Obama's Number 1 Fan

Washington Post: Behind Chief Strategist's Cool Demeanor Is An Intense Fan For Chicago's Sports Teams And His Candidate

(Washingtonpost.com)  This story was written by Robert G. Kaiser.

---

David Axelrod first showed signs of chronic fan syndrome in the early 1960s in his native New York City. The initial symptom involved baseball. His dad had recently allowed the New York Mets (born 1962) to occupy the place in his heart long filled by the New York Giants (moved to San Francisco, 1957), and began taking his precocious son to games -- lots of them. "I was a big Mets fan," Axelrod reports. From the age of 8, when his parents separated, he spent weekends with his father, a ballplayer turned psychologist. "Most weekends we'd spend one or both days out at the ballpark," Axelrod remembers. A fan was born.

For nearly four decades Axelrod has lived in Chicago. The transplant is now deeply rooted, with chronic fan syndrome intact. The Mets are history. Now Axelrod holds season tickets to the Chicago Bulls of the NBA, the Chicago White Sox and the Chicago Cubs. He and his wife, Susan, have a subscription to Chicago Symphony Orchestra concerts. When politics don't interfere, he can lead quite a fan's life.

Axelrod, 53, is the preeminent political consultant in Chicago, and has operated successfully all over the country. He has helped Deval Patrick become governor of Massachusetts, Hillary Clinton become a senator from New York, and Anthony Williams become mayor of Washington, among many others. Over the past 16 months he has become a national figure as chief strategist for Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign, a job that regularly puts him on television -- "Meet the Press" two Sundays ago and "Face the Nation" last Sunday, and all over cable news last week. On television he is a cool, articulate spokesman for his candidate, a well-spoken salesman with a product to sell. But his friends realize that behind his mild-mannered exterior lurks the intense Axelrod they all know -- the fan.

Politics and sports are close cousins, and politics can provide an outlet for the fan's instincts. Axelrod roots for politicians with the intensity fans usually save for their teams. "He's really sort of an innocent," says Sam Smith, a retired Chicago Tribune sportswriter and one of Axelrod's closest friends. His pal is regularly infatuated with the candidates he works for as a consultant, Smith says: "He believes the best of the people in politics" -- at least for a time.

"He loves his candidates when he starts," Smith explains, but the love often fades; "he's usually let down when he finishes [a campaign]."

Told of Smith's remark, Axelrod demurs, denying that his candidates regularly disappoint him. "That's not really true," he says during a recent conversation in Obama headquarters here. "I've had my disappointments for sure, but I've been really, really lucky. Part of what has allowed me to practice the politics I like is that I've hooked up with some really outstanding people."

He considers Obama the most outstanding of them all. Axelrod has decided that this first-term senator, just 46 years old, is something extraordinary, someone to compare to his earliest political idol, Robert F. Kennedy. "This time he found a candidate who isn't letting him down," Smith says. "Obama is the one different guy."

Robert Swidler, now a lawyer in Troy, N.Y., is Axelrod's oldest friend. They grew up together in Stuyvesant Town, a vast community of high-rise, red-brick apartment houses just north of the East Village in Lower Manhattan. They went off to kindergarten together at Public School 40 on East 19th Street, went through Junior High 104 across the street and won admission to Stuyvesant High School, an academically selective public school, three blocks away.

Swidler recalls how, as 13-year-olds, they set up a card table, first at the Bronx Zoo, then on busy 57th Street, to sell buttons and bumper stickers for Robert Kennedy's 1968 presidential campaign. Their politics were established even then, Swidler recalls -- New York liberals with an idealistic bent who thought government should help the weakest members of society.

Axelrod remembers Robert Kennedy's assassination in the early hours of June 5, 1968. He thinks he was awake at the time, nearly 3:30 a.m., watching television or listening to the radio: "I wanted to see if he'd win the [California] primary, I knew how important it was. And I just was devastated, because I found him such an inspiring figure." So did millions of others, of course. Robert Kennedy was the last Democratic politician who could make voters swoon.

"When we started this campaign, I said to Barack, in many ways idealism died with [RFK], and we needed to rekindle that. And if we did this right, perhaps we could help do that." A fan speaks -- grandly, but that's what fans do.

'I'm a Multi-Tasker'

Among political professionals, the Obama campaign has been the object of admiration -- "flawlessly run," in the words of Bob Beckel, campaign manager of Walter F. Mondale's 1984 run for the White House. Obama, Axelrod, his partner David Plouffe and a small band of comrades drew up a plan early in 2007 to challenge the reigning first family of the Democratic Party for the presidential nomination on behalf of a neophyte Illinois senator whose name sounded foreign. They stuck to their plan even when they fell behind Hillary Clinton -- 33 points behind in a Washington Post-ABC News poll of Democrats and independents who lean Democratic that was completed on Sept. 30.

