Explore every episode of the podcast Pro Politics with Zac McCrary
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forrest Claypool & A Master Class in Chicago Politics | 15 Oct 2024 | 00:59:59 | |
Forrest Claypool has one of the most impressive and varied resumes in politics...early campaign and operative work with David Axelrod and Rahm Emanuel, two-time Chief of Staff to the mayor of Chicago, opposing Barack Obama in mock debates in his 2004 Senate race, running the Chicago Park District, Chicago Transit Authority, and Chicago Board of Education, elected to the Cook County Board, intense races against the Chicago machine, and now author of the new book - The Daley Show - about the 20+ year tenure of Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley. In this conversation, Forrest talks his path from small town Southern, IL to breaking into politics to his time running major city departments to being an integral part of the Chicago machine before running against the machine a few years later and deep into the last 40+ years of Chicago politics through the impact of the mayoralty of Richard M. Daley. | |||
| Senator Mark Udall & A Life in Politics | 01 Oct 2024 | 00:59:04 | |
Mark Udall, former Democratic US Senator and House member from Colorado, comes from the famed Udall family of the Mountain West - including his father, Congressman Mo Udall, and uncle, former Interior Secretary Stewart Udall under both JFK & LBJ. But Mark Udall largely stayed away from politics until his mid 40s - having an entire career within the outdoor leadership organization Outward Bound. However, once he flipped the switch to politics, his ascent was rapid: elected to the Colorado State House in 1996, the US House in 1998, and the US Senate in 2008. In this conversation, Senator Udall talks his famous political family, his own early relationship to politics, and memories of 20+ years in elected office that span both highs and lows - with great stories and insights from someone with one of the most unique arcs in American politics. Lessons about public service learned from his mother... Growing up in a political family of with a Congressman for a father and Cabinet Secretary for an uncle... The political legacy of his father, Mo Udall.... Old Mountain West connections among the Udalls, Goldwaters, and Romneys... Mark works New Hampshire for his father's 1976 presidential campaign... The 20-year career he had before entering politics... Running for office for the first time in his late 40s... Mark rolls out his Bill Clinton impression... What surprised him most - both positives and negatives - about serving in Congress... The behind-the-scenes machinations of why he didn't run for Senate in 2004 and did run in 2008... Why he was caught flatfooted in his 2014 Senate re-election... Memories of some of the most intense moments on the floor of the House and Senate... The now-infamous role the issue of abortion played in his 2014 race against Cory Gardner... Why he was one of the few members of Congress to list "no religious affiliation" in his bio... The current projects he's most interested in... The Mark Udall recommendations for traveling through Colorado...
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| Debbie Cox Bultan, CEO of NewDEAL, on 30+ Years Working in the Center-Left | 25 Jun 2024 | 00:39:54 | |
Debbie Cox Bultan has been working in Democratic politics for more than 30 years, including more than a decade at the Democratic Leadership Council and then helping start NewDEAL where she is now the CEO. At NewDEAL, she works to connect pro-growth progressive leaders and help raise their profiles and amplify their ideas. In this conversation, she talks about the Hill internship that drew her to a career in politics, lessons learned managing campaigns, her long tenure at the influential DLC think tank, what has gone in to starting and growing New Deal over the last several years, and some of her top priorities heading into the 2024 elections. Growing up in an apolitical, middle-class family in Sacramento... A formative DC internship for her local Congressman, Vic Fazio... Debbie's early experiences working in CA campaign fundraising and managing... Debbie's 15 years working at the DLC, the Democratic Leadership Council & the impact the DLC had on American politics... Starting the center-left NewDEAL non-profit to engage and promote young Democratic leaders... Using Pete Buttigieg as an example to talk through the role NewDEAL can play in the rise of a public figure... How Debbie has worked to develop to a well-rounded skillset to lead a national organization... The "Freedom Agenda" NewDEAL has helped develop... The role Debbie sees the issue of abortion rights playing in the '24 election cycle... Advice for the next generation of political operatives... Debbie's most unusual, successful work habit... | |||
| Roger Lau, Warren 2020 Campaign Manager & Deputy ED of the DNC | 17 May 2022 | 00:50:52 | |
Roger Lau has one of the most unique origin stories in all of politics. Growing up in Queens as the child of Chinese immigrants, he dropped out of high school...before eventually getting back on track, getting his GED, and taking a fateful Political Science course at UMass Amherst. Roger talks mistakes and lessons from his early days, how he re-focused his life, and the incredible job interview that led him to an internship that shaped the rest of his life. Roger also shares how he entered the world of Elizabeth Warren in 2012, his perspective as manager of the Warren 2020 presidential campaign, and what motivated him to join the DNC after the 2020 elections. Roger grows up in Queens as the son of Chinese immigrants… Mistakes Roger made early and how he got back on the right track… Early political memories from Roger’s childhood… The amazing confluence of events that led to Roger interning for Senator John Kerry… Roger speaks to the John Kerry he’s seen up-close and personal… The role that served as Roger’s “big break” rising through the ranks of politics… The roles Ayanna Pressley has played in Roger’s career… The Roger Lau 101 for effective campaign managers… Roger’s entry point into the world of Elizabeth Warren… Roger takes the helm of the Warren 2020 campaign… Roger talks the elements that made the Warren campaign unique… Two things other 2020 primary campaigns did that impressed Roger… What makes Elizabeth Warren unique as a political figure… What sparked Roger’s interest in going to work at the DNC… What Roger thinks political operatives should understand about the AAPI community… AND 123 miles, the 7 line, Joe Biden, Scott Brown, Pete Buttigieg, campaign unions, cardboard corrugating factories, Julian Castro, clown t-shirts, Dorchester, Dunkin Donuts, GEDs, generational talents, hot leads, Jesse Jackson, Joe Kennedy, late night dinners, Monopoly, PS 11, Quincy, Juan Rodriguez, Rockaway Beach, John Rocker, rocket science, Roosevelt Avenue, Maya Rupert, selfie lines, Faiz Shakir, Shea Stadium, the Springfield Republican, teaching America, ugly suits, UMass Amherst, unpaid internships, Washington Square Park, wingwomen, Woodside, Worcester, & more! | |||
| The NYT's Alex Burns & Jonathan Martin, Authors of THIS WILL NOT PASS | 10 May 2022 | 00:46:41 | |
You no doubt know that Alex Burns and Jonathan Martin, both of the New York Times, recently released their new book THIS WILL NOT PASS…chronicling the last few years of our politics…including Trump’s time in office, the 2020 election and aftermath, the January 6 insurrection, and the first phase of the Biden Administration. In this conversation, they go deep on many of the stories in their book – including some background and asides not fleshed out in the book and stories you won’t have heard from them amidst their recent media blitz. Does Donald Trump really think he won the 2020 election or is this all subterfuge to refuse to acknowledge he lost? Which US Senator was prescient in anticipating exactly how Trump would cast doubt on the results post election? Why hasn’t President George W. Bush been more vocal against Trump? One Republican Senator who typifies the GOP establishment’s difficulty managing Trump? How many Republicans would’ve impeached and removed Trump were it a secret ballot? Inside Mitch McConnell’s decision to back Trump on impeachment… Whose hold on his caucus is more tenuous…Mitch McConnell or Kevin McCarthy… The conventional wisdom of what a post-Pelosi Democratic caucus looks like… Inside the Biden VP process… Inside GOP attempts to woo Senator Manchin to switch parties… Weighing in on rumors Trump flirted with dumping Mike Pence from the 2020 ticket… The backbench Republican Congressman who captured the House GOP sentiment to give Trump a pass for January 6… The Democratic Governor who was one of their favorite interviews… The failed GOP Senate recruit who shows the changing of the guard in the Republican Party… The interview with the House Republican that demonstrates “the beauty of reporting…”… The two colleagues they specifically mention in the acknowledgements… The Southern influence on the New York Times… Off-the-beaten-path political book recommendations from both Alex and Jonathan… AND Air Force One, Lamar Alexander, Don Bacon, Howard Baker, Dean Baquet, Beau Biden, John Boehner, Josh Bolton, Rick Bragg, Mo Brooks, Jeb Bush, Robert Caro, Turner Catledge, Liz Cheney, Chris Christie, Katherine Clark, Hillary Clinton, colonoscopies, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, convenient self-justification, Bob Corker, defied admonitions, difficult truths, Dixiecrats, Duck Run, Tammy Duckworth, Dwight Eisenhower, Facebook, Fox News, Jeffrey Frank, Maggie Haberman, Kamala Harris, Bill Haslam, the House Steering Committee, Sasha Issenberg, Pramila Jayapal, Hakeem Jeffries, Bill Johnson, Jim Jordan, John F Kennedy, Michelle Lujan Grisham, Patrick McHenry, Mt Rushmore, musical chairs, Richard Nixon, Kristi Noem, normie Republicans, Robert Novak, the Progressive Caucus, Howell Raines, real damn Democrats, red carpets, Reservoir Dogs, Campbell Robertson, Karl Rove, Steve Scalise, Brian Schatz, Adam Schiff, Ted Strickland, Gay Talese, Harry Truman, useful fig leaves, JD Vance, Gretchen Whitmer, Roger Wicker, Steve Womack, worry-mongering, Jeff Zients…& more! | |||
| Hazel Wong, Global Campaigns Director at The Nature Conservancy | 03 May 2022 | 00:43:25 | |
Hazel Wong is the Director of Global Conservation Campaigns at The Nature Conservancy, one of the world’s largest and most successful environmental organizations. In this conversation, Hazel talks growing up on the island nation of The Seychelles, how political upheaval forced her family to migrate to the U.S., the future member of Congress who became a political mentor, and experiences and lessons from nearly 20 years helping win environmental ballot measures. IN THIS EPISODE… Hazel talks memories of the first few years of her life growing up on the island nation of Seychelles… Hazel’s father becomes a political prisoner… Why it became necessary for Hazel’s family to leave her home and move to the U.S… Hazel experiences culture shock once her family moves to Las Vegas… The American politician Hazel’s father regularly complained about… The future member of Congress who became a mentor to Hazel and steered her toward a career in politics… How Hazel first connected with The Nature Conservancy… The Hazel Wong best practices on ballot measures which have led to a 88% success rate… Hazel talks lessons from winning a campaign in Minnesota and losing a measure in Utah… Hazel’s thoughts on how a lack of shared resources is compromising the effectiveness of the environmental movement… Hazel talks how climate change has become an “identity issue” and how that makes progress more difficult… Why “gloom and doom” climate and change messaging makes it harder to communicate with Americans… What Hazel has learned about effectively managing teams over the past 20 years… Hazel provides an update on the progress making the environmental movement more diverse… Hazel’s tips on building a professional network… Hazel updates her thoughts on the concept of a personal “likability number”… Hazel’s travel hacks… & much more! | |||
| Dem Strategist Jesse Ferguson on Hillary '16, Messaging 101, & Healing the World | 26 Apr 2022 | 00:51:33 | |
Jesse Ferguson is a top Democratic strategist and comms expert - who cut his teeth in Virginia, ran the $60M+ DCCC Independent Expenditure in 2014, served as a top press aide to the Clinton ’16 campaign, and is now a strategist advising numerous organizations and independent expenditures. In this conversation, Jesse talks key moments and lessons from his career, as well as providing his Messaging 101 on how he thinks of effective political communications. IN THIS EPISODE… Jesse’s family connection to Joe McCarthy and the 1950s Red Scare… Jesse’s early Republican leanings and the high-profile Republican he almost interned for… Jesse’s theory of Virginia as a trendsetter in American politics… Jesse talks the importance of Mark Warner in the rise of Virginia Democrats… In college, Jesse starts Virginia21 to encourage more investment in Virginia higher education… Jesse talks the value of getting experience outside of DC… Jesse navigates multiple cycles rising through the ranks at the DCCC… Lessons from his “favorite job” running the DCCC IE in 2014… Jesse talks his senior comms role in the Hillary Clinton 2016 race… The 3 challenges the Hillary 2016 campaign had with the press… Jesse shares insights from health struggles he’s faced… Jesse provides his Messaging 101 on speaking on the record, outlandish stunts, getting earned media, and more… Jesse’s go-to “ABCV” message trick… The three TV shows that form the backbone of Jesse’s approach to life… AND…agents of intolerance, George Allen, Mark Bergman, Demand Justice, Dukakis bumper stickers, early warning signs, earworms, Brian Fallon, Jerry Falwell, flowing hair, fruit flies, Steve Israel, Steve Jarding, Tim Kaine, kazoos, Abraham Lincoln, Travis Lowe, Stewart Mills, Robby Mook, Rick Nolan, Ralph Northam, The Palm, Jen Palmieri, Ed Peavy, pneumonic devices, press releases on camera, Protect Our Care, Red Dawn, Mame Reiley, the Richmond Jewish community, Pat Robertson, robots, Rockefeller Republicans, Michael Scherer, screen agnosticism, sharp elbows, Star Wars, Tikkun olam, Joe Trippi, the Urban Crescent, Kelly Ward, William & Mary, & more! | |||
| Democratic Pollster Celinda Lake on A Trailblazing Career in Politics | 19 Apr 2022 | 00:53:21 | |
