2020 Presidential Campaign Blog

Andrew Yang Qualifies for February Democratic Primary Debate in New Hampshire

ANDREW YANG QUALIFIES FOR FEBRUARY DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY DEBATE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE 

NEW YORK  — Today, Andrew Yang earned a spot in the next Democratic primary debate stage on Feb. 7 in New Hampshire. A Washington Post/ABC News national poll shows Andrew Yang at 7 percent, putting him in fifth place nationally. A Fox News national poll also has Andrew Yang at 5 percent. In New Hampshire, polls released by CNN/University of New Hampshire and NBC News/Marist show Andrew Yang at 5 percent. 

“America has spoken. Voters clearly missed Andrew Yang’s presence in the most recent debate and now they are making sure he will be on the debate stage in New Hampshire. The race for the nomination has only just begun, and Andrew Yang is going to keep fighting for all Americans to have their voices heard, including the more than 400,000 individual donors who fuel our campaign, and the thousands of Yang supporters who will be showing up on election days throughout the Democratic primaries,” said Campaign Chief Nick Ryan.

The polls released today place Andrew Yang well over the qualifying requirement for the next debate. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) requires candidates to reach 5 percent in four approved national polls or 7 percent in two approved early state polls. Andrew Yang had already surpassed the DNC’s threshold of 225,000 unique donors, raking in $16.5 million and reaching more than 400,000 unique donors in the final fundraising quarter of 2019. 

DNC Announces Qualification Criteria For New Hampshire Democratic Presidential Primary Debate

DNC Announces Qualification Criteria For New Hampshire Democratic Presidential Primary Debate

The DNC and ABC today released the qualification criteria for participation in the eighth Democratic presidential primary debate, which will air on ABC, in partnership with WMUR-TV and Apple News. There will be two pathways to qualification for the New Hampshire debate. To qualify for the New Hampshire debate stage, candidates may qualify either by (1) meeting a delegate threshold based on the results of the Iowa caucuses, or (2) by meeting both a polling requirement and a grassroots fundraising requirement. Qualifying polls for the New Hampshire debate will include national polling and polling in New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. A candidate’s support in Iowa will be reflected through the results of the Iowa caucus instead of Iowa-specific polling. The deadline for qualifying polls and donations is February 6 at 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time.

The official threshold rules are below:

QUALIFICATION CRITERIA FOR THE 2020 DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY DEBATE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

To qualify for the February 7, 2020 Democratic presidential primary debate in New Hampshire (“New Hampshire Debate”), candidates must meet the “Delegate Threshold” or the “Alternate Threshold,” as detailed below.

I. Delegate Threshold. To meet the Delegate Threshold for the New Hampshire Debate, candidates must have been allocated at least one pledged delegate to the Democratic National Convention (“National Convention Delegate”) from the state of Iowa based on the results of the February 3rd, 2020 Iowa caucuses, as reported and calculated by the Iowa Democratic Party.

II. Alternate Threshold. To meet the Alternate Threshold for the New Hampshire Debate, candidates must meet the Polling Requirement and the Grassroots Fundraising Threshold as detailed below.

a. Polling Requirement. To meet the Polling Requirement for the New Hampshire Debate, candidates must meet either the “Four-Poll Threshold” or the “Early State Polling Threshold” as described below:

• Four-Poll Threshold. Receive 5% or more support in at least four polls (which may be national polls, or single-state polls in New Hampshire, South Carolina, and/or Nevada) meeting the Qualifying Poll Criteria described below. To meet the Four-Poll Threshold, each one of a candidate’s four qualifying polls must be sponsored by different Qualifying Poll Sponsors, or if by the same Qualifying Poll Sponsor, must be in different geographical areas.

• Early State Polling Threshold. Receive 7% or more support in two single-state polls in New Hampshire, South Carolina and/or Nevada that meet the Qualifying Poll Criteria described below. To meet the Early State Polling Threshold, any candidate’s two qualifying polls may be in the same or different geographical areas and from the same or different Qualifying Poll Sponsors.

