaine, campaigned on behalf of Clinton today in Wisconsin and Minnesota. At events in Milwaukee and Kenosha, Holton spoke about Clinton’s record and knowledge of the issues. She said that Clinton’s calm performance during Monday night’s debate with Republican Donald Trump is a good indicator of how she will react as president. “Didn’t our candidate do great? I knew she would. I knew that if it was a substantive discussion of the issues, that she would clean up,” Holton said. She also spoke about the importance of voting and urged everyone to register and ensure that their friends and family are registered as well.
Tonight, Holton will speak at an event in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Full coverage from the event will be posted tomorrow.
September 27, 2016 is National Voter Registration Day and Hillary for America canvassed the country holding nearly 1,400 voter registration drives to ensure that Americans were registered to vote before their states’ deadlines. HFA released the following information outlining what they did today.
Following last night’s debate, Hillary Clinton, Tim Kaine and high profile surrogates are back on the campaign trail today, marking National Voter Registration Day by barnstorming battleground states to raise awareness of voter registration deadlines and to discuss the high stakes of the November election. With important voter registration deadlines coming up soon, Hillary for America is capitalizing on today’s national day of action by organizing nearly 1,400 local voter registration events in communities across the country.
Every election, millions of Americans don’t get to cast their ballot because they missed their state’s registration deadline or didn’t know how to register. Hillary for America will build off the excitement from the debate to talk about importance of registering to vote ahead of registration deadlines by holding local voter registration events across the country.
“Last night, families across the country tuned into the first presidential debate and witnessed just how high the stakes are in this election. We’ve always said that this race would be won in the states, and with just six weeks to go, our ground game will be registering voters in communities across the country.” said Marlon Marshall, Hillary for America Director of State Campaigns and Political Engagement.
Started by young organizers, National Voter Registration Day is a day of action celebrated by thousands of organizations, businesses, local communities and celebrities to make sure that no one is left out on election day. Every election, millions of Americans don’t get to cast their ballot because they missed their state’s registration deadline or didn’t know how to register. Today, Hillary for America will join thousands of organizations, businesses, local communities and celebrities in working to raise awareness about voter registration deadlines.
Hillary for America will mark National Voter Registration day by continuing its ‘3 Million Stronger’ push to register or commit to vote 3 million voters. At voter registration events across the country and through digital activity – and campaign will be reminding people to make sure they’re ready to make their voice heard this election by visiting iwillvote.com to check their voter registration status or get registered to vote.
Hillary Clinton will also take that message on the road, campaigning in four battleground states in the four days coming out of the debate: Raleigh, North Carolina on Tuesday, Durham, New Hampshire on Wednesday, Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday and southern Florida on Friday. Today, Senator Tim Kaine will campaign in Florida and Vice President Joe Biden will campaign in Philadelphia. President Bill Clinton will travel to Ohio and starts his bus tour in Florida on Friday. First Lady Michelle Obama will campaign in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh on Wednesday. Chelsea Clinton will visit in North Carolina on Wednesday and Wisconsin on Friday, and Anne Holton will campaign in Michigan on today and Wednesday, in Iowa on Thursday and Wisconsin and Friday
Tim Kaine campaigned in Iowa today speaking at a rally in Cedar Rapids. During his first speech in the state since being announced as Clinton’s running mate, Kaine referenced his ties to the mid-west. He said, “I grew up in Kansas City and part of my family on my mom’s side is from Fort Madison, so as a kid, I used to come to Iowa for family. And I have dear friends in Maquoketa and Charles City and Des Moines.” He spoke about Hillary Clinton’s economic plan and how the new jobs created would benefit Iowans. Kaine attacked Donald Trump for not releasing his tax returns calling him a tax dodger. He said that Clinton’s plans would ensure the wealthy pay their fair share and that everyone will have an equal opportunity to prosper in America. A video from the event is below.
Hillary Clinton Speeches 