The Time Is Now by Katie Walsh

Catherine, The Obama Administration is on the run - the White House is still spiraling from multiple recent scandals, Obamacare is being put on hold, and Democrats are divided on key issues such as student loans. Meanwhile, we already have started putting boots on the ground to build a permanent campaign across the country. This is why we need your help - today! There are only 5 days left until our next big fundraising goal and we are raising money to fund the largest voter outreach effort our party has ever seen. We are working to oust the Democrats in 2014, take the White House in 2016, and build a foundation for our party for decades to come. Contribute $25, $50, $75 or whatever you can today to help up reach every American with the Republican message! Thank you, Katie Walsh RNC Finance Director

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Don't miss your chance! by GOP Store

Catherine, Summer is going by fast, and we don’t want you to miss your chance to get your summer GOP gear! These patriotic Tees are perfect for upcoming barbeques, sporting events and spending time with friends. Get your limited edition GOP T-shirt while supplies last! Get your special edition Tshirt today!

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Barack needs you, right now by Michelle Obama

Friend --

There's a lot of noise and talk and back-and-forth going on in Washington, but hardly any of it seems to be about the struggles that middle-class families face.

When I was growing up, a family like mine -- living on my hard-working father's salary at the city water plant -- could build a solid life without much debt and without relying on any form of public assistance. Today, for too many families, that American promise is no longer within reach.

Barack is working to fix that and he needs solid Democrats in Congress to help him. Chip in $10 or more today to support Democrats who are going to get Barack's back.

It's easy to get frustrated and cynical about politics. Now that the excitement of the presidential campaign has faded, it is so tempting to wait another four years to re-engage.

But make no mistake about it -- while some are tuning out, others are tuning in. They're doing everything they can to make their voices heard. We're seeing the effects of that kind of imbalance every single day.

You've had Barack's back since the election -- thank you for that. If you can, please chip in $10 or more today to support the Democrats fighting for his agenda:

https://my.democrats.org/Now

Thanks,

Michelle

P.S. -- Please don't wait for the next presidential election to get involved --we've got to get going right now. That's the only way we'll get it done.

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Thanks to you by Chris McNulty

Catherine, Today the Republican National Committee announced the first wave of State Director hires who will play a key role in our new 50 state strategy focused on building relationships and a better operation across the county. Without a doubt, we would not have been able to take this major step forward without the support and generosity of grassroots leaders such as yourself. Our first wave included state directors on the ground in California, Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.  Furthermore we have deployed a field staff of nearly 150 – the earliest Republicans have ever met these benchmarks. We will continue rolling out staff and offices across the country in the coming weeks. And by the end of the year we will have hundreds of staff and nearly 100 offices across the country. This is the largest and earliest nationwide staffing and infrastructure build out we have ever seen, and will help Republicans up and down the ticket for cycles to come. With the next fundraising deadline fast approaching, please contribute $25, $50, $100, or whatever you can today to support our goal of strengthening Republicans in all 50 states. With your help, we will turn America red.  Sincerely, Chris McNulty RNC Political Director

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Tell Us What You Think About Obamacare! by Mike Shields

Catherine, The Democrats have desperately tried everything in their power to change America’s opinion of Obamacare. From spending millions of dollars to give the law a PR makeover, to delaying implementation in an attempt to protect themselves from retribution at the polls — we are sick of the Democrats’ trying to pull the wool over our eyes. For four years we have heard President Obama and his liberal allies tell us that Obamacare will shrink health care costs and create jobs. Today we know the opposite to be true, and we are tired of the lies. Tell us what you think. Take our Obamacare survey and tell the Democrats how you really feel about this disastrous law!  It is time we made our voices heard. Thanks, Mike Shields RNC Chief of Staff

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REPLY: I have never seen such a biased and unscientific poll in my life! This is ridiculous. 

And bravo! By advertising this poll via your Republican mailing list, you are guaranteed to have a majority of people say that they agree with you, thus making your results even MORE incorrect. No, I will not contribute any of my money to your campaign. 

