Dozens of Obama alums rally to boost Biden at D.C. fundraiser
November 4, 2019
More than 30 high-ranking Obama administration officials are hosting a Wednesday soiree for Joe Biden intended to be equal parts fundraiser and public show of support for the former vice president’s 2020 campaign.
The event is taking place at the home of ex-National Economic Council director Jeff Zients and his wife, Mary, as Biden hustles to raise money before primary voting begins. Biden's fundraising flagged during the most recent quarter, but Zients and others are also trying to send a message beyond the money chase, according to people familiar with the event planning. They want to show that while some Obama allies may have drifted toward candidates newer to the national political scene, including Pete Buttigieg, Biden still has support from many of his former administration colleagues.
“There’s a dual purpose in this, first and foremost raising money and second countering that narrative of, how come there’s not more enthusiasm for him? I think there actually is,” said Pete Rouse, a Biden supporter and event host who served as White House chief of staff and counselor to the president in the Obama administration.
High-profile co-hosts of the fundraiser also include Jay Carney, former White House press secretary; Bill Daley, former White House chief of staff; Anthony Foxx, former secretary of transportation; and Michael Froman, former U.S. trade representative, according to an invitation obtained by POLITICO. Two former White House counsels — Bob Bauer and Kathryn Ruemmler — are also helping host the event. Anita Dunn, former White House communications director who has been working as an advisor to the Biden campaign, is also a host.
Several people who advised Obama on national security issues are also hosting, including former national security adviser Tom Donilon (the brother of longtime Biden adviser Mike Donilon) and homeland security advisor Lisa Monaco.
Tickets for the event range from $1,000 to $2,800, the maximum donation for the primary campaign, according to the invitation.
On Sunday, Biden attended another high-dollar fundraiser at the home of former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, where another group of Obama alumni backed him up, including Donilon, Tony Blinken, the former deputy secretary of state, and former Ambassador Catherine Russell.
Several high-profile former Obama alumni have turned to other candidates running for the Democratic presidential nomination this year. Jen O’Malley Dillon, who was the deputy campaign manager Obama's 2012 reelection campaign, signed on as campaign manager for Beto O’Rourke, who dropped out of the race on Friday. And Buttigieg has drawn repeated praise from former Obama senior adviser David Axelrod. Carney, who is hosting this week’s event, also donated to Buttigieg.
Biden raised less money than top 2020 rivals Buttigieg, Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders during the most recent fundraising period. Since then, the campaign and its fundraisers have tried to pick up the pace, drawing in more donations from both in-person events and online. Biden also reversed his earlier opposition to having a super PAC help his campaign, clearing the way for a group of former aides and advisers to start an unlimited-money outside group.
Source: https://www.politico.com/
