The Inside Story

" to say you can see -- great new book -- tested it wind. I just as this that I love. Books -- give -- the inside story because that -- for you -- yeah what we did you know I'm surprised that we didn't know on the outside. --"

" It was fun or it's a great story. You know we -- these amazing grassroots volunteers great staff remarkable candidate so it was wonderful and go back and kind of recreate it reminding by the way how hard it was particularly the primary. How unlikely all this was in the beginning it was an improbable journey and you know we got a lot of the big things right -- I want to do that was there's a mythology when you win that everything was pretty easy and -- flawless and and we -- planning mistakes and it's funny is stumbles I thought it was important to capture the whole journey accurately."

" So -- harder to win the -- nomination or to win the general. Well general elections a harder campaign in many respects it's a harsher spotlight you know you've got the entire Republican Party. Coming after you you cut the presidential debates which are huge moment and you've got a fairly closely divided country. But we -- general election in stronger position comparatively that we -- the primary when. You know we had one narrow path we thought against Senator Clinton so the primary was hard and we had to just. You know every day you know -- slow and steady progress. And -- you know we have lots of ups and downs you know was in New Hampshire primary -- something we weren't sure we could recover from for instance so in many respects that was harder from where we started its."

" In your book you talk about at least and and -- from Russia the turning point -- the nomination. Was when now secretary of state Clinton made the remark about the DL -- and governor then governor Spitzer and the illegal aliens -- that was a turning point. But what happened there."

" It was you know one of the things you know I think there's. Again a mythology that you know the media kind of put Barack Obama line shoulders and carried into the White House and the truth is there appears -- campaign where. We were as I say in the penalty box of the media you know August September -- October 7 they weren't given as much chance thought we were stock. Thought I was strategy was wrong -- Hillary was doing quite well you know and it was really that moment she had a couple moments -- where they made some mistakes and then that moment. Really change things a little bit and and I think began to disrupt her momentum. And raise some questions and you know it really that was about two months before Iowa and that's really when things began to take off for us."

" Do you think her campaign. Looking at the from the inside your campaign her campaign. That then they underestimated the importance of Iowa thought there was -- waltz through Iowa and that I stuck that was so a turning point for you --"

" I think they did. And particularly listen to be one thing if we were you know just a one note candidate that we can raise much money -- much organization it was all about Iowa. She was so strong and so many states with such a big lead that she couldn't recover from a loss against -- just the typical insurgent candidate. But -- 07 develop we became very strong we are raising more money we're better organized all the states came after Iowa in many ways ratifying or I -- strategy we -- just get through that gate. So I think they probably did underestimate the impact that the real the race changed the night we won Iowa. And I still think the most remarkable thing about the whole two years as we won despite losing New Hampshire. But some -- somehow and I talk about some of the reasons in the book we came back from that."

" HE said that the shift seven and lack of better -- honeymoon with the media in the -- and thought that she was going to be the nominee. But once Iowa happened and then as the as the states start to fall on -- direction you guys get the honeymoon for the media and then they would do do you disagree with us."

" What's funny thing usually you're winning and doing well on politics to media coverage seems to follow so you know when we were not doing well -- 07 our coverage wasn't great. You know after she won New Hampshire I think most people political observers and I would argue with some reason thought she was probably gonna win that order had been restored to get upset at that it was -- that and you know and with good reason I mean I think that tell you took some special things happening at the end of the month in South Carolina with Kennedy to really give us momentum we needed. So I think -- once we do we acquired a big delegate lead we were the front runner in all likelihood we were gonna win unless something very strange happened -- our super delegates so. I think in even in the fall listen we got we were winning a lot of the time so we got good coverage but for the period of time where McCain searched you know you don't pick and covered so I think. You know that the press and media coverage tends to follow what's happening -- you're doing well. You know you're gonna get decent coverage and if you're not doing well -- you're gonna be in the penalty box."

" You mentioned -- Senator Kennedy and he endorsed now President Obama as did Senator John Kerry but you -- Massachusetts what happened."

" Well it's a great example you know endorsements don't transfer really I mean and we were -- campaign by the way. In the beginning you we -- have many political endorsements but our strategy was based on that we -- grassroots campaign. So you know we had -- governor we had both senators. I really don't undertow but there's plenty of examples with Senator Clinton had all the political establishment and and we won state so. You know the voters always are gonna make their own decisions."