Celinda Lake, President of Lake Research, has been a leading Democratic researcher and strategist for 30+ years. In this conversation she talks her Montana roots, her path to polling, working for groundbreaking women like Geraldine Ferraro, Carol Mosley Braun, and Nancy Pelosi, working on Biden 2020, and lessons & insights from four decades working to elect Democrats and advance progressive goals. IN THIS EPISODE… Celinda talks growing up on a ranch in Montana… The progressive tradition in Montana… The Vietnam War influences Celinda’s politics… Celinda’s theory on why Montana produces so much political talent… Celinda moves from the academic world to the campaign world… Celinda tells the story of one of her heroes, the first woman pollster in politics… The first races on which Celinda cut her teeth as a political pollster… Celinda remembers lessons learned from heading up focus groups for Clinton-Gore ’92… The origins and rise of Lake Research… The story of turning down a US Senator who wanted to work with Lake Research… How Celinda thinks of issue messaging… Celinda talks the challenges women candidates face… Celinda’s memories of working with trailblazers Geraldine Ferraro, Barbara Mikulski, Carol Mosley Braun, and Nancy Pelosi… Celinda polls for AOC during her 2018 upset… What Celinda knows about Joe Biden that might not be common knowledge… Celinda’s take on what makes a good pollster… Celinda’s strangest work habit… AND….22 rifles, Spence Abraham, John Anzalone, Jerry Austin, David Axelrod, the Barbara Lee Family Foundation, Matt Barreto, Max Baucus, Jill Biden, Valerie Biden, Heather Booth, blueberry muffins, Ron Brown, James Carville, the cat’s meow, Hillary Clinton, Copper Kings, country schools, Joe Crowley, Mike Donilon, EEOC lawyers, Emerge, EMILYs List, fitbits, Kathleen Frankovic, Anderson Gardner, gatekeeping, Geoff Garin, Geneva, the gender gap, Ed Goeas, Mandy Grunwald, Stan Greenberg, Bill Hamilton, Kamala Harris, Gary Hart, Peter Hart, Harrison Hickman, Higher Heights, Italian city-states, Justice Democrats, George Lakoff, Joe Lamson, Ed Lazarus, Silas Lee, Ann Lewis, looking for patterns, Mike Lux, Dotty Lynch, mainframes, Nelson Mandela, Mike Mansfield, Mark Mellman, Jim Messina, Lee Metcalf, Warren Miller, Barbara Mikulski, Walter Mondale, Motown, new voices, Northern Plains Resource Council, Kathleen O’Reilly, Ross Perot, John Podesta, Lana Pollack, Bob Putnam, the race-class narrative, ranked-choice voting, Jeanette Rankin, Ready to Run, Ronald Reagan, red state sensibilities, Nelson Rockefeller, Steve Rosenthal, Anat Shenker-Osorio, Smith College, Alysia Snell, social proof, Social Security cards, Doug Sosnik, Debbie Stabenow, Gail Stoltz, student deferments, Phil Tawney, Jon Tester, two for one, University of Michigan, Kathy van Hook, Women’s Campaign Fund, The Women’s Lobby, Pat Williams, & more! | |||
| Congressman Chris Shays on Five Decades in Politics & The Vanishing House Moderate | 12 Apr 2022 | 00:52:18 | |
Chris Shays cuts an iconic, if disappearing, profile across the American political scene. One of the last by-God moderate House Republicans from the Northeast, he represented Connecticut in the US House for more than 20 years...a congressional career spanning the Reagan Revolution through the 2008 Democrative wave ushering in President Obama. In this discussion, he talks the Republican Connecticut of his youth, his time in Fiji serving in the Peace Corps, his decade serving in the state legislature, the time he was sentenced to several days in prison to protest political corruption, and lessons & memories from 20 years in the House. IN THIS EPISODE… Congressman Shays recalls the Republican DNA of the Connecticut of his youth… His time serving in Fiji in the Peace Corps… Memorable door-to-door experiences from his first legislative campaign in 1974… He rubs party leaders the wrong way on his very first day in the CT State House… The amazing story of how a fight to root out judicial corruption in Connecticut lands him in jail for several days… Coming from behind to win a special election to Congress in 1987… The big difference he noticed between lobbyists in state government vs Congress… The one other member of Congress he wanted most to meet upon his election… The changes within the House GOP Conference pre and post Newt Gingrich ascension… Congressman Shays' contribution to the ’94 GOP takeover wave - both intentional and otherwise... Behind the scenes of the failed GOP coup against New Gingrich in 1997… The time moderate Chris Says was most in the doghouse with his party’s leadership… What it felt like to feel his district shift left in the 2000s… Congressman Shays talks the breakdown of bipartisanship in Congress… How deeply did he consider switching parties? What went into his decision to endorse both Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden over Donald Trump? A memorable meeting when Donald Trump met with Congressman Shays about building a Connecticut casino… Regrets about his 2012 Senate primary against self-funding Linda McMahon… The unconventional book idea he may pursue… AND….Dick Armey, the assault weapons ban, the best office in the Capitol, Black Rock, Roy Blunt, Bridgeport, George W. Bush, Mr. Clean, Bill Clinton, the Commission on Wartime Contracting, Common Cause, Tom Davis, Darien, Tom Delay, Mrs. Donahue, Dwight Eisenhower, Russ Feingold, Gerald Ford, Newt Gingrich, grievance committees, Jim Himes, Pete Hoekstra, Henry Hyde, Hertz, inverted bell curves, it hits the fan, Jehovah’s Witnesses, John Kasich, Joe Kennedy, Ned Lamont, Steve Largent, John Lewis, Joe Lieberman, the Longworth building, Carolyn Maloney, Marla Maples, John McCain, Marty Meehan, Bob Michel, NBC, the NRCC, the New York Times, Christine Niedermeier, Richard Nixon, Jim Nussle, Bill Paxon, the Peace Corps, Nancy Pelosi, penny loafers, Colin Powell, Stamford, Leon Uris, the WWF…& more! | |||
| Liuba Grechen Shirley, Founder/CEO of VoteMama | 05 Apr 2022 | 00:40:03 | |
Liuba Grechen Shirley is the founder/CEO of VoteMama – a non-profit dedicated to supporting moms running for office. In this conversation, she talks running for office in 2018 as a first-time candidate, making history as the first woman to receive FEC approval to use campaign money for child care, and making an impact with VoteMama. IN THIS EPISODE… Liuba speaks to the politics that shaped here while growing up on Long Island… Her analysis of why Trump connected with voters on Long Island… Liuba talks her work on development in Ghana before entering politics… The phenomenon of “mommy-tracking” in the business world… How the switch flipped for her to become active in congressional politics in the 2018 election… Liuba’s take on her 2018 opponent Congressman Peter King… Her experience running for office as a first-time candidate… How she made history as the first woman to receive approval to use campaign money to cover child care… The relationship Liuba forged with Elizabeth Warren during the congressional campaign… The high profile pol who gave Liuba pep talks before debates… A window into how Liuba put together her consultant team… Why she passed on the 2020 open-seat after a narrow 2018 loss… How she started VoteMama to support mothers running for office… VoteMama’s nonpartisan work being done to ensure more candidates can use campaign funds for child care… How Liuba is thinking about the 2022 election cycle… Advice for others starting a political non-profit… AND 6-foot cardboard cutouts, Accra, adult coloring books, affable guys, Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, Jocelyn Benson, Berlin Rosen, Anna Brichacek, Madison Cawthorn, Hillary Clinton, Stephen Colbert, FoxNews, Kirsten Gillibrand, Chelsea Clark, Isaac Goldberg, green marble notebooks, Grey’s Anatomy, MJ Hegar, Monica Klein, Kathy Hochul, Indivisible, Morgan Lamandre, Lindenhurst, Grace Meng, mom pep talks, Gwen Moore, the Muslim Ban, NYU, Maggie Oliver, paid family leave, orange juice, osteogenesis imperfecta, Papua New Guinea, party bosses, Planned Parenthood, Katie Porter, Emily Robinson, the Russian Revolution, Kim Schrier, small structural change…& more! | |||
| Dave Wasserman on All Things Elections Analysis & Redistricting | 29 Mar 2022 | 00:54:27 | |
Dave Wasserman, a Senior Editor at the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, is universally regarded as one of the foremost election analysts on the planet - especially when it comes to US House races. In this conversation, Dave talks his early obession with all things politics, how he turned that into a job at the Cook Report, his approach to political analysis, the story behind his twitter catchphrase "I've seen enough", and his take on both the 2022 redistricting developments & overall House playing field. IN THIS EPISODE… Dave’s early love of maps… How a cable system glitch leads Dave to find politics… Dave’s unusual gift request for his 13th Birthday… The one race that drew Dave into congressional politics… The story behind a teenage Dave’s appearance as a pundit on a local public affairs show… Dave talks his important intersection with UVA Professor Larry Sabato… The $10 bet Dave won from Larry Sabato… The college analysis Dave wrote that led to his role with the Cook Report… Dave talks the approach he brings to elections analysis… What goes into creating Dave’s election night models… Dave on the races he’s proud he got right, plus some that surprised him… Dave talks trends he’s observed in House races during his time as a race-rater… Dave takes us behind the scenes of the NBC Election Night Decision Desk… The origin of Dave’s catchphrase to call elections… Dave breaks down the average work week for a race-rating analyst… Dave talks his longtime fascination with the redistricting process… Dave gives his thoughts on the 2022 redistricting process… Dave provides an update on recent legal ground that’s been broken around redistricting… Dave’s overall read on the '22 House playing field… Dave talks signs the Trump hold on the House GOP caucus may be weakening… Dave’s advice to the next generation of race-raters… AND 2,568 districts, George Allen, Mrs. Barkley, Ben Bernanke, Mary Bono Mack, Lauren Boebert, Bridgegate, Scott Brown, bruised egos, C-Span, Eric Cantor, Joe Cao, Don Cazayoux, Julia Carson, James Carville, Travis Childers, Emanuel Cleaver, Martha Coakley, Miles Coleman, compulsive list making, Jim Cooper, cranberry bread, creative ethics, Joe Crowley, Ted Cruz, Henry Cuellar, Rodney Davis, Pete Dawkins, Peter DeFazio, dummymanders, Election Twitter, Marc Elias, false suspense, food science, Louie Gohmert, Governing Magazine, Josh Harder, Andy Harris, Rush Holt, Bill Jefferson, John Katko, Dan Kildee, Steve Kornacki, Frank Lautenberg, Elaine Luria, Morgan Lutrell, Sean Patrick Maloney, map recipients, Terry McAuliffe, Kevin McCarthy, Bob McDonnell, David McKinley, Peter Meijer, Mary Miller, minimum split districting, Alex Mooney, Nathaniel Moran, Joe Morelle, oddly engrossing debates, Mike Pappas, Nancy Pelosi, PoliticsNJ.com, Premier League Soccer, QVC, Raul Ruiz, Stu Rothenberg, Rutgers, Bernard Shaw, Chris Shays, Siskel & Ebert, Elissa Slotkin, Abigail Spanberger, the Squad, Starbucks, Kenneth Starr, useful stereotypes, Paul Tonko, Lauren Underwood, the University of Chicago Institute of Politics, Fred Upton, violin lessons, Wal Mart, Amy Walter, Jim Webb, West River South Dakota, David Wildstein, Judy Woodruff, John Yarmuth, Glen Youngkin, …& more! | |||
| The Triumph of Joe Califano, Top Domestic Advisor to LBJ & Carter Cabinet Secretary | 22 Mar 2022 | 00:43:08 | |
Very few Americans have had the impact on public policy as has Joseph Califano. Though his parents only graduated high school, he went to Harvard Law and by age 30 was working at high levels of the John F. Kennedy Administration - and shortly after was the top domestic White House aide to Lyndon Johnson. In this conversation, he talks his meteoric rise through the Kennedy / Johnson years, seeing first-hand as the LBJ “Johnson Treatment” built the Great Society, the toll that Vietnam took on President Johnson, & his work as HEW Cabinet Secretary under President Carter to start a national anti-smoking campaign that’s had immeasurable benefits to public health in the US. This is a great conversation with a true American Dream success story and political dynamo. IN THIS EPISODE… Growing up as an Italian-American kid in the era of Franklin Roosevelt… How a working class Brooklyn kid makes it to Harvard Law… Why he left a lucrative private law firm to enter the Kennedy Administration… He talks working in the early days of the Kennedy Administration with Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara… Memories from meetings with President Kennedy… Early impressions working up and close and personal with President Johnson… Why LBJ sequenced the 1964 Civil Rights Act ahead of other Great Society programs… Secretary Califano goes in depth describing “The Johnson Treatment”… Memories from the White House on the night Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated… The “race against expectations” that informed much of LBJ’s time in office… Secretary Califano talks the difficulty in passing Fair Housing legislation… The role that Lady Bird Johnson played in helping making President Johnson more effective… The connection between Secretary Califano’s son and safety caps on medicine bottles… Reflecting on a political misfire as President Johnson missed an opportunity to appoint a new Supreme Court Chief Justice… The toll that the Vietnam War took on President Johnson… President Johnson’s courageous early foray for gun safety laws… The last conversation he had with President Johnson after he left office… His time in the Carter Cabinet as Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare… Why Democrats couldn’t secure universal healthcare during the Democratic trifecta of the late 1970s… How he came to spearhead a national anti-smoking campaign… AND the AMA, Carolyn Agger, Brooklyn Prep, McGeorge Bundy, George Christian, Sterling Cottrell, Thomas Dewey, Everett Dirksen, Dwight Eisenhower, Abe Fortas, Gerald Ford, William Fulbright, the Harvard Law Review, the Hirshhorn Museum, Holy Cross, IBM, the JAG Corps, Lady Bird Johnson, Robert Kennedy, leak central, Russell Long, Mike Mansfield, Harry Middleton, Bill Moyers, John McGillicuddy, Harry McPherson, Richard Nixon, Dick Ottinger, PS 182, Claiborne Pell, Jake Pickle, a revolving son of a bitch, the Subversive Activity Control Board, Al Smith, sugar in gas tanks, Jack Valenti, Cyrus Vance, Earl Warren, Watts riots…& more! | |||
| Senator Mary Landrieu on a Lifetime in Louisiana Politics | 15 Mar 2022 | 00:50:01 | |
Mary Landrieu served 3 terms in the US Senate from Louisiana, after a term as State Treasurer and time in the State Legislature. In this conversation, she talks growing up in New Orleans as the daughter of Mayor Moon Landrieu, the equation that drew her to political service, several rough-and-tumble statewide campaigns, memories from 18 years in the Senate, and what she’s focused on since leaving the Senate in 2015. IN THIS EPISODE Growing up the eldest of 9 siblings to New Orleans Mayor Moon Landrieu… The process of elimination that led to pursuing a political career… A 23-year old Mary Landrieu serves in the virtually all-male Louisiana legislature… Senator Landrieu remembers Louisiana political giants Russell Long, Lindy Boggs, and Edwin Edwards… Memories of her first US Senate win in 1996 as an underdog… What happened when the New Orleans Archbishop declared it would be “a sin” to vote for pro-choice Mary Landrieu… What surprised her upon entering the US Senate… Her memories of serving 12 years in the Senate with Joe Biden… What it’s like being a swing vote in the US Senate… Her strategy to winning 3 tough statewide in Louisiana… The current work that excites her the most… Senator Landrieu provides the agenda for the next time you’re in New Orleans… AND 5,778 votes, baloney, Valerie Biden, Kathleen Blanco, Hale Boggs, Donna Brazile, Broadmoor, Robert Byrd, chutzpah, the Dinosaur Age, Chris Dodd, David Duke, EMILYs List, Dianne Feinstein, Head and Master Laws, Dan Inouye, Jim Crow, Bennett Johnston, John Kennedy, Ted Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Blanche Lincoln, Gillis Long, Barbara Mikulski, Chep Morrison, Lisa Murkowski, playing fort, Jamie Raskin, Ann Richards, Norman Jane Sabiston, smart cookies, Olympia Snowe, societal sheddings, Ted Stevens, the Superdome, Donald Trump, Ursuline nune & more! | |||
