Hillary Clinton on Wednesday promised House Democrats a “50-state strategy” to win the White House in her first meeting with lawmakers since becoming the party’s presumptive nominee.
Clinton huddled with Democrats in a meeting room in the new basement wing of the Capitol, adjacent to the Visitors Center. She walked past dozens of reporters, declining to stop and answer questions.
According to those who were in the room, Clinton promised to unite voters, including those who support Bernie Sanders, who has not dropped out of the race yet.
“Hillary was ready to talk to us,” Democratic Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra, D-Calif., who may be on Clinton’s short list for vice president, said after the meeting. “It was clear that she is ready for this campaign.”
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said lawmakers kept Clinton in the room after the meeting, seeking to talk to her individually.
“Our caucus was thrilled,” Pelosi said. “They won’t let her go.”
Conference Vice Chairman Joe Crowley, D-N.Y., said Clinton announced that the 50-state strategy involves “reaching out to every state and to voters as well.” She also discussed her plan to rebuild the nation’s crumbling infrastructure and to make college more affordable.
Crowley said Democrats were “affectionate” toward Clinton, which he said is in contrast to the Republican conference, where lawmakers are struggling to support the GOP’s presumptive nominee, Donald Trump. Trump will visit the House Republican conference on July 7.
“We really like our candidate,” Crowley said. “I’d love to be a fly on the wall on July 7 when their presidential candidate is in their room and see what affection they have for their candidate.”
Clinton entered the closed-door meeting to thunderous applause from Democrats, who chanted her name as she walked in. Pelosi gave Clinton a gift for her new grandson, who was born earlier this week.
The meeting happened as Trump delivered a speech attacking her proposals and her candidacy. Trump called Clinton corrupt, citing her big paycheck for speeches to big banks and the money raised by the Clinton Foundation.
“Donald Trump says a whole lot but he can’t back it up,” Becerra said of Trump’s accusations. “Donald Trump is the last person who should be talking about how someone makes their money.”
Democrats also called on Trump to release his taxes.
“Donald Trump is hiding something,” Becerra said. “Is he really rich? Prove it. Does he really donate? Prove it. Does he pay his taxes? Prove it. I don’t think Donald Trump pays his taxes.”
Crowley called Trump, “Con-man Don.”
Clinton told the lawmakers she would “go out there and talk to everyone in America,” including people who do not back Democrats, suggesting she may go after Republicans who don’t back Donald Trump.
Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., said Democrats are eager for Sanders to get behind Clinton with an endorsement.
“That is a problem for the party,” Clyburn said of Sanders. “I would love to see Mr. Sanders endorse, go all in, and I think he will. I believe everybody must be comfortable with their own timetable and I believe that at some point in the future he will do that.”