The Obama message also has never changed. As he laid it out in the Feb. 10, 2007, speech announcing his candidacy, Obama blames the country's inability to deal with its many problems on "the failure of leadership, the smallness of our politics -- the ease with which we're distracted by the petty and trivial, our chronic avoidance of tough decisions, our preference for scoring cheap political points instead of rolling up our sleeves and building a working consensus to tackle big problems." When Clinton pulled so far ahead in the polls, many skeptics thought this message was inadequate to the task. Obama, Axelrod and their colleagues thought otherwise.

And then they won the Iowa caucuses. After four months of primaries, caucuses and jockeying for the support of superdelegates -- the past and present elected and party officials who will now decide the ultimate winner -- Obama is the front-runner. The plan worked, at least so far. The fact that he was right when the conventional wisdom was so wrong gives Axelrod considerable satisfaction.

"Seven months ago I was spending a lot of time talking to guys like you who basically would tell me you're 30 points behind in the national polls, she seems almost unbeatable," he says. "Mark Penn [then Clinton's chief strategist] was declaring victory. And we placed our bet on the American people. And now we've won twice as many primaries and caucuses, and I think we're in a very strong position. That's because there is a hunger for something different, and I think Barack represents that."

As chief strategist, Axelrod has been a player-coach for the campaign. He appears comfortably on television for Obama, helps the candidate formulate his message, makes television commercials, consults daily with colleagues on how time and resources should be spent, BlackBerrys constantly with reporters, colleagues and supporters, and talks on the phone, too. "I'm a multi-tasker," he explains.

Axelrod is an atypical political consultant. Over the past generation his profession has become a dominant force in American politics. Its leading practitioners -- all wealthy and most full of themselves -- have become central actors in the country's political dramas. Axelrod has been influential himself, but works hard at avoiding self-promotional bloviation. "I have never believed in the Wizard of Oz theory of consulting, that I am all-knowing and all-seeing, and that everyone around me is kind of a backbencher," he says.

"David always wants to test and retest his ideas -- at all hours!" says Forrest Claypool, his first partner in the consulting business. Axelrod is famous for his middle-of-the-night phone calls. "He's constantly soliciting diverse views," says Claypool.

According to Beckel, whose Mondale campaign featured the jealousies, leaks and backbiting typical of presidential crusades (the sort that have been on display in the strife-torn Clinton campaign this year), the most remarkable aspect of the Obama operation is the total absence of drama. "There seems to be a cohesion there," Beckel says.

Axelrod's troops clearly adore him, and he goes out of his way to praise their accomplishments. For example: "My partner David Plouffe has done the most magnificent job of managing a campaign that I've seen in my life of watching presidential politics. To start something like this from scratch and build what we have built was a truly remarkable thing."

[rowdytexan2]

Pfffffffft...Axelrod is just a money mouth, like all other campaign managers. He''d sell his mother to make money!

[sgtrds]

Pfffffffft...Axelrod is just a money mouth, like all other campaign managers. He''''d sell his mother to make money!

Posted by RowdyTexan2 at 09:38 AM : May 02, 2008

However when he was helping Hillary become Senator from New York, why then he was a great guy. Right?

[sgtrds]

The Rassmusen is a right wing poll that always skews an average of about 10% to the GOP and always has. It''s as unbaised as FOX Noise or The Washington Times.

[prinzowhales]

Now, where did the money come from to put Axelrod in the Obama camp? What we learn from the article is that he is connected at the hip with every Israel-firster in Chicago...including Rahm Emmanuel, of course, who sabotaged the campaigns of anti-war Democrats as the head of the Congressional re-election campaign in 2006.

Emmanuel has the support of Daley''s machine in Chicago--his endorsement by the police and firefighters--...and now we have Obama...with his ties to Rezko...his backing by Lester Crown of General Dynamics and half the Pritzker clan...which should put to rest any idea that Obama is not in the Zionists pockets.

Obama is a front...a shill...just like Hillary...Once upon a time Bill and Hillary were the fresh young faces that gave dopes hope for ''change''...people began to see through that ruse...motivated by distaste for Bush41, elected Bill...now, people motivated by distaste for his son are looking for a new ''golden calf'' in the desert....Suckers!