| Congressman Mickey Edwards...From Conservative Insurgent to House Leadership to Nonpartisan Iconoclast | 11 Jun 2024 | 00:57:18 | |
Mickey Edwards served 16 years in Congress, as the first Republican to represent his Oklahoma City-based district in almost 50 years. Prior to his time in the House, he'd already made a mark as a leader in early days of "New Right" conservative organizations like the Young Republicans and Heritage Foundation. In this conversation, he talks his early days as a conservative political outsider in a Democratic state, the upset victory that propelled him to 8 terms in the House, his ascent within the GOP House Leadership, and how conservatism and Congress have changed since he left elected office. Growing up blue-collar in the Rust Belt, before his family moves to Oklahoma City... The incredible story of surviving three gunshot wounds while being robbed.... What led him to gravitate to conservative politics in a one-party Democratic state... His roots as part of the "New Right" in the 1960s and 1970s... His early days as a newspaperman before entering politics exclusively... How he beat established Republicans and Democrats in route to becoming the first GOP House member to represent OK City in nearly 50 years... How he caused a furor from both parties in his first floor speech in the House... Why Tip O'Neil is one of his political heroes... Why he views GOP Speaker Newt Gingrich and Democrat Jim Wright as harmful to the institution of the House... His occasional role in the 70s and 80s as a conduit between the establishment and activist wings of the GOP... The entreaties he made to organized labor to try to forge common ground with the GOP... How he became the GOP Policy Chair, the 4th highest leadership position in the House GOP... Why advocating for the Osage Tribe was his proudest moment as a House member... His analysis of how the conservative movement and Republican Party have gotten off track... His thoughts on a career as a prominent Jewish Republican... The current projects he's most passionate about... AND Ethan Allen, the American Conservative Union, James Baker, Blair House, Lauren Boebert, cinder blocks, the Cleveland Guardians, Hillary Clinton, closed rules, Tom Delay, JR Ewing, Matt Gaetz, Barry Goldwater, Nathan Hale, Denny Hastert, Chic Hecht, Patrick Henry, The Heritage Foundation, Jewish Workmens' Circle, John Kennedy, Killers of the Flower Moon, Paul Laxalt, Look Magazine, Ed Madigan, Bob Michel, Richard Nixon, Oklahoma Sooners, night depositories, Ronald Reagan, Sandinistas, Chris Shays, shoe stores, the Sierra Club, John Sununu, tall grass praries, Marjorie Taylor Green, the Tea Party, Tinker Air Force base, Donald Trump, JC Watts, Paul Weyrich, Jim Wright, Lee Zeldin...& more! | |||
| Rory Cooper, of Purple Strategies, on Campaigns, Comms, & Cantor | 08 Mar 2022 | 00:54:13 | |
Rory Cooper, partner at Purple Strategies, has worked at all levels of Republican politics…cutting his teeth in campaigns, working in the George W. Bush White House, for the Department of Homeland Security right after 9-11, running communications for the conservative Heritage Foundation, and as Comms Director for House Majority Leader Eric Cantor. Rory tells great stories from these stops, with lessons and insights learned along the way. IN THIS EPISODE A high school Rory finds a way into the 1992 Presidential debate… Rory takes over a New Orleans GOP field office in 1996… A young Rory learns an important political staffing lesson from Trent Lott… Rory is one of the first staffers hired after the Dept of Homeland Security is created post 9-11… Rory talks being around President Bush and working in the Bush White House… An important campaign lesson Rory learned on a California special election… Rory runs communications for the Heritage Foundation as the think tank undergoes changes… Interviewing to become Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s Communication Director… Memorable fights with both Republicans and Democrats as Cantor’s Comms Director… Rory talks the leadership qualities he saw from then Speaker John Boehner… The GOP member who’s not a household name who impressed Rory… Rory talks the difference in good Hill boss versus a bad Hill boss… Rory reflects on the surprise loss of Eric Cantor in the 2014 GOP primary… Rory busts some myths about the Cantor loss and the impact of that primary on GOP politics since… How Rory approaches his next job off the Hill… Rory talks the work he does now at Purple Strategies… The messaging lesson Rory learned from Joe Biden… Rory’s two tips to help people succeed in their career… AND…Spence Abraham, aligning Powerpoint slides, Dick Armey, ascendancy principles, BRAC, Joe Biden, the boringest day of the campaign, Neil Bradley, Andy Card, carnival barkers, Alex Castellanos, Bill Clinton, corn chowder, Joe Crowley, Ted Cruz, Bob Dole, donut hole fixes, DREAMers, Eisenhower Internships, Rich Falkenrath, fiscal cliffs, Mike Forbes, the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act, the Grateful Dead, Joe Hagin, Laura Ingraham, John Jamian, Mardi Gras beads, making Tucker Carlson happy, Mel Martinez, Kevin McCarthy, Mitch McConnell, Patrick McHenry, Steve McMahon, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Meet the Press, the members only elevator, Milk Duds, navigating cubicles, Obamacare, participants vs pundits, Phish, quoting Hayek, the Republican Study Committee, remaining sticky, rude customers, RINOs, Save Your Asks, serious legislators, Steve Stombres, the Tea Party, Donald Trump, VAWA, village city councils, What It Takes, yellow tape around memorials, & more! | |||
| One Year Anniversary Episode with John Anzalone, Chief Pollster for Biden 2020 | 01 Mar 2022 | 00:50:49 | |
John Anzalone has been a Democratic pollster winning tough races for 30+ years, most recently as Chief Pollster for Biden 2020 helping navigate a crowded primary and grueling general election en route to ousting Donald Trump. John talks his working class roots growing up in Michigan, cutting his teeth in the Biden '88 ('87) presidential, his path to polling, and ultimately starting and growing his own firm to become on the handful of top-tier Democratic pollsters in the country. IN THIS EPISODE John grows up a “free lunch kid” and the son of a Teamster in Michigan… John learns an unfortunate lesson from his childhood nickname… Practicing dirty tricks in his first campaign involvement… John talks about his mentor David Wilhelm… John’s first big campaign working for Biden for President in 1987… John’s memories from his early 20s of being around then Senator Biden… John talks the All-Star team he was part of with James Carville and Paul Begala in a 1988 Senate race… John’s FOMO from missing the 1992 Clinton Presidential… The John Anzalone best practices for campaign managers… John’s decision to go into polling… John opens up his own polling firm after apprenticing at Frederick Schneiders… John talks the value of “coming in second” in client pitches… The challenge of starting a new Democratic firm in the South in the mid 90s… The firm’s success in 04/06 sets the stage to be brought on board with Obama 2008… John talks lessons learned from working at high levels in four straight presidential races… John talks the fabled slide deck that informed some of the early Biden 2020 conversations… John on early challenges for Biden 2020 and what is underappreciated about the winning campaign against Trump… John’s advice to the next generation pollsters… John’s travel tips… John talks the rebrand of Impact Research… AND…$50,000, Pete Aguilar, Kevin Akins, Jason Altmire, David Axelrod, Barcaloungers, Anna Bennett, big damn deals, Chris Bollwage, Bobby Bright, Joe Burrow, Pete Buttigieg, Don Cazayoux, the Chicago Sun-Times, Travis Childers, Citizens for Tax Justice, Sam Coppersmith, Country Club Republicans, the DC vortex, Rich Daley, Buddy Darden, Pete Dawkins, dead-bang losers, Nathan Deal, Delta Comfort, David Dixon, David Doak, Mike Donilon, Mike Doyle, Anita Dunn, Rahm Emanuel, Rob Engel, Paul Finebaum, the Florida House Caucus, Pete Giangreco, Gwen Graham, Larry Grisolano, Kay Hagan, Debbie Halvorson, Tom Harkin, Gary Hart, Paul Hodes, Jimmy Hoffa, Matt Hogan, Paul Johnson, Larry Kissell, Ron Klein, Amy Klobuchar, Bruce Koeppel, Leading Edge Computers, Jeff Link, Jeff Liszt, Local 7, Jon Macks, Frank Mascara, Paul Maslin, Steve McMahon, Charlie Melancon, Walter Mondale, the Monkey Business, Molly Murphy, Karen Olick, Jen O’Malley Dixon, Bob Packwood, Steve Paikowsky, David Plouffe, prayer warriors, Mark Pryor, Ronald Reagan, Jay Rhodes, Karl Rove, Mitch Rubin, Dan Rostenkowski, John Salazar, Bernie Sanders, Rick Santorum, Greg Schneiders, Heath Shuler, Sicilian enclaves, Clay Shaw, Bob Shrum, Mark Siljander, Steve Sisolak, David Stockman, stray dogs, Brian Stryker, Survey Monkey, Charles Taylor, Dina Titus, Trenton labor people, Uncle Izzy, Fred Upton, Chris Van Hollen, Jon Vogel, Terry Walsh, Whirlpool HQ, Sheldon Whitehouse, whiz-bang kids, Howard Wolpe, & more! | |||
| Joe Crowley, former Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, on Two Decades in Congress | 22 Feb 2022 | 00:37:52 | |
Joe Crowley was a district party leader at 23, in the New York State Assembly at 26, and in the US House at 37...a political prodigy by any measure. He talks the early lessons learned in Queens politics, his time around Governor Mario Cuomo, his rise through the Assembly and Congress, his 2018 primary against AOC, and memorable moments and valuable insights from 20 years in the House. IN THIS EPISODE… The Crowley family lore that intersects with the Titanic… Congressman Crowley’s early political memories growing up in Queens… The family connection between the Crowleys and the Cuomos… The story behind a 26-year-old Joe Crowley elected to the state legislature… The enduring mystery behind his candidacy for Queens College president… Memories of the “totalitarian” nature of the New York State Legislature… He remembers the “magnetic” personality of Mario Cuomo, plus how close he came to a Cuomo Presidential bid… The unusual story behind his surprising 1998 candidacy for Congress… His first impressions of Congress… The Joe Crowley 101 of what new members should know… Congressman Crowley “expends some political muscle” to advance marriage equality… How Congressman Crowley climbed the leadership ladder to become Democratic Caucus Chair… Congressman Crowley’s perspective on the Pelosi-Hoyer relationship… A glimpse into the intensity surrounding the ACA legislative process… How he views the 2018 primary against AOC with a few years hindsight… How he’s approached his post-congressional career… The Broadway musical Congressman Crowley is helping produce… His thoughts on running for mayor or running statewide… Advice for those in government relations… Congressman Crowley’s relationship with both Presidents Obama and Biden… Who’s the hardest working person in Washington? Congressman Crowley’s early instincts toward Donald Trump… Congressman Crowley’s 2022 advice for Congressional Democrats… AND…9/11, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bella Abzug, John Adams, John Boehner, boiler engineers, Dick Cain, Steve Chabot, civility in discourse, County Armagh, the DCCC, Geraldine Ferraro, the Five Points, Frontline Democrats, Ben Gillman, Thomas Jefferson, John Kennedy, Ed Koch, John Larson, Barbara Lee, Donald Manes, a members’ member, Cathy Nolan, Tom Manton, the New Dem Coalition, Dave Obey, Paradise Square, Nancy Pelosi, Powell Memorial High, Paul Ryan, John Sabini, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Chuck Schumer, shoe leather, Bud Shuster, Squire Patton Boggs, Tammany Hall, Walter McCaffery, Watergate babies, & more! | |||
| Adnaan Muslim on Delivering Effective Mail, Building Firms, & Winning Races | 15 Feb 2022 | 00:47:30 | |
Adnaan Muslim has been a leading player in Democratic direct mail for more than 20 years, initially helping start Mission Control mail and now as a partner at Deliver Strategies. In this conversation, Adnaan talks his path to working in politics, how he gravitated to direct mail, importance races in his career like electing Elizabeth Warren, Jared Polis, and Raphael Warnock, and the passion he has for campaign speechwriting. Great stories, insight, and advice from one of the most unique voices in politics. IN THIS EPISODE The member of Congress that made an impression on Adnaan at age 10… The Congressional internship and specific moment that led Adnaan to a life in politics… Adnaan’s talks the value of starting a political career by working in campaign fundraising… Adnaan gives his perspective as a staffer of color in a historically white business… Adnaan tells the story of building the Democratic mail firm Mission Control… The early races that Adnaan cut his teeth on as a strategist… Adnaan talks his approach to designing effective mail pieces… Adnaan joins his current firm Deliver Strategies… Adnaan’s role in Elizabeth Warren’s first campaign in the 2012 Massachusetts Senate race… Adnaan talks one of the most important inflection points in the Elizabeth Warren 2012 win… Adnaan’s best practices for political speechwriting… Adnaan’s talks through two of his favorite political speeches… Adnaan talks about his passion for writing screenplays and being involved in filmmaking… Adnaan talks some of the creative tactics behind Raphael Warnock’s Georgia Senate win… Adnaan’s travel tips and hacks… Adnaan’s strangest work habit… Adnaan’s unconventional relationship with one of his competitors… AND Gabby Adler, Advent calendars, bad packers, Scott Brown, Rob Burch, Maryanne Connelly, checkered reputations, crescendos and decrescendos, Mario Cuomo, Happy Fernandez, Gema, Mandy Grunwald, Jesse Jackson, joining a supergroup, Tim Johnson, Elena Kagan, Ted Kennedy, Haroon Khan, kitchenettes, Mack Sumner, Betsy McCaughey Ross, the Mujahideen, Mindy Myers, Newburgh NY, Bob Ney, photocopies of business cards, George Pataki, Ed Peavy, Jared Polis, Larry Pressler, Ayanna Pressley, Ronald Reagan, roleplaying, Marla Romash, Antonin Scalia, screenplays in a drawer, Sony Walkman, speeches only a Dad could love, unforced errors, Sujata Tejwani, Vernon CT, Raphael Warnock, Charlie Wilson, Michelle Wu, & more! | |||
| Kelly Hall, ED of the Fairness Project on Working on The Hill, Passing the ACA, and Winning Ballot Measures | 08 Feb 2022 | 00:52:06 | |
