My lunch and interview with David Axelrod---a time when getting the Axe is a good thing

If I take the theme of the Texas Democratic Party convention and add it to the theme of David Axelrod's speech yesterday in Houston, I get:

Unify for Change

Yesterday I had the amazing opportunity to sit down with David Axelrod, Chief Strategist to Barack Obama. In the old days, or if he supported Republicans, he might be called a king-maker.

Axelrod was in town during a three-city swing through Texas to shake hands and pass the Obama campaign hat.

The fundraising luncheon was originally in a private home, but an overwhelming response motivated the hosts to move the event to the foyer of the Wortham Center.

Houstonians were thrilled to see so many fellow Democrats in existence, the Obama campaign was thrilled to see so many wallets out, and David Axelrod was left in the uncomfortable position of having to tell these eager and excited supporters that voter registration assistance was about as much as Texas could expect from the Obama campaign.

He also had to field the "who will be picked as Obama's running mate" question, which he did with a huge teaser.

Appetizer: Texas goat cheese on Maryland blue crab cakes, decorated with spicy red aioli

Note: The courses are my own personal fun here and in no way should be taken as the actual food served at the event. (A) I did not really have time to eat it since I met with Mr. Axelrod during the eating time and then took notes during his speech, and (B) it was more of a box lunch style meal, with sandwich, potato salad, fruit cup and some sort of dessert that was cut like a scone but had the consistency of a mousse. I hope this doesn't sound denigrating because I am a huge fan of the box lunch, especially when it comes with dessert.

Mr. Axelrod opened his brief speech using the change of venue for the luncheon as a metaphor for the Obama campaign's vision: beginning with grassroots, galvanize millions to change the course of Washington.

Right then I got it: smells like Dean spirit.

Now I understand one reason why the Obama campaign feels so comfortable and familiar, yet leaves me with an inexplicable sense of anxiety that has no clear basis in reality: it picks up and plays from the Howard Dean playbook. The difference is the intelligence and corrections to the plays, and the quarterback of this team: David Axelrod.

Axelrod, who recently consulted and advised the successful campaigns of Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and U.S. Representative Rahm Emanuel, has steered so many successful campaigns from local to state to national that this article would lose its course to name them all.

Seeing Axelrod on the Obama campaign's team is reassuring and inspiring, and hearing what he has to say is even more so, especially if you happen to live in one of the Yes We Can states, a list Texas apparently doesn't quite make (yet).

Salade ou Soupe: Arugula and artichoke hearts with red pepper (tomatoes off the menu) or Cream of artichoke soup

After his opening, Axelrod quickly moved on to the standard Obama message that grassroots is important and Senator Obama is the very embodiment of the spirit of change the U.S. craves. He gave a brief bow to Hillary Clinton, who he called generous and fulsome as well as a great leader, and expressed that he was looking forward to working closely with her. He also gave a brief bow to Texas and the new and re-energized Democrats here. He trotted out the popular and favorite Obama statistic: this primary brought out 3.5 million new Democrats, more than even voted for Kerry in 2004, and called that a harbinger for the coming election in November, after which he said he looked forward to returning the current leader to us (Texas).

I may have suggested, out loud, that we preferred him to send Mr. Bush to Virginia, where he could live out his days in exile with Tom De Lay (apologies to my friends in Virginia, but I do believe there is historical precedent for your state as a penal colony). That may have caused a few people near me to nod and laugh, but that fortunately blended in with the crowd's applause and laughs during the "All Democrats Together Now HOO RAH!" portion of the speech.

Axelrod preached to the choir a bit more about how Senator Obama is a person who: puts national interest and people first, plans to rebuild America's place in the world, and who definitely can---as recent polls indicate, with him gaining leads with Hispanic, female, minority, and blue collar workers.

Entre-course: Samples of the MOMocrat cocktail Obama Mama, honoring all the hardworking moms who support Obama

He threw in the requisite McCain criticism, all of which is of course extremely fair, just and factual. Apparently the devil didn't go to Georgia, but he did go to Arizona, where John McCain made a Faustian bargain with him to secure the Republican nomination. He reminded us all that McCain is not a centrist, and that he toes the current administration's lines, not to mention he's out of touch with the average joe and his economic woes.