Building A Permanent Campaign by Reince Priebus

Catherine, This summer has been all about building our ground game, and so far we are making great strides towards our Growth and Opportunity Project goals. Our vision of building a permanent campaign across the country is becoming a reality, but it wouldn’t be possible without your tremendous support. In June I was proud to announce new state-level hires for engaging with the Asian and Pacific Islander, African American, and Hispanic communities.  But we can’t stop there. We only have 8 days left until the end of the quarter, and we need your help to continue the progress we are making. Your investment in the RNC will enable us to continue hiring new staff and building crucial relationships across the country. Working together, I am confident we can earn voters’ trust and ensure Republican victories across the board in 2014, 2016 and beyond. Contribute $25, $50, $75 or whatever you can today to help up reach every American with the Republican message! Thanks, Reince Priebus Chairman, Republican National Committee

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REPLY: The only way you'll earn my trust is if you start supporting some of the "common sense" mandates I believe in:

• Reducing congressional salaries to what they are in their home district
• Reducing congressional pensions/health care, etc to reflect that of the rest of America
• Reducing congressional travel expenses to just those incurred while going to and from the beginning and end of each session--all other travel comes out of pocket
• Reducing the total amount of campaign donations allowed each electoral session to a reasonable amount so that the ability to raise money (belong to the right political groups) is NOT more important than a candidate's actual abilities.
• Mandating that a candidate's name be associated with each advertisement made during an election, even in the case of negative ads. Candidates must take responsibility for every ad.
• Lobbyist groups cannot fund campaign ads without the candidates approval.

I think these make a good start.

The UNaffordable Care Act by Kris Anderson

Catherine, Obamacare was supposed to make health care more affordable for most Americans, but it is doing the opposite. The more we learn about the costs associated with this law, the more we see how detrimental it will be for our country. In short, the “Affordable Care Act” isn’t so affordable after all. This is why we need your help. Contribute $25, $50, $100, or whatever you can today to help us repeal this disastrous law.  Thanks, Kris Anderson RNC Research Director P.S. Share this infographic with your friends and show them just how bad Obamacare is for Americans!

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Reply: Your first two "By the Numbers" are opinions only. They are not based on any fact except what the people polled THINK will happen. As the program has yet to be implemented, actual effects are as yet unknown.

$255 increase in household premiums every month. WHY? Convince me that insurance companies aren't artificially increasing rates because they can blame it on the law. 

Why will 7 million people lose their employer based health insurance? What changes are being made BY THE LAW which makes employers who could afford to offer insurance suddenly not? Or, again, are employers dropping coverage simply because they can blame it on the law rather than because they expect it to cost them more?

How about providing some different numbers? Such as the total amount spent on health care last year alone? How much of that was out of individuals pockets? How much by insurance companies? How much by the government? How much are health care costs expected to rise in the next few years? What are THOSE projected increases in premiums?

Which costs more in the long run: an insured person or an uninsured person?

I'll tell you what: by Barack Obama

Friend --

I will spend the next three and a half years doing everything I can to work with anyone -- Democrat, Republican, or independent -- to fight for middle class families.

But I'll tell you what: it would be a lot easier if I had a Democratic House and a Democratic Senate to do it.

Chip in $5 or more today to support Democratic candidates who are going to come to Washington and help get things done.

There are some Republicans in Congress willing to work with us and compromise -- and I'm going to work with those people to solve the challenges we face and share the tough decisions.

But too often, Republicans seem more committed to gridlock than getting to yes. They seem more interested in stopping us at any cost than in helping the next generation.

That's what we're up against. It's going to be absolutely critical that you feel the same urgency and intensity over the next year and a half leading up to the midterm elections as you did in 2008 and 2012, otherwise we could be in trouble.

If you do, then we can take back the House and we can keep the Senate in Democratic hands. That will allow me to appoint outstanding judges to the federal bench. That will allow us to ensure that we are making progress on issues like creating jobs and climate change and education that are critically important for the next generation.

