Joe Trippi Joins Edwards Campaign

[Catchawave]

http://blog.johnedwards.com/story/2007/4/19/15828/7350



I really thought that the 2004 Presidential campaign would be the last I would be involved in. I have always wanted to make a difference, but for me I thought those days were over.

A few weeks ago, John and Elizabeth Edwards made their decision to continue, not just John Edwards' campaign for President, but their work together to make a difference for their country.

And that made me realize that I wasn't done trying to make a difference either. Not by a long shot. So today I am joining the John Edwards campaign.

Too much is at stake. The war in Iraq continues, and more of our troops will lose their lives. Working Americans are losing ground. Poverty continues in the wealthiest nation on the planet. And nearly nothing is really being done to reduce global warming.

John Edwards is leading the way and making a difference on all of these issues. He's offering big ideas backed by real plans to change our country. And so his campaign is the place where I will work to make whatever difference I can.

Lets make a difference together, for each other, and for our country. Too much is at stake to give anything less than everything we've got

[hippiechick]

1. Trippi? Hooooo boy.

Edwards doesn't really want to win, does he? :eyes:

[saltpoint]

3. Hi, hippiechick. I heard Trippi interviewed in 2004 on Diane Rehm's NPR

program.

Not all, but a good deal of what he said involved the connection of the U.S. citizen as voter, and the connection that has to "consumer" and "worker."

It was a bit dry for radio, but clearly he felt that everytime a voter or citizen buys something at WalMart, which is anti-union and not worker-friendly, that voter/citizen undermines not only his or her own household but everybody else's shot at a fair shake as well.

Again -- I'm not sure Diane's ratings did well that day -- there was none of the VT carnage and rampage-style coverage of any issue -- but Trippi did a really good job putting the responsiblity of voter/citizens to be respectful of the needs of consumer/workers. Especially when they're the same people.

[hippiechick]

4. I was involved in the Dean campaign and know well what Trippi did.

:( Go work for the other side, Joe.

[saltpoint]

5. Well, I listened with my best ears to that interview and was very

impressed.

I can see that he'd be a plus to any campaign, especially one waged under the long, failing shadow of the Bush adminsitration, our ultimate target now and the replacement of which by Democrats for later in 2008.

[mzmolly]

22. As a former Deniac, I agree fully OC.

:hi:

Trippi will be a great addition to the Edwards camp.

[saltpoint]

26. Hey there, mzmolly. Good to see you. You're talking to a guy who's

still pissed at the media treatment of Howard Dean following the Iowa caucus.

Now mind you, by that night the exact percentages hadn't settled, but it was looking like Kerry, then Edwards, then Dean, then Gephardt for the double-digit placers, and it turned out in that order. But. Dean's high-teens percentage was impressive, and when he did his "scream," it seemed to me instantly that he was rallying his troops, that he was thanking the people of all ages and backgrounds and walks of life for working for him, urging them that they shouldn't give up, and so forth.

It looked to me like Walt Whitman's "barbaric yalp," a deep-in-the-bones cry for unity and good faith and true cause. I admired it. I still admire it. Kerry surprised me for coming in first after behind so far behind, but not nearly as much as Gephardt surprised me by getting buried alive. It was the forgotten story of the night -- the political end of Dick Gephardt, who after all, is a pretty good guy.

So anyway, that was my first sense of Dean -- as a man I'd want around in a crisis. Someone who set aside his own personal disappointment to rally the spirits of his supporters. I by god love that in people, and it's so rarely seen in a politican.

[mzmolly]

42. I'm glad you had a positive impression the good Doctor.

I think he's done an outstanding job as the leader of our DNC as well.

:hi:

[saltpoint]

52. Agree. I wanted Dean as our Chair, and now that he's there, I feel

a whole lot better.

The 50-state strategy speaks for me!

[madfloridian]

47. I agree, Crusoe.

All of us were hurt at the end of the campaign, it was painful. There was plenty of stuff to blame everyone for when it was done. Only it isn't done....it was a movement. Trippi was part of that just like we were. It's still going on.

[saltpoint]

54. Good point. There needs to be a constant push for more change,

and also for more involvement.

For a lot of brand new Democrats to the process, the Dean campaign represented that change and so a debt of thanks is owed to that campaign for increasing participation. Good for a campaign and good also for the party.

