Washington, DC – On Thursday September 18th and Friday September 19th the DNC will hold its annual Women’s Leadership Forum issues conference presented by the Democratic Women’s Alliance in Washington, D.C. The Women's Leadership Forum, founded in 1993 by Hillary Clinton and Tipper Gore, engages women in Democratic politics by bringing together women leaders and supporters from across the country for regional and national events providing them with information, contacts, and support for further involvement in the Democratic Party.

On Thursday, First Lady Michelle Obama, Dr. Jill Biden, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Mary Burke will speak at a welcome reception. The First Lady’s remarks will be pooled for print media.

On Friday, President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Hillary Rodham Clinton, DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and DNC CEO Amy Dacey will address the conference.  Remarks will be open for print press and still photography and pooled for video. Conference panels will be closed press.

Outlets planning to cover Friday’s speeches must RSVP to lipperm@dnc.org by 6PM on Wednesday, September 17 and show valid press credentials on arrival. RSVP should include name, outlet and which remarks you plan to attend.

WHO:
Friday, September 19th:
President Barack Obama
Vice President Joe Biden
Hillary Rodham Clinton
DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz
DNC CEO Amy Dacey

WHERE:
Marriott Marquis (Independence Hall, meeting level 4), 901 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC

MEDIA LOGISTICS:

Media Entrance:
Main Lobby escalators to Level M3 (DuPont Room for press check in)

Media Access Time:
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Amy Dacey: 8:00am (media access 7:00am-7:30am)
Vice President Biden: 9:45am (media access 8:45am- 9:15am)
Hillary Rodham Clinton: 12:05pm (media access 11:00am-11:30am)
President Obama: 3:35pm (media access 2:30pm-3:00pm)

First Radio Ad, ‘Obstruction’ Features President Obama to Air on African American Radio Stations Nationally
 

WASHINGTON, DC – The Democratic National Committee today announced the first ad in a seven figure national paid media campaign for the fall that will mobilize key constituencies of the Democratic Party to turn out in November’s election. The first ad, ‘Obstruction’ features President Obama and will air on African American radio stations nationally.

The campaign will feature multi-platform targeted ads to engage African Americans, Latinos, women, Asian Americans and young voters.

“This strategic national ad buy will engage key members of the coalition that elected President Obama twice and remind them what’s at stake in this midterm election,” said DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz. “It’s no secret that Democrats’ challenge is expanding the vote this November and before with early voting, so these ads are geared toward many constituencies that have typically dropped off in midterm elections.”

The multi-platform ad buy will run in print, on radio, and include a significant digital presence, with African American radio ads starting this week.

“From equal pay to affordable health care to immigration, the stakes in this election could not be higher and we look forward to communicating that contrast over the coming weeks,” Wasserman Schultz said.

Additional waves of ads will begin in the coming weeks.

Listen to the first ad, ‘Obstruction’ HERE

Below please find a transcript for, ‘Obstruction’

VO:
No Democratic President in U.S history has faced the level of obstruction from the Republicans that Barack Obama has. It’s critical that we continue to fight for change and vote on November 4.

POTUS:
I’ve got a vision of an economy where opportunity is open to everybody who’s willing to work hard.  I want an economy where new, long-term investments in American infrastructure and American manufacturing are unleashing new jobs in new industries; an economy where our workers have the chance to earn new skills that lead to that good job; I want an economy where your hard work pays off with higher wages, and higher incomes, and affordable health insurance, and decent retirement benefits.

VO:
President Obama will fight for us, but he can’t do it alone. We have a responsibility to stand up for our community and vote Nov 4.                                

“Paid for by the Democratic National Committee, democrats.org, not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. The Democratic National Committee is responsible for the content of this advertising

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement on the GOP’s latest effort to block the Paycheck Fairness Act:

“Today, for the fourth time in recent years, Republicans in the Senate voted against the Paycheck Fairness Act – commonsense legislation that would move us closer to equal pay for women. Once again, Republicans refused to join with Democrats to ensure that women are paid fairly and that they have the legal tools they need to fight pay discrimination when it occurs. Some GOP Senators have even gone beyond opposing the legislation to belittling the very idea of voting on Paycheck Fairness, calling it a waste of time, and a show vote. Sadly, it doesn’t come as a surprise that Republicans continue to put rigid partisanship before what’s best for the people that elected them.

