Does the DCCC support Hillary Clinton?

Today is Hillary Clinton’s 60th birthday. While Bill Clinton had already sent out an email asking for birthday wishes (and contributions) via the campaign, it was strange to see that today, the exact same email went out - but from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). Via The Politico, the text of the email is as follows:

Dear Friend,

Sign Hillary’s Card
In 36 years, Hillary and I have shared a lot of birthdays, and each year I’m amazed at everything she has accomplished. This is a very special year: We’re celebrating Hillary’s 60th, and I hope you’ll join me in sending her a birthday message, sharing your wishes for her and your hopes for the coming year.

I’ll make sure to share your message with Hillary. And please encourage your friends and family to send their messages as well.

You can see my birthday message to Hillary and add your own here:
[Click here to sign the card]

I know how happy Hillary will be to hear from you on her birthday. Thank you for helping me to make her day special.

Sincerely,
Bill Clinton

There are a few notable problems with this. First, it looks bad for a group that represents all House Democrats to look like it is making an endorsement. Second, Clinton is in the Senate; were a campaign organization going to solicit contributions, it would more likely be the Democratic Senatorial Candidate Committee (DSCC), not the DCCC. Lastly, this isn’t just a way to solicit birthday wishes; the email leads to Clinton’s campaign website and has a link to contribute from the email (see a screenshot from Daily Kos here).

The current DCCC chair, Rep. Chris Van Hollen, hasn’t endorsed anyone in the race. However, the former DCCC chair, Rep. Rahm Emanuel, is a strong Clinton supporter. There’s plenty of impropriety surrounding this, and it makes Clinton look all the more arrogant for acting like the ‘inevitable’ candidate. While the DCCC has tried to explain this away as a ‘cross-pollination’ of email lists, it’s about as weak an explanation as one can get for it.