It can be done -- but it can only be done with your support:

https://my.democrats.org/Right-Now

Thanks,

Barack

It's up to you by Chris McNulty

Catherine, In March, we released the Growth and Opportunity Report outlining a roadmap for rebuilding our party, and we have worked every single day since to execute these plans. In four short months, our political team has grown exponentially. Our field team has gone from a mere 3 employees to almost 150, and this number continues to grow every week. These men and women are in communities right now building the relationships necessary to win elections and change America’s course. We are building an army to fight for every state, neighborhood and community but it takes money to compete with Obama’s ground team. This is why we need you— help us expand this field army, train it, and equip it with the tools to reclaim our country and help turn America red. Contribute $25, $50, $100 or whatever you can today to help us spread the Republican message of prosperity to every American. Thanks for all you do, Chris McNulty RNC Political Director

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REPLY: I didn't realize that we were in the midst of a civil war. Shouldn't you worry about folks taking your analogy too far and baring real arms and taking real lives? Many in your ranks do believe that playing violent video games removes individuals so far from reality that they do not understand the consequences of taking a life. Isn't getting drawn into your version of reality, this "virtual reality of civil war", the same thing?

Careful that you don't get so caught up by buzz words that you get lost in the fact that you actually agree with your "enemies". For example, you wouldn't sell your car to a person who didn't hold a driver's license, correct? Then why would you allow the sale of weapons to individuals who are not legally allowed to obtain them. I mean, of course, of the very many person-to-person gun sales which involve no background checks. Yes, hopefully many of these transactions are done with good intentions in mind, but the reality is that we have no idea how many and for what purpose they are done. But in a realistic system, while we might not be able to stop such transactions, we'll at least be able to hold the seller accountable for being the crack in the system that contributes to the deaths of thousands of children and innocent adults every year.

Take A Stand by Sharon Day

Catherine, Two weeks ago, White House officials announced a one-year delay in implementation of key Obamacare initiatives. Obamacare was supposed to make healthcare more affordable for most Americans, but it is doing the opposite. And instead of trying to fix the problem, Democrats are pushing back implementation to save their electoral chances in 2014. Take a stand. Join us in holding the Democrats accountable for this train wreck. Contribute $5 today to receive your “Obama Doesn’t Care” bumper sticker! Thanks, Sharon Day RNC Co-Chair

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REPLY: Once again, please EXPLAIN exactly how Obamacare will be more expensive for MOST of Americans? Are they the ones currently freeloading who will now be expected to pay a modest sum? Are they the employers who take home millions every year in salary while the lowest of their employees are FORCED INTO welfare because they cannot afford the basic costs of living? Or are you full of it and making stuff up to get votes? 

49% of Americans admit to not understanding the health care bill. Mightn't it be in EVERYONE'S best interest for you to help us understand? By using ALL it's passages as evidence to your claims? Or are you confusing us more by your loaded questions meant to cause "reasonable doubt"? 

Obamacare Train Wreck by Mike Shields

Catherine, Last week, the Obama administration made a unilateral decision to delay Obamacare’s employer mandate until after the midterm elections, leaving the individual mandate intact. But it’s not fair that only businesses get a delay. All Americans deserve a permanent delay of this unworkable, increasingly disastrous law. Obamacare is as unpopular as ever. Healthcare costs are rising, millennials will see higher premiums, and employers are cutting hours to avoid costly regulations – now the Democrats are worried it will be detrimental to their electoral chances. Contribute $25, $50, $100 or whatever you can today to help us hold the Democrats accountable for this train wreck. Thanks, Mike Shields RNC Chief of Staff

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REPLY:

Umm...who is paying for those who don't have insurance? Leprechauns? Or tax dollars?

