Pro Politics with Zac McCrary

Robby Mook on the Art & Science of Campaigns

July 05, 2022 Zac McCrary
Pro Politics with Zac McCrary
Robby Mook on the Art & Science of Campaigns
Show Notes

Robby Mook has managed races at all levels of politics - from state legislative races to the 2016 Hillary Clinton presidential. In this conversation, Robby talks cutting his teeth in Vermont politics, the importance of field work, his time running the DCCC, managing successful races for Jeanne Shaheen and Terry McAuliffe, a deep dive on the 2016 campaign, & much more with one of the smartest thinkers in politics. 

IN THIS EPISODE

Robby cuts his teeth in Vermont politics and in the shadow of the next door New Hampshire Primary…

The big name politician Robby rung up as a cashier…

Robby’s memories of Bernie Sanders from the 1990s…

Robby’s time in the US Senate page program…

Robby talks the importance of his background in political field work…

The piece of advice from David Plouffe that has really stuck with Robby…

The Robby Mook 101 for effective campaign managing…

Robby manages the 2008 Senate race for Jeanne Shaheen…

Lessons Robby learned atop the DCCC in 2010 and 2012…

Robby manages Terry McAuliffe’s winning race in 2013…

Robby’s path to managing the Hillary Clinton Presidential campaign in 2016…

How the Clinton campaign almost ended up based out of Buffalo…

The two big decisions in the campaign that took up more of his time than he anticipated…

Robby weighs in on what the Clinton campaign got right in 2016…

Robby talks the political strengths of Trump 2016…

Robby rebuts some of the unfair criticisms lodged against the Clinton campaign…

Robby clarifies how the campaign used analytics down the stretch…

Robby’s advice to other campaign operatives facing adversity after an election…

Robby’s current role at House Majority PAC…

AND airport logistics, Kate Bedingfield, Paul Begala, Joe Biden, James Carville, change elections, DC desk jockeys, easy narratives, Facebook, fast cashiers, New Gingrich, the glue between the bricks, U.S. Grant, Jesse Helms, Pat Leahy, mush, Nancy Pelosi, the Roman Republic, Patti Solis Doyle, the Sununus, Syracuse, third terms, Strom Thurmond, Harry Truman, the US Naval Reserves, the Vermont Democratic Party, Paul Wellstone, White Plains, word clouds, & more!