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"Madam Secretary, We're Projecting 70 Million Viewers for Debate One"

6/30/2016

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(I am a back bencher in a Hillary Clinton staff meeting)

HILLARY CLINTON:

"OK, Robby, what do we have?"

ROBBY MOOK

"Joel Benenson has an update."

JOEL BENENSON

"Madam Secretary, I'm projecting an audience of 70 Million for the First Debate."

CLINTON

"70 million, that is far too high.

JOHN PODESTA

"Hillary, it's 70 million.  It's 60 million.  It's 80 million. Whatever, it massive and it's important because it's the largest gathering of independent and undecided voters we will have.  And the first 10 minutes could make or break the campaign."

CLINTON

"How many people watched Trump's first debate?"

(Everyone turned to Benenson)

BENENSON

"25 Million."

CLINTON

"And this will be three times larger?"

PODESTA

"Yes.  Because it's you and Trump.  Because it's been back for forth for three months and now it's live and in person.  And because it's on every channel - all over the air and all the cable shows - not just Fox which carried Trump's first debate, alone."

"Hillary.  The buildup will be enormous.  The start of the debate will be electric."

(Everyone turns to Clinton)

CLINTON

"Got it.  Robby what time is today's debate prep?"

MOOK

"Madam secretary, that would be 1:30."

CLINTON

"Great.  I'll see everyone there. Now I'll be having lunch with my daughter and grandkids.  Thanks all.  And Joel - I appreciate you."

BENENSON

"Madam Secretary.  You are very welcome."
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Donald Trump Announces: "From Now On, We Only Do Live Interviews."

6/26/2016

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(I'm a back bencher in the Monday morning Trump for President Staff Meeting

DONALD TRUMP:

"From now on, we're taking charge of the interview process.  I'm not allowing editing, I'm not allowing taping, I'm not allowing the media to take my responses and use them to different questions.  So Hope, get the word out.  Live or No Interview."

PAUL MANAFORT:

"Donald, sometimes they are speaking to you and they are not live on the air.  We could miss a lot of media."

TRUMP:

"Paul, they will change.  We're the content.  We're drawing the ratings.  And when I make a speech, they cut into regular programming and come to me.  That's how it is."

"And this applies to you,  Donnie, Eric and Ivanka.  If it's taped, walk out.  No exceptions, without my approval."

"OK, that's it. Thanks everyone."




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"Paul, I Just Don't Know How Much Longer i Can Be RNC Chairman" 

6/17/2016

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(I'm in the office of Reince Priebus as he meets with Speaker of the House - and Old Friend - Paul Ryan)

REINCE PRIEBUS

"Paul, I was on the plane trip to Dallas with Trump.  I wanted to ask him to tone it down, to be more presidential and discuss how we can take action now to unify the party and strengthen the down ticket."

PAUL RYAN

"Sounds like a Plan.  How did it go."

PRIEBUS

"Couldn't have gone worse.  He complained the whole time about bad press, about how I was not doing my job, about how I need to get McConnell and the Senators to back him on every issue."

"Hell, I never even got around to my agenda"

RYAN

(starts laughing.  Quietly, at first, and then loudly)

"Reince, that's the first meeting you've ever not been in charge.  So how are you and the Donald getting along?"

PRIEBUS

"Terrible.  He is under the mistaken idea that I work for him and that I'm constantly waiting for his orders."

RYAN

(laughs out loud)

"Well Reince, isn't that your job as RNC Chair?"

(Priebus throws a magazine at Ryan, who catches it with his right hand)

PRIEBUS

"No Paul, that is not my job.  But every day I have less and less control.  And believe it or not, I know exactly what is going to happen to me."

RYAN

(still laughing) 

"Let me guess, a best selling book and a great screenplay for a three year show that replaces House of Cards." 

PRIEBUS

"If we win, Trump fires me - If I make it to the election - and says he won in spite of the RNC.  If I lose, Trump fires me and blames me for the loss."

RYAN

(laughing)

"And if we lose the White House and Congress - You are practicing law in Kenosha.  You may need to consider part time work because your lawyering might be a bit slow.  Or you could teach at Whitewater, your alma mater. The fishing is great in Lake Koshkonong."

PRIEBUS

'Having fun Paul? Having a good time here?  Are you really into schadenfreude?

RYAN

"Impressive vocabulary!  Maybe you should teach high school English."

"Listen, no one can help you.  You are in charge of a once-in-a-hundred-years hurricane."

"And you're right. It's not going to end well for you." 

"So stop complaining and do the best job you can."

"Do I wish Jeb or Marco, or even John, won?  Yes.  They didn't.  And now Trump is all yours."

PRIEBUS

"Thanks!"

RYAN

"Don't mention it."

"Can I buy you lunch?" 

"You could use some protein - a lot of protein."

PRIEBUS

"Sure, and words can't express my appreciation for your words of wisdom."

"Now I see the wise counsel that got you the Speaker job."

(They both start laughing),

RYAN

"Right - I didn't want this job either."

