I can't believe it's finally here! For months, our team's been working around the clock reviewing resumes, arranging flights, coordinating logistics, and securing some of the best and brightest public servants, elected officials and political professionals to serve as mentors and guest speakers.

Tonight, we're officially kicking off the Hope Institute — a throw back to then-Senator Barack Obama's "Yes We Can" campaign school and the latest effort by Democrats to invest in the next generation of leaders.

I remember the "Yes We Can" program very well. Launched in 2005, this campaign school trained participants from underrepresented communities on how to break into politics. And it was a huge success.

When I came to the DNC as the new Finance Director, I thought it was important to do some of the things we did well back in the day. That's why we launched the Hope Institute — a crash course in politics for 40 young adults from underrepresented communities.

These next two days are going to be intense. We've put together a packed schedule with speakers, networking opportunities, and real life campaign scenarios. And we've got some surprises too.

I can't wait to meet everyone tonight and look forward to sharing stories from the events. As Democrats, we believe in change that matters. That's why we invest in young people who care.

If you'd like to invest in the next generation of Democratic leaders:

chip in now

P.S. Fun fact: I met my beautiful wife while we were working together on the "Yes We Can" campaign. And that's just one of the many great things to come out of it. Excited to get started!

Today, Vice President Joe Biden sent the following email to supporters encouraging them to take action and tell Congress to pass common-sense reforms to reduce gun violence:

Friend --

Soon after our first attempt at reducing gun violence was blocked by a minority of senators, I brought together advocates for this legislation and gave them a very clear message:

This fight is far from over.

If you're with me in the fight for common-sense legislation to reduce gun violence, let the Republicans in Congress know you're not backing down. Add your name right now.

Look, I've been in politics a long time now. And I've seen time and time again that real, lasting change isn't always immediate -- but as long as you don't give up, you can win battles that you never thought possible.

I have nothing but complete faith that Congress will pass meaningful gun laws that will save lives -- if we do everything we can to make it happen. When we band together to create change, we can win. And make no mistake, kid, it's up to us to win this fight.

Let Republicans in Congress know that you're not done fighting for common-sense reforms to reduce gun violence -- and that we won't stop until it's signed into law:

http://my.democrats.org/Reduce-Gun-Violence

Let's do this,

Joe

Today, President Barack Obama sent the following email to supporters encouraging them to support the Hope Institute, a program that helps young people from underrepresented communities break into politics:

Friend --

Across the country there are young people with great big, new ideas for our country's future who are not very likely to find their way into politics.

A store clerk in Toledo who has terrific, fresh ideas for clean energy policy, but can't afford an unpaid internship to work for his senator. A student body president in Las Vegas who watches C-SPAN religiously, but doesn't see anyone who looks like her on the House floor.

Young people like these being handed an instruction manual and shown how to succeed in shaping their country? That's not a very likely story.

But then, a skinny guy with a name that was hard for most people to pronounce getting elected president of the United States was also an unlikely story -- until you decided to make it happen.

Democrats are looking to make some exciting things happen, and I'm asking you to chip in $5 in support.

This summer, 40 young people from underrepresented communities across the country will be flown to Washington, D.C. for the Hope Institute -- a crash course in political organizing, where they'll get to hear from seasoned campaign veterans and public servants, and gain the tools to help write the next great chapter in our nation's history.

And Democrats are picking up the tab, because we believe that helping to cultivate the next generation of Democratic leaders is worth investing in -- and because sometimes the same old story won't do.

This is something that means a lot. I hope you'll support this important work.

https://my.democrats.org/Hope-Institute

Thanks,

Barack

As Democrats, our agenda is full equality under the law for every American.

Last night, I attended the DNC's annual LGBT Leadership Gala — and wow was it a great night!

Not only did we have our fabulous First Lady, Jason Collins, Sara Bareilles, and Andy Cohen in attendance, we had hundreds of Democrats fired up and ready to fight for equality.

There is no gay agenda or straight agenda. As Democrats, our only agenda is full equality under the law for every American. Because this issue isn't about politics, it’s about people's rights.

For so many Americans, when the President signed the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, it was personal. When he put in place hospital visitation rights for LGBT couples, it meant the world to some couples. When his administration established and developed the first comprehensive National HIV/AIDS Strategy, it was life-changing. And when his administration filed a brief with the Supreme Court urging them to strike down Proposition 8, he sent the message that we as Americans will not tolerate inequality.

Of course there is more to do. But by coming together at events like last night's and supporting the President and Democrats in Congress, we can do it.

It is an undeniable fact that after years of dogged determination by LGBT leaders, activists and grassroots supporters, the tide is turning in our favor. But we can’t turn back for a second.

We need to support candidates who are working toward real equality.

Please join us and fight for equal rights for every American.

Fight for equality

What I care about is keeping my child healthy — and that's what Obamacare makes possible.

My daughter Zoe was born with a congenital heart defect that required her to have multiple open heart surgeries in the first few months of her life. By the time she was six months old, she had already reached over half of her lifetime health insurance cap, which would have left us unable to pay for the continuing care and future surgeries required for Zoe to survive.

I can't tell you how relieved I was when Obamacare passed. I got a letter from our insurance company telling us that Zoe's lifetime cap had been removed. It meant my family wouldn't have to lose everything to keep my daughter alive.

By re-electing Barack Obama, Americans sent the clear message that we want Obamacare.

But for some reason, Republicans continue to fight against the will of the American people. Maybe it's because they'll do anything to stop the President from succeeding or maybe they want to keep giving insurance companies record profits. Either way, I don't care. What I care about is keeping my child healthy — and that's what Obamacare makes possible.

My family, and hundreds of thousands of families like mine across the country, have been through so much. We deserve better than Republicans continuously fighting against a policy that's been voted on, upheld by the Supreme Court, and reaffirmed by the American people.

Join me and sign this petition telling Republicans to stop trying to repeal Obamacare.

Sign the petition