Kelly Hall is the Executive Director of the Fairness Project, which works to pass ballot measures on economic fairness issues such as the minimum wage, Medicaid expansion, and paid leave. Before taking the helm at the Fairness Project, she worked in campaigns and as a Hill staffer prior to entering the Obama Administration to focus on implementing the Affordable Care Act. In this conversation, Kelly talks through her own experiences to offer insight about working on the Hill, passing Obamacare, winning ballot measures, and running a political non-profit. How the first campaign Kelly worked shaped her career... Memories of interning for Senator Tom Daschle... Kelly is behind the scenes at the Obama breakout moment at the 2004 Convention... Kelly’s memories as a Hill health care aide during the tense moments around the Affordable Care Act… Kelly’s time in the Obama administration implementing the ACA and what she thinks has gone right and wrong with 10 years hindsight… Kelly’s advice and best practices for Hill staffers... Kelly’s path to the Fairness Project and the work it does… Kelly provides case studies from the Fairness Project about expanding Medicaid in "red" states like Oklahoma and Missouri… Kelly talks the need to build cross party coalitions to win ballot measures… Kelly on what she’s learned about the nuts and bolts of running a political non-profit... Kelly’s advice to people early in their political career… | |||
| Jeremy Ben-Ami, Founder and President of J Street | 01 Feb 2022 | 00:52:34 | |
Jeremy Ben-Ami was born into a family among whom politics was very personal – and became active in politics himself at a young age, interning for the 1976 Carter campaign at 14. From there, he worked for numerous politicians from Ed Koch and David Dinkins and Mark Green to Bill Clinton and Howard Dean. Jeremy talks his life in campaign politics, working in the White House, what led to the creation of J Street, and how J Street has grown to become an influential voice that’s changed the debate on American policy toward Israel. IN THIS EPISODE The first campaigns that caught Jeremy’s attention at a young age… Jeremy’s measures of iconic NYC political figures like Ed Koch and David Dinkins… The surprising presidential candidate for whom Jeremy served on the ballot as an “elector”… The issue that led Jeremy to switch from local NYC politics to national politics… What happened when Jeremy “just shows up” in Little Rock to seek work in the 1992 Clinton campaign… Jeremy talks about the Bill Clinton he saw up close and personal… Jeremy gives a glimpse into what it’s like working in the White House… Jeremy tells the story of managing Democrat Mark Green’s NYC mayoral race that was interrupted and defined by 9/11… The best practices for campaign managers Jeremy has seen over the years… Jeremy’s time as Research Director on Howard Dean’s 2004 presidential campaign and how Dean caught fire (temporarily)… How his time on the Dean campaign led to the formation of J Street… The first steps Jeremy took to get J Street off the ground… Jeremy cites the key moments early in the J Street experience that showed it was getting traction… Jeremy talks through some of the criticisms he and J Street have received from within the Jewish community… Jeremy gives his 101 on Jewish communal politics… Jeremy talks the rising threat of anti-Semitism and how it’s intertwined with the attacks on democracy… Jeremy’s thoughts on why the issue of settlements has become an important flashpoint in the Israeli / Palestinian debates… Jeremy weighs in on the impact of Benjamin Netanyahu… Why Jeremy wants to expunge the term “peace process” from the discussions of Israel and Palestine… How Jeremy thinks of one day passing the torch as President of J Street… Jeremy’s “strangest work habit”… AND…the 3 Ps, Mahmoud Abbas, the ADL, AIPAC, alphabet soup, John Anderson, asterisks in the polls, Michael Bloomberg, George W. Bush, Jimmy Carter, chopped salads, creeping annexation, the “Dean scream”, the Democracy Alliance, “dog and pony shows”, the first rule of holes, founder syndrome, Rudy Giuliani, hanging from the rafters, imprimaturs of seriousness, Martin Indyk, institutional infrastructure, invitations from Hogwarts, Dan Kurtzer, the Man from Hope, meetups, Aaron Miller, the NYC groove, the New York Times magazine, Barack Obama, Ehud Olmert, the Oval Office, the Palestinian Authority, panic attacks, Nancy Pelosi, Ronald Reagan, silent majorities, Rob Stein, talks about talks, a vocal left, Paul Wellstone, The West Wing, & more! | |||
| The Giant-Slaying, Trail-Blazing, History-Making Loretta Sanchez on 20 Years in the House | 25 Jan 2022 | 00:53:14 | |
Loretta Sanchez served 20 years in the US House, one of the first Democrats to breakthrough in historically GOP Orange County, CA. She also made history, with her sister Linda Sanchez, as the only two women related by family to serve in Congress. In this conversation, she talks growing up as the daughter of Mexican immigrants in LA, her 1996 upset over GOP fixture Bob Dornan and the election contest that ensued, her 2016 election for Senate ultimately won by Kamala Harris, and memories & insights from two decades in the House. IN THIS EPISODE Congresswoman Sanchez talks growing up in the LA-area as the daughter of Mexican immigrants… The candidate who her father walked door-to-door for, even before he could vote himself… Her path to running for office in the mid 1990s… Congresswoman Sanchez talks through the history and politics of Orange County, CA… The great story behind her 1996 upset of GOP icon Bob Dornan, a race dubbed “the upset of the decade” by Time Magazine… The year-long election contest that followed her 1996 victory… Congresswoman Sanchez’s memories of lunch with Joe Biden in 1997… She explains what makes Nancy Pelosi an effective party leader… Who Congresswoman Sanchez is keeping an eye on as the next generation of Democratic leaders in the House… The story behind the history-making election of sisters Loretta and Linda Sanchez as part of the same Congress… Congresswoman Sanchez’s advice to Democrats who want to better communicate with Latino voters… The advice that Congresswoman Sanchez would offer AOC… Congresswoman Sanchez talks her current priorities and interests… AND…Pete Aguilar, Karen Bass, Barbara Boxer, Willie Brown, cause celebres, Chapman University, Gil Cisneros, Katherine Clark, Bill Clinton, Barbara Cubin, Blue Dogs, John Conyers, Lou Correa, Tom Daly, Willian Dannemeyer, David & Goliath, Val Demings, John Dingell, Veronica Escobar, Anna Eshoo, Sam Farr, Barney Frank, Georgetown, Dick Gephardt, Newt Gingrich, Al Gore, Lindsay Graham, green cards, Kamala Harris, Head Start, David Hobson, Hubert Humphrey, Italian Grandmas, Hakeem Jeffries, the Joint Economic Committee, Patrick Kennedy, Barbara Kennelly, Jerry McNerney, John McCain, George Miller, John Murtha, Richard Nixon, Barack Obama, Old Bulls, Colin Peterson, Katie Porter, Ed Rendell, Kathleen Rice, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Harley Rouda, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Rotary Clubs, Ronald Reagan, Tony Rodham, George Stephanopoulos, Univision, the Western White House, Pete Wilson, & more! | |||
| Scott Simpson, of Resonance Campaigns, on Building His Own Firm & Helping Elect Joe Biden | 18 Jan 2022 | 00:46:03 | |
Scott Simpson, is a founder and managing partner of the direct mail firm Resonance Campaigns, one of the most successful Black-owned firms in politics. In this epsiode, Scott talks growing up middle class in Massachussetts, early formative political experiences, his time working a pollster before making the jump to direct mail, and ultimately starting his own firm that helped elect - among many others - Joe Biden in 2020. The political issue that kept an 8-year old Scott up at night… The election that made politics seem cool to Scott… The pol that left Scott star struck after seeing him on a plane… Scott’s first internship on a congressional campaign… Scott’s first (and only) job as a manager shows him managing might not be for him… Scott’s memories of working on DC Mayor Anthony Williams first campaign… Scott weighs in on the value of grad school for those who want to work in politics… An internship with pollster Celinda Lake makes an impact on Scott’s career… Important races early in Scott’s career in polling… What caused Scott to make the jump to direct mail and ultimately start his own direct mail firm… The most irritating comments mail consultants get from the rest of the team… Legislative races help Scott come into his own as a mail consultant… Scott lands Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign as an early client for his new direct mail firm… Scott helps Doug Jones break through in the 2017 Alabama Senate Special Election… Scott goes in depth on his role working for the Joe Biden 2020 campaign… What Scott’s learned in starting a successful political consulting firm… Scott talks his experience as one of the few Black-owned consulting firms… AND Dave Beattie, Shirin Bidel-Niyat, James Blaine, George W. Bush, Justin Caffrey, Campaigns and Elections Magazine, Tricia Cavell, DC jerks, Ray Dalio, Rich Davis, David Dixon, Jonathan Ducote, Michael Dukakis, Jeff Gumbinner, Elizabeth Guzman, Maren Hesla, the Kennedys, John Kerry, kitchen islands, Lancaster PA, Claire McCaskill, Jeremy McPike, mileage reimbursements, Robby Mook, Roy Moore, Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, Steve Murphy, Ed Peavy, phone calls at Costco, Joe Pitts, rookie cards, rotary phones, Elizabeth Sena, Donna Shalala, Oren Shur, Doc Sweitzer, Harry Teague, Rashida Tlaib, Jon Vogel, Sean Whitson, Xerox machines, Bobby Zirkin…& more! | |||
| GOP Pollster Patrick Ruffini on the Intersection of Data & Tech, and Changing Coalitions in the Age of Trump | 11 Jan 2022 | 00:53:50 | |
Patrick Ruffini has been on the cutting edge of politics for 20+ years, as one of the first wave of operatives working in the tech and digital political space. After working at the RNC in 2004, he started an early political tech firm and then formed Echelon Insights to merge political data and tech. In this conversation, Patrick talks his career trajectory, the advancement of digital political tools, and how American politics has evolved in the age of Donald Trump. IN THIS EPISODE… Patrick’s unusual bi-national upbringing… Patrick starts following politics at a very early age… A young Patrick on the cutting edge of the political boom on the internet… Patrick’s 1998 correspondence with Karl Rove… Patrick’s stint at the RNC in 2004…. Patrick breaks down the tech impact of the Obama 2008 campaign… Patrick starts his own digital firm Engage… The importance of the 2012 GOP “autopsy” report on Patrick’s career… Patrick starts Echelon Insights with GOP pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson… Patrick’s advice on how to balance reliance on polling vs analytics… What Patrick has learned about social media listening… Patrick’s dissection about the recent populist direction of the Republican Party… Patrick talks of Glenn Youngkin-type candidates as the future of the GOP… Patrick’s take on the recent reduced racial polarization in the electorate… Patrick previews a book he’s working on that outlines a rising cross-racial coalition of the Republican Party… Patrick talks some of the new measurement tools he’s excited about… AND base politics, Joe Biden, blaming the internet, Blue State Digital, Scott Brown, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, Eric Cantor, the center-right blogosphere, Mike Connell, Howard Dean, Chuck DeFeo, Becki Donatelli, Efficient Market Hypothesis, Facebook, Mindy Finn, governing agendas, Don Green, Mickey Kaus, John Kerry, Josh Marshall, John McCain, mybarackobama.com , RCTs, relational organizing, Mitt Romney, snake oil, Andrew Sullivan, the War on Terror, & more! | |||
| Ace Smith on Opp Research, Running Races, & A Masterclass in California Politics | 04 Jan 2022 | 00:52:33 | |
Ace Smith, Partner at Bearstar Strategies, has lived a fascinating political life intersecting with a long list of the most iconic figures of the last several decades...Harvey Milk, Pat and Jerry Brown, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Rahm Emanuel, Richard M. Daley, Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris, & many more. In this conversation, we talk his memories of growing up in a Bay Area political family, cutting his teeth in smaller races and opposition research, transitioning to running campaigns, his role in several key states for Hillary Clinton in 2008, and building Bearstar Strategies to become a dominant media and strategic firm. IN THIS EPISODE The prominent Democratic pol Ace is named after… Ace remembers his father, Arlo, working for iconic CA politician Pat Brown… Ace’s memories of the 1966 surprise win of Ronald Reagan and similarities to the Trump 2016 win… Ace talks about Harvey Milk, the groundbreaking LGBT pol, that he knew personally… Ace’s personal connection to the Harvey Milk / George Moscone assassination… Ace weighs in on why the Bay Area is a breeding ground for many of the state’s most successful politicians… Ace talks the value of working small, local races… Why Ace left a successful career in California politics to start fresh in DC… A fateful 1987 meeting between Ace and a young Rahm Emanuel… How opposition research gets Ace’s foot in the door in DC politics… Ace talks his formula for being an effective political researcher… Ace’s role in the Bill Clinton 1992 Presidential campaign… Ace gives insight about Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton from knowing both personally for decades… Ace talks running Texas and North Carolina for Hillary Clinton in the 2008 primaries… Ace’s best practices of what makes a good campaign manager… Ace gives a California Politics 101 of what makes CA politics different… Ace gives a case study from the Kamala Harris 2010 Attorney General’s race… Ace talks the rise of Bearstar Strategies… Ace on what makes Jerry Brown so unique… Ace talks the strategy utilized (and defining moment) to beat back the 2021 recall attempt against Gavin Newsom… Ace looks back on the 2020 Kamala Harris Presidential campaign in which he was involved… Ace’s insight on building political teams… Ace’s agenda for anyone visiting the Bay Area… AND David Axelrod, Albert Camus, chaotic minds, Richard M. Daley, dearths and deluges, disappointing Political Science classes, Mike Dukakis, Joe Freitas, Gallic Wars, Averell Harriman, Fred Harris, hippie journey years, Harry Johnston, Tom Lynch, George McGovern, news pyramids, the political club movement, printing obscenities, Robert Redford, Bernie Sanders, Arlo Smith, Adlai Stevenson, testing hunches, Donald Trump, the twinkie defense, Elizabeth Warren, Dan White … & more! | |||
| Heather Williams, President of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) | 28 May 2024 | 00:45:12 | |