" That said there was an and -- to intrigue at least from the outside with the governor Richardson -- dot governor Richardson would endorse. Secretary of state -- what happened how did you get."

" One well he's talked about it you know I think -- more detail than than I've probably remember but I I know that we pursued him. And Senator Clinton and and her campaign pursued him and I think that. You know he decided that we needed -- change. Not just in Washington but also in our party."

" We do with it but you guys a little bit and and great because hidden in his career was it live got a huge -- from President Clinton. He because he'd been the UN sect and the and after the UN and and -- Department of Energy so a sort of that was us thought it was a kick in the teeth to the Clinton family."

" Well I think he made an independent judgment and I think he did he set how painful it was and how -- was to the clintons -- opportunities -- I find that most people not all. Most elected officials -- a competitive race will choose someone on the merits not so much based on."

" Right yeah I think yes I do some do I'm gradually -- of course they do. But but many don't and I think he made an independent judgment has supports very helpful you did great campaign reports -- also mention Vanessa -- in an the terms of the relation between President Obama -- state Clinton. You write about one not so pleasant exchange on the tarmac in national -- about that about what happened."

" That receive some coverage but there was. You might remember that the Clinton New Hampshire chair said some things about. Senator Obama's admitted past drug use him as a teenager and you know they released him but they had a discussion about the tone of the campaign and that was actually the morning. Or prod the most important made the primary which is -- Moines register debate in Iowa where actually the people who would determine our fate we're actually watching the debate. And so it was a it was a fascinating exchange and I -- I think that you know for the first time -- I think we saw some concern in their eyes."

" What about Reverend Wright you read about Reverend Wright. The day that not President Obama announced he was going to run for president where was Reverend Wright."

" I -- was in Chicago. Rolling Stone interview came out with some. Inflammatory comments and we're sitting here in Philadelphia today this is the site -- obviously. A very important speech and -- and I didn't watch it yet the Constitution Center so. Well you know what I say about Reverend Wright -- you know we mishandled that is a campaign remarkably. People like me didn't sit there and watch. Every video of every sermon -- never given and it was a fundamental mistake and it took Barack Obama's idea to give that speech. And then the writing of a very powerful speech. Really to get us through that rough moment."

" surprised some because he said at that time how to conquer if I'm wrong. Is it he said that he didn't disavow him as a man he just about his words but good into the disavow him mister Manning's Lichen on -- at -- when my about right on that. -- But it wasn't -- this is a thing that I thought that the -- has taken a much harder time. It wasn't to know Reverend Wright appeared at the National Press Club which coincidentally. I was at the head -- it was just my root rotation. And Reverend Wright took a strike at him personally and it wasn't toilet after personally that -- this about him."

" Well wasn't just that I mean you know the comments that day. You know I think that they you know they weren't just. You know pieces of sermons for twenty years -- mean you know he really say it's an inflammatory things. And I that was a very painful period because obviously. It was even less about Reverend Wright and that was -- very important church community Tran he's a wonderful community does wonderful work and mentoring and -- help of those in need. It's always a tough decision to make but I think that. The decision that he made to give that speech and gave it the way he handled the whole right thing obviously not everybody. It -- people you know gave some people indigestion but people had digested it and I think on the whole. Like top the president handle that situation."

" Was that there was that scene at the time like oh no not this me was it seemed as something like just a horrible catastrophe internally -- seem like a promise to be handled. You mean the National Press Club -- the whole Reverend Wright issue well you know it's interesting you know compared to New Hampshire when we lost New Hampshire primary you know we want Iowa. But there's no doubt we were not the front runner at that point you know after -- wins New Hampshire she's probably a stronger position. When Reverend Wright really emerged you know we had taken out of a significant lead in the race you know we were the democratic front line so we thought we were stable and would see it through. But it was tough and you know the morning at the National Press Club speech you might remember over forty -- Reverend Wright had three events in the first to work you know we would have designed them. But they they weren't terribly awful and then the National Press Club was an eruption in it was another tough thing -- by the way eight days before the very important Indiana North Carolina primaries."

