Rebecca Lambe is often described as the architect of Nevada’s “Reid Machine” that has shaped politics in the state over the past 20 years. In this episode, she talks cutting her teeth in Missouri politics with both Governor Mel Carnahan and Senator Jean Carnahan and then moving west to Nevada to build the state Democratic political organization with Senator Harry Reid...plus co-founding Senate Majority PAC to build and protect a Democratic Senate Majority. This conversation contains both Rebecca's memorable campaign stories and case studies, as well as incredibly practical nuts-and-bolts insight into successful electoral politics.
IN THIS EPISODE…
Rebecca grows up in Alaska as the only girl in a large family…
The movie that inspired Rebecca’s career path toward journalism and ultimately politics…
Campus activism at the University of Missouri sparks Rebecca’s career toward politics…
Rebecca’s entry into the world of Mel and Jean Carnahan…
The future US Senator Rebecca knew at Mizzou…
Rebecca talks early political lessons learned from Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan…
Rebecca’s memories of the tragic Carnahan plane crash in October 2000…
What Rebecca learned from managing a very narrow loss for Senator Jean Carnahan in 2002…
The non-political reason why Rebecca moved west from Missouri after the 2002 race…
Rebecca’s intersection with Senator Harry Reid & early days growing the Reid Machine…
Rebecca demystifies what (and who) the Reid Machine is…
Rebecca’s thoughts on what made Harry Reid such an effective political operator…
The story behind Harry Reid winning a tough 2010 re-election…
Rebecca breaks down the 2022 re-election of Senator Catherine Cortez Masto…
A post-mortem on the much-discussed Nevada congressional redistricting…
Rebecca on the 2022 Governors race and legacy of Steve Sisolak…
How Rebecca approaches her role on IE races at Senate Majority PAC…
Some of the advice gives to younger operatives…
Two of Rebecca’s favorite spots to visit in Nevada…
AND 30% unemployment, 428 votes, Alaska drivers' licenses, Sharron Angle, John Ashcroft, Carl Bernstein, Joe Biden, Bob Bigelow, the Bootheel, James Browning, Randy Carnahan, Robin Carnahan, Citizens United, Club for Growth, computer programmers, constant deluges, controversial student curators, Culinary 226, Tom Daschle, deep-pocketed benefactors, Paul Dunn, durable boots on the ground, Marc Farinella, Scott Fairchild, fellow travelers, Julie Gibson, Al Gore, Martin Heinrich, John Kerry, Adam Laxalt, the Legion of Black Collegians, the long game, Sue Lowden, Ty Matsdorf, Mizzou, Mike Muir, Barack Obama, the PTA, Planned Parenthood, JB Poersch, precipitous drop-offs, Jon Ralston, Rolla, Karl Rove, Searchlight, Saul Shorr, Chris Sifford, spade work, straight arrows, Roy Temple, Dina Titus, Harry Truman, Mark Twain, whistlestop tours, Roger Wilson, Bob Woodard, Fred Yang…& more!