Main course: Chicken, au naturel, and asparagus

The standard speech now completed, he was left with the challenge of his appearance: how do I tell a room full of people who are willing to donate money that they're on our B-list?

He gently listed the A-list states---such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, and Florida---then focused on the positive: the Obama campaign will staff up in Texas as it will in all the other states, and will aggressively drive voter registration.

I felt more than heard the hum and buzz around me. I pinched my lips together in classic disapproval face and nodded my head. I expected this, but it was still disappointing to hear.

Then, however, Axelrod muddied the water and said the Obama campaign was committed to helping restore sensibility to Texas legislature and to getting Democrats elected in Texas.

That was a head-scratcher, because the best way to do that is to have Obama spend time in Texas and let some prominent Democrats hop on stage with him. I thought that might help Rick Noriega and might light a fire under the campaign of Nick Lampson. But, as it happens, he was all hat and no cattle. While Axelrod didn't state that Texas wouldn't even see the coat tail of Obama, he did his best to set our expectations realistically to, "You can hope but don't expect."

Needless to say, while I am admittedly biased, self-interested, and concede the "national balance" angle, I still think this is a miscalculation.

Dessert: Baked Alaska, that classic yet exciting treat

Axelrod concluded with a personal, fond remembrance of the golden days of idealism, and said Obama can pull us out of our "consumed by the business of politics" cynicism and restore the long-missing idealism to the U.S.

He then opened the floor to questions.

What did Texans want to know?

Note: The questions are my own personal paraphrasing and in no way should be taken as the actual phrasing of the questions asked at the event. I have kept the spirit and intent of the question intact, however. Ditto to the answers, which are also paraphrased, though true to form.

Q: Who is going to be Obama's running mate?

A:

That's right! Other than reassurances that it will be a thoughtfully and carefully selected person, he gave no answer. However, he teased us that a top contender was someone he'd already mentioned that day. I quickly ruled out John McCain and the only Democrat I noted named directly was...Hillary Clinton. I added that to his comment that the Obama campaign was "giving Senator Clinton time and space to think about where she'd like to go next," plus his comment that he was "looking forward to working closely with Senator Clinton again," and I got the idea that Hillary just might still be on the list.<-- That's what we call an inference, my friends, not hard fact.

Q: Are we just your ATM or do you give a horse's patootie about Texas?

A: We like your energy and money, and sincerely hope you all win, so we promise our people will keep in close communication with your people.

Have you ever been dumped by someone who says, "I'm just not ready to commit right now," and then, of course, goes on to date another girl two days later and then wonder of wonders is married within a year? Axelrod's remarks about Texas sort of made me feel a bit like the girlfriend who got dumped that way, and who has gone on to have a good life anyway, but who, while still single, had a little twingy ache when she saw her ex's wedding announcement in the newspaper.

Q: What about all the hateful lies winging around the Web and world?

A: Those make fantastic clay pigeons for our shooting practice in case we ever get the chance to hunt with Dick. (KIDDING! David Axelrod didn't even say anything remotely close to this, and although he's funny, he's not this risky.)

Real A: We're going to set the record straight at fightthesmears.com

And because I live in hope that Barack or Michelle Obama reads me, I want them to know that they have a true friend in David Axelrod, who swore to defend and protect Michelle and promised that, "if I didn't think Obama was rock solid, I wouldn't be devoting my life to making him President of the United States."

He also promised that we'd see and hear more about Obama's extended family as the campaign launches its new "biography phase."

It's no secret that I have been a huge Obama supporter. I've dined on his optimism and intelligence, and supped on his eloquence and promises of change. It was exciting and humbling to meet and speak to David Axelrod and other Obama campaign staff---people directly working for this great man in his bid for the presidency. It was thrilling to be surrounded by local hard-working Democrats and candidates, all of whom are going the extra mile to do the party good. I felt fortunate to be at this event, courtesy of the MOMocrats, but I also admit I'd hoped for a bit more.

I'd hoped to hear something new, something exciting, plus something great and mobilizing for Texas. I realize this probably makes me an aesthetic junkie of some sort, but it doesn't diminish my Obama groupie status. I do have my eyes on the bigger prize. But, as a Texan, my eyes are also on this state---which is a real possibility for Democrat wins and is full of swing voters who might leap on the first coat to tail through the state.

