David Axelrod
Obama's chief strategist is the candidate's close friend and most influential adviser.
Axelrod's soft-spoken manner and slightly disheveled appearance—stand clear when he's digging into a bowl of chips and guacamole—can make him seem a bit like a bumbling history professor. But within the campaign's inner circle, no one's voice matters more. "He understands Barack's voice and the kind of campaign Barack wants to run," says campaign manager David Plouffe. The campaign's big-think architect, Axelrod recruited the pollsters and ad makers, and watches over their work, reviewing ads, shaping strategy, editing speeches and crafting the overall "message." Born and raised in New York City, he moved to Chicago as a student and was a political reporter and columnist for the Chicago Tribune. In the mid-'80s he got into politics himself, working to elect Democrats nationwide. Now he is the dominant political consultant in Chicago, where he and Obama became close friends. In 2004, Axelrod passed on wealthier and better-known candidates and signed on with the long-shot senator. The relationship calls to mind George W. Bush and his top adviser. Even so, aides say Axelrod is no Karl Rove. Both are serious strategists steeped in history and policy. But unlike "Bush's brain," they say, Obama's cerebral alter ego sees politics as a contest of ideals, not a contact sport.
© 2008
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Member Comments
Posted By: post-hoc @ 05/16/2008 1:59:35 PM
Comment: This has been a superb campaign. The message is consistent, clear and relevant. THe O team has clearly learned from Dean's shortcoming. But there have been failures. The sweetey comment, frequent vacations, not campaigning in West verginia, flag flap, bitter gate, Rusuto and Wright association are stumbles that can still trip this endevour. The wind of change is behind Obama, but he still has to win over the Hillary camp and Jewish vote to win.
Posted By: JimF @ 05/13/2008 2:40:41 PM
Comment: Please be sure to mention that Axelrod was a consultant to Exelon, the nuclear waste dumper.
Remember the NYT's article, revealing how Obama lied about passing regulations forcing Exelon to report its nuclear waste dumping, when he actually killed the bill to protect his largest campaign donor?
Funny how Mark Penn's work for CAFTA gets attention, but you never cover Axelrod working for Exelon.
I'm sure it's just an over-sight. Not.
Posted By: joesmithreally @ 05/12/2008 8:29:44 AM
Comment: Are there no posting standards whatsoever? The ranting by one "howiefineman" is discouraging beyond immediate comment. It makes me wonder if internet comments from "readers" are turning democracy and discourse into mutually exclusive terms.