"So you came to the right place. We're the champions of wrong place at the wrong time."

(both laugh out loud - and proceed to lunch)

----Gordon Lawrence

  


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"Madam Secretary, It's Time for Debate Prep"

6/10/2016

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(I'm in the main meeting room at the Clinton for President HQ in Brooklyn. I'm seated in the back)

ROBBY MOOK

"Madam Secretary, next is our one hour debate prep meeting. I have..."

HILLARY CLINTON 

"Robby, I'll be passing on debate prep today.  What else do we have?"

JOHN PODESTA

"Hillary, we are committed to daily debate prep.  We agreed, you and staff, that this was a top priority."

CLINTON

"Yes, John, and that was before my foreign speech in San Diego.  We agreed that was a home run and now we'll pick up debate prep after the convention."

MOOK

"Madam Secretary, today's meeting includes a visit by Senator Schumer. He will fire twenty-five questions and we're well served to hold this meeting."

CLINTON

"Call Chuck and tell him we're rescheduling. He will appreciate the found time."

PODESTA

"Hillary, this is too important.  And this is one event that we must invest the time.  Please look at the first debate with Trump as we do  - the election is riding on it."

CLINTON

(Staring at Podesta)

PODESTA

"OK John, you win.  Let's go have a debate."

And Secretary Clinton smiled, and then everyone in the room smiled, and laughed.

And Mook texted the debate prep team, and the lecterns were brought in.  And Mook received a text from the driver that Senator Schumer was 10 minutes away.  Mook nodded to Podesta, and Podesta returned the compliment.

​
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"Donald, We Can't Win."  

6/7/2016

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Paul Manafort

"Donald, we getting killed.  We need to back off."

Donald Trump

"Paul, I never back off.  Our team needs to understand that this judge is out to get me. He, Judge Curiel, is against the Mexican wall and he's against me.  Turn up the heat."

Barry Bennett

"Mr. Trump, we can't win this.  Newt called me and made a suggestion."

Trump

"Go ahead, Barry."

Bennett

"Newt suggests that we insist that Trump deserves a fair trial.  He adds that 'While my comments regarding Judge Curiel have been misconstrued, my point is that we deserve a fair trial and I'm very concerned about our ability to receive justice.'"

Manafort

"Donald, that sounds great. Let's get back to showing the real Hillary Clinton."

Trump

"Corey?" "Michael?"

Corey Lewandowski

"Mr. Trump, we've made our point.  Let's declare victory, put out a release along the lines of Newt's suggestion and say that we will no longer address the central issue, which is the need for justice in this case."

Michael Glassner

"Agreed.  There is no more upside.  It's distracting.  Our team is off track.  Let's get back to Hillary's email, which the public is still very confused about."

Trump

"OK. Done. Issue the release and make it clear that we demand justice and that we will no longer address this subject.  Thanks everybody."
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Hillary Clinton: "Our Trump Strategy - This is What We've Been Waiting For" 

6/2/2016

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 ​(I'm a back bencher as HRC and her team discuss strategy - beating Trump)

 HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON

"Joel, I've considered your suggestions. I've been waiting for the right time. This is the right time."

JOEL BENENSON

"Madam Secretary, today the door was opened.  We need to charge through."

CLINTON

"Joel, let's get specific.  Review the specifics."

BENENSON

"Madam Secretary, at every rally, we bring to the podium a person who was cheated by Trump University.  The person will say how much they invested, and what they received - which is nothing.  And this is the start that we build the speech on."

ROBBY MOOK

"In other words, I'm John Smith of Trenton, NJ and I paid $15,000 in tuition to Trump University.  I wasted my money. It wasn't a school.  I didn't get any credentials.  I didn't even get a real estate license.  And I want Donald Trump to give my money back"

JOHN PODESTA

"Great.  Hillary, that resonates.  I can feel a movement starting.  At each rally, the audience waits for the speaker and together, the audience calls out "And I want Donald Trump to give me my money back."

JIM MARGOLIS

"Madam Secretary, it could become the rallying cry of the election.  I believe the media would run with it.  I could see massive banners behind you with the slogan.  And you could work in "Donald, do the right thing, give them their money back" into the stump speech." 

DAVID BINDER

"I tested a version of that.  It polls well.  Right up there with the casino bankruptcy.  At two separate focus groups, they suggested that Trump's nickname be 'BK' as in bankruptcy and BK Trump for a nickname.  Also, the focus group said anything that shows Trump taking away jobs - BK, fake university - is very powerful."

CLINTON

"OK.  Let me be clear.  I'm putting my foot on Trump's throat.  I'm pressing Trump university,  I'm pressing BK and I'm closing with "Donald, I'm going to add jobs  - and you take them away."

"Great.  I love it.  What's next?"

MOOK

"Debate Prep - One hour in the main conference room. We're all set up."

CLINTON

"Perfect.  Tape it.  I want to perfect our new attack"

PODESTA

"The code name is heel.  As is - heel to the throat.  You are putting your foot on his throat and we're not letting up."


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