Heather Williams is the President of the DLCC, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee - the party committee focused on state legislative races and chambers. In this conversation, Heather talks her initial path to politics, working in state legislative races in Iowa, early days working in finance, the many hats she's worn at the DLCC, and now her current role as the organization's President. We also go in depth on why state legislative races are so critical, the current battleground map heading into the 2024 elections, the importance of the issue of abortion, and much more with a leading thinker on all things state legislative politics. IN THIS EPISODE How Heather became interested in politics growing up in Minnesota... What Heather learned from well-respected, Iowa Senate Leader Mike Gronstal... What made Heather gravitate to working in the finance role in campaigns... How Heather was drawn to the DLCC initially, almost 20 years ago... Heather's take on what makes for a successful state legislative caucus operation... The many hats Heather wears as President of the DLCC, and how she's tackled some that didn't come as naturally to her... Legislative lessons learned after big Democratic losses in the 2010 election cycle... Heather's favorite case studies for legislative wins coming out of the 2022 midterms... Heather on her approach to leading a big political organization, despite not being a natural extrovert... What Heather learned from her long-term predecessor at DLCC, Jessica Post... Why it's important to "get comfortable with risk"... How Heather thinks about the current partisan balance at the state legislative level and her priorities for the 2024 cycle... The role that the abortion issue is currently playing in state legislative politics... How the DLCC has to always have future redistricting in mind as a strategic priority... Some of the most dynamic state legislative leaders currently on the scene... Heather's advice to those just starting a career in politics... Heather's most unusual, successful work habit... | |||
| Rising Tide's Annie Levene on All Things Digital Politics | 28 Dec 2021 | 00:59:34 | |
Annie Levene is a partner at the leading Democratic digital firm Rising Tide Interactive, where she’s run digital strategy for the presidential campaign of Senator Amy Klobuchar as well as elected officials including Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Jacky Rosen, Kyrsten Sinema, Heidi Heitkamp, Governor Kate Brown, and Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy. In this conversation, Annie talks her path to working in politics and gives her insights and best practices on all things digital politics. IN THIS EPISODE… Annie talks growing up in Rochester in Western New York… Annie interns for her hometown Congresswoman Louise Slaughter… Annie’s path to working in digital Democratic politics… Annie talks the digital strategy for Heidi Heitkamp’s underdog campaign in North Dakota… Annie outlines the different roles digital serves in small states versus larger states… Important lessons Annie learned after being let go from a campaign… Annie talks her role running digital strategy for the Amy Klobuchar Presidential campaign… Annie compliments digital strategy of some of the rival campaigns from the 2020 primary elections… Annie talks some of the important digital lessons from the 2018 Jacky Rosen Senate campaign… Annie weighs in on the different hats a digital consultant can wear in advising a campaign… Annie’s take on the “ethics of fundraising emails” and “quadruple matching”… Annie’s thoughts on measurements and metrics for digital communications… Annie talks the “right” range digital should consume of a media budget… Annie busts some myths about how voters consume digital media… Annie’s take on how to think about twitter vs Tik Tok vs Facebook… Annie looks 5-10 years in the future of digital politics… The lessons Annie learned from a shoestring campaign in Peoria, IL… Annie’s advice to those who want to be successful working in digital politics… AND…Rita Ali, anti-horse slaughter bills, Cory Booker, Hillary Clinton, coded acronyms, Andy Cohen, DMA maps, Preston Elliott, Facebook ad archives, floating heads, Gourmet Magazine, Kay Hagan, House Majority PAC, Hulu, Eli Kaplan, Danny Kazin, Klobuchar hot dish recipes, MVAR media, Midwest Mom vibes, Modern Family, movie reviews, Mike Muir, Stephanie Murphy, Jon Ossoff, Nancy Pelosi, Jacky Rosen, sliding door moments, spitfires, terrible job markets, Watch What Happens Live, Elizabeth Warren, webmasters, Wildfire Contact, & more! | |||
| Wildfire Contact's Emily Parcell on Gephardt, Obama, Warren & All Things Iowa | 21 Dec 2021 | 00:55:22 | |
Emily Parcell is blazing her own path through the political industry...part of the famed 2004 Dick Gephardt Iowa operation, Iowa Political Director for the 2008 Obama Caucus effort, running Indiana for the 2008 Obama general election, starting Wildfire Contact's direct mail arm, helping Democrats win tough races, heading up the Warren 2020 effort as a senior aide...and much more. In this conversation, Emily talks her small town Iowa roots, important stops along her political career, and insights and advice from 2 decades in the political trenches. IN THIS EPISODE Emily talks about growing up in small town Iowa… Emily’s hometown connection to Tom Vilsack… Emily’s Iowa Politics 101… Emily’s memories of staffing Senator Tom Harkin up close and personal… Emily talks being part of the influential Gephardt 2004 Iowa Caucus effort… Emily talks running the Iowa State Senate Democratic Caucus and de-mystifies what legislative campaigns looks like… Emily talks her role as Barack Obama’s Iowa Political Director during the magical 2008 Caucus campaign… Emily’s memories of running Indiana for Obama in 2008, one of the biggest presidential upsets in a generation… Emily’s accidental path to direct mail and her important early races as a mail consultant… Emily talks starting her current firm Wildfire Contact… Emily talks her experiences in a senior role of the 2020 Warren for President campaign… Emily’s advice to political operatives early in their careers… AND…the Atlas Project, BDSM liaisons, battle cries and covers songs, Birch Bayh, Sarah Benzing, Joe Biden, Sherrod Brown, Susie Buffett, Bill Burton, Cheri Bustos, Jon Carson, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, cougars, Abby Curran, Tom Daschle, Sharice Davids, Raghu Devaguptapu, Preston Elliott, fake glasses, Abby Finkenauer, Lee Fisher, Marygrace Galston, Dan Geldon, Jane Gephardt, Grandma Jenny, Al Gore, Mike Gronstal, Josh Grossfeld, Lucinda Guinn, ice cream spoons, Iowa Nice, Jason Isbell, Charlie Kelly, John F. Kennedy, Patrick Kennedy, Ted Kennedy, John Kerry, Mary Landrieu, John Lapp, Roger Lau, Andrew LaVigne, Dean Levitan, Jeff Link, Jill Long Thompson, Travis Lowe, Leslie Martes, John McCain, Motorola, mousetrap minds, Andrew Myers, BJ Neidhardt, John Norris, Jen O’Malley Dillon, Kristen Orthman, Rohan Patel, Palm Pilots, Rebecca Pearcey, Aaron Pickrell, David Plouffe, Jessica Post, Joe Rospars, Mitch Stewart, Jonathan Swain, Tailgates with Tom, Suzie Terrell, Kip Tew, Paul Tewes, Caroline Valand, Doug Vilsack, Wartburg College, & more! | |||
| Democratic Admaker Mark Putnam on Storytelling & Viral Videos | 14 Dec 2021 | 00:57:42 | |
Mark Putnam, Democratic media strategist and founder of Putnam Partners, has helped elect 11 Governors, 10 Senators, and dozens of members of Congress. In this conversation, Mark talks growing up in Alaska, his unconventional path to working in political media, early races on which he cut his teeth, helping elect Presidents Obama and Biden, how to think about “viral” ads, some of his favorite spots, and smart insights from one of the most successful careers in political media. IN THIS EPISODE… Mark talks what it’s like growing up in Alaska… Mark remembers the tragic disappearance of of Congressman Nick Begich… How Mark thinks of Alaska politics 101… A memorable meeting a teenage Mark had with Senator Ted Stevens… Mark explains the connection between his college major in Molecular Biology and what he does now… How Geraldine Ferraro helped a novice Mark get into political consulting… The iconic political admakers Mark apprenticed under… The 1986 Senate race Mark first put his stamp on… The losing 1994 Governor’s race where Mark learned an important lesson… Mark’s thoughts on using humor in political advertising… Mark’s opportunity to help elect a friend a state Attorney General… Mark’s rules of thumb on videos going viral… What Mark thinks is unique about a Putnam Partners ad… Mark talks through the media behind Heidi Heitkamp’s upset Senate win in 2012… Mark makes a believer out of a skeptical Governor Bill Richardson on an out-of-the-box idea… The two moments Mark remembers most from working for the 2008 Obama campaign… Mark helms “the most expensive political ad ever made”… Mark’s role in the 2020 pro-Biden Unite the County Super PAC ads… Mark tells a wild story from a local New Jersey race when he was repeatedly threatened for trying to do the job… Mark talks what he’s learned about running a business and building a team… Mark’s weirdest work habit… Mark’s advice for the next generation of political media consultants… AND…August releases, David Axelrod, Mark Begich, Joe Biden, Randy Bryce, Ken Burns, Chuck Chvala, Jim Clyburn, the consideration set, Chancy Croft, Jeremiah Denton, Michael Dukakis, Ellis Island, Carter Eskew, Peter Fenn, forcefields of appeal, gold Cadillacs, Al Gore, Davis Guggenheim, Bob Graham, Mike Gravel, The Great Alaska Earthquake, John Gregg, Jay Hammond, MJ Hegar, Tom King, Bill Knapp, Tony Knowles, MTV, Jim Margolis, Mitch McConnell, Amy McGrath, Steve Murphy, Nordstrom, Tom Ochs, Ozzy Osbourne, Mike Pence, the Philadelphia, David Plouffe, Hal Riney, Joe Salazar, Terry Sanford, Steve Schale, Richard Shelby, Paul Simon, Tony Soprano, Bob Squier, Mark Squier, Tommy Thompson, Donald Trump, the valiant effort reel, Phil Weiser, John Zaccaro, Laura Zaccaro, & more! | |||
| Michael Barone, Patron Saint of Political Junkies | 07 Dec 2021 | 00:57:23 | |
Michael Barone, senior political analyst at the Washington examiner, is one of the most important political writers and thinkers of his time. He helped found the Almanac of American Politics in the early 70s and was the lead author for decades. He worked in politics himself, before transitioning to a role as a journalist, author, and pundit - always being an incisive and influential analyst of American politics at each stop along the way. In this conversation, we talk his roots in post-war Detroit, his time working for Democratic candidates and as a Democratic pollster, founding the Almanac, moving from left-of-center to right-of-center, and he gives his thoughts on some of the most pressing issues facing the political system and country today. Michael’s memories of growing up in post-war Detroit… The first election Michael remembers in detail… The up-and-coming politician Michael worked for at an important time… Michael talks his movement from liberal to conservative… Michael shares his memories of being on the scene during the momentous 1968 Chicago Democratic Convention… The off-hand comment that led to Michael’s involvement in forming and writing the Almanac of American Politics… Michael talks the nuts and bolts that have gone into writing the Almanac for 40 years… Michael spends several years working with legendary Democratic pollster Peter Hart… The time when Senator Joe Biden took issue with something Michael wrote in the Almanac… Michael remembers the impact of Senator Pat Moynihan… Some of Michael’s favorite political convention memories… Michael’s involvement in the infamous 1980 convention fights between the forces of Jimmy Carter and Ted Kennedy… How Michael makes the jump from political consultant to an opinion writer and journalist… The 3 books that shaped Michael’s political thinking… Michael’s thoughts on today’s political writing… Michael talks the unusual place that California holds in today’s politics… Michael’s take on the current state of both political parties… Michael compares today’s political scene to the politics of the 1880s… Michael’s current view on what demographics tell us about politics… The issue of the last decade on which Michael wishes he’d have been much more active… AND…the 1967 Detroit riots, 8 Mile Road, the UAW, US-16, the arsenal of democracy, Dan Balz, Big 3 Auto Companies, baloney and malarkey, David Broder, James Buchanan, George W. Bush, Pat Caddell, Jimmy Carter, Jerome Cavanaugh, Bill Clinton, Geoffrey Cowan, Mario Cuomo, Richard D. Daley, Duke University, Dwight Eisenhower, flotsam and jetsam, Gerald Ford, John Kenneth Galbraith, Newt Gingrich, Meg Greenfield, Martha Griffiths, Jon Grinspan, John Gunther, Lou Harris, Hubert Humphrey, Al Hunt, Jim Hunt, Harold Ickes, Jesse Jackson, John Judis, Jack Kemp, John Kennedy, Ted Kennedy, V.O. Key, Lyndon Johnson, John Lindsay, Samuel Lubell, Madison Square Garden, Walter Mondale, The Moynihan Report, Wade McCree, George McGovern, Ralph Nader, Newton’s Second Law of Motion, Richard Nixon, Kirk O’Donnell, Tip O’Neill, Charles Oakman, Barack Obama, obvious impractical proposals, Nancy Pelosi, podium passes, prayers of political scientists, Franklin Pierce, David Price, Oliver Quayle, Nancy Reagan, Ronald Reagan, recessed steering columns, Nelson Rockefeller, George Romney, Tim Russert, E.E. Schattschneider, Mark Shields, superdelegates, supply side economics, John Paul Stevens, Ted Stevens Airport, Ruy Teixeria, Bob Torricelli, Donald Trump, Grant Ujifusa, Carl Wagner, George Wallace, Woodrow Wilson, Worland Wyoming, Sam Yorty, Coleman Young, & more! | |||
| Taifa Butler, President of Demos - The "Think Tank of The Movement" | 30 Nov 2021 | 00:51:30 | |
Taifa Butler is the President of Demos, the “think tank of the movement” - dedicated to building a democracy and economy rooted in racial equity. Taifa talks the politics of her native Philadelphia in her formative years, what inspired her to pursue a life in politics and advocacy, her path to becoming President of Demos in early 2021, the work she’s most passionate about now, and her best practices on leadership, fundraising, public speaking, and much more. Taifa talks growing up amidst the tumultuous Philadelphia political scene in the 70s and 80s… Taifa remembers the momentous transition in the city from Mayor Frank Rizzo to Mayor Wilson Goode… The experience as a junior in high school that set Taifa on her path toward politics and advocacy… Taifa talks how single-sex schools gave her important opportunities… The lessons Taifa learned in a narrow loss running for local office… Taifa de-mystifies the role that think tanks can play in our politics… Taifa’s thoughts on how advocates can be successful even when partisan and ideological currents work against them… Taifa remembers what she’s seen working with and around Stacey Abrams… Taifa talks the priorities of the progressive think tank Demos and her path to becoming its President… Taifa explains what it looks like to head a large national think tank… Taifa talks how to avoid non-profit jargon… Taifa’s thoughts on how to build the right team for an organization, plus tips for jobseekers… Taifa’s 101 on how she thinks about racial equity and advice for those looking to learn more… Taifa’s tips for those who want to improve their public-speaking skill set… Taifa’s “one unusual work habit”… …and much more! | |||
| Great Campaign Stories Compilation: March-May 2021 | 23 Nov 2021 | 00:55:30 | |
