The Daily Digest: Super PACs GOTV
Good morning! Here are five political stories you should be following today.
1. Clinton's appeal with African Americans.
Hillary Clinton's campaign is apparently getting nervous about primary challengers in her own party, namely Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. But Clinton may have the nomination locked up regardless because of her appeal to African American voters - a reliable constituency for Democrats. (National Journal)
2. "Hillary is [fill-in-the-blank]."
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Here's a fascinating peek behind the campaign machine: A super PAC is coaching Clinton supporters on their talking points about the candidates. As the Washington Post reports, the idea is to "nurture a seemingly grass roots echo chamber of Clinton supporters reading from the same script across the communities that dot New Hampshire, a critical state that hosts the nation’s first presidential primary." (The Washington Post)
3. PACs go GOTV.
Meanwhile, super PACs are gearing up to do something else this election season that they haven't in the past: organize voters. It's just another way a new wave of independent political groups that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money on specific candidates are chipping away at the traditional party structure, which has long taken the lead on get-out-the-vote efforts. (The New York Times)
4. Oil train disasters.
DFL lawmakers and some local government officials are calling on Minnesota railroad officials to make public the emergency plans they recently submitted to the state for dealing with an oil train disaster. (MPR News)
5. Child care fraud.
The Department of Human Services is investigating child care fraud after learning that some are getting cash from the state illegally. (The Star Tribune)