For a poll to be counted towards the Four-Poll Threshold or Early State Polling Threshold, it must meet each of the four requirements described below (“Qualifying Poll Criteria”):

• Each poll must be sponsored by one of the following 15 entities or pairs of entities (“Qualifying Poll Sponsors”): Associated Press; ABC News/Washington Post; CBS News/YouGov; CNN; Fox News; Monmouth University; NPR/PBS Newshour/Marist; NBC News/Wall Street Journal; NBC News/Marist; New York Times/Siena College; Nevada Independent/Mellman Group; Quinnipiac University; University of New Hampshire; USA Today/Suffolk University; Winthrop University. For individual entities that are included only in Qualifying Poll Sponsor pairs but are not listed individually, independent polling by such individual entities or polling conducted in new partnerships with such individual entities shall not meet the Qualifying Poll Criteria. The DNC reserves the right to add a Nevada-specific poll sponsor and/or a South Carolina-specific poll sponsor to this list in the near future.

• Each poll must be publicly released between December 13, 2019 and 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on February 6, 2020.

• Each poll’s candidate support question must have been conducted by reading or presenting a list of Democratic presidential primary candidates to respondents. Poll questions using an open-ended or un-aided question to gauge presidential primary support will not count.

• Each polling result must be the top-line number listed in the original public release from the approved Qualifying Poll Sponsor, whether or not it is a rounded or weighted number.

b. Grassroots Fundraising Threshold. To meet the Grassroots Fundraising Threshold, candidates must submit a certification, executed by the candidate’s campaign Treasurer, by 9:00 AM Eastern Time on February 7, 2020, demonstrating that the campaign has received donations from at least (1) 225,000 unique donors; and (2) a minimum of 1,000 unique donors per state in at least 20 U.S. states, U.S. territories, or the District of Columbia. Qualifying donations must be received by 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on February 6, 2020. An acceptable certification must provide or attach adequate verifiable evidence to show that the fundraising threshold has been reached and may include verification from ActBlue or NGP VAN regarding the campaign’s fundraising.

Amy Klobuchar on the Issues Facing Iowans in Last Night’s Debate

Amy Klobuchar Directly Addresses Critical Issues Facing Iowans in Last Night’s Debate
Trade, Health Care, Pharmaceutical Prices, Long-Term Care, Workforce Training

DES MOINES, IA — Last night in Des Moines, Senator Amy Klobuchar distinguished herself from the other five candidates on stage by speaking directly to the issues impacting Iowans: trade, health care, unaffordable pharmaceutical prices, the challenges of securing long term care, and the lack of workforce training.

Klobuchar has made it a focus of her campaign to listen and address the concerns of Iowans across the state -- a commitment exemplified by her tour of Iowa's 99 counties.

Last night on the debate stage, Klobuchar made the case for her candidacy by succinctly detailing the policy plans she’s created to address the largest problems facing Iowans today.

Klobuchar on TRADE:

“I want to hit reality here. I serve on the Agriculture Committee, and I will never forget going to Crawfordsville here in Iowa...And I went to this plant and there was one worker left in that plant. That plant had been shut down because of Donald Trump’s trade policies and because of what he had done to those workers with giving secret waivers to oil companies and ruining the Renewable Fuel Standard. That worker brought out a coat rack of uniforms and he said, “These are my friends, they don't work here anymore.” And their names were embroidered on those uniforms -- Derek, Mark, Salvador. And that guy started to cry. These are real people hurt by Donald Trump’s trade war. So what we should do -- and I support the USMCA. I am glad that these improvements were made that are supported by people like Richard Trumka and Sherrod Brown on labor and environment and on pharma, the sweetheart deal. Because I think we need a big trading bloc with North America to take on China, and the way you are stronger with China is with your allies.”

Des Moines Register: Another renewable fuel plant closes as Iowa leaders wait for White House biofuels fix

Radio Iowa: One of Iowa’s biodiesel plants has closed amid RFS uncertainty

Klobuchar on the AFFORDABLE CARE ACT:

“Again, I think it is much better to build on the Affordable Care Act, and if you want to be practical and progressive at the same time and have a plan and not a pipe dream, you have to show how are you going to pay for it. And I would also note practically that the Affordable Care Act right now is ten points more popular than the president of the United States. So I think the answer is to build on it ... And I have shown how I am going to pay for every single plan."

