White House Correspondents Insider

Behind the scenes of the most powerful city in the world — Washington, D.C. — and those who cover it.

Archives for January 2016

Snowflake Garden Brunch celebrates the Iowa Caucuses, honors Blue Star Families

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Vanessa Trump, Donald Trump Jr, Sally Susman, Governor Terry Branstad, Kathy Roth-Douquet

Vanessa Trump, Donald Trump Jr, Sally Susman, Governor Terry Branstad, Kathy Roth-Douquet

One day prior to the 2016 Iowa Caucuses, politicians, media, and campaign activists gathered at the Iowa Caucus Snowflake Garden Brunch (#SnowflakeGardenBrunch) to honor the work of Blue Star Families.

Hosted by Tammy Haddad, Hilary Rosen, Mark Halperin, John Heilemann, Ben Ginsberg, and John & Christine Stineman in Des Moines at the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates, Iowa political leaders who attended the brunch included Governor Terry Branstad and U.S. Senator Charles Grassley, Iowa Republican Party Chair Jeff Kaufmann, Iowa Democratic Party Chair Andy Maguire, Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, and Iowa State Auditor Mary Mosiman.

The sons of Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump, were on hand to show their support for America’s servicemen, women and families by signing the Wall of Honor with a note of support to active duty military serving overseas. Blue Star Families
CEO Kathy Roth-Douquet was presented with an award for her work on behalf of military families.

Other Iowa leaders on hand included World Food Prize CEO Ambassador Kenneth Quinn, Ambassador Mary Kramer, former Iowa Republican Party Chair Matt Strawn, Jeff Link, Des Moines Register Publisher David Chivers, Des Moines Register Editor Amalie Nash, and Ann Selzer, Des Moines Register and Bloomberg Politics Pollster.

Guests included actor Richard Dreyfuss, pollster Frank Luntz, Greta Van Susteren and her husband John Coale, Megan Murphy and Craig Gordon of the Bloomberg DC Bureau, Jonathan Martin of the New York Times, Betsy Fischer Martin of More Magazine, Washington Post’s Ruth Marcus, Becca Ginsberg from Google, CNN contributors John Avalon and Margaret Hoover, Pfizer’s Sally Susman, Campbell Spencer, Bush campaign strategist David Kochel, and Human Rights Campaign’s JoDee Winterhoff.

Zignal Labs kept guests up-to-the minute with their Command Center in the lobby providing a real-time look at the presidential election through their multi-screen displays.

Blue Star Families is a 501c3 formed by a group of military spouses to create a platform where military family members can join civilian communities and leaders to address the challenges of military life.

Event sponsors were Amerigroup, Pfizer, Facebook and Mittera.

Supporters rally for Cruz at Ames event

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Maggie Wright of Burleson, Texas, who has followed Ted Cruz for much of his political career, has been in Iowa volunteering for his campaign for the past 48 days. At a campaign rally today in Ames, Iowa, she explained why she supports Cruz’s candidacy for President.

“He’s been fighting all his adult life for our religious liberty and the Constitution. His word is his bond.”

Terry Pierce of West Des Moines, Iowa is also a Cruz supporter. “I’m making my choice this election on two issues: upholding the Constitution…and character. Everything else will work itself out.”

His daughter Jenna Pierce, a student at Iowa State University, is also backing Cruz. This will be her first time participating in a caucus.

Rand Paul: We’re going to surprise a lot of people

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Following the final debate before the Iowa Caucuses, Republican Presidential candidate, U.S. Senator Rand Paul, shared what he’s hearing from Iowa voters:

“We’ve made 1 million phone calls in Iowa, we have 1,000 precinct chairs in Iowa, and we think that we have the best ground game out there. We think we’re going to surprise a lot of people. A lot of the youth vote, we think, is coming our way, because I’m the one voice that says, you know what, you do have a right to be left alone and the government shouldn’t be collecting all your private information.”

Howard Fineman Discusses Democracy in Action in Iowa

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Hillary Clinton wowed the crowd at her noontime rally at Grand View University outside of Des Moines, Iowa. Students and supporters of all ages filled the room, pairing their sweatpants and jeans with Hillary memorabilia. Chatter bounced around the room, absorbed by the many microphones poking out of the masses.

Photo by Rachel Greenberg

Photo by Rachel Greenberg

Some of the happiest faces in the room at the Clinton rally were the reporters. The Iowa Caucuses are a robust playground for political journalists. Howard Fineman, famed political reporter for the Huffington Post and MSNBC Political Analyst, interviewed supporters, and WHCInsider interviewed him.

Hillary Clinton Rallies the Faithful

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With the Iowa Caucus just around the corner, candidates are squeezing in as many rallies as they can before the caucuses begin Monday evening.