Not so good for the Republicans. Their 2000 primary was over by March or so, and Dubya's 2004 sure looks fishy in Ohio, not to mention his cheating Al Gore 4 years before. And their 2008 field looks even worse.

Dean's camp made history in a very good way. Dubya's 2 administrations are making it in a very bad way.

[jgraz]

10. What did Trippi do?

I've only heard him interviewed and thought he seemed pretty reasonable. I didn't know about any Dean-related skullduggery.

[hippiechick]

24. Let's just say that money management isn't his strong point.

:hide:

[KingofNewOrleans]

32. Doesn't look like Trippi gets to control

the money this time around.

[Catchawave]

40. I put the job description further down thread....

looks like media stuff, which he's very good at :hi:

[Milo_Bloom]

15. Ditto, Ditto and DITTO!

Although to be honest, I am glad he is working for Edwards, since I wouldn't vote for him anyway. With Trippi on the team, i don't think it will be a problem I will have to face.

[Catchawave]

19. What did Trippi do? n/t

[madfloridian]

45. We should not place blame, because Dean never did.

He never said a word. I am glad to see Trippi with Edwards, but he needs to stop giving interviews saying how primitive the Dean campaign was, like he just did at Mother Jones today. However he means it, it will make many cross with him.

http://www.motherjones.com/mojoblog/archives/2007/04/4237_joe_trippi_talk.html

It was as I said in the post below, a whole new way of campaigning. If Joe starts putting that campaign down, it will not be good.

See what I wrote below. Most of us appreciate him a lot, but he should not say things about the Dean campaign unless they are good.

[KingofNewOrleans]

48. I think Trippi is referring to the pace of internet technology

What seemed like cutting edge 4 yrs ago with Dean, now seems primitive, what with the explosion of blogging, you tube, my space etc....

Trippi probably will be somewhat visible because it seems his role is to find creative ways to get Edwards media exposure when the media is inclined to focus on Hillary vs Obama.

[madfloridian]

49. You might be right about that.

:hi:

[Capn Sunshine]

53. well, I'll tell anyone who wants to know about Trippi

Not for public consumption, but I was at ground zero in the Dean Campaign; I can tell you exactly why and how we lost Iowa.

So could Joe, but he never will.

Anyone who wants to hear it, PM me. I won't jinx an otherwise deserving campaign with bad vibes.

Good luck, JE. Good theme, good people, he'll be there at the end, Trippi or no.

[saltpoint]

38. here's the link...

http://wamu.org/programs/dr/04/07/13.php

[saltpoint]

2. I'm glad Joe's aboard and the concerns he raises as issues suggest

that George W. Bush has visited harm upon all of us.

While I agree with his candidate choice, Joe is framing the blaming. And the blame he suggests belongs at the doorstep of George W. Bush.

The next president is going to have to do some re-routing of the river to clean out the Bush stables.

[NYCGirl]

6. Oy! NT

[Skink]

7. Deaniacs unite.

This is logical. Edwards stakes out Deans positions on most subjects.

[Clark2008]

34. Really?

A guy who not only voted for the war, he co-sponsored it stakes out Dean's positions? How?

[benny05]

8. LOL

I have it in LBN...



Get on board the Edwards Train..it's about to run faster.

[Catchawave]

11. We must have hit JRE's blog at the same time :)

It IS Breaking News :toast:

[benny05]

18. You got that right Sista

I think Joe has learned a lot.

Wonder if this means Gore has decided not to run?

No matter, Edwards Express is movin' on!

:kick:

[mnhtnbb]

9. Uh-oh. Trippi made some big mistakes with Dean. I hope this doesn't

bode ill for the Edwards campaign.

[Catchawave]

12. I'm not worried at all

Trippi is well liked by the media, so that's going to help.

[Skink]

13. Edwards is well liked also.

[ChiciB1]

29. I Think Joe Is Really Very Good.... I Don't Think He Will Hurt John Edwards

in any way. You know, SOME people DO learn things along the way and SOME people REMEMBER things also!

It doesn't worry me, and I think it will help Edwards in the end!

[rinsd]

14. A possible coup for Edwards (nt)

[abburdlen]

16. I don't want to rehash

the entire hair non-issue but many complained yesterday that the Edwards haircuts shouldn't be talked about and instead we should talk about issues.

