Jesse Ferguson (Credit: Tom Williams / Congressional Quarterly / Roll Call)
In an April 10, 2015 email, Clinton’s deputy press secretary Jesse Ferguson describes an “off-the-record” cocktail party for “key national reporters, influential reporters, anchors and editors. … Especially (though not exclusively) those that are based in New York.” Top level Clinton staff are also invited. It is to take place one day later in the home of Clinton strategist Joel Benenson, in the Upper East Side of New York City.
The memo also lists the pre-campaign goals Clinton’s staff hopes to achieve by having the cocktail party:
- Give reporters their first thoughts from team HRC [Clinton] in advance of the announcement
- Setting expectations for the announcement and launch period
- Framing the HRC message and framing the race
- Enjoy a Friday night drink before working more
Thirty-eight “influential reporters, anchors and editors” are also listed, and agree to attend the party. (Wikileaks, 10/12/2016)
A second email sent on Apil 6, 2015 indicates a second dinner party is also planned for “April 9th at 7:00 p.m. Dinner at the Home of John Podesta. … This will be with about 20 reporters who will closely cover the campaign (aka the bus).” (Wikileaks, 10/16/2016)
A list of media outlets who attend one or both parties are listed as follows: ABC, Bloomberg, CBS, CNN, Daily Beast, Glover Park Group, Huffington Post, MORE, MSNBC, NBC, New Yorker, New York Times, People, Politico, Vice and Vox.
These emails will be released by Wikileaks in October, 2016.