This week's episode is a compilation of some of my favorite campaign war stories and memorable moments from the first three months of episodes, covering March - May 2021. IN THIS EPISODE Paul Begala talks a key lesson he learned from the 1984 Texas Senate race…and the Democratic candidate the Clinton campaign believed posed the greatest threat to Clinton in the primaries. Rebecca Pearcey, Political Director on the Warren 2020 presidential, recalls crossing paths with celebrities on the campaign trail and breaks down the value and mechanics of Elizabeth Warren’s selfie lines from the 2020 primaries… Glen Bolger, Republican pollster, shares a memory from 1988 demonstrating showing how unprepared GOP institutions were when George HW Bush chose Dan Quayle to be his VP nominee…and – as the pollster for Senator Thom Tillis – weighs in on whether or not the Cal Cunningham affair made the difference in the 2020 NC Senate race… Rose Kapolczynski, manager of Barbara Boxer’s four successful Senate campaigns, takes us deep inside Barbara Boxer’s underdog 1992 Senate race…and talks the role the Anita Hill / Clarence Thomas hearings had in the race and in creating that cycle’s “Year of the Woman”… Two-term Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed shares fantastic stories about two of his mentors, Mayors Maynard Jackson and Willie Brown… Saul Shorr, Democratic admaker, talks about his memories of Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan - including the historic winning 2000 Senate race that took place three weeks after Governor Carnahan died in a tragic plane crash… Democratic media strategist Martha McKenna remembers her front row seat seeing the political origins of now Cabinet Secretaries Deb Haaland and Pete Buttigieg… Mike Murphy, GOP media guru, talks two of the times he rubbed the brass of the Bush ’92 re-election team the wrong way…and shares a fantastic Pat Buchanan story… Faiz Shakir, Bernie Sanders’ 2020 campaign manager, goes deep into the 2020 campaign, including the re-boot of the campaign after Senator Sanders’ heart scare, the campaign’s theory of the race, and a couple of things he’d want to handle differently in hindsight… Founder of House Majority PAC Ali Lapp recounts one of her favorite examples of HMP utilizing creative tactics to help Democrats win a tough House seat in 2016… | |||
| CNN's Ariel Edwards-Levy on All Things Polling | 16 Nov 2021 | 00:44:17 | |
Ariel Edwards-Levy is CNN's Polling and Elections Analytics Editor, after covering the public opinion beat at Huffington Post for several cycles. In this episode she talks growing up in Southern California, the election that hooked her on politics at a young age, her early days in journalism, how she gravitated toward the polling beat, her transition from Huffington Post to CNN, and Ariel tackles many of the weighty questions confronting the field of polling. IN THIS EPISODE Ariel’s political awareness starts around the 2000 Bush-Gore election… Ariel fondly remembers the days of getting the daily print newspaper… Ariel talks the connections between her background as a journalist to her current focus on polling… Ariel talks her early path in journalism and how she came to the polling beat at the Huffington Post… Ariel talks her transition from Huffington Post to CNN… Ariel talks through what the day job of the Polling and Analytics Editor at CNN actually is… Ariel weighs in on the state of the polling industry… Ariel breaks down the differential non-response bias problem… Ariel on both improvements polling has made recently as well as challenges the field still faces… Ariel talks the mistakes that get under her skin from some public polling… Ariel talks how she thinks about tackling polling complex issues… Ariel’s best practices for people to become savvy consumers of public opinion data… Ariel talks the value of qualitative research… Ariel talks how she’s developed a large Twitter footprint… Ariel’s one quirky work habit… | |||
| Jeff Romig: Political Operative, Author, Mental Health Advocate | 09 Nov 2021 | 00:31:43 | |
Jeff Romig has been working in the trenches of politics for well over a decade. Inspired to work in campaigns by Congressman John Lewis, he's worked in all phases of campaigns to win tough races at the state and local level - and he's deeply experienced running non-profits as well. But the time is right now to talk to Jeff, as he's just released a memoir about living for 25 years in the shadow of his father's suicide and coming to grips with his own mental health and addiction issues. The book, Don't F***ing Kill Yourself (dfkybook.com), was released last week and is already an Amazon Bestseller. I find Jeff's book and story to be very timely as the conversation about mental health concerns for those who work in and around politics is just starting to happen. I appreciate Jeff's openness in his book and his commitment to using his own life and struggles to help keep this important conversation going. IN THIS EPISODE… Jeff bounces around in journalism in South Carolina and Indiana before finding his way to working politics… Spending time around Congressman John Lewis inspires Jeff toward a career in politics… Jeff tells memorable stories of being up close and personal with John Lewis… Jeff talks through some of the key moments from his career working in politics… Jeff talks the parallels between being a working journalist and a political operative… Jeff talks his best practices from years of helping non-profits succeed and grow… Jeff talks through his new book and what motivated him to write it… Jeff talks about the need to de-stigmatize suicidal ideation… Jeff talks about some of the specific mental health challenges he’s run across while working in politics… Jeff talks his struggle with alcoholism and the mental health and recovery tools that have helped him… Jeff talks the nuts-and-bolts of how his book went from a broad concept to a completed, published work… | |||
| Doug Jones on The Bend Toward Justice, Political Hurricanes, & 3 Years in the Senate | 02 Nov 2021 | 00:52:00 | |
Over the course of 2017, Doug Jones went from a respected Alabama attorney and empty nester to one of the most well-known US Senators in the country. In this conversation, we talk growing up in the shadow of segregation and George Wallace, starting to see those walls come down as he’s in high school, learning under his mentor Senator Howell Heflin, his time as US Attorney seeking justice against the Klan for the 1963 bombing of a Black church in Birmingham, the upset win and political hurricane in his 2017 special election, and memories of 3 influential years in the US Senate. IN THIS EPISODE… Sen Jones talks growing up in the segregated South and then seeing the world change before his eyes… He remembers the toxic legacy of Governor George Wallace… He remembers his time as an aide for his mentor, the iconic Alabama Senator (Judge) Howell Heflin… His memories of the Senate Judiciary Committee of the late 1970s… The twists-and-turns that lead to the opportunity to become US Attorney in 1997… US Attorney Jones helps deliver justice decades-later in the cold case of the KKK bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham… He talks his aborted race against Jeff Sessions in 2002… Why he decided to run for Senate 15 years later in 2017… Inside the 2017 Senate race when the entire political universe turns its eyes toward Doug Jones… The role Republican Senator Richard Shelby played in the 2017 race… Senator Jones talks the historic Black voter turnout in 2017… What surprised him about the Senate when he’s sworn in… What he’s most proud of from his tenure in the Senate… Senator Jones talks his No vote on the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation hearings… He weighs in on the current debates in the US Senate… AND Lamar Alexander, Jim Allen, Arent Fox, Bill Baxley, Birch Bayh, Joe Biden, Amelia Boynton, Brown vs the Board of Education, Build Back Better, Center for American Progress, the Civil Rights Trail, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Thad Cochran, Susan Collins, Bull Connor, constitutional compasses, John Culver, Joe Donnelly, Dwight Eisenhower, the Equal Justice Initiative, Medgar Evers, Christine Blasey Ford, Cory Gardner, Gold Star widows, Chuck Grassley, HBCUs, Claude Harris, Kamala Harris, Chris Hastings, Orrin Hatch, Heidi Heitkamp, Mike House, human infrastructure, the International Association of Culinary Professionals, Johnny Isakson, Mick Jagger, Kelly Ingram Park, Caroline Kennedy, JFK, Ted Kennedy, Kay Ivey, John Lewis, MLK, Paul Laxalt, Pat Leahy, John McCain, Claire McCaskill, Chris McNair, Howard Metzenbaum, Walter Mondale, money from heaven, the only game in town, Mike Pence, Giles Perkins, Janet Reno, Right Side of History PAC, Rosa Parks, Alan Simpson, Tina Smith, John Sparkman, Frank Stitt, Jon Tester, Strom Thurmond, Joe Trippi, Doug Turner, unprofessional demeanors, US Steel, Hosea Williams, the Women’s March, a Yoda doll….& more! | |||
| Chuck Robb of Virginia...Governor, Senator, Marine | 26 Oct 2021 | 00:48:44 | |
Who else has a story like Chuck Robb? Marries the President Johnson's daughter in a White House ceremony, serves in Vietnam, changes the political culture of Virginia in the 70s and 80s, two consequential terms in the Senate, helps found the influential centrist DLC, and casts several courageous, unpopular votes that ultimately take a toll on his career in elected office. This is a frank, revealing conversation though Governor Robb's one-of-a-kind political life. Governor Robb’s indirect connection to Woodrow Wilson… His formative time in the Marines, including combat in Vietnam… A young Chuck Robb’s ceremonial role in the LBJ White House… He recalls a meeting in the Lincoln Bedroom asking the President Johnson’s blessing to marry his daughter Linda… More of his memories from seeing President Johnson up close… He also speaks to the important role that Lady Bird Johnson played in President Johnson’s career… He weighs in on the “rivalry” between the Kennedys and the Johnsons… The ribbing from John McCain that would always get a rise from Governor Robb… The early days kicking his political career off in Virginia… The 1984 DNC Convention speech he gave that gave rise to the centrist, DLC movement… Why he never ran for President… The long relationship between Chuck Robb and Doug Wilder… He remembers his iconic 1994 re-election race against Oliver North… He talks through his courageous 1996 vote against the Defense of Marriage Act… He also talks his reversal of opinion to cast a vote against the Flag Burning Amendment… He talks his losing 2000 race against George Allen and gives advice to candidates running as underdogs… Weighing in on the debate over the filibuster reform… He talks the roles he’s taken on after his Senate career… AND…8th and I, Joe Biden, Harry Byrd, Bill Clinton, Marshall Coleman, Jim Crow, Everett Dirksen, Episcopalians, John Glenn, heifers, Howell Heflin, Hubert Humphrey, HMX-1, Scoop Jackson, Barbara Jordan, Robert Kennedy, Jackie Kennedy, John McCain, mixed doubles with Ethel Kennedy, muddy boot Marines, Sam Nunn, Strom Thurmond, the USS Northampton, the WMD Commission, Robert W. Wooley, & more! | |||
| Remembering Political Innovator Hal Malchow, with Trish Hoppey & Rich Schlackman | 14 May 2024 | 00:41:48 | |
Hal Malchow was the incredibly innovative Democratic direct mail and fundraising consultant, who passed away several weeks ago. His final chapter was chronicled by Sasha Issenberg in Politico recently. Hal's was truly a creative mind, including breaking new ground on sophisticated political microtargeting and "social pressure" tactics to generate increased voter turnout. Joining this conversation are two of Hal's longtime business partners and friends - fellow direct mail consultants, Trish Hoppey and Rich Schlackman. We discuss Hal's political roots in progressive politics out of the Deep South, his innovative and curious political mind, the new approaches he developed, and the legacy he leaves behind after decades in the trenches of political targeting and communications. Memories of meeting Hal for the first time... Hal's path to DC from the Deep South... The GOP luminary who was one of Hal's most trusted friends... The innovations in political targeting and messaging spearheaded by Hal... A few of the races and campaigns most impacted by Hal's creativity... The origin of Hal's groundbreaking work on "social pressure" with two Ivy League academics... Why Hal left day-to-day consulting after the 2010 cycle and how he stayed involved over the past decade... Hal's most recent advice to Democratic campaigns... Hal's motivations during the final chapter of his life... Final thoughts on Hal's legacy in politics... AND The Analyst Institute, bananas ideas, Evan Bayh, better mousetraps, Andrew Bleeker, CHAID analysis, Campaign Performance Group, Christina Coloroso, couch surfing, Mario Cuomo, Morris Dees, failed attorneys, fake-out mail, Vic Fazio, feedback loops, funny accents, Page Gardner, Alan Gerber, Al Gore, Christine Hopkinson, Herb Kelleher, Harry Kennedy, Ted Kennedy, Dean Levitan, Alex Malchow, microtargeting, Janet Napolitano, Gavin Newsom, paella, personalized yard signs, Mike Podhorzer, rat infestations, Rick Ridder, Mitt Romney, Ron Rosenblith, Santa Fe, Tom Sugar, Richard Viguerie, Voter Contact Services, Mark Warner, Michael Woolridge & more! | |||
| A Tour de Force with Stefan Smith on Disruptive Digital & the Buttigieg Boom | 19 Oct 2021 | 00:59:53 | |
There aren't many stories like Stefan's Smith in politics...growing up with a single mom in public housing in South Carolina...and from a gig worker to the upper echelons of presidential campaigns and iconic progressive organizations in four years. Stefan flirted with both a career in academia and the entertainment industry before finding his calling in digital politics. In this conversation, he talks his unusual path to politics, his road warrior days on campaigns, goes deep on his time with the Buttigieg campaign, & the projects he's taken on since. Stefan is also generous with his advice to those bouncing around campaigns, those interested in working in digital, and anyone looking to help make working in politics accessible to more people. IN THIS EPISODE… Stefan’s upbringing in Greenville, South Carolina… The life-changing moment when Stefan got his first computer… The first race Stefan cared about… Why Stefan veered away from academia… Stefan’s stint as a researcher / writer on Drunk History on Comedy Central… The two reasons why Stefan found himself on the 2016 Hillary Clinton Presidential Campaign… Stefan’s time as an itinerant campaign worker for Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and Senator Martin Heinrich… Stefan’s “transformational” experience building a digital plan for New Mexico Democrats… Stefan’s 4 practical tips for campaign road warriors… Stefan’s circuitous path to working for Pete Buttigieg… Stefan’s take on why & how Buttigieg dramatically exceeded conventional wisdom in 2020… Stefan takes us inside the Buttigieg world on Iowa Caucus night… Stefan de-mystifies the Buttigieg digital strategy… Stefan’s digital advice for lower-budget campaigns… Stefan’s tips for operatives who want to work in digital… Stefan’s post-primary work on election violence and criminal justice reform… Stefan’s current job as the #2 digital staffer at the ACLU… Stefan’s one ask of white people to help diversify political campaigns… Stefan’s one unusual work habit… | |||
| Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the First Hispanic Woman Elected to Congress | 12 Oct 2021 | 00:48:28 | |
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen has a truly American story: born in Cuba, emigrates to Miami with her family at age 8, works as a teacher before being elected to the Florida legislature - and then makes history as the first Hispanic woman in American history to be elected to Congress. This is a great conversation about her one-of-a-kind life, history-making career, great political stories, and advice & insight to candidates, elected officials, lobbyists, and staffers after serving nearly 30 years in the U.S. House. Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen’s early memories growing up in Cuba and her sudden emigration to Miami… She breaks down why Cuban Americans started to align with the Republican Party… The conversation that got her involved in politics for the first time… She talks about her House predecessor, the legendary Congressman Claude Pepper… How she overcame racist tactics to become the first Hispanic woman elected to Congress… The surprising way she learned she made history on Election Night… What surprised her as she got her feet wet in Congress… She’s remembers how Newt Gingrich changed the Republican Party and transformed Congress… Why she didn’t sign the 1994 Republican “Contract with America”… The House Democrat she remembers for brass-knuckle tactics… She remembers times she was “in the dog house” for breaking with GOP party leadership… Her signature accomplishments after 30 years in the house… She remembers the intensity around the Elian Gonzalez custody case, occurring right in her district… She weighs in on if the Elian Gonzalez case cost Al Gore Florida in 2000 and ultimately the presidency… Her memories of the impeachment of Bill Clinton… Why she never ran statewide and didn’t run for re-election in 2018… Her take on what makes a good lobbyist… Her tips on running on a congressional office… She remembers Marco Rubio as a young intern in her office… What does she miss about being in Congress… Her take on why there are so many Florida politicians on the national scene… She weighs in on whether Florida remains a “swing state”… Her advice on what people should do when visiting Miami… AND…537 Votes, The Bay of Pigs, Beltway Fever, Brigade 2506, Jeb Bush, Kathy Castor, Fidel Castro, Liz Cheney, Shirley Chisholm, Bill Clinton, Billy Corben, Katie Couric, Cuba Libres, the Defense of Marriage Act, Tom DeLay, Val Demings, Ron DeSantis, Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Mario Diaz-Balart, Bob Dole, Dante Fascell, first airplane rides, Tom Foley, get-along and go-along Republicans, Newt Gingrich, Elian Gonzalez, Homestead Air Force Base, Steny Hoyer, Sam Johnson, JFK, Bill Lehman, David Leahy, Dexter Lehtinen, John Lewis, La Loba Feroz, John McCain, Bob Michel, a minority mentality, Stephanie Murphy, Obamacare, olive-green military attire, Red Pepper, Robert Redford, Janet Reno, Steve Schale, snowbirds, South Beach, SWAT teams, the University of Havana, Versailles, Don Young, & more! | |||
| Ed Peavy & the Mission of Mail | 05 Oct 2021 | 00:48:21 | |
Ed Peavy founded Democratic direct mail firm Mission Control and is rightfully known as one of the good people in the business. In this conversation, Ed talks why after working a few weeks on the Hill he knew it wasn't right for him, his early campaign days including on the legendary Harris Wofford Senate race in Pennsylvania, and then starting a small direct mail firm that has become one of the most successful in politics. Great conversation with Ed with lots of practical tips about the mechanics of campaigns, the art of mail, running a political business, and much more. IN THIS EPISODE… Ed grows up in the Beltway and has a closer-than-you’d-think connection the Iranian Hostage Crisis… The first political race Ed remembers… Ed’s brief time working as a Hill staffer…and when he realized it wasn’t for him… The congressional race Ed worked on that changed his professional path… Ed learns a lot on the legendary Senate special election to elect Harris Wofford in PA… Ed’s thoughts on what separates good campaign managers from the pack… Ed’s path to consulting and direct mail… Ed makes the decision to start Mission Control direct mail… The story behind the name “Mission Control”… The story of a rival candidate hiring Ed after being attacked by Ed’s mail… The key races that helped put Ed and Mission Control on the map… Ed breaks down his process of building his professional network… Ed’s 101 on how campaigns and candidates should utilize direct mail… Ed talks the the work Mission Control did in the GA Senate races to flip the Senate majority… The thing that some people do that drives Ed “the most nuts” in the business… Ed breaks down who is and isn’t a good fit to work in direct mail… Ed weighs in with his tips on deeply controversial travel questions… AND John Anderson, Tom Andrews, Melissa Bean, Paul Begala, Tim Bishop, Richard Bolling, Joe Brennan, James Carville, Jimmy Carter, Dante Fascell, Gerald Ford, Sam Gejdenson, Felix Grucci, Martin Hamburger, Maren Hesla, Brian Joyce, Stephen Lynch, Jim Maloney, Marty Markowitz, Joe Moakley, Dennis Moore, Connie Morella, Adnaan Muslim, Steve Murphy, Jon Ossoff, Claude Pepper, RAGBRAI, Ronald Reagan, Nelson Rockefeller, Olympia Snowe, Tom Suozzi, terrible headlines, Dick Thornburgh, upset landslides, Alan Wheat, Anthony Weiner,…& more! | |||
| Dr. Michael D. Cohen...Pollster, App Builder, Author | 28 Sep 2021 | 00:50:10 | |
Dr. Michael D. Cohen studied under iconic pollster Bill Hamilton as a student, worked in the trenches in Republican campaigns, spent time at Gallup, apprenticed under iconic GOP pollster Tony Fabrizio (most known recently as Donald Trump's pollster) and worked with famed Dem strategist Mark Penn when Michael was an in-house pollster at Microsoft. Along the way, Michael started his own firm (Cohen Research Group), built the booming political Congress in Your Pocket technology app, and recently wrote the book Modern Political Campaigns to bring the campaign literature up to speed with the ever-evolving political industry. This is a great nuts-and-bolts conversation on the political industry with a successful pollster, tech entrepreneur, and author. IN THIS EPISODE… Michael’s formative years growing up on Long Island… The political switch flips for Michael in college… Michael crosses paths with famed Democratic pollster Bill Hamilton… Michael makes the jump to political polling under Tony Fabrizio… The bizarre story of how one of Michael’s candidates was pilloried on the Colbert Report… Michael starts his own polling firm to move beyond partisan politics… Michael’s stint as an in-house pollster at Microsoft with Mark Penn… Michael’s compares working with legendary Dem pollster Mark Penn and iconic GOP pollster Tony Fabrizio… Michael creates the wildly successful Congress in Your Pocket app… Michael’s 101 on how to create an app… The long journey behind Michael’s new book Modern Political Campaigns… Michael’s advice to those who want to write a book and get it published… Michael’s take on what makes a good pollster… Michael weighs in on the question of a “polling crisis”… Michael’s advice on the best books to understand how politics works… AND AAPOR, Michael Bender, Sidney Blumenthal, Stephen Colbert, Sean Cook, Bob Dole, enlargement ads, Ezra Cohen Corporation, Arthur Finkelstein, the Gallup Poll, Josh Gottheimer, Sasha Issenberg, Peter Jennings, Steve Jobs, Ed Koch, Celinda Lake, Massapequa mannerisms, mobilization vs. persuasion, Never Trump Republicans, Ronald Reagan, Rowman & Littlefield, Jake Rush, Karen Thurman, Chris Tompkins, Tevi Troy, vampire roleplaying, Ted Yoho, & more! | |||
| Mindy Myers on Winning Senate Races, Running the DSCC, & Starting MZL Media | 21 Sep 2021 | 00:52:35 | |
Mindy Myers has a knack for being where political history happens and, more importantly, has run and won tough Senate races. She managed Sheldon Whitehouse in 2006 over Linc Chafee and ran Elizabeth Warren's first political race in 2012...then was the first ever woman to serve as E.D of the DSCC. Now she's started MZL Media to put into practice what she's learned winning tough races. And even as a young operative, Mindy found herself witnessing political history...working for trailblazing Congresswoman Pat Schroder, interning in the Clinton White House during impeachment, the Brooks Brothers' riot in Florida, the Daschle office when Jim Jeffords switched, helping Democrats win the Senate in 2006, running a state for Obama in 2008, seeing the very start of the Elizabeth Warren's political career and on and on. This was a great conversation walking through Mindy's time in politics and what she's learned along the way. The 1992 Year of the Woman engages a young Mindy growing up in Lancaster, PA… Mindy interns in the office of trailblazing Congresswoman Pat Schroeder… Mindy’s works in the White House during the Clinton impeachment era… Mindy’s moves to Nashville to work on her first campaign in Al Gore’s 2000 race… Mindy’s "boiler room" memories of roller coaster election night 2000 Mindy’s on the ground for a first-hand account of the Brooks Brothers riot in Florida… Mindy works in the office of Senator Tom Daschle… Mindy’s memories of Jim Jeffords’ party switch in 2001… What Mindy learned from iconic Chief of Staff Pete Rouse… Mindy manages Sheldon Whitehouse’s 2006 Senate campaign against incumbent Lincoln Chafee… Mindy explains why Linc Chafee was like “a bad boyfriend”… Mindy’s advice for first-time campaign managers… Mindy runs the Obama 2008 general election in New Hampshire… Mindy runs Elizabeth Warren’s first Senate race in 2012… Mindy’s tips for Hill Chiefs of Staff… Mindy’s time as the first woman to serve as the ED of the DSCC… How many phone calls with Chuck Schumer are part of an average week for the ED of the DSCC? Mindy’s memories of the upset victory of Doug Jones over Roy Moore in 2017… Mindy’s decision to launch the new media firm MZL Media... Mindy’s take on how to run effective Independent Expenditure campaigns… Mindy’s “guiding principles” of how candidates should choose consultants… ...AND 36 days in Florida 2000, Paul Ambrosino, John Anzalone, ballot watching in Volusia County, Michele Ballantyne, Richard Blumenthal, Donna Brazile, Scott Brown, Pat Buchanan, Mark Childress, Hillary Clinton, Tom Delay, Monica Dixon, Mike Donilon, fabulous memos, Vic Fazio, Donnie Fowler, Franklin & Marshall College, Mandy Grunwald, Joe Hansen, Tim Johnson, Doug Jones, John King, Roger Lau, Tracey Lewis, John McCain, Linda McMahon, Roy Moore, Janet Murguía, obscure Vermont radio, Mark Patterson, Peoples’ Pledge, Pete Rouse, Pat Schroeder, Jeanne Shaheen, Arlen Specter, Chris Van Hollen, Michael Whouley, Lynn Yeakel, Sarah Callahan Zusi…& more! | |||
| The Rise of Raghu Devaguptapu | 14 Sep 2021 | 00:53:35 | |
Not many people have a story in politics like Raghu Devaguptapu...son of Indian immigrants, making the jump from touring with a band to working in politics, working at the upper echelons of both state and national politics, and then co-founding his own media firm. This is a great conversation talking through Raghu's early life, key moments in his career, and insight and advice from a one-of-a-kind career in politics. IN THIS EPISODE… Raghu grows up in Wisconsin as the son of immigrants straddling the worlds of being both American and Indian… Raghu’s connection an Indian political luminary… Raghu’s early forays “organizing” college parties creates an entre to political organizing… Raghu’s time as a singer in the alt-rock scene in the Midwest… Raghu’s Wisconsin Politics 101… Raghu learns important lessons on Russ Feingold’s Senate campaign… Raghu comes into his own running the WI State House Caucus… Raghu learns important lessons while finding himself in the middle of a political scandal… Raghu goes national working on state legislatives at the DLCC… Raghu’s critical time at the DGA and AFSCME’s IE… Raghu makes the jump to ad-making at the Adelstein Liston media firm… Raghu helps elect the first Indian American to Congress in 50 years… Raghu learns important lessons working for Congressman Mike Honda… Why and how Raghu co-founds his own media firm Left Hook… Raghu talks how Left Hook helped elect Mark Kelly to the US Senate… Raghu weighs in on how to run smarter campaigns… AND Eric Adelstein, George Aldrich, appropriate engagement models, Ami Bera, David Bergstein, Big Wheel, Tanya Bjork, Anthony Carter, Jen Cox, Michael Davies, economic diasporas, Ricky Feller, the Fox Valley, Lisa Grove, Lucinda Guinn, Brandon Hall, Danny Kazin, Kennedy Democrats, Lake Winnebago, the Lion of Andrha, Ann Liston, Operation Sting, Optic Box, Rachel Ostendorf, powder-keg questions, the Salt March, Larry Scanlon, Soul Asylum, Tom Petri, Tanguturi Prakasam, Scott Tyre, Josh Wachs, Wandering Aimlessly, the William D. Ford direct lending program, Josh Wolf, & more! | |||
| Jim Duffy, a Godfather of Democratic Media | 07 Sep 2021 | 00:50:47 | |
Jim Duffy is one of the Godfathers of Democratic media consultants. He joined with Raymond Strother in the mid 80s to form Strother Duffy - one of the elite Dem firms of the era. Jim cut his teeth working in New Orleans politics - for names like Moon Landrieu and Lindy Boggs, before making the move to DC as an ad-maker. As a media consultant, Jim has helped elect numerous Senators, Governors, and members of Congress - and in this conversation, he talks about the Louisiana politics of his youth, learning the nuts and bolts of campaigns in New Orleans, and his experiences and advice from four decades working in political media. IN THIS EPISODE… How the policies of Huey Long brought the Duffys to Louisiana… Jim breaks down the Long / anti-Long Louisiana politics of his youth… Jim talks the influence of Cajun voters on state politics… Jim tells some great Edwin Edwards stories… Jim’s first big political break by working with New Orleans Mayor Moon Landrieu… Jim manages Congresswoman Lindy Boggs first competitive primary… Jim intersects with premier Democratic media consultant Raymond Strother in 1984… Jim talks the political consulting landscape of the 1980s… The 1989 special election that helped put Jim on the map on his own… Jim’s deep bench of Blue Dog clients… Jim tells a great story of developing the message to help Buddy Roemer beat Edwin Edwards… Jim’s advice to those entering the media business… Jim pays a compliment to a Republican’s ability to message… Jim’s pitch for people to work in politics… | |||
| Ellen Malcolm, founder of EMILY's List, on Women Winning | 31 Aug 2021 | 00:59:23 | |