Harry Reid Goes Nuclear by Reince Priebus

Catherine, Last week, Harry Reid moved one step closer to executing the “nuclear option” in the U.S. Senate – an unprecedented step that would erode a key check on President Obama’s liberal agenda.  Unable to ram the President’s nominees through the Senate unabated, Reid is looking to change the rules as it suits him This will effectively end Senate Republican’s right to filibuster any or all of these presidential selections—a move that President Obama and Vice President Biden support! It seems that Obama, Reid, and Biden all have short-term memories. It was not too long ago that all three opposed the nuclear option. Now that the Democrats are back in control of the Senate, they are fine with this form of flagrant disregard for the traditions of the Senate and divided government. As we learned with Obamacare, this Administration and its liberal allies are more than willing to throw precedent out the window to get what they want. We cannot stand idly by while Harry Reid and President Obama unilaterally force their liberal agenda on the American people. Sign the petition today to help us hold Harry Reid and President Obama accountable. Sincerely, Reince Priebus Chairman, Republican National Committee

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REPLY: And what exactly is the actual benefit of filibustering? Other than wasting time, that is. If you all could learn how to compromise and work together (I believe it's covered in kindergarten), the filibuster would be a redundant passage in the rules and regulations section.

Late last night... by Simone Ward, Democrats.org

Friend -- Across the country, anti-choice activists are paying attention to what you're going to do right now. Late last night, the Texas legislature passed an extraordinarily restrictive law that will make it illegal for a woman to receive an abortion after 20 weeks, and may shutter all but five of the 42 abortion clinics in the state. The impact of this law will be felt by women and families far outside of Texas, because its passage will embolden the forces all around the country who want to roll back the right of a woman to make her own health decisions, one state at a time. Stopping them will require both resources and political will. Show them you're not going to let them win -- add your name to the petition now. Thousands of people -- men and women alike -- joined together to protest this bill. And those people are committed to fighting back over the long haul and turning the great state of Texas blue. But across the country, anti-choice activists are watching us, and any hint of resignation will be an encouragement for them to keep their campaign going into more and more states. We need everyone on board. Say you're in: http://my.democrats.org/Womens-Health Thanks, Simone Simone Ward National Director of Women's Outreach Democratic National Committee

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Building the local team by Chris McNulty

Catherine, Four months ago, we released our Growth and Opportunity Report, and we have been working every day since to turn ideas into actions. We are expanding our unprecedented efforts to engage voters earlier than ever by announcing key hires in Virginia. Our new state director, director of African American Engagement, and four field directors will enable us to win in key 2013 elections as well as build a permanent campaign across the country. These new hires are joining our team of staffers nationwide who are helping us build the largest and most robust GOP field operation in history. We are working hard to earn votes for upcoming elections, but we cannot do this without your support. Your donation today will help us fund our new national field program and put hundreds of boots on the ground, building personal relationships with voters in all 50 states. Contribute $25, $50, $100, or whatever you can today and help us turn America Red one state at a time! Thanks for all you do! Chris McNulty RNC Political Director

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REPLY: Please describe in intimate detail why I should not think that in any way does your activity constitute "buying votes". I'm thinking, of course, of recent censure of the State Department for paying to increase their number of Facebook friends.

We're not going back by Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Friend -- Republicans in Texas thought they could pass legislation that would effectively shut down women's health clinics and no one would put up a fight. But then Wendy Davis stood up -- and she kept standing up for 11 hours. Thousands upon thousands joined her in Texas and across the country. But Rick Perry and the Republican-controlled Texas legislature are still trying to ram it through. If you look at what Republicans are doing to restrict a woman's ability to make her own health care decisions in Texas, North Carolina, Wisconsin and 14 other states including Virginia, it's hard not to think that they want to turn back the clock a few decades. Well, here's some news for those Republicans: we're not going back. Tens of thousands of Democrats, men and women alike, have been standing up to be heard -- and you should be part of it. Say you're in. First, Texas. Then, last week in North Carolina, Republicans introduced a similar bill just before the Fourth of July holiday. Over the weekend in Wisconsin, Republican Governor Scott Walker quietly signed a highly restrictive measure while everyone was out for the holiday. Maybe he thought no one would notice. But we noticed. People are standing up in North Carolina and Wisconsin, along with people like you in Virginia -- and in states across the country that Republicans have targeted for legislation that restricts women's access to health care. Democrats are determined to do everything it takes to stand with Wendy Davis and everyone else fighting for women's rights. Say you're with us in this, because we need your help: http://my.democrats.org/Womens-Health Thanks, Debbie Debbie Wasserman Schultz Chair Democratic National Committee