Seeing Elizabeth Edwards join the Obama campaign to advise on health care was amazing, and I'm sure hearing the name of the selected running mate will be too. I also realize we are transitioning to engaging in the true battle, but I also now understand that so many of us Democrats---in Texas and other "ceded" states---will have to battle on solo, more as rebels than regular troops. I know Senator Obama is only one man, but I think all it takes is one special moment.

When not lunching with the Democratic supahstahs and elite, Julie Pippert writes at Using My Words and Moms Speak Up.

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Comments

[liv]

JP-- you rock it the most! loved, loved, loved this! although, really, i would have liked to have eaten your fantasy lunch. obama mamas required.

[jaelithe]

Sweet!

So, ah, was Missouri on that A-list?

[Julie Pippert]

Thanks Liv! I would not have minded my fantasy lunch either. We carpooled (me, hubs and kids---who went to his office b/c the mother's helper I hired is MIA) and when the family came back to meet me, we dined in a fab restaurant on a cheese plate and prosciutto and melon plate, with yummy bread. So I didn't starve. :)

Jaelithe, hmm, it may be, I'd have to check the site to be sure, but I didn't note him saying it out loud and I don't recall it. You can HOPE but do not EXPECT! LOL

[kim]

This was a wonderfully creative account. I'm guessing that you like me want so badly to be a part of this in a meaningful way. It really sucks to be on the fringe.

[John J.]

I agree with you Julie. It isn't a 50 state campaign if Obama isn't actually campaigning in those states. Part (probably only a small part, but still part) of the reason he did so poorly in WV and KY was that he didn't even try to campaign there. I know it is hard to run such a campaign, but part of the brilliance of his primary campaign was running up his numbers in most areas and running down his opponents' numbers even in areas he wouldn't really be expected to win.

[Amy]

Very witty and informative -- Julie, you DO rock. I also prefer your fantasy menu to the "real" lunch, but I must admit the dessert provided WAS good! I had wanted to ask about Obama coming to Houston to specifically address NASA -- but with many of the questions stretching out to more commentary than inquiry, there was not time.

It was disappointing to learn that there won't be a big Barack presence in Texas from the man himself, but to win in November, we need to get those who don't know him as well in other states to get to take a ride on the Obama train.

[meanderwithme]

Julie, in my head, I'm pretending you had Joe's Pizza on wheat crust, add Feta. Gawd, I haven't had Star Pizza in nearly 8 years!

Love hearing you guys get up close and personal with the folks from the campaigns. I hope that the Obama campaign can make some real time for the man himself to spend time in Texas -- as much as it's a solid red state, I know it has a blue heart somewhere. After all, they DID elect Ann Richards!

[mom101]

Fabulous Julie. You left me both satisfied and yet...hungry.

[Frank S.]

Just as Obama realized the Primary was a mish mash of caucuses and elections with delegate count being key, November is all about the Electoral College.

Where Obama currently looks good ...

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/6/13/1206/21446/607/535370

...without Texas.

So, the real reason to campaign in solid red states is 1) Coattails for getting a supermajority in the House or Senate, and only last 2) party building for future elections.

Nice to have, for sure - but it's not a 50 state electoral college, and so it's easy to see how and why the short term priority must be elsewhere.

[Frank S.]

Let me restate: You don't need all 50 states to win the E.C. I know there are 50 states + DC in the E.C.

[Julie Pippert]

Well, Frank, as I conceded in my article, I see what you're saying, but it doesn't take much, or wouldn't take much and it would definitely help some Dems here in Texas, two of whom are Senate (new) and House (protecting). I also can't imagine not just thinking, wow 34...wouldn't that be sahweet!

[Pop]

The ATM thing continues to be troubling. As a donor, I am tired of being invited to DSCC events for Senate candidates from other states, when they are unwilling or unable to bring Obama to campaign with Rick Noriega. Or have fundraisers in other states (California, anyone???)

Testor and Webb have gone on the web for Noriega, and some of the other Strs. have given out of their pac's, but the DSCC does the same thing that Axe did.

Texas is as blue as the state flower--the values are there--and they would be less dismissive if Texas money insisted on a return engagement.

Great post--thanks for the heads up.

[Lawyer Mama]

Love this post babe. But there's no way in hell I'm letting GWB live in MY state.

[PunditMom]

Glad Maryland got a mention in there somewhere, even if it was only for the crabcakes!