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Podcast Interview: Obama Campaign Manager David Plouffe

November 11, 2009 2:08 PM

On our Political Punch Podcast this week we interviewed former Obama for America campaign manager David Plouffe, who we reached in San Francisco on his book tour for his campaign memoir “The Audacity to Win: The Inside Story and Lessons of Barack Obama's Historic Victory.” 

You can listen to the podcast on iTunes or my clicking HERE. The podcast is produced by Huma Khan.

We touched on a number of subjects he writes about -- some of which we have covered in this blog before --  but one of the biggest confessions of the book was Plouffe’s admission of a “systemic failure” to deal with the issue of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright “properly.”

Writes Plouffe: “I still kick myself for how terribly we mishandled our internal Wright work… We had done zero research on our own candidate beyond a small and incomplete package from the 2004 Senate race… We never raised with Obama the idea of leaving the church, or discussed with him any detail of how we would respond if inflammatory statements were to emerge. We were in denial."

I asked Plouffe today if racial sensitivities may have been part of the reason.

“I don’t think so,” Plouffe said. “This is more of a personal -- I’m a Catholic, a lot of us have heard things, not this inflammatory, I don’t want to compare the two and I want to make that very clear -- but you know, the notion that... it’s hard to be responsible for everything, you know, your pastor or your priest says. I think if anything, it was that.”

Plouffe said “it was naive of us, given the toxicity of some of these statements and the notion that again, we live in a video age that when they exploded online or on TV -- I think they first really exploded in the consciousness on your network. It was a big mistake and listen, as I write in the book, I do think that the political playbook -- obviously one doesn’t exist -- but I think generally, you know, you’re taught not to elevate things like this and we, obviously, by giving the speech in Philadelphia elevated it but in retrospect, the president’s decision to give that speech and obviously the speech he wrote helped us navigate rocky waters and that obviously did not end the threats. Wright bothered people all the way through. It was one of these moments, even today with our fractured media world where, you know, a 100 percent of the people had seen then, most everybody had seen his speech, and so people could kind of make their own judgment.”

I asked if it would have been better for the Obama campaign to have gotten all the Wright information out early and on its own terms or if that would have more likely have resulted in his never winning the Iowa caucuses -- and thus in all likelihood never winning the nomination. (At least according to Plouffe’s own navigated course for then-Sen. Obama, which required an Iowa win.)

“This is all Monday morning quarterbacking,” Plouffe said, “potentially we could have dealt with this more on our own terms and you know, I think that probably would’ve been advisable. You just don’t know. There’s no doubt that by the time Wright came out, we were deep into the campaign, but I think whenever Wright kind of blew on the scene like this, it was going to be a major challenge. If we had been kind of better prepared, potentially chose a path like you’ve suggested, it might not have been as explosive a thing that dominated the campaign for weeks. It’s tough to know.”

Plouffe writes honestly about several of Obama’s primary opponents, including two who are major players in his administration: Secretary of State Clinton and Vice President Biden.

Was that tough?

“It was one of the hardest parts of writing the book,” Plouffe said, “and I don’t think it would’ve been honest of me at all to write a book that doesn’t capture a lot of the intensity of the primary…. Because listen, the main reason why I decided to write the book, was encouraged to do so, was that -- and this is a humbling thing to say -- but this is a moment -- whether you supported the president or not -- it’s not your kind of run-of-the-mill election victory. It is a moment in American history, or at least political history and to capture something that will stand the test of time. And so I did feel some obligation to be candid so I think what I do, and I believe this by the end, as hard as that campaign was, my admiration for her and others in the campaign grew because it was remarkable that when the odds were so stacked against her in those last let’s say three months, she was so effective and I write that Barack Obama was better than his campaign, no doubt, and I think that she was, by leaps and bounds.”

As for Biden, Plouffe wrote rather unsparingly of his first vetting meeting with the loquacious Blue Hen, saying that Biden began by "launching into a nearly 20-minute monologue that ranged from the strength of our campaign in Iowa ('I literally wouldn't have run if I knew the steamroller you guys would put together'); to his evolving views of Obama ('I wasn't sure about him in the beginning of the campaign, but I am now'); why he didn't want to be VP ('The last thing I should do is VP; after 36 years of being the top dog, it will be hard to be No. 2'); why he was a good choice ('But I would be a good soldier and could provide real value, domestically and internationally'); and everything else under the sun. Ax and I couldn't get a word in edgewise. It confirmed what we suspected: this dog could not be taught new tricks.”

