WASHINGTON -- Senior campaign advisers to Hillary Clinton met with Senate Democrats during their weekly luncheon on Tuesday to talk about the former secretary of state's presidential bid.
John Podesta, Clinton's campaign chairman, and Amanda Renteria, her political director, met with Democrats to talk broadly about the campaign, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) told reporters afterward.
Reid joked that Podesta and Renteria are well-known within the Democratic caucus, given that "Podesta has been everybody's chief of staff."
Reid said he appreciated the duo coming to speak with Democrats.
Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) told reporters he wasn't sure how the invitation was extended to Podesta and Renteria, but that he'd be open to hearing from other Democrats who decide to run for the nomination.
Durbin said Podesta talked about the "basic themes" of Clinton's campaign during the visit.
"[He talked] about making sure America knows we are focused on middle income Americans, that we are not taking any votes for granted and that it's going to be an inclusive campaign from start to finish," Durbin said.
He added that he liked how Clinton started her campaign by hopping in a van and driving to Iowa.
"That simple gesture, that 36 hours of driving, said a lot about what she thinks this campaign needs to be," Durbin said.
Podesta and Renteria didn't take any questions from the caucus, but the visit signals Clinton's focus on wooing as many Democrats as possible to her side early.
Podesta, Renteria and additional Clinton aides plan to meet with more congressional Democrats Tuesday evening at the home of Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), according to Politico.
Clinton is currently campaigning for two days in New Hampshire. She announced her bid for the Democratic nomination earlier this month.
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