Ellen Malcolm helped found EMILY's List in 1985 and then served as EL’s President for 25 years. It’s hard to think of an organization over the last 30+ years that has changed politics more than EMILY's List, dramatically increasing the number of Democratic women in the both the Senate and the House. In this conversation, Ellen talks about how her early stops at places like Common Cause and the National Women’s Political Caucus prepared her to help found, launch, and grow EMILY's List. And Ellen outlines the key moments, decisions, and campaigns that have forged the successful political institution EMILY's List has become. IN THIS EPISODE Ellen grows up in a Republican household… The cause and candidate that pulled Ellen into progressive politics… Ellen cuts her teeth at Common Cause and the National Women’s Political Caucus… Ellen comes out of the philanthropic closet… The one Senate race in 1982 that was the catalyst for the creation for EMILYs List… Geraldine Ferraro’s role in energizing the women’s political movement… How “pro-choice” and “Democratic” became integral to EMILYs List mission… Ellen’s memorable first meeting with then newly-elected Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi… Barbara Mikulski and EMILYs List make history in 1986… The 1988 House race that became a prototype what would soon be EMILYs List political department… Ellen remembers her deep emotional investment in Ann Richards races in Texas… The 1992 “Year of the Woman” changes the trajectory of EMILYs List… The 2004 House race that became a model of how EMILYs List tries to operate… After 25 years as President of EL, how Ellen knew it was time to pass the torch… Ellen’s advice for new or smaller organizations that want to be the next EL… AND 12-2 meetings, 60 Minutes, Tammy Baldwin, Lindy Boggs, Mary Beth Cahill, chain letters, Common Cause, John Danforth, donor networks, Dwight Eisenhower, the ERA fight, Anna Eshoo, John Gardner, Jane Hickey, Anita Hill, Eugene McCarthy, Walter Mondale, Gwen Moore, NOW, Mary Rose Oakar, David Obey, Tip O’Neil, Jen Pihlaja, Sally Ride, Run to Win, Stephanie Schriock, Wendy Sherman, Simon & Garfunkel, Martha Smiley, Lael Stegall, Adlai Stevenson, Clarence Thomas, Jolene Unsoeld, Willi Unsoeld, Watergate, Henrietta Windom, Harriet Woods…& MORE! | |||
| Nebraska's Ben Nelson on the Death of the Senate | 24 Aug 2021 | 00:52:53 | |
Ben Nelson has lived an iconic political life...two terms as Governor and two terms in the Senate as a Democrat in deep red Nebraska - and the key swing vote on landmark legislation from the Bush tax cuts to judicial votes to Obamacare. In this conversation, he talks his political career - beginning with his first Governor's race (starting at 0% and winning by 42 votes). And he goes into depth about his time in the Senate - weighing in on colleagues that impressed him and disappointed him, and touching on the themes of the breakdown of the body in his new book Death of the Senate. IN THIS EPISODE Senator Nelson reminisces about growing up in idyllic Western Nebraska… The significance of being an only child… A memorable first experience in the Nebraska’s Governor’s Office as a 17-year old… Senator Nelson talks about the importance of his political hero Senator George W. Norris… The value of a unicameral legislature… Why Senator Nelson gravitated toward Democrats despite growing up in very Republican turf… Senator Nelson’s academic background in Philosophy… Winning his first race for Governor by 42 votes… Senator Nelson talks about his lone loss in the 1996 open Senate Seat… How he came back four years later to win a Senate race… Which of his new Senate colleagues were the biggest surprises to him? Senator Nelson pinpoints the transition from Trent Lott to Mitch McConnell as the start of the breakdown of the Senate… Senator Nelson talks his vote for the Bush tax cuts… Did he get close to switching parties? Senator Nelson explains his early primary endorsement of Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton? Senator Nelson walks through the process that led to the passage of the ACA Obamacare… Setting the record straight on the so-called “Cornhusker Kickback”… The letter Senator Nelson wrote correcting Justice Scalia… Why did Senator Nelson forgo running for re-election in 2012? Senator Nelson’s “rough” perspective on Donald Trump… Weighing in on the debate over eliminating the filibuster… Senator Nelson’s advice on hiring and managing… Senator Nelson’s itinerary for getting the Nebraska Experience…
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| Analyst Jessica Taylor on 2022 Senate Races & Making History at The Almanac of American Politics | 17 Aug 2021 | 00:40:59 | |
Jessica Taylor is the Senate Editor for the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter and recently made history as the first woman to be a Senior Author for the Almanac of American Politics. Jessica talks her small-town Tennessee roots, her path to political journalism, her early thoughts on the 2022 Senate map, and a deep-dive into both the history of The Almanac and her ground-breaking role at that hallowed institution. Jessica traces her interest in political journalism to both her mother and father… How a neighbor from Arkansas made an important impact on a 7-year old Jessica… Jessica’s first job working at her local paper… Jessica’s career goals take shape at Furman University… Advice Jessica gives to young aspiring journalists… Jessica’s controversial tenure as editor of her college paper… Jessica’s first job in DC political journalism… Jessica talks her time working with both Stu Rothenberg and Charlie Cook… Jessica shares a memorable “candidate interview” from a now high-profile elected official… Jessica explains the “race ratings” that are a big part of her job… Jessica’s early take on the 2022 Senate map… Jessica talks the history of the Almanac of American Politics… A couple of Jessica’s favorite details she’s learned researching for The Almanac… | |||
| Matt Robison & Confessions of a Hill Chief of Staff | 30 Apr 2024 | 00:58:33 | |
Matt Robison has worn many political hats, among them working in numerous positions across Capitol Hill - including serving as Chief of Staff for three members. He also managed the successful 2012 upset re-election of Rep. John Tierney, after Tierney was named the GOP's top takeover opportunity that cycle. With roots in Manhattan, Matt had formative experiences in NYC public schools before a chance meeting with then Governor Bill Clinton in 1992 and an unlikey mentor at Harvard, nudged him to a career working in government. In this conversation, Matt talks his path to working in politics, goes deep on the best practices and unwritten rules of working on the Hill, and updates on his post-Hill life as a writer, radio host, and podcaster. IN THIS EPISODE How Matt's brief time in the NYC public school system informed his future outlook as a political operative... Matt's memorable experience meeting Bill Clinton during the 1992 presidential campaign... An unexpected political mentor and how Matt got his foot into the political door... Matt successfully manages a Democratic House incumbent in 2012 who was the GOP's #1 target... Matt's initial impressions of working on the Hill as a junior staffer... Matt's best practices for running a Hill office... The mistake Matt made as a Hill Chief that led to an attack ad against his member... Why scheduling is the worst part of the job as a Hill Chief of Staff... The one type of person Matt recommends never hiring as a Hill Chief... Matt's advice for new Hill staffers... Matt's take on the rise of unionized Hill offices... Matt's estimate on the share of House members who are jerks... Some of the most impressive members (both Dem & GOP) Matt saw during his time on the Hill... Why Matt left the Hill after running three House offices... Matt's "most interesting number in politics"... Matt's current podcast, releasing three episodes a week... Matt's strangest work habits... AND Charlie Bass, Biafra, Lauren Boebert, Jeb Bradley, George HW Bush, Robert Caro, James Carville, General Comfort, Crash Davis, Mickey Edwards, David Gergen, Newt Gingrich, gross metaphors, half hugs, Paul Hodes, Rush Holt, Steny Hoyer, hybrid ads, illegal offshore gambling rings, Walter Isaacson, Steve Jobs, Gerry Kavanaugh, logistical nightmares, Nancy Mace, massive scandals, Chris Matthews, Mike Michaud, Mr. Miyagi, Tip O'Neill, Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, personal mishegas, philosophical questions, Reagan Democrats, Stu Rothenberg, South Park, the stupidest law in America, John Tierney, Donald Trump, unhinged maniacs, wicked sore throats...& more! | |||
| Author & Journalist Edward-Isaac Dovere on the Battle for the 2020 Democratic Nomination | 10 Aug 2021 | 00:45:37 | |
You know Edward-Isaac Dovere from his work at The Atlantic, and Politico before that. His recent book Battle for the Soul chronicles the 2020 presidential campaign, especially the Democratic primaries. In this conversation, we discuss Isaac's path to writing about politics, the genesis of his book, and several of the key moments from the 2020 campaign trail. Isaac talks through the genre of “campaign books”… Isaac shares the original title of the book and how “Battle for the Soul” later emerged… Isaac’s contention that Medicare For All hindered the candidacies of the most progressive candidates… Isaac talks through a symbolically important dinner at the Georgetown Four Seasons… How close did Hillary Clinton get to jumping in? Isaac’s take on why Beto O’Rourke’s campaign didn’t catch on… Isaac talks the importance of Lis Smith to the rise of Pete Buttigieg… Isaac breaks down the post-debate boom for Kamala Harris… Why Isaac sees the Clyburn Fish Fry as a microcosm of the primary… Isaac gets behind the scenes of the Clyburn endorsement of Joe Biden… Isaac talks Bernie at his high point post-Nevada caucus… Isaac’s contention that Amy Klobuchar had an enormous impact on the Biden VP decision… AND…David Axelrod, Pete Buttigieg, Julian Castro, CBD dispensaries, Guy Cecil, classic Iowa questions, the Clyburn Fish Fry, Cobble Hill Restaurant, Ted Cruz, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Kamala Harris, The Hill, Amy Klobuchar, John Lewis, Terry McAuliffe, Pat Moynihan, Jerry Nadler, Barack Obama, Jen O’Malley Dillon, Beto O’Rourke, Nancy Pelosi, Bernie Sanders, Al Sharpton, Stephanie Schriock, Chuck Schumer, Lis Smith, St. Kilda, Eric Swalwell, Neera Tanden, Elizabeth Warren, Gretchen Whitmer, and MORE! | |||
| Chuck Rocha On Organizing, Bernie, & Solidarity | 03 Aug 2021 | 01:00:06 | |
Chuck Rocha, Democratic operative and founder of Solidarity Strategies, may have the most interesting and unusual story of ascent in politics. From a 19-year old single father working a union job at a rubber plant in East Texas, to the political director of the national Steelworkers' Union, to a senior advisor to both Bernie Sanders' campaigns, and founder of the largest Latino-owned political consulting firm. Chuck's stories, insight, and advice match his unconventional path in the industry...this is a great conversation with one of the most distinctive voices in American politics. IN THIS EPISODE… Chuck talks navigating both the Mexican and Anglo sides of his family… Chuck talks his first job out of school working in a rubber factory… Chuck’s eyes are opened once he starts working in his local union… The Chuck Rocha 101 of Political Organizing… Chuck’s early intersection with Ann Richards campaigns… Chuck cuts his teeth on Martin Frost’s campaigns in Texas… Chuck’s path from the factory floor to the National Political Director of the Steelworkers… How Chuck makes the decision to start his own firm, Solidarity Strategies… Chuck learns important lessons after making a professional mistake… Chuck’s advice for anyone starting their own political business… Chuck helps elect an underdog insurgent Mayor of Providence, RI… Chuck talks the different vibes in pitching the presidential campaigns of Hillary Clinton vs Bernie Sanders… Chuck talks how the mistakes and experiences from Bernie 2016 led to the early Bernie 2020 momentum… Chuck’s advice as to how local campaigns can replicate the Bernie 2020 organizing success… Chuck’s insight into Bernie Sanders’ the person that the rest of us don’t know… Who had the best Bernie impression on the campaign? Chuck stars the innovative Nuestro Super PAC? Chuck’s advice to help Democrats better connect with Latino voters… Chuck talks the importance of cultural competency in communicating with Latino voters… Chuck’s career advice for the next generation of operatives… The new habit that is “changing Chuck’s life”… AND…Luis Alcauter, aspirational messaging, beepers, the Blue Green Alliance, Buddy Cianci, Larry Cohen, economic populism, eggheads, El Charro’s, Jorge Elorza, Jim English, Martin Frost, Eileen Garcia, Daysi Gonzalez, Goodyear Tire, Google translate, Maria Hinojosa, Yvette Herrera, keyboard warriors, Matthew McConaughey, John Nash, Nuestro PAC, Vinny Panvini, Ari Rabin-Havt, rapid-response fax machines, rednecks in East Texas, Ann Richards, Jon Soltz, Larry Scanlon, Terry Turner, Tio Bernie, Tortilla Coast, Vote Vets, Jeff Weaver, woke white consultants, & MORE! | |||
| Steve Schale: Obama Man, Biden Man, Florida Man | 27 Jul 2021 | 00:58:40 | |
No operative is more identified with their state's politics than Steve Schale is with Florida. Steve cut his teeth winning tough legislative districts in Florida as the state drifted red, then ran Florida for the winning Obama campaign in 2008 and was deeply involved again in Obama 2012. And beyond Florida, Steve helmed the Draft Biden 2016 effort and the 2020 Biden Super PAC Unite the Country. This is a great conversation not just about Steve's experiences in Florida politics, but also covering how a high-level political operative approaches campaigns, building organizations, and navigating a career in a tough industry. IN THIS EPISODE Steve’s “uncle” who was elected Governor of a Midwestern state (before spending time in prison)… Steve’s early activism in the anti-apartheid movement… How Newt Gingrich inadvertently helped Steve during the first campaign he worked… Steve develops a reputation for helping Florida Democrats win in red areas… What races Steve thinks are the best training ground to learn politics… The “argument” Steve had during his Chicago interview to run for Florida for Obama 2008… The one tactical decision that helped Obama 2008 keep Florida on their swing state map… Steve talks what put Obama over the top in Florida… Steve remembers the Election Eve event in Jacksonville when he told Sen. Obama he was going to carry the state… Steve talks how the Obama 2012 win in Florida was different than winning in 2008… Why Steve initially held a grudge toward Joe Biden…and what Biden did to win him over for good… Steve talks how 2015-2016 Draft Biden effort was the most interesting four months of his life… Just how close did Biden get toward jumping in the 2016 race… Steve’s role in creating and running the Biden Super PAC Unite the Country… Steve’s advice for doing live television… The HR lessons Steve learned from hiring and running a 600-person campaign… Steve’s international involvement with the NGO American Council of Young Political Leaders… AND…Biden’s aviators, Jeb Bush, Stephen Colbert, the Congo, Charlie Crist, Rich Davis, Dick Durbin, Florida House Victory, Peter Gabriel, Newt Gingrich, GOPAC, Gwen Graham, Leonard Hamilton, Steve Hildebrand, Michael Jordan, Nelson Mandela, Jonathan Martin, Mitch McConnell, Jen O’Malley Dillon, David Plouffe, Greg Schultz, soft diplomacy, Paul Simon, Jerry Springer, the Tallahassee Crowd, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Doug Wiles, win and advance, & more! | |||