Is Joe Trippi joining Edwards team an issue? Or like the haircut, is it another campaign expenditure?

[Catchawave]

23. It's an issue, and judging by some of the meowing on this thread

...a big issue :D

[benny05]

17. Here's what David Bonior had to say

Campaign Manager David Bonior said, "We couldn't be more excited to have Joe join our team. He's creative, passionate, committed and shares John Edwards' vision of an America that works for all of us."

Deputy Campaign Manager Jonathan Prince said, "Joe is a true believer who has never been the kind of guy who sits around and waits for somebody else to bring about the change he believes we need. And that's what our campaign is about. That's the challenge John and Elizabeth have laid before all of us. I'm glad Joe Trippi is one of those who's ready to take it up."


So, my impression is that he is an advisor only, not doing the nuts and bolts. I think Trippi has learned quite a bit and he's working with Matt Gross, who is one of the best in Netroot Politics.

[saltpoint]

28. Thanks for that comment by David Bonior, and it sounds like a good read

on your part on Trippi's role.

And it feels pretty good, too.

[mzmolly]

20. Edwards just became a more serious contender.

The only thing I'll say about Trippi is that he was very unprofessional at times when he discussed Howard Dean. I think he's a huge asset to Edwards however.

Go John!

[Cha]

21. I hope Joe Trippi

only gives the Edwards campaign his best side.

[w4rma]

25. Trippi is signing on as an advisor? That is very good.

If he is signing in a non-advisory capacity, please audit any media expenditures that Trippi makes, Sen. Edwards.

[benny05]

31. Not in charge of finances

Just advice. Doesn't mean Edwards will necessarily take it either though. He's no one's honey but Elizabeth's and that's way it should be.

[ChiciB1]

27. Whoopie, Whoopie, Whoopie! AND

Whoopie, Whoopie, Whoopie!! Go, JOHNNY, Go!!!!!

[zulchzulu]

30. Good for Trippi

I'm glad Obama didn't take him in...

:smoke:

[Clark2008]

33. Good - that makes me feel better about his losing.

[Catchawave]

37. Clark2008 - I LIVE to make you feel better on DU

So happy to help, but JRE's not going to lose.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

35. This is great news

[Catchawave]

36. National Journal's Hotline: More on Edwards/Trippi

This may help clarify the relationship, from:

http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2007/04/more_on_joe_tri.html



Some points about Joe Trippi and John Edwards:

# Trippi remains a hero to the Netroots. Justifiably. Opinions diverge when his fellow political strategists are polled, but many veteran strategists agree that Trippi is among the most brilliant, creative thinkers in politics.

# Trippi will be the first to tell you that he's not the best manager of personnel; in this role, he won’t have to manage anyone… just give advice.

# He's a big personality, and his reputation took a hit after 2004; That he would be asked to join a major Democratic campaign today, (and perhaps having chosen among several trying to recruit him, means that his standing has been rehabilitated.

# Edwards's strategy team includes pollster Harrison Hickman, deputy manager Jonathan Prince, longtime adviser Miles Lackey, senior adviser Chris Chafe, senior adviser Nick Baldick, political director David Medina and manager David Bonior. Elizabeth Edwards remains first among equals. It's not clear how well this team will work together in the long run, but if Trippi was asked to come aboard, it's safe to say that John Edwards and Elizabeth Edwards are confident that everyone will play nicely.

# It's not entirely clear what role Trippi will play in developing Edwards's Internet activism capacity. Ex-Moveon.Org Advocacy Dir. Ben Brandzel and Kerry/Edwards '04 Internet Development Dir. Aaron Meyers head up the Internet department, while Dean alum Matt Gross advises the e-team.

# Trippi will also help create Edwards's television, internet and radio ads, joining consultant Marius Penczner .

[saltpoint]

39. It's good to have this information, Catchawave. Thanks for putting it

up for us.

Sounds like a pretty sharp bunch of folks assembled for the Edwards campaign.

Scrappy, smart, resourceful, creative, and dedicated.

[chimpymustgo]

41. This is HUGH!!! Great news! Very exciting. This is going to be a lot of fun!

I really respect Trippi as a thoughtful, savvy advisor. And he's been through the fire of the Dean campaign. The two camps are natural allies. This is fantastic.