" Did down. Now -- Obama or you or Daily Express have any conversations with Reverend Wright. Between the time that he spoke here in Philadelphia and the time that at the National Press Club -- about the time any personal conversation like -- get out of here go away for awhile. I don't believe so in that time for him in that was became clear time Friday say like you know you need a lot."

" well I think that that there was a discussion you know some time. Around that time but it became. Well it's been reported that the president Obama's talk to Reverend Wright wants I didn't David -- I didn't. And you don't became clear that he had become really an unguided missile at some point was out to do harm. So there was no you know communication and he didn't get mad. Is that it Reverend Wright. I you know I don't know we didn't have any contact with them but he was out there you know the National Press Club speech was obviously something that was a moment -- by the way it's uninteresting. Those eight days and Indiana North Carolina which are critical to us. And they North Carolina. We did it but you know if you look at those eight days you know their belief as after the National Press Club thing was that. We could lose North Carolina and we're gonna lose Indiana -- in a major way and really what safest way to good organization. But we had a debate over the gas tax and you know both McCain Clinton. Were supporting a repeal of the gas tax and Barack Obama took the opposite view. Which I think the politics of it would suggest was was the tougher thing to do but people respected that. And that was one of the strengths of our candidacy whenever we were very straightforward didn't always -- the easy political thing -- profit. But -- also separate out on the whole issue of the Iraq War that was also a great division between. -- to take Clinton and Senator McCain to it was a different was the -- Yet that's separating your -- well. Yeah and I think what voters you know its interest because both in the primary and general. One of the criticisms we got was you have been in Washington long enough you don't have the foreign policy expert. And you know he's judgment on Iraq not just oppose the war but what he. Said was gonna happen and sadly most of it came to pass for voters -- very meaningful and -- often voters would tell us. It's a yet you -- has been watching that long and I'm kind of process and that but you know. You know -- bush Rumsfeld Cheney you know. Some of our opponents in the primary given -- long time. And and they got Iraq wrong so from their view. So it it it's served us well judgment in many ways in voters' minds was more important -- Washington residents Oprah the Oprah impact is that what have a chip factory to think. Well I read about that in the book I think that the belief was well is Oprah going to be able to convince people. Vote for Obama portion you talked about Ted Kennedy and John Kerry we never expected someone's endorsement --"

" Did -- people up to vote I think than Ted Kennedy Jack then people and they can deductible gonna vote anyway Ted Kennedy and John Kerry. There are there voters to begin with."

" So why oh why Oprah was so great wasn't that person what -- transfer to anybody but. You know -- Iowa we had over 20/20 2000 people see her. And Barack Obama he remembers but I think about that not the primary and women in a small caucus state and many of those people would never attended the normal political thing. Many -- didn't have caucus history that's what we wanted to do was have the opportunity to reach unorthodox caucus goers. And convince them that -- we have to change the electorate you know the people who came out in the Kerry Edwards Iowa race -- come out and nihilistic we wouldn't want we might come in third place. We had to make -- for younger. A lot of independence a lot of people who would have participated in the caucuses that's where -- was great and in the three states you want to. And you know -- data you know who's there there was a lot of people who had never been to a party about before."

" Mrs. Obama. In the B -- you read about the book how she was an important factor person making the decision as many spouses are as to whether to run or not. What about her role in the campaign -- did you wanna get involved that because -- no one point did. -- least we hammered her on our network which -- said the only time I've ever been prouder somethin' about being an American or something like that and and that went a viral that statement but what was her role in the campaign."

" She was an enormous sense that obviously with two young kids she couldn't be on the campaign -- But -- write the -- her nickname in the campaign was the closer I mean when she go to Iowa. She would draw -- nice crowds and she was so effective with people and she did at all throughout the campaign and one of my most you know treasured moments of the campaign because of some of the aftermath of of that comment which was misconstrued that you mentioned you know -- speech at the convention I think people really saw her. And her values and you know she her popularity to skyrocketed -- never it's never relented you know I think she became. Someone who people really appreciated and respected and she was great in the campaign -- she was a great surrogate. She's very effective out there. And you know she was a pleasure to to have involved in the campaign."

" Look quite a campaign -- I should say that injury in the book that one thing I thought you may -- you know agreement may be and and just sort of mind. -- but. Your dog died that was one low point -- by it but other other low points in the campaign got that to me was the worst one I think but -- was a personal best horrible low point."