Paid for by the Democratic National Committee, 430 S. Capitol St. SE, Washington DC 20003 and not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Contributions or gifts to the Democratic National Committee are not tax deductible. This email was sent to flusche.catherine@gmail.com. If this isn't the best email address at which to reach you, update your contact information. Our email list is the best way we have of staying in regular contact with supporters like you across the country and letting you know about the work President Obama and other Democrats are doing. Click here to unsubscribe from our supporter list. This organization is powered by you, and we'd love to hear your ideas. Send us any comments, criticisms, or feedback here. Thanks for supporting President Obama and other Democrats. REPLY: Here's a new compromise for you to try: For every new anti-abortion (or anti-women's health as you refer to it) law that passes, there should be a 10% increase in the budget for education, health care, and especially Child Protective Services. 400,000 children in foster care is a travesty.

Catherine, do they finally get it? by Reince Priebus

Catherine, Last week, White House officials announced a one-year delay in implementation of key Obamacare initiatives. This is another setback for President Obama's signature legislation. Democrats are finally starting to realize that as more information on this law gets out, it will cause them to lose the Senate, and there will be no chance of retaking the House. This is why they are taking a big step back, putting key components on hold until after the 2014 midterm elections. We have always known that Obamacare is a bad law that will be detrimental for our country— now the Democrats are worried it will be detrimental to their electoral chances. Sign the petition to hold President Obama and the Democrats accountable! Sincerely, Reince Priebus Chairman, Republican National Committee

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REPLY: Have you or have you not been pestering the Obama Administration to push back the implementation of this law?

The only concession I'll give you is that there's been too much confusion about what is or isn't in the law...which Republicans are equally guilty of propagating. But then when the Obama Administration tries to educate the public against the misinformation that Republicans are spreading (I saw the commercial recently full of loaded questions and zero answers which is an obvious ploy to spread fear), they're once again getting censured.

Gear up this Summer! by GOP Store

Catherine, Summer is here and it is the perfect time to gear up at the GOP store! Celebrate the season and show off your American pride with our special edition t-shirts. These patriotic Ts are perfect for upcoming barbeques, sports games, and all your other summer celebrations. Get your special edition Tshirt today!

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Partisan Bickering over Students Loans by Sharon Day

Catherine, Yesterday, students all over the country saw interest rates double on their student loans thanks to Harry Reid and Senate Democrats. House Republicans passed a bipartisan plan that would keep student loan rates low. Despite the fact that the Republican legislation contained the same reforms proposed by President Obama himself, Democrat leadership refused to come to the table and agree to bipartisan solutions. The Democrats have decided to place partisan bickering ahead of our nation's students. This is unacceptable. Sign the petition to tell President Obama and Senate Democrats to stop playing politics with student loans!  Thanks, Sharon Day RNC Co-Chair

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REPLY:Do explain this: tieing "the interest to the U.S. Treasury 10-year rate plus 3 percentage points and direct any savings to deficit reduction"--how exactly would it affect my loans. Or better yet, my children's loans. What will the rates be in 50 years?

Student loan interest rates should ONLY cover the cost of managing the loan plus a reasonable amount of inflation so that the fund can be used to fund the educations of our future students. It should NOT be going into the pockets of bank presidents.

There are a number of reasonable compromises that don't involve charging students anything more. Like making government student loans the actual responsibility of the government instead of a private bank who is making a profit. Or better yet, giving the loans over to the schools in question to run and, hey, how about letting them hire students to do the work so that they can learn a thing or two? Or how about not making such risky loans if the default rate is so high?

I personally like the idea from the school where you get a free education after promising to pay a percentage of your future income for X number of years thus the price of college is dependent on it's value.