Says Plouffe in our podcast: “The point there is he is who we thought he was and we liked who he was, with some reservations but you kinda knew what you were getting. I think that first of all, this was an important part of our selection process. The president was focused first on someone standing beside him in the Oval Office, less the campaign, and that kind of he’s clearly a very frank person and that’s what Obama values, so that really appealed to him. And we thought in the campaign that we were big believers in authenticity and sure, there might be a day or two where he colors outside the lines, but people generally would be impressed by him, and they were. By the end of the campaign, his numbers in the battleground states were terrific.”

We also talked about the Summer 2007 doldrums when Obama on the stump was just horrible, Obama’s decision making process -- which often lends itself to missed deadlines -- the state of political coverage, his personally most wrenching moment during the campaign, and more.

You can listen to the podcast on iTunes or my clicking HERE.

-- jpt


 

November 11, 2009 in Obama, Barack | Permalink | Share | User Comments (39)

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Your defense of him is outrageous.

America bashing and making a living of of race baiting is not an honorable profession. Particularly when disguised as religion.
____________________________________

We've all heard the parroted talking points and sound bites taken out of context and played repeatedly to 'entertain' and brainwash the gullible - a few of us have actually taken the time to listen to the sermons, and listened to the man. Most people have not. Many people prejudged him in line with their own knee-jerk biases and brainwashing. Ignorance is something worth studying and all sides of the fence. I've listened to the sermons. Do yourself a justice.

Posted by: tierra | Nov 12, 2009 2:30:11 PM

The Rev. Wright kerfuffle had little negative effect on voters. No worries. Voters heard all the soothing assurances of the MSM, read their own hopes and desires into Obama.....and cast their votes for him like good little sheeple.

All the red flags were there as to what a radical Obama was and still is. Now, those who voted for him and those who did not, have to endure the catastrophic results of electing an "American Idol", "Community Organizer" + 60's radical as POTUS.

Posted by: littleleers | Nov 12, 2009 11:13:57 AM

Jake, I have to tell you this.....if Plouffe writes like he orally answers the questions you tossed at him, I think I'll skip the book.....what a tower of babel this guy is..........as for the Rev. Wright, we should just let this guy go.........seems Obama can't....he did show up not too long ago on the "public record" of White House "visitors," did he not?

Posted by: justj joey | Nov 12, 2009 10:51:23 AM

How can they say that rev racist was "mishandled"?
The obama campaign team successfully duped a nation into believing that the obamas, despite their 20 year attendance in the pews of the church (marrying the obamas/baptizing their children), had no idea of the horrific rhetoric being said every sunday.
They were able to convince a majority of the idiots in this country that despite the fact of audicty of hope being titled after rev racist's speech, audacity of hope, the 2 men were not close.
And finally, the campaign dodged EVER HAVING TO ANSWER about the audio of obama introducing rev racist as his "mentor and pastor" at a fundraiser.

Obama lied about all of this and the media let him get away with it.

Posted by: Dave | Nov 12, 2009 9:10:41 AM

ruin healthcare in this nation
Posted by: cookiemnst

if it wasn't for the Dems, there would be no healthcare policy at all...... come to think of it, there would be no 'clean water' bill either..fair wages,

what you would have is a country filled with 'Love Canals' and other toxic dumps, sweat shops for kids and so much more sponsored by those eternal 'lovers of health care' and 'fairness', the republicans....

Posted by: PO'd | Nov 12, 2009 1:30:16 AM

cookiemnst - Then you talk about things you have heard about the health bill you don't like. I had already said "I don't know how the health care effort will turn out. I am definitely apprehensive." That is not an endorsement of the bill. I also said "Obama has broken most of his campaign promises, but what politian hasn't?" That is not a compliment. On the other hand, your onesided, know-it-all comments indicates that you either wear blinders. If you don't see positive traits in every president, then you are a radical that only uses the facts that support your opinion.

Posted by: MikeMo1947 | Nov 12, 2009 12:03:45 AM

* pardon me . . . gall bladder surgery

Posted by: tierra | Nov 11, 2009 11:31:37 PM

Did you know Reverend Wright signed up and served 6 years in the military and attended to Lyndon Johnston in hospital when Johnston had a heart attack?

Posted by: tierra | Nov 11, 2009 11:27:43 PM

Not Impressed.

Posted by: Moderate | Nov 11, 2009 11:05:42 PM

Posted by: N Waff | Nov 11, 2009 9:57:16 PM

p.s. - did you know that Reverend Wright's father and grandfather were both ministers?