Des Moines Register: Ames doctor says Medicare-for-all would be disruptive to Iowans

Klobuchar on LONG-TERM CARE:

“And then, finally, what should we do about long-term care, the elephant that doesn’t even fit in this room. We need to make it easier for people to get long-term care insurance. We need to make it easier for them to pay for their premiums. My own dad, I know when his long-term care insurance ends, and then we have some savings for him, he’s in assisted living...but then we go to Medicaid, and I have already talked to Catholic Elder Care, they’re willing to take him in. Our story is better than so many other families. We have to make it easier for long-term care. It’s not just for seniors, it’s also for the sandwich generation, the people trying to help their parents.”

The Cedar Rapids Gazette: Iowans' Ideas: Health and long-term care workforce shortages affect all - particularly rural Iowa

Des Moines Register: Iowa population, by age, by county

Klobuchar on WORKFORCE TRAINING:

“I think what we have to look at is how we connect our education system with our economy. Where are our job openings and what do we need? We are going to have over a million openings for home healthcare workers that we don’t know how to fill in the next ten years. We are going to have open 100,000 jobs for nursing assistants. We, as my union friends know, we’re going to have over 70,000 openings for electricians. We’re not going to have a shortage of MBAs; we’re going to have a shortage of plumbers. So when we look at that, then we step back. Where should our money go? It should go into K through 12. It should go into free one and two year degrees, like my dad got, like my sister got. And then we should double the Pell Grants because we’re going to need four year degrees so the money goes where it should go instead of to rich kids going to college.”

The Gazette: Gov. Reynolds: Shortage of trained workers is Iowa's biggest economic barrier

What People Are Saying About Pete Buttigieg’s Debate Performance in Iowa

What People Are Saying About Pete Buttigieg’s Debate Performance in Iowa

“This Was A Mayor Pete Night”... Buttigieg Is Going To Get Lots More Supporters After This Performance” … “We Need A President Like Pete Buttigieg To Lead This Charge”...“Good Answer!”... “Winner” … That's Part Of The Recipe To Crushing Trump”... “Strong Close” ...“I Deeply Appreciate How Mayor Pete Refuses To Cede Faith To The GOP” … “Good Answer Slamming Trump's ‘Bone Spurs”’

Photo Courtesy CNN and Des Moines Register

CNN: “Winners: Pete Buttigieg. The former South Bend, Indiana, mayor proved Tuesday night that he is the best debater in this field. But he also did something more important than that, too: In the first 30 minutes of the debate, Buttigieg showed a competency, steadiness and depth of knowledge coupled with personal experience that should help him pass the commander-in-chief test in the eyes of voters. He spoke forcefully and powerfully about his issues with President Donald Trump's approach to Iran and the need to go back to the drawing board on Congress authorizing the use of military force.”

Boston Globe: "Among [Pete Buttigieg’s] strongest answer of the last year was in response to the opening questions about foreign policy.foreign policy. He both connected it to his story of serving in the military, but also talked about the need to address future threats instead of old ones."

Ben LaBolt @BenLaBolt: Strong close by @PeteButtigieg

Esme Murphy @esmemurphy: .@PeteButtigieg brings up the point of bringing into the climate change debate those groups like farmers and industrial workers who are constantly told efforts to work on climate change would hurt them.

EJ Dionne @EJDionne: Buttigieg in one answer reminds people of the pillars of his rise: As a Midwesterner from a factory town, he can say that #Trump turned his back on places like his. He’ll contrast his military service with Trump’s bone spurs. And he’ll take him on on faith.
#DemDebate

Ameshia Cross @AmeshiaCross: Black people endorse @PeteButtigieg every day. Elected officials, a member of the CBC, Miss Black America, and the support just keeps coming. Not to mention his Douglass Plan is the most comprehensive Black policy agenda present in this election cycle. #DemDebate

Ilyse Hogue @ilyseh: I deeply appreciate how Mayor Pete refuses to cede faith to the GOP. They have weaponized religion to oppress women, families and vulnerable communities. As a person of faith, I want the Dems to claim the moral high ground. #DemDebate

Daniel W. Drezner @dandrezner: Buttigieg’s answer on AUMF was very good.