[saltpoint]

51. I was neutral until that interview and then I realized Trippi had

new cards to play in the old game.

I think Edwards has done himself a favor with this addition.

[madfloridian]

43. Trippi always totally got what the Dean campaign was about.

He was one of the few who ever really did. I fear some of us have had words with him when he would make moves toward the blog. No matter what feelings were left, so much of it was the pain of how it ended.

Joe Trippi and Howard Dean and most of us who were and are Deaniacs knew what was happening, knew it was more than just a campaign after all....others did not understand. Edwards is lucky, and his campaign will be about "us" not him. Just like the other campaign was.

From the introduction of Joe's book, The Revolution Will Not Be Televised:

In fact, it was the opening salvo in a revolution, the sound of hundreds of thousands of Americans turning off their televisions and embracing the only form of technology that has allowed them to be involved again, to gain control of a process that alienated them decades ago. In the coming weeks and months and years, these hundreds of thousands will be followed by millions, and this revolution will not be satisfied with overthrowing a corrupt and unresponsive political system. It won't stop at remaking politics. And it won't pay attention to national borders.

In fact, if every business and civic leader in every sector of the economy and in every segment of society doesn't think that in the next decade they're in for Howard Dean-style surprises from the people they've been treating with total condescension, they haven't been paying attention. Every business that spends $20 million on television advertising and just $20,000 to post a static web site that is updated once a month had better watch their backs. Every institution that doesn't understand that the technology is finally here to allow people to reject what they're being given and demand what they want had better start paying attention.

The revolution comes for you next.

When the Dean campaign ended and I sat down to write this book, several people asked if it would be a standard campaign memoir, a tell-all with all the juicy behind-the-scenes details about what went right and went wrong during Howard Dean's dramatic rise and sudden fall.

These people still don't get it.

The truth of this campaign, the "tell all,' the juicy behind-the-scenes details are these: a woman who sold her bike for democracy and inspired hundreds, maybe thousands of people to do the same; a man who raised $400,000 in one week by himself by doing nothing more than sending out an e-mail; an eighty-nine-year-old man who said that he thought he was done living until the Dean campaign re-engaged his life with meaning and civic purpose.

Trippi and Dean were good for each other in many ways. It is hard to stay mad at Joe Trippi, but I have done a good job of it for a very long time. I wasn't going to post in this thread, but I had to do it. I am glad he will be working with John and Elizabeth Edwards.

[madfloridian]

46. PS, Joe. Stop giving interviews about the Dean campaign.

This is not a time for that. I just read the one in Mother Jones. It was "primitive" because it was new...just as you said in the post above.

http://www.motherjones.com/mojoblog/archives/2007/04/4237_joe_trippi_talk.html

[KingofNewOrleans]

50. "Primitive" seems to refer to the pace of technology

not a criticism of the Dean campaign. Trippi cites the wide array of new internet technology, You Tube, My Space, etc....that makes 2004 seem like ancient history.

On edit, I see you saw my post above. :hi:

[madfloridian]

44. Just recommended..Glad Joe is with Edwards. Matt Gross is great also.

:hi:

[peacetheonlyway]

56. unitil they get zephyr, they got nothing!

or clay...

or a few others of the dean machine....

[peacetheonlyway]

55. Hey Trippi... if you really want to help Edwards.????

how about NOT picking up the phone to the Chairman of the DLC (back then McAuliff)
who controls the pocketbook of the biggest Dem coffers out there,
and FIRING Him teh way you fired McAuliffe days before your first caucus in Iowa, riding
high from the Magazine trifecta.

Learn a lesson for god's sake and drop the arrogance and ego.

and promise us you won't backstab Edwards the way you backstabbed our almost SAINTLY candidate Dean after Edward's campaign?

edwards deserves a clean campaign, without you dipping in their coffers so lose the sticky fingers around ad revenues.

and finally, re-employ our team that won for dean, you know who, the bat graphic creators and the blog designers and the state by state folk.

believe it or not, at this late stage of the game, I have not received a single valid stance from a candidate that I can dig into and I have $60 burning a hole in my pocket.


he who ropes in the grassroots (former Dean organization) takes the dem/presidential seat.

please don't flub it for edwards, I kinda like the guy but he needs to quit cowtowing to a 5% minority christian base and start cowtowing to a 20M and growing strong progressive base.