Campaign HQ with David Plouffe

Latest Episodes:

Iowa draws closer and a check in with the #yanggang Jan 16, 2020

Show notes

David breaks down the race with two and a half weeks until Iowa. Then, Zach Graumann, Campaign Manager at Yang2020 joins to talk about the #YangGang, Andrew Yang’s path to the White House and the importance of having fun.

Dividing our country and uniting Iran Jan 08, 2020

Show notes

How might the campaign affect President Trump’s decision making regarding Iran? Would Trump want more troops on the ground, or would he decide that is bad for his campaign? How might Iran use Trump’s predicted behavior to inform their own strategy?

David is joined by Samantha Power, the Former United States Ambassador to the United Nations and Professor of the Practice of Global Leadership at Harvard University, for an insightful conversation on how the Iran situation might play out…and why. Power previously served on the National Security Council as Special Assistant to President Obama.

Watch their feet and watch their wallets Jan 02, 2020

Show notes

Jonathan Martin, national political correspondent for The New York Times, on how the Times plans to cover the race, and where to keep our eyes as the campaign enters January.

We don’t want another Meadowlands disaster! Dec 26, 2019

Show notes

A lot of little details have to be covered while the candidates are out on the road. Alyssa Mastromonaco shares fun stories from her time as then-Senator Obama’s Director of Scheduling during the 2008 campaign, a preview of what the candidates are in for as we head into January, and that one event that didn’t go so well.

Alyssa later served as President Obama’s Deputy Chief of Staff from 2011-2014 and is currently a co-host of Crooked Media’s Hysteria podcast.

Someone who can beat Donald Trump Dec 19, 2019

Show notes

Justin Buoen, Campaign Manager at Amy for America joins David for a look inside the Klobuchar campaign, and the upcoming challenges of campaigning during an impeachment trial.

Using Jiu-Jitsu to defeat Donald Trump Dec 12, 2019

Show notes

What’s the best way to defeat Donald Trump in the general election? David Axelrod, Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama, senior strategist for the Obama campaigns and host of the podcasts Hacks on Tap and The Axe Files has some suggestions and tells us what gives him hope.

Bloomberg is running because Trump is winning. Dec 05, 2019

Show notes

Kevin Sheekey, campaign manager for Bloomberg 2020, discusses the reasoning behind the timing of Michael Bloomberg’s entry into the Presidential campaign, and the strategic rationale behind their decision to skip the first four early states and mount a national campaign.

Tommy Vietor from Pod Save America Nov 26, 2019

Show notes

Tommy Vietor, host of Pod Save America was President Obama’s Iowa Press Secretary during the 2008 campaign.

Tommy is back from recently being on the ground in Iowa - in preparation for Pod Save America’s “On The Ground In Iowa” miniseries - where he spent time with the undecided voters who will determine who wins the Iowa caucuses. David and Tommy take a look at the fortunes of the top polling candidates as Iowa approaches, and what it will take for the nominee to beat Trump in the general election.

The Digital Wars Nov 21, 2019

Show notes

David is joined by Tara McGowan, the founder and CEO of ACRONYM, a nonprofit organization committed to building power and digital infrastructure for the progressive movement, for a discussion of the importance of social media and Citizen Creators to Campaign 2020.

Life After Beto Nov 14, 2019

Show notes

Jennifer O’Malley Dillon served as Campaign Manager at Beto for America, and previously was the Deputy Campaign Manager for Obama for America and the Executive Director of the Democratic National Committee. Jen joins David for a look inside Beto O’Rourke’s decision to exit the race, and her unique perspective on the race for the nomination and the ultimate battle against Trump.