“Ensuring that women earn fair and equal pay is a top priority for Democrats not only because it is the right thing to do for American women but because it improves the economic security of our families and the growth of our economy as a whole. Women constitute nearly half of the nation’s work force, and in 40% of U.S. households with children women are their family’s primary breadwinner.

“Today’s vote is just the latest evidence of a Republican Party that is vastly out of touch with the American people, especially women. This November, voters across the country will remember that when given the choice between progress towards pay equity and the clearly discriminatory status quo – the GOP was, as usual, on the wrong side of the issue.”

Washington, DC — Today the Democratic National Committee and the Iowa Democratic Party announced the hiring of Chris Poynor as the Iowa Voter Expansion Director. He will join Andrew Mertens, the Voter Expansion Coordinator, as part of the voter expansion team in Iowa. Poynor’s hire joins a growing roster of Voter Expansion Project staff in key states as part of the DNC's ongoing commitment to increase access to electoral participation.

“Republicans in Iowa, like Secretary of State Matt Schultz, are putting unnecessary barriers between voters and the ballot box and Schultz even spent hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars searching for fraud that wasn’t there,” said DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz. “The Democrats’ voter expansion project will continue to knock down these types of barriers and expand access to the polls. Chris will be an important part of our work in Iowa and we’re happy to have him on our team.”

“This notion of getting more people involved in the process isn’t just a program for us or a tactic – it is one of the most fundamental values that we share as Democrats, but more importantly, as Iowans,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chair Scott Brennan. “It’s not just about strengthening our Party, it’s about strengthening our state because more voices are being heard. Democrats are committed to expanding rights, not taking them away – we want to empower people, to break down barriers and to expand opportunity for all Iowans.”

Poynor most recently practiced election law at his firm Poynor Law, PLC. Previously he worked as the Deputy Voter Protection Director for Organizing for America – Iowa, as a Law Clerk at Eide & Heisinger, LLC, and as a researcher at Link Strategies, LLC. He earned his JD from Drake University in Des Moines.

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement on the commemoration of Hispanic Heritage Month:

“Today begins our celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month and the long history of invaluable contributions that Hispanic Americans have made to our nation. From the earliest settlement at St. Augustine through generations of immigrants, Hispanics have played an integral role in building America into what it is today.

“While the Democratic Party is committed to policies that ensure opportunity for all Americans, including the Hispanic community, Republicans are more interested in expanding opportunity for only a select few.

“As we honor the legacy of Hispanics in the United States, the Democratic Party will continue to support policies that work for Hispanics like equal pay for women – a problem that disproportionately affects Latina women. We will continue to support investments in the educational opportunities that build ladders to the middle class for younger generations, and to pursue comprehensive immigration reform that opens doors for those compelled to pursue the American dream. We remain committed to fighting for the wellbeing of the Hispanic community and making sure Hispanics voices are heard.”

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement on tomorrow marking the 20th Anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act:

“Twenty years ago, due to the leadership of then Senator Joe Biden and countless others, the Violence Against Women Act put in place critical protections that have held violent offenders accountable and extended services to victims of such crimes.

“Despite the legislation’s success and the broad bipartisan support it has enjoyed for most of the last two decades, Republicans fought and delayed the law’s most recent reauthorization. I am proud that the Democratic Party was insistent on strengthening VAWA’s protections despite opposition from a majority of Republicans.

“Unfortunately, far too many women continue to be subjected to violence and rape, including the brave women who choose to serve our country in our nation’s military and the future leaders who live on our college campuses. The horrific video that emerged this week should serve as a reminder that violence against women remains a real and persistent problem, and despite the progress we’ve made through legislation like VAWA it’s clear we have so much more to do. While we continue to fight to make sure that all women are able to live free from the fear of violence, we must also ensure that survivors of crimes are able to access the services they need to recover and rebuild and that they are empowered to speak out when such violence occurs.

“The Democratic Party is committed to supporting policies that protect and promote the well-being of women and their families and today, we honor and acknowledge this twentieth anniversary of VAWA with them in mind.”

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement on tomorrow marking the 20th Anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act:

“Twenty years ago, due to the leadership of then Senator Joe Biden and countless others, the Violence Against Women Act put in place critical protections that have held violent offenders accountable and extended services to victims of such crimes.

“Despite the legislation’s success and the broad bipartisan support it has enjoyed for most of the last two decades, Republicans fought and delayed the law’s most recent reauthorization. I am proud that the Democratic Party was insistent on strengthening VAWA’s protections despite opposition from a majority of Republicans.

