David Axelrod, a political strategist, walked audiences through a synopsis of his career in journalism and politics when he took the stage at the John Cranford Adams Playhouse on Tuesday, Sept. 13. He recounted his personal story as the senior strategist to President Barack Obama’s campaign in 2008 and senior advisor to the president in his first two years of office.
Axelrod played a key role in getting Obama elected in the 2008 and 2012 elections.
As a political advisor, he was able to enlighten the audience on the subject of “debate camp,” a term that refers to the extensive preparation candidates go through prior to a debate. This requires the campaign team to construct a replica of the stage on which the debate would be held and attempts to replicate all the elements the candidates would potentially face. The idea behind “debate camp” is to minimize the amount of surprises for the candidate.
“Obama was very candid on the fact that he didn’t really like the debates because they felt very fake,” Axelrod said. “Preparation was always taken very seriously.”
Monique Laynburd, a junior public relations major said, “I’m not the most politically charged person, but I really enjoyed hearing David Axelrod speak. He is very personable and made the topic interesting and informative.”
Axelrod explained, “There are people who run for office because they want to be something and then there are people who run for office because they want to do something.”
He went on to say that Obama was able to wrap his personal story into the greater American one. He highlighted that Obama did what he had to do in office, even if it was unfavorable. Axelrod emphasized this point saying, “It’s about what you do while you’re in office, not whether you’re on the red team or the blue team.”
Noting the importance of political involvement, Axelrod urged people to take their concerns and passions to their local governments.
Christine Carvalho, a junior public relations major said, “Axelrod made excellent points about social media by saying that though it is a powerful mobilization tool, it’s not a substitute for what happens in government. We need to get more involved as young people, since we are all impacted by decisions made in Congress.”
Axelrod described what could make or break the winning candidate of the first debate. In terms of weakness, he expressed that Trump has limited his own ability to grow and that Hillary’s “experience” is hurting her more than helping her.
Of the candidates’ strengths, Axelrod predicted that if Trump can prove that he is prepared, has the proper temperament and the knowledge, he will take a big stride forward. However, he also predicted that if Hillary can connect with people the way that she sometimes can’t, she will be the one to take a large strive.
To conclude the event, Axelrod extended his concerns that citizen’s will either not vote or they’ll vote for third party candidate, Gary Johnson. Citing history, Axelrod cautioned those thinking in that direction because of its ineffectiveness.
He told the audience, “We will come to see better days, but only if we can stay engaged in the future.”
On the third party subject, A’loni Owens, freshman journalism major said, “I agree with Mr. David Axelrod in regards to how voting third party is not a great idea, especially since minorities and the working class have a lot to lose. I, as an Afro-Puerto Rican woman personally have a lot to lose. These third party candidates aren’t worth risking it all for.”
In an interview following the event, Axelrod made a statement following up a question on third party voters, “I never want to say a vote is wasted and people ought to vote their conscience, but they also ought to ask themselves, ‘do I want to vote for someone who might be the next president of the United States or do I not?’”