Albright teams up with DCCC on fundraising drive

Democrats are hoping former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is what the party needs to win a fundraising battle it is calling a "referendum" on the Obama White House.

In an unusual letter sent to party members on Monday, Albright encourages supporters to "personally take a stand today by showing the world that we stand with President Obama and that we will not falter." The goal, she explains, is $1 million by Sept. 30 -- the Federal Election Commission's third-quarter reporting deadline.

"September 30th marks the FEC filing deadline - this date is extremely important because in the world of public affairs, the amount of money Democrats raise will be seen as a referendum on President Obama's leadership and momentum," Albright writes.

"Every new president inherits headaches, but President Obama has inherited an entire emergency room," she adds. "Our struggle to reclaim our standing in the world has been challenging, but we are making progress. Together, we will need to continue to speak up, fight back, and give President Obama the support he needs to succeed."

So far, the campaign has raised about $250,000, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee reported on Monday.