" Well I think. You know I would say a few things I think that the fall of 07. When most of the political community and media thought we were somewhat dead in the water. That was really hard because we still thought internally we had a really nice pathway to success because when island -- what he's what he's got to read a book he didn't think they and that's it winner when he started even then we get we will very very clear -- about how hard this is gonna be I mean none of us we're. You know we we knew this could be a yearlong at a price not to. But we believed in him in the kind of campaigning -- so that was hard because we had to fight through that you know our supporters would would would say -- what's going on guys and we probably didn't do enough job doing internal communication something we learned later for the channel. -- New Hampshire primary that was tough that was surely not in the play -- about how we were gonna win the nomination. And coming back from -- hard dealing with -- was hard. And I think the Palin thing even though we thought it was gonna work out for -- was hard because you might remember in the days after she was selected it was seen to be -- brilliant move. And many in our party were questioning -- saying you know you should be attacking her you've been thrown off stride. So that was a moment -- the Democratic Party was very nervous you probably remember that. And so we had to fight through that what's that one -- where the day they heard panelists chosen my -- Well you know our convention ended Thursday night. And so a bunch of state and indicate -- but we knew there were making their pick the next morning which is deliberate. Let me as they've listed well it wasn't your search -- in this against each other and we weren't thrilled that their convention sitting right on top of course -- but that was decided long before Barack Obama had any idea running for president. So -- bunch of us were staying behind in Denver so that we be not on planes that day in the McCain picked him. And it was very early. -- We thought -- Romney but we were short so it took us by surprise like everybody else should we were surprised I think we got our initial sense was. Boy this doesn't really make sense because he's been criticizing -- experience and one of McCain's real strengths was a lot of voters that hey this is a guy doesn't make all decisions based on politics. And a lot of voters immediately thought that that was very political decision. But you know it was taught -- you listen our campaign and I guess any good campaign. You don't like to be surprised. You know one of the things we pride ourselves on -- playing chess and we -- taking things out not just what we were gonna do we thought our opponents are so we were thrown off stride but I think we handled it. All things being equally pretty well largely by just doing nothing and letting it play out. They should get treated fairly by the the Governor Palin got treated fairly by the press. Now wouldn't you agree whether whether she get treated fairly you know. I think I think things like the focus on the family was was was probably and as Barack Obama's -- not appropriate. You know I think generally this is one of the tough things about a presidential process you mean you get thrown into the meat grinder right away. And you've got to really -- and thrive in a very very tough obstacle course so. You know what I care what it's interesting to me is voters. Just an average voter not an Obama voter not a McCain voter swing voter. Date when they talked about this pick they released talked about it through the prism of pale and they talked about it through the prison McCain know what it said about McCain that he picked. Even those that had a very good favorability rating of a -- and had some concerns about the process itself. So voters are generally more sophisticated in how to process these things and sometimes are given credit for."

" What you know they went after her the media about her experience and they don't feel you feel lined up you know but obviously people thought the president -- was the stronger candidate. Against McCain a book but what he'll line up the experience of both of them maybe innately they -- one or the other but -- It president -- have a huge amount more experience than cheating going into the campaign agree or disagree."

" Well I think he had more you know I I think sort of the resonate debaters is not important and we didn't really focus on. What -- just isn't a debate not between Barack Obama Sarah Palin -- was between Obama and McCain. And again voters made their own judgments about the choice now vice presidential selections rarely historically. Have had much of an impact. Electorally they just haven't this was probably case -- had a little bit of a negative impact. Another McCain folks would argue that she helped with turnout in certain states. But we our focus is an Obama McCain and you know our point was Sarah camels out there articulating the McCain agenda which in our view was a continuation of the bush agenda. And that we needed change which has pretty rough fund that president Ronald. She was she she became an attack dog I would argue she she might not of had a credibility to be -- one launching some of those attacks initially but. Listen she drew big crowds out there and she create a lot of energy in a campaign she did in -- campaign as well. But there's no doubt that you know when she was out there she was drawn -- crowds we see that today there's a segment the Republican Party that's by passion."

" The choice of vice president Biden the first group was who was includes secretary of state Clinton. Evan Bayh senator Bayh and vice present by -- others in the group."