Andy Ostroy @AndyOstroy: So who won the #DemocraticDebate? And by “won” I mean...who appreciably moved his/her needle upwards? I say @PeteButtigieg...

Tiernan Sittenfeld @T_Sittenfeld: Important and @PeteButtigieg is absolutely right. We need climate security and national security. #ActOnClimate #DemDebate

Dean Obeidallah @DeanObeidallah: Pete Buttitgeg good answer slamming Trump's "bone spurs." That's part of the recipe to crushing Trump #DemocraticDebate #DemDebate

Maria Shriver @mariashriver: Love that Mayor @petebuttigieg talks about God and that God does not belong to a political party, which is so true #DemocraticDebate #DemDebate

Candace Valenzuela @candacefor24: This can't be stated enough. Faith is not supposed to be weaponized against people, especially one that speaks frequently about protecting the vulnerable. Kudos to @PeteButtigieg on this issue.

Jim Wallis @jimwallis: Buttigieg says he is ready to take on Donald Trump on faith and that no political party owns God. Amen! #DemDebate

Peter Groff @petercgroff: Good for @PeteButtigieg to bring us back to reality and pragmatism...#DemDebate

Christopher J. Hale @chrisjollyhale: .@PeteButtigieg is right: the more black voters know him they more they support his candidacy. He recently gained the endorsement of fellow veteran and Congressional Black Caucus Member @RepAnthonyBrown of Maryland. #DemDebate

Bob Duff, Senate Majority Leader, CT @senatorduff: Yes, we need a president like @PeteButtigieg to lead this charge. He will lead the effort to lift up workers and help ensure the best early childhood education for our kids.

Dave Morrill @RepDaveMorrill: @PeteButtigieg explaining that climate change affects black and brown people disproportionately, and we need ALL Americans, from farmers to auto workers to Prius drivers to work together in order to mitigate and adapt to its effects. #DemDebate #WinTheEra #TeamPete

Erin Schrode @ErinSchrode: "If you cannot look your kids in the eye and explain this President, join me." Good line and good point, @PeteButtigieg #DemDebate

Scot Lehigh @GlobeScotLehigh: I'd say this was a Mayor Pete and Amy K. night. Joe Biden was a little verbally fumbly, but solid overall. EW nailed her closing statement and so edged Bernie in the left lane. Tom Steyer? Meh. #DemocraticDebate #DemDebate

Jake Lahut @JakeLahut: .@PeteButtigieg's line on parents not being able to "look their kids in the eye and explain this president" is one that stands out.

What They Are Saying: Iowa Leaders Praise Joe Biden’s Debate Performance

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Iowa Leaders Praise Joe Biden’s Debate Performance

Des Moines, Iowa – Tonight, following the final debate before the Iowa Caucus, leaders from across the Hawkeye State praised Joe Biden’s commanding and forceful performance. Vice President Biden once again demonstrated his unmatched foreign policy experience, articulated a bold vision to strengthen the middle class, and made it clear that he can beat Donald Trump in November.

“Joe Biden looked like a President tonight — he was strong and steady,” said Tom Vilsack, former Secretary of Agriculture and Governor of Iowa. “Joe has a plan to rebuild rural communities while solving the climate crisis, and he has the respect and the track-record to beat Donald Trump."

Photo Courtesy CNN and Des Moines Register

“Joe Biden was exceptional in tonight’s debate — he made a convincing argument that he will rebuild this country, repair our alliances, and beat Donald Trump,” said Tom Miller, ten-term Attorney General of Iowa. “Joe will win a broad, diverse coalition in November, and he has the dignity and character to be a great president.”