Posted by: tierra | Nov 11, 2009 10:53:53 PM

Posted by: N Waff | Nov 11, 2009 9:57:16 PM
____________________________________

By the way, if you're talking about the Bill Moyers PBS interview . . . there are many scenes of him mentioning God and Christianity in that production.

Posted by: tierra | Nov 11, 2009 10:41:11 PM

Please!
Obama spent 20 years under the wings of Rev. Wright, being brainwashed by his black liberation theology.
===========================

Black liberation theology is brainwashing? Saying the Word of God speaks against racism is 'brainwashing'?

Saying the Word of God says 'anybody who feels white skin is superior to black skin is wrong' is 'brainwashing? Saying 'apartheid is wrong' is 'brainwashing'?

Posted by: tierra | Nov 11, 2009 10:38:03 PM

Mikemo...You are not only drinking the koolaid, you are mixing it as well. My daughters Pediatrition just returned from a conference in New Orleans. The speakers were James Carville and Mary Matlain. Did you know in that in this healthcare bill there is a 13 person panel(same panel who wrote the stimulas package) This panel is planning to take money from the young to pay for the old/cut from medicare billions of dollars..dictate Doctor salaries cut patient services and ruin healthcare in this nation. All in the name of greed and power! Yes the government is as greedy as wall street. This next generation will be the first to not prosper like the one before. Taxes will start coming out next year, even though plan won't start until 2013 so your precious Obama can get re-elected. Cap and trade same thing. Taxed to death on all energy sources so Obama and Al Gore can push products on us that no one wants, and they can make their cronies rich and powerful.

Posted by: cookiemnst | Nov 11, 2009 10:24:08 PM

===========================
Please!
Obama spent 20 years under the wings of Rev. Wright, being brainwashed by his black liberation theology.
===========================
I watched Wright being interviewed on PBS. During the hour, Wright talked about himself and his church but he never talked about God - that's his theology.

Wright was the beacon that told us Obama is a marxist radical.

Posted by: N Waff | Nov 11, 2009 9:57:16 PM

Posted by: cookiemnst | Nov 11, 2009 7:01:39 PM - I don't think you are judging Obama very fairly. The people I know whether they voted for or against, think some aspects of race relations have gotten better and some worse. Almost all of them think it will be better in the long run.

Second, you are putting all the blame on Obama for the economy. The official report that just came out reported 10.2% unemployment. In January when Obama became President it was 8.5%. And for April 2008 it was 4.8%.

I don't know how the health care effort will turn out. I am definitely apprehensive about a 2000 page bill when it only took 25 pages to write the Constitution that defined a whole new form of government.

Finally, I also agree that he has broken many campaign promises, but what politian hasn't? He is doing both a good and bad job just like past presidents.

Posted by: MikeMo1947 | Nov 11, 2009 7:20:08 PM

I see Tapper's still obsessed with Rev. Wright. Geez, can't he get a life (a real one)?

Posted by: Que | Nov 11, 2009 7:19:11 PM

Since Obama has become President race relations have been set back years. If you don't like his policies your atttacked as a racist. My dem. friends who voted for him are sick of it all as well! To all you young people who voted the HOPE and CHANGE.You better HOPE your parents let you move in with them when you have no job. Also, you will only have CHANGE in your pockets when the government makes you pay for a health care plan and taxes you for whatever they can get.

Posted by: cookiemnst | Nov 11, 2009 7:01:39 PM

Shoe | Nov 11, 2009 5:45:58 PM - I have a different point of view.

Obama ear was not exclusively with radicals. The radical ones you mentioned were the except to all the other people around him. He appointed hundreds of people. If is intend was to engage a variety of people, why would he exclude a few of the biggest critics/radicals.

Secondly, the only reason the media went after Palin was that most people did not know her and wanted to know more. Most people were tired of hearing about Obama and McCain. When Biden was selected, he was already well known. Obviously, there was more interest because she was a woman which is rare as VP. And finally, she spoke with authority and showed lots of charisma.

Posted by: MikeMo1947 | Nov 11, 2009 6:58:45 PM

Thanks for the sarcasm Cindy, that's what happens when you have no facts to support your argument. Keep up the blind support, remember where that got us with the Bush fanatics? Goodnight all.

Posted by: stickman | Nov 11, 2009 6:48:37 PM

I just love Plouffe!

Thanks for sharing the podcast, Jake.

Posted by: Allycat 521 | Nov 11, 2009 6:37:47 PM

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