Students and supporters filed into the gymnasium of Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa to see and hear the words of presidential candidate, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Before the rally began, we caught up with CNN reporter Jeff Zeleny, a former Iowa reporter, and asked about the voters of Iowa and the possible outcome of these very important caucuses.

Sanders: We will win in Iowa if turnout is large

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At a Bloomberg Politics Breakfast Briefing in Des Moines this morning, Senator Bernie Sanders said he thinks he’ll win next week’s Iowa caucuses as long as people who’ve been attending his rallies actually show up to vote, though he stopped short of saying he expects a victory.

“We will win if the turnout is large,” the Vermont senator said. “If the turnout is not large, we’re going to be struggling.”

GLENN THRUSH PODCAST: Obama on HRC, Bernie, 2016

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It looks like President Obama has gotten the podcast bug. Last fall he spoke with podcaster, Marc Maron and now Politico’s Glenn Thrush sat down with Barack Obama in the latest episode of his Off Message podcast. Obama spoke candidly for the first time about the coming presidential election, even weighing in on the fight between Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton, and reflected on his own experience campaigning in Iowa in 2008.

Thrush asked, “Do you see any elements of what you were able to accomplish in what Sanders is doing?”

Obama responded, “Well, there’s no doubt that Bernie has tapped into a running thread in Democratic politics that says: Why are we still constrained by the terms of the debate that were set by Ronald Reagan 30 years ago?”

He went on to suggest Sanders will be put under spotlight if he wins any of the early contests. “I think that if Bernie won Iowa or won New Hampshire, then you guys are going to do your jobs and, you know, you’re going to dig into his proposals and how much they cost and what does it mean, and, you know, how does his tax policy work and he’s subjected, then, to a rigor that hasn’t happened yet.” He went on to say, “Bernie is somebody who —although I don’t know as well because he wasn’t, obviously, in my administration, has the virtue of saying exactly what he believes, and great authenticity, great passion, and is fearless. His attitude is, ‘I got nothing to lose.’”

Speaking about the Democratic frontrunner Obama said, “I think Hillary came in with the — both privilege and burden of being perceived as the frontrunner. ”

“I’ve gotten to know Hillary really well, and she is a good, smart, tough person who cares deeply about this country, and she has been in the public eye for a long time and in a culture in which new is always better. And, you know, you’re always looking at the bright, shiny object that people don’t, haven’t seen before. That’s a disadvantage to her.”

Obama reflected on his days campaigning in Iowa. According to the President, “The caucus process in Iowa was, for me, the most satisfying political period of my career, just in terms of campaigning and politics. And the reason was that it vindicated — in my mind, at least — my view of what politics should be.”

You can listen to Glenn Thrush’s Off Message podcast here.

Heartful.ly CEO Kate Glantz Talks New Projects, Philanthropy, and Halcyon Incubator

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Kate at ingenuity summit

White House Correspondents’ Insider got a chance to speak with Kate Glantz, founder and CEO of heartful.ly, a company that allows engaged couples to help fund their favorite NGOs and charities on a project-by-project basis instead of the traditional wedding gift registry. Glantz was named a fellow by Halcyon Incubator in 2015.

What projects have you been most excited about?

That’s like asking me to pick a favorite child (okay fine, a favorite flavor of ice cream because I definitely don’t have any kids!).

Given the many years I spent volunteering and working in Tanzania, my heart always swells when I see a new registry supporting one of our partners in the region. I also used to volunteer as a writer/editor for D.C’s local homeless newspaper, Street Sense, and am a passionate advocate for affordable housing for all. I was really proud and excited when they came on as a partner.

That said, all 30+ partners are really special. These guys are tirelessly–and almost always thanklessly–working to make the world safer, healthier, and more peaceful. I’m excited about all of them!

What do you look for from when you pick your NGO partners?

As a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, I’m always rooting for the scrappy, grassroots organizations. The majority of our partners are on the front lines changing lives in big ways, but don’t have the marketing budget or bandwidth to shout it from the rooftops. Unlike the huge international organizations with entire fundraising departments, I look for partners where there is high potential to help expand donor bases and raise critical funds.

Smaller organizations are also able to peg impact more directly. Our registries are project based (think building a classroom), so when we send a project update to donors a few months after the wedding, we’re able to really demonstrate the impact that the couple’s community made.

We’re proud to support organizations across a broad range of issues
domestically and abroad including (but not limited to) healthcare, education, hunger and homelessness, and women and girls’ empowerment.

You can see a full list of our amazing partners here.

We have a comprehensive vetting process that includes an application, partnership agreement, and a review of the organization’s financials.

Any future plans for heartful.ly?

Right now, we’re all about the DMV! I’m focused on adding neighborhood nonprofits to the platform and getting more involved with the local wedding and events community. I look forward to forging new and creative partnerships with vendors, shops, and nonprofits in the area!

