When first lady Michelle Obama went to bat last week for Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, it was a strong signal to the Florida lawmaker’s critics to stand down.
Under fire by some for her management of the party, Obama’s shout out to Wasserman Schultz as “fabulous” is helping to shift attention to her successful efforts to eliminate the debt she was handed by Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine and boost prospects for the embattled Democratic election lineup.
Officials report that she faced a debt of $22 million three years ago. “Today,” said one, “we’re in the black.”
The grueling job has taken her to 37 states and 99 cities where she has headlined 63 events for the DNC. She also has appeared as a special guest for at least 26 fundraisers that support competitive national races and at least 22 for state parties.
She has been given credit for helping fund and organize the party’s huge Project Ivy digital initiative and the national and state Voter Expansion Project.
The party is also ramping up efforts to train hundreds of state party staff and activists on topics ranging from volunteer recruitment to voter file management, fundraising and other grassroots campaign tactics in advance of the midterms in November.
And, said an insider, the DNC is spending, most recently announcing a seven figure national paid media buy in the fall for down-ticket races.
“Today we’re in better financial shape than any time since November 2012 – and because of that the DNC is investing more heavily in the midterms than originally planned,” said an associate.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
