Brendan McPhillips was the campaign manager for John Fetterman's general election campaign, helping guide it to a win over Dr. Oz in the cycle's most chaotic and closey watched Senate race. In this conversation, Brendan talks his path to politics that started in a community college in conservative Southern California and includes running Iowa for Buttigieg in the 2020 primaries and working as Biden PA State Director in the general election. And, of course, we go deep on Brendan's time with Fetterman...from meeting him over a decade ago, running his '16 Senate race, taking the helm of Fetterman 2022 this spring...the candidates, the stroke, the message, the attacks, the debate, and the win.
IN THIS EPISODE…
Brendan’s path from conservative Southern California to working in Democratic politics…
Brendan runs Iowa for Pete Buttigieg in the 2020 primaries…
Brendan crosses paths with John Fetterman over a decade ago…
The Brendan McPhillips 101 on how to run a race in Pennsylvania…
Brendan’s take on the Fetterman dominant primary win…
Brendan takes the helm as manager on the heels of the primary win & health scare…
Brendan breaks down the case the campaign made against Dr. Oz…
How the campaign beat back the “soft on crime” attack…
Brendan weighs in on the Mastriano Effect on the Senate race…
Brendan takes aim at grifting Democratic Scam PACs…
Deep inside the Fetterman vs Oz debate…
Brendan’s expectations heading into Election Day…and his analysis of the 5-point Fetterman win…
Brendan’s take on Pennsylvania’s status as a swing state heading into 2024…
Lessons other campaigns can learn from the Fetterman win…
AND Amtrak tours, annoying naysayers, Val Arkoosh, Tony Baker, Joe Biden, Bob & Barbara’s, George W. Bush, carbon copies, James Carville, Bob Casey, Dave Chase, crazy kitchen cabinets, dive bars, gas bills, GED classes, Andrew Gillum, Lindsay Graham, grocery clerks, HQ Analytics, Ben Halle, hard-ass bouncers, hucksters, Bill Hyers, interesting dudes, Iowa steak frys, Johnstown, Rebecca Katz, Conor Lamb, Malcolm Kenyatta, media buyers from DC, mega churches, Middle Seat, the New Jersey State Hall of Fame, Notre Dame, Barack Obama, old adages, off-track betting, phone trees, Ed Rendell, resident gofers, Mike Schmuhl, Rick Scott, Josh Shapiro, The Situation, Snookie, special sauce, South Bend, the Susquehanna, Temecula, thrilling the DCCC, the Turf Club, UFCW, VFW halls, weirdos, wild rides...& more!