Ed Peavy founded Democratic direct mail firm Mission Control and is rightfully known as one of the good people in the business. In this conversation, Ed talks why after working a few weeks on the Hill he knew it wasn't right for him, his early campaign days including on the legendary Harris Wofford Senate race in Pennsylvania, and then starting a small direct mail firm that has become one of the most successful in politics. Great conversation with Ed with lots of practical tips about the mechanics of campaigns, the art of mail, running a political business, and much more.
IN THIS EPISODE…
Ed grows up in the Beltway and has a closer-than-you’d-think connection the Iranian Hostage Crisis…
The first political race Ed remembers…
Ed’s brief time working as a Hill staffer…and when he realized it wasn’t for him…
The congressional race Ed worked on that changed his professional path…
Ed learns a lot on the legendary Senate special election to elect Harris Wofford in PA…
Ed’s thoughts on what separates good campaign managers from the pack…
Ed’s path to consulting and direct mail…
Ed makes the decision to start Mission Control direct mail…
The story behind the name “Mission Control”…
The story of a rival candidate hiring Ed after being attacked by Ed’s mail…
The key races that helped put Ed and Mission Control on the map…
Ed breaks down his process of building his professional network…
Ed’s 101 on how campaigns and candidates should utilize direct mail…
Ed talks the the work Mission Control did in the GA Senate races to flip the Senate majority…
The thing that some people do that drives Ed “the most nuts” in the business…
Ed breaks down who is and isn’t a good fit to work in direct mail…
Ed weighs in with his tips on deeply controversial travel questions…
AND John Anderson, Tom Andrews, Melissa Bean, Paul Begala, Tim Bishop, Richard Bolling, Joe Brennan, James Carville, Jimmy Carter, Dante Fascell, Gerald Ford, Sam Gejdenson, Felix Grucci, Martin Hamburger, Maren Hesla, Brian Joyce, Stephen Lynch, Jim Maloney, Marty Markowitz, Joe Moakley, Dennis Moore, Connie Morella, Adnaan Muslim, Steve Murphy, Jon Ossoff, Claude Pepper, RAGBRAI, Ronald Reagan, Nelson Rockefeller, Olympia Snowe, Tom Suozzi, terrible headlines, Dick Thornburgh, upset landslides, Alan Wheat, Anthony Weiner,…& more!