" Well I I mention you know governor kaine and senator Bayh and Senator Biden you know governor Sebelius is also someone that -- considered so. And then you know that was I think he handle that's decision process well because he -- the first priority by far was okay if I'm if I'm fortunate enough to win. Who I think would be really department -- again partially because we believe that this is -- have a big impact on the campaign. It's gonna that they -- think people are chosen a sick as a vice president just voters really they wanna make sure OK you made a good selection someone who economy to threshold and you went about it directly. -- the truth is -- did good work for us in the campaign vice president went out there. More quietly than than Sarah Palin it kind of just market by market it across experience if you filled -- that yes it was helpful in in that dynamic in the needed good campaign for us -- and was relentless out there and you know that the cable networks yours and others tended to cover what -- was doing an end and not just cable networks -- news media. And and but what we cared about was it now not whether Joe Biden was necessarily leading the national news every night but. In Toledo Ohio and saint Louis Missouri you know in Denver Colorado. How was he being covered in and he did great work out there. Election night where -- you. Well we have boiler room in Chicago where you're getting ready for a long night of close elections and it is thinking what -- 5 or 6 o'clock in the evening no here here's the thing with -- because of the primary. We didn't there was no premature it did that when we we knew we were doing -- industries an early vote. You know we don't have election anymore we have election month and a lot of states a lot of -- voted in cast by Election Day. And while we did know how each individual had voted we knew the contours of who was -- So we like town of that oh look the Mexico looked -- with -- like different account listener with the numbers look at the numbers yeah. So and that was reality by the way that wasn't polls are -- or -- it was we know who's voting we have some. Pretty strong sense of how we think they're gonna vote and we liked what we saw. And then I exits came in but the exits were wrong all throughout the campaigns we didn't really worry about and so but when we -- the first state to begin a look at. Were Indiana that came in first and then Virginia -- And we like Virginia is -- and -- it was huge it was fire most important state we started the presidential campaign there and we ended it there and god and it had been a Republican state for so much for so long. And it was thirteen electoral votes so that was our strategy our strategy was to put enough states in play that we could lose most of them. And just win one or two of our target bush states and win the election and you know we ended up winning most of them obviously but in a close election I think that strategy would have paid dividends."

" I associate sitting around at them in Chicago it's election night and you're watching the numbers come and take me through the evening."

" Well you know we were. -- actually -- rotted and you know our field team and our battleground states he was a small group of us in the in the room. And so you know Virginia is in Indiana and they're they're pretty close North Carolina comes in and then you know they're too big moments you really through the media Pennsylvania gets called -- poll close. And that was -- McCain's last stand and then when Ohio is called. You know it was they were gonna win and that was interest in because we want. But it was hard to kind of get our arms around because we still -- State's -- It was an 11 o'clock so it was kind of surreal and you know I think the most meaningful moment -- HBO has documentary out where they caption this is when David and I -- that went over to. To see the president elect for the first time the president elect you know that was."

" almost sort of a -- the Touvier about the -- the president elect. But if you had there rewire and you know eighteen months earlier that to have -- wondering whether this is even -- B -- I -- when that's where the book starts essentially. You know the odds are so much at least in your mind -- you write it against it and I -- going off to to -- the present life."

" Well you know whether you supported the president -- 47% of people did not election. You gotta admit it's a great American story and that's what's great about America and our politics politics has an amazing capacity to surprise and our country and that's what probably makes -- so fun for someone like you to be engaged in covering and it just. It's never predictable. And -- I mean listen. You know if you had if you had for years before that election suggested that Barack Obama is present United States I don't think there's a single human being in America. Who would've taken Amber's here actually so it was remarkable rise a remarkable campaign led by him. And our volunteers that's what made -- so great to be a part of by the way. It's how people talk about the Bobby Kennedy campaign Ronald Reagan campaign that was just a spirit out there and people were involved it wasn't just operatives like me."

" They -- you say go to the room where the president is -- at a hotel. When he knocked on the door the secret search let's do it with what happens."

