Washington, DC – In honor of Veterans Day, DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement:

“Today, we reflect on the extraordinary courage of the brave men and women who protect the rights and freedoms that define who we are as a nation.

“The first observance of November 11 as a national holiday was a commemoration of Armistice Day, thought to be the end of the war to end all wars. Though it is a promise which we have yet to fulfill, each successive generation has answered the call to fight in the hopes that their children will not have to. On Veterans Day, we express our gratitude for their strength and sacrifices.

“More than anything we do today, the best way to honor their service is to ensure that when they return home they are provided the same opportunities which they have risked their lives to defend. This means that we have a responsibility to fully fund the VA, expand educational opportunities through the GI Bill, provide job training to translate the skills they’ve developed in the armed services to the workplace, offer assistance to companies that hire veterans, and ensure access to mental health services. I am proud of the commitment that President Obama and Democrats have made to our veterans, including the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, so that those willing to serve can do so openly.

“On behalf of Democrats across the country, I would like to say thank you to our nation’s veterans and their families.”

Last week, the Republicans had a good night. We didn't.

We worked hard for months, we even won a few tough races, but it wasn't enough.

Sometimes, that happens. In a democracy, on occasion, the other side is going to win. But even if I'm disappointed, I'm not discouraged. And that's because of people like you.

For months, you all made calls. You talked to your neighbors. You knocked doors. You donated. You stood with President Obama, and you stood up for middle-class families.

You inspire me every single day, and I don't want another minute to go by without you hearing me say how much I appreciate what you do. So, thank you.

Your dedication is at the heart and soul of who we are as a party, and because of that, I need your help for what's going to come next.

I don't want to sit through another night like Tuesday again.

So we're going to kick off an effort at the DNC to figure out how we can do better in future elections like these. We're going to look at where we fell short. We're going to identify our mistakes. And we're going to talk to the smartest people in our party and the most dedicated Democrats in the country to build on what we've done that works and find solutions for things that are broken.

That's where you come in.

We're going to ask you to be part of this conversation. We're going to ask you for your best ideas. And we're going to ask for your patience as we test out new theories, and try new ways of doing things.

If we're going to be successful, I need you to be part of this effort — and bring to it the same dedication you've shown again and again this year:

http://my.democrats.org/What-Comes-Next

Thank you, again! You'll hear more from us soon.

Washington, DC – Today the DNC announced a top-to-bottom review of the 2014 election. In the coming weeks, DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz will appoint leading Democratic Party organizers, activists and strategists to review what happened in 2014 and what the party needs to improve in coming midterm elections. The Democratic Party has failed to translate success in presidential years to midterms and off years.

Wasserman Schultz announced the new effort in a video for supporters, saying in part:
 

We know we’re right on the issues. The American people believe in the causes we’re fighting for. But the electoral success we have when our presidential nominee is able to make the case to the country as a whole, doesn’t translate in other elections.

That’s why we lost in 2010, and it’s why we lost on Tuesday.  We’ve got to do better.

So that’s why, we’re going to kick off an effort at the DNC to do a top-to-bottom assessment of how we can do better in future midterm elections like these.
…
We are going to look at where we fell short. We're going to identify our mistakes. And we're going to talk to the smartest people in our party and the most dedicated Democrats in the country to build on what we’ve done that works and find solutions for things that are broken.

Wasserman Schultz will appoint a committee in the coming weeks with a goal of releasing the report at the DNC’s winter meeting early next year.

See below for a video message from DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

Watch HERE.

TRANSCRIPT:

Hello fellow Democrats,

I'm not going to gloss over the facts: on Tuesday, the Republicans had a good night. We didn't. We worked hard for months, we even won a few tough races, but it wasn't enough.

Sometimes, you work your heart out, leave it all on the field and still come up short. In a democracy, on occasion, the other side is going to win. When that happens, you don't give up – instead, you focus, review and press forward!

Even if I'm disappointed, I'm not discouraged. And that is because of people like you. 

Whether I’m talking to a grandmother giving up her weekends to volunteer on a campaign back in Florida or a teacher who comes up to say that he chipped in five bucks to one of our emails, Democrats like you do amazing things.

For months, you all made calls. You all talked to your neighbors. You knocked doors. You donated. You stood with President Obama, and you stood up for middle class families.

You inspire me every single day, and I don't want another minute to go by without you hearing me say how much I appreciate what you do.

So, thank you.

Your dedication is at the heart and soul of who we are as a party.

But our party has a problem.

We know we’re right on the issues. The American people believe in the causes we’re fighting for. But the electoral success we have when our presidential nominee is able to make a case to the country as a whole, doesn’t translate in other elections.

That’s why we lost in 2010, and it’s why we lost on Tuesday.