“At tonight’s debate, Vice President Biden showed exactly why we need him in the White House,” said Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01). “We need a leader who values unity and hope over fear and division. We need his experience getting things done on day one. Tonight, his compassion, values, and his passion stepping up for working families, showed America what we’ve been missing in our President.”

“On the debate stage tonight, one thing was clear: Joe Biden is who you want in the room when the biggest decisions facing our country are made,” said Mayor Mike Matson of Davenport. “Joe’s work on behalf of middle class families, and his experience in foreign policy, set him apart – which is why all Iowans should please support Vice President Joe Biden.”

“During tonight’s debate, Vice President Biden showed why he is the only candidate who can win support in all communities – in all corners of this country – so that we can build a more tolerant and more inclusive America,” said Reverend Dr. Frantz Whitfield of Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church in Waterloo. “We need more hope and less hate, more unity and less division, and that’s why I’m proud to stand with Vice President Biden.”

“After watching Vice President Biden on the debate stage tonight, I believe he is ready for the job of President,” said Reverend Rob Johnson, Associate Minister and Community Leader. “I believe the Vice President stated clearly what he's done and how he'll continue that work in the White House, I believe he can win in November, and help heal this nation.”

Deval Patrick's Statement on Tonight’s Debate in Iowa

Deval Patrick's Statement on Tonight’s Debate

“Tonight, six Democrats were on the debate stage for over two hours. There were many good ideas from strong candidates, but there was not one question about racism in tonight’s debate. Not one.

“Let’s face reality. Racism is not all there is to talk about, but when millions of Americans deal with it daily, encouraged by our president, when do we face their truths?”

Republican Party of Minnesota (MNGOP) Statement on Democrat Debate in Iowa

MNGOP Statement on Democrat Debate

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Republican Party of Minnesota Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan released the following statement regarding tonight's debate:

"While President Trump was showcasing his America First policies in Wisconsin tonight, 2020 Democrats were too busy detailing their plans to nickel and dime our nation into oblivion to acknowledge the historical progress made over the past three years under his leadership. If Democrats had it their way, two million Iowans would be stripped off their healthcare plans and everyday Americans would see massive tax hikes. It's clear the radical candidates on stage tonight offer nothing more than a crippling slate of proposals dead-set on controlling every aspect of life, all while destroying the American Dream at the same time."

Republican National Committee (RNC) Statement on the Democrat Debate in Iowa

RNC Statement on the Democrat Debate

WASHINGTON — Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel released the following statement on tonight's Democrat debate:

"Democrats are only in Iowa because they have to be. If they got their way, they would abolish the Electoral College and never set foot in our nation’s heartland again," said Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel. "If they did care about hardworking Americans, they would not be touting a radical, socialist agenda that threatens to undo all of the economic progress that has been made over the last three years. Their multi-trillion dollar policies stand in stark contrast to President Trump’s record of results for the American people. Voters will overwhelmingly choose his winning agenda in November."

Iowa GOP Statement on Dem Debate in Des Moines

Iowa GOP Statement on Dem Debate in Des Moines

DES MOINES -- Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Jeff Kaufmann released the following statement regarding tonight’s Democratic debate in Des Moines:

“Socialist Sanders has taken over the Democratic party, and now his opponents are trying to chase him down here in Iowa. But Iowans don’t support the extreme policies of Sanders, AOC, and the Socialist Squad -- if they had it their way, nearly two million Iowans would be stripped of their health care plans, and the USMCA wouldn’t exist. Iowans reject the out-of-touch agenda of the left, which would bankrupt families and businesses and leave America’s heartland behind. It is increasingly clear there are no moderates left in the race, and Americans cannot afford the Democrats’ radicalism.”

Donald Trump Campaign Statement on Iowa Democrat Debate

Donald Trump Campaign Statement on Iowa Democrat Debate

“Based on their performances on stage, the six Democrat candidates demonstrated that not one of them deserves to win the Iowa caucuses in less than three weeks. They will tank the economy, ruin health care, raise taxes, and fail to adequately defend the United States. President Trump would dominate any of them in November.”

-Tim Murtaugh, Trump 2020 communications director