“Unfortunately, far too many women continue to be subjected to violence and rape, including the brave women who choose to serve our country in our nation’s military and the future leaders who live on our college campuses. The horrific video that emerged this week should serve as a reminder that violence against women remains a real and persistent problem, and despite the progress we’ve made through legislation like VAWA it’s clear we have so much more to do. While we continue to fight to make sure that all women are able to live free from the fear of violence, we must also ensure that survivors of crimes are able to access the services they need to recover and rebuild and that they are empowered to speak out when such violence occurs.

“The Democratic Party is committed to supporting policies that protect and promote the well-being of women and their families and today, we honor and acknowledge this twentieth anniversary of VAWA with them in mind.”

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement on the Anniversary of September 11th:

“Five years ago, Congress designated today as the September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance. Thus, one of the darkest days in our nation’s history is instead an embrace of what is best about America.

“This is one of the defining characteristics of America and the American people. When faced with an enemy or challenge that attempts to tear us down, we come together and rebuild even better than before. And as the President laid out last night, we will continue to face our enemies head on, to secure our safety at home and the safety of our allies around the world. Though the process of rebuilding may be long and difficult, we emerge stronger. Earlier this year, speaking at the dedication of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, President Obama called on those gathered to ‘reaffirm the true spirit of 9/11 — love, compassion, sacrifice — and to enshrine it forever in the heart of our nation.’

“As the Chair of the Democratic National Committee, I recognize that there will be disagreements between Democrats and Republicans that warrant a healthy debate. But when our nation is attacked, on American soil or abroad, those differences should be set aside. We remember those we’ve lost, seek justice against our enemies, and work to prevent future attacks.

“Thirteen years ago, an unthinkable tragedy reminded us that what binds us together is far greater than what draws us apart. We would be well served to keep that in mind as our nation faces the challenges before us.”

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement on tonight’s primary results:

“The next eight weeks will provide a stark contrast between the priorities of the Democratic and Republican parties. Democrats have nominated candidates who will fight to ensure opportunity for all Americans, while Republicans remain beholden to special interests and an extreme Tea Party agenda.

“Massachusetts Democrats have nominated Martha Coakley, who has demonstrated her ability and willingness to fight for the people of Massachusetts as a District Attorney and as the Commonwealth’s first female Attorney General. She will face Charlie Baker, who slashed jobs and put personal profit ahead of what was best for the people of Massachusetts as a health insurance executive. Baker also faces troubling ethical questions surrounding his connection to a possible pay-to-play scandal involving Chris Christie’s administration in New Jersey.

“And next door in New Hampshire, former Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown’s treatment of New Hampshire's Senate seat as a consolation prize is confirmation that he doesn’t care which state’s voters elect him as long as he can continue to represent Big Oil and Wall Street special interests. Jeanne Shaheen is New Hampshire through and through, and veterans, students, and women and their families know that she will continue to represent their voices in the Senate.

“I would also like to congratulate all the Democrats nominated tonight who will fight for middle-class families, including Governor Andrew Cuomo and Gina Raimondo, who is poised to become the first female governor of Rhode Island. Come Election Day, voters will have a clear choice of which party is on their side.”

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement in celebration of Labor Day:

“Today, many Americans will celebrate Labor Day with their friends and families. Countless others will go to work and do their job just like any other day.

“Every American worker has contributed to building America into what it is today and what it can be in the future. But one Monday in September is not sufficient recognition of their contributions. There is no good reason why any American who works hard day in and day out should have to raise their family in poverty. With women acting as the primary breadwinner in 40 percent of households with children, unequal pay hurts women, their families, and our economy.

“Organized labor in America is responsible for securing many of the workplace standards and protections that we take for granted, from child labor to weekends. I am proud that the Democratic Party is working with American workers to achieve the next set of policies that hardworking Americans deserve, including an increased minimum wage, paycheck fairness, and improved family and medical leave policies. Republicans have not only opposed these policies, but sought to diminish the capacity of unions to represent the interests of workers.

“This year marks 120 years since Labor Day was first recognized as a federal holiday in 1894. In that time, we’ve made extraordinary progress to restore to workers the dignity to which each of us is entitled. It is critical that our nation remain steadfast in that commitment moving forward if we are to be an America where economic security and opportunity are available to all.”