We’ve got to do better.

So that’s why, we’re going to kick off an effort at the DNC to do a top-to-bottom assessment of how we can do better in future midterm elections like these.

Of course our next big and most important task at the DNC is to elect a Democratic president of the United States in 2016.   And we have the building blocks to do just that.  We will be talking more about that in the coming months.  But finding real and lasting solutions to our mid-term election issues is critical for the success of the policies we care about and the long term strength of our party.

Within the next couple of weeks, I’m going to name a committee of key party stakeholders and experts, who will spearhead an examination of what went wrong, and how the Democratic Party can do a better job of connecting in midterm elections.

We are going to look at where we fell short. We're going to identify our mistakes. And we're going to talk to the smartest people in our party and the most dedicated Democrats in the country to build on what we’ve done that works and find solutions for things that are broken.

That's where you come in.

Because we are committed as a party to inclusiveness, we're going to ask you to be part of this conversation. We're going to ask you for your best ideas. And we're going to ask for your patience as we test out new theories, and try new ways of doing things.

And we’re going to report out our findings by our DNC winter meeting early next year — with measures by which you can hold us accountable.

If we're going to be successful, we need you to be part of this effort — and to bring to this project the same dedication you've shown again and again this year. 

If you want to add your voice to this discussion, take a minute to let us know.

Thank you, again! You'll hear more from us soon!

This afternoon, President Obama sent an email thanking Democrats for their hard work during the midterm elections. Read it below:

The hardest thing in politics is changing the status quo. The easiest thing is to get cynical.

The Republicans had a good night on Tuesday — but believe me when I tell you that our results were better because you stepped up, talked to your family and friends, and cast your ballot.

I want you to remember that we're making progress. There are workers who have jobs today who didn't have them before. There are millions of families who have health insurance today who didn't have it before. There are kids going to college today who didn't have the opportunity to go to college before.

So don't get cynical. Cynicism didn't put a man on the moon. Cynicism has never won a war, or cured a disease, or built a business, or fed a young mind. Cynicism is a choice. And hope will always be a better choice.

I have hope for the next few years, and I have hope for what we're going to accomplish together.

Thank you so much.

Barack Obama

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement on U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen’s victory in New Hampshire:
 
“On behalf of Democrats across the country, I congratulate Senator Jeanne Shaheen on her victory tonight. As the only woman to serve as both Governor and United States Senator, Senator Shaheen has a strong record fighting for New Hampshire’s families and small businesses and working to expand opportunities for all Americans.

“I’m proud New Hampshire voters affirmed they want leaders who will put commonsense solutions ahead of special interests and that New Hampshire is never a consolation prize for a political opportunist.”

Washington, DC – Following the announcement that Democratic candidate Tom Wolf won the race for Pennsylvania’s gubernatorial seat, DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement:

“Tom Wolf’s resounding victory tonight makes him the first challenger to defeat an incumbent Pennsylvania governor since the state’s one-term limit was eliminated in the 1970s. Tom has the experience and leadership to bring manufacturing jobs back to the state and create good paying jobs for middle class families.

“The result speaks to how deeply unpopular Tom Corbett’s Republican policies on economics and women’s health have been with Pennsylvania voters and the urgency with which voters sought to return the state to Democratic leadership. Congratulations to Governor-elect Wolf, his campaign team, and the people of Pennsylvania.”

In recognition of Native American Heritage Month, which begins today, DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement:

“This November, we celebrate Native American Heritage Month. From our earliest days to the present, the Native American community has made lasting contributions that have shaped our national identity.

“However, we must acknowledge that these contributions to our nation have come despite a difficult history sometimes fraught with violence and broken promises. We must learn from these mistakes and resolve to do better moving forward.

“I am proud of the unprecedented commitment that President Obama’s administration has made to the Native American community, including continued engagement with tribal leaders at the annual White House Tribal National Conference. Under President Obama, Democrats included more than $3 billion in funding for tribal communities in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, expanded access to quality, affordable health care through the Affordable Care Act, and ensured the inclusion of protections for Native American women in the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.

“As we recognize Native American Heritage Month, it is an opportune time to remember that a celebration of the Native American community should not offend those we seek to honor. It is important to be mindful that the names and images we use not undermine our desire to draw strength from their values, embrace their traditions, and pay respect to their history.”

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement on the passing of Mayor Tom Menino:

“On behalf of the Democratic Party, I would like to express our profound sadness on the passing of Mayor Tom Menino. There are few figures so intimately connected with their hometown as were Tom Menino and Boston. He loved the city and its people, and devoted his life to them; for that, they loved him back.

“I would like to extend my condolences to Mayor Menino’s family and the people of Boston for their loss. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.”