" Well it was it was -- a meaningful moment I talk about that in the book you know vice president Biden was there and and the First Lady was there and and and the children and you know we shared some some warm embraces and some warm words and you know he's. Talking to President Bush and Senator McCain and you know it that -- the weight of it settles and he he he's no longer your boss candidate present United States. You know he's the president elect. You know a switch kind of turned off -- and it was a powerful moment."

" It's a paperless and this is what in the -- you read in the book we can tell that you when you when you sign on of these campaigns it is -- you sign away your life. For a at least eighteen months and it is nonstop it's really need -- tough."

" Well you have to and I there's no halfway point there is no shortcuts you gotta allow it to consume your life and you know that means your friends and family and anything you enjoy life has to go by the wayside."

" It's not all rides an Air Force One it starts up on -- commercial buses. Terrible food no sleep. Disappointments doesn't."

" It really does and you know I must tell you -- a lot of us and and most of -- adult we have a lot of continuity in the campaign. And but but I think for those with that was there early we we remember those days fondly it separates and bad food and Sharon hotel rooms in Iowa New Hampshire. You know that's that's really how we built the foundation of the campaign and they're great moments."

" how the president there was much forested in in the consideration process enough sector state. Clinton as being vice president the new David Axelrod you -- you guys NCB think that was a good choice as much as as he did."

" Well and -- clear in the book that this was a decision the most personal decision he made in the campaign meaning. You know a group of students sit around have a meeting and talk about who we wanted to pick or who we thought you domestic and then -- decide you know he made this decision alone. And I think that I was surprised how seriously he was taking -- and that's why wanted to write about the book is there was a sense. I think at the time that he hadn't taken measures the fact that he's now pick for secretary of state I think indicates. How much you value her skill and intellect and one of her part of his administration to. So he -- very serious about -- because again he was putting the focus on government. And no one can deny that she's got terrific set of skills that you know potentially would have been worth consider."

" go to Senator John Kerry since early endorsed him and he's finished in foreign policy and would I wonder if it's certainly gotten -- a little bit of rob when. Secretary of state Clinton got -- and he didn't."

" Well all I can say is I've not talked senator care about that he was a great asset in the campaign I think he's an asset now. Playing a leadership role and I must say one thing I like about John Kerry was he was our nominee last time. You'd expect to say now I was a nominee last time so let me tell you. You know how we -- how we didn't do it and he never did that he was very he's you know when he gave advice he did it gently and with -- right perspective and I always appreciated that."

" Surprise endorsement -- endorsements don't say president of votes but I surprise endorsement. Well I think. The Ted Kennedy endorsement wasn't something we were expecting until until quite late and I think that we thought it would be important. But. Again losing New Hampshire. We worried we work and -- the momentum heading in the February 5 on Super Tuesday where there was twenty states to survive what was it a day what we thought advantage Clinton. So we went South Carolina -- bigger margin than expected. -- better with a white votes it was a good narrative coming out of there Caroline Kennedy had an Op -- followed up with senator Kennedy's endorsement. And I don't think it was just that he endorsed this it was what he said it was a powerful. You know response to a lot of the arguments made against senator Obama's candidacy a powerful affirmation. Of course the reason -- so powerful as he wrote -- himself."

" Do you think you know city was also seem like there was -- it also sidelined. -- state Clinton. As a candidate because it's -- a little bit of a slap to President Bill Clinton. And also sector state Clinton that he did that. At least on the outside -- though it."

" Well again and I think Senator Kennedy spoke about this very powerfully he had a terrific relationship with both of them it's that kind and I guess the political especially here but I I've I've been suspicious that that was not a happy scene. I don't you know I think that it was it was something he took quite seriously because -- done a lot of work with with both of them. But like -- governor Richardson I think he made decisions based on -- and I think the message it sent by the way in other messages sent. When people like Senator Kennedy governor Richardson was it is is going to be a battle. You know -- you know. This is gonna go on for a while you know Barack Obama has support of people who've been around a long time in I think that was meaningful to voters. And and it was important and they were great campaigners out there for us."

" as a fast and you booked Odessa with -- My -- incensed allies of the nuts and bolts that -- we see everything from the outside and we have no clue what's going on the inside so it's it is a whole new perspective let's grip but I appreciate. So I -- my experience on fox a good one from."

" We had a nice interview that I've been on fox funny at times before and and went to I appreciate having -- right good and good luck with a black. --"