Over the next year, we’ll be expanding into more cities and ultimately, into additional life milestones like birthdays and anniversaries.

How did Halcyon Incubator’s fellowship help you launch heartful.ly?

My fellowship with Halcyon has been a catalyst both personally and professionally. There has been so much support at every turn. From a mentor who I meet with weekly, to a top law firm giving me pro bono counsel, to a leadership coach telling me that I have to sleep from time-to-time, I’ve jumped off this cliff with just about every safety net imaginable.

Leadership at all levels of the incubator and foundation are top notch. They’re a very modest crew, but I can tell you definitively, that Heartful.ly and I would not be where we are without them.

Also, living and working out of an historic mansion is hilarious because I’m a totally broke startup founder! Gotta say, the commute can’t be beat.

You can learn more about heartful.ly here and for more information about Halcyon House and Halcyon Incubator click here.

Washington’s Kevin Latek is Paving the Way for Local TV Stations to Link Up With National Outlets

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Kevin Latek, Dan Meyers, Alex CastellanosKevin Latek with Dan Meyers and Alex Castellanos

Kevin Latek, Senior Vice President of Business Affairs at Gray Television, spoke with TV News Check about all the innovations that his company can bring to local stations.

According to TVNC, “Gray has become a Wall Street darling for its disciplined acquisition strategy of buying only top stations. And despite being a small-market operator, it has also emerged as an innovator, using LPTVs and subchannels to extend its reach and multiply its Big 4 affiliations, while pioneering new technologies and bringing national sales in-house.”

On the recent fortunes of Gray Television Latek said, “We have reported better revenue growth — core growth, not make-believe growth — in our business that has surprised Wall Street. I think we now have an incredibly efficient company. Our stations run faster, smoother and more efficiently than most broadcast stations precisely because we had a brush with death.”

Latek joined Gray as general counsel in 2012, and, according to TVNC, “has been front and center in executing the expansion strategy.”

“We certainly have grown faster than I imagined. I don’t know any other advertising medium that succeeds as well as television. Everything that sells on digital, if it’s just on digital, it’s going to die,” said Latek. “If you put it on television, it’s going to succeed. The business has been going extinct since I was alive, but yet it’s still here. We’re doing great and I think we’re entering into a new Golden Age of broadcast.”

Kevin Latek is a resident of McLean, Virginia.

Masters in Politics: Pollster J. Ann Selzer

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Every four years, all eyes turn to Iowa as Americans prepare for the presidential election. The one thing political-minded folks are looking at? The latest polling numbers from J. Ann Selzer, director of the Des Moines Register and Bloomberg Politics Polls. On the premiere of “Bloomberg – Masters in Politics” podcast, Selzer gave hosts Tammy Haddad and Betsy Fischer Martin the scoop on who has the inside advantage: Trump or Cruz?

For nearly thirty years, Selzer has shown herself to be one of the top pollsters in the business. She accurately forecasted the 2008 Iowa Caucus would go to Barack Obama, a controversial call at the time. It riled the Hillary Clinton campaign, putting Selzer in an awkward position. A similar position she now finds herself in when Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump doesn’t like hearing her polling says GOP rival Senator Ted Cruz is gaining ground.

“Trump has the higher proportion of his supporters who say they cannot be moved. They are on Trump. They’re not going to look at another,” says Selzer.

“Cruz has a higher proportion of people who say they will definitely show up on caucus night…But so, which of those is the better advantage? And my answer is that, you know, like, Powerball, you can’t win if you don’t play. And for Donald Trump, you can’t win if your people don’t show up.”

Hillary Clinton is back for her second Iowa Caucus as a potential Democratic Presidential candidate. Selzer says her findings show Clinton “does well with women. She does really well with older women, and that’s the reason why she’s leading with women, because she is not leading with younger women.”

In fact, Democratic hopeful Bernie Sanders is doing better among Millennial women. “Sanders’ pull with youngest caucus goers, that overpowers Clinton’s pull with women,” says Selzer. “There’s just a stronger spark to Bernie Sanders and what it is that he’s talking about that really speaks to their values.”

Speaking of values, Selzer’s team wanted to try to understand what voters are looking for in their candidates. They found that 52 percent of Republicans believe “this election is more about leadership” than about specific issues and policies a candidate says they would enact if elected president.

“That is, they want somebody strong. They want somebody who’s going to, you know, borrow a phrase, ‘Make America great again,’ which the rhetorical beauty of that of those four words is that it defines a problem, which is America isn’t great, and offers the solution, saying, “I’m the one who can make it great again,” says Selzer.

The Des Moines Register/Bloomberg Politics Iowa Poll will release its latest numbers on Saturday, January 30th, at Bloomberg election headquarters in Des Moines. The Iowa Caucus will be held on Monday, February 1.

Listen to the entire interview, along with an in-depth interview with Governor Jeb Bush.