[blkpresident]

Jane Fonda, Patty Hearst and Hillary Clinton...

Vote smart Indiana and North Carolina.

[sgtrds]

The popular vote total through PA. Obama is the leader.


http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/democratic_vote_count.html

[enoughya]

The smuggness of Hillary to arrogantly proclaim that more voters are voting for her belies the fact that Republican crossover voters are voting for her (now that their nominee has already been decided), eventhough these same people absolutely hate Hillary. There is absolutely no dignity or honor with the Clintons, who are trying every angle to steal this nomination when they know full well the voice of the people has come out against them. Why else would they still be garnering support only from mostly the uneducated, generally the most gullible class of people, those most easily duped by the chicanery and pandering of the Clintons? I hope the Clintons go away soon. They have truly become a national disgrace, just like Bush Jr has.

[ranger1948]

rowdytexan2
I ahve to disagree with you. The last thing we need in the white hous is a racist and a terrorist supporter/sympathyzer.

[ranger1948]

I wrote my senators today. I told them the American people are tired of waiting for change. I told them bush and his regime should be removed from office and tried as war criminals. I told them congress needs to address the issues at home for the American people. I told them if i didn''t see change by November i would be looking for new blood to elect into govt. I think everyone shoud write their senators and tell them how theyfeel. If they receive enough mail they may do something. Suadia Arabia pays 12 cents a gallon for gas, Kuwait pays 40 cents a gallon. There is no way we should be paying these prices. If not for us Kuwait wouldn''t be selling to anyone. They owe us and we should collect. You can contact your senators by looking up their addresses online and emailing them. I urge everyone to write their senators no matter who you think should win this fall.

[popstom1]

Axelrod is good at his job he dam near sold america
The cheep gold plated chicago slum lord lawyer
politician Obama but the voter''s have seen though the
wool 20 years and I don''t shares his views well
I did untill it hurt my political career then it was
move over grandma here come''s Rev Wright

[ranger1948]

Look at the track record. When Clinton left office we had a strong economy. Now look where bush has put us and McCain will continue in bushes shoes. I think obama would be even worse than bush.

[ranger1948]

obama lost his edge because of his beliefs and his connections who are unAmercan.

[libh8er]

''Obama''s Number 1 Fan''

Are muslim terrorists. They really hope he gets elected. I think HAMAS has already endorsed him.

[taddles-2009]

"I ahve to disagree with you. The last thing we need in the white hous is a racist and a terrorist supporter/sympathyzer.

Posted by ranger1948 at 10:40 AM : May 02, 2008"


Don''t suppose you have anything to back up those claims do you...I didn''t think so, your kind never do.

[taddles-2009]

"I think HAMAS has already endorsed him.

Posted by LibH8er at 11:12 AM : May 02, 2008"


Ah that false little floater again.

Actually that was falsely stated by FOX which was picked up by the McCain camp which sent that claim out in a mass emailing which was then used by FOX as "proof". Not bad, pull something completely out of your a$$ and call it a fact because the Rep. candidate is a dottering fool who isn''t smart enough to vet his information.

[sgtrds]

David Axlerod knows both Hillary and Obama well. He helped her get elected to the Senate and now he''s gone to work for Obama. Why? Because he knows Obama is the right person for the job and Hillary isn''t.

[libh8er]

CBS/AP - Ayman al-Zawahiri (D-CA) has just switched his support from Hillary Clinton to Barry Hussain Obama.

[prinzowhales]

For all of the hoopla and misdirection centered around Reverend Wright and the psycho-drama of Obama ritualisticly slaying his father...we still do not have a renunciation by Obama of the theology on which his church of 20 years...in which he served as as Elder of the Church...the theology which stated that a religion should be discarded if it did not serve the purpose of destroying "the white enemy."

Betraying Wright will not save Obama from being tarred with the brush of Cone''s theology...May I suggest a strategy to Mr. Axelrod? I call it, the "Miss Prissy Gambit", after the Prissy in GONE WITH THE WIND...just have Obama say in a high falsetto voice..."I don''t know nuttin'' ''bout no theology!!"...and run from the room screaming...trust me, no one will waste even one moment wondering why the Harvard-trained shyster wouldn''t have a clue as to the theology of his own church.

[taddles-2009]

"CBS/AP - Ayman al-Zawahiri (D-CA) has just switched his support from Hillary Clinton to Barry Hussain Obama.

Posted by LibH8er at 11:34 AM : May 02, 2008"


Almost funny. So you have a problem with California now too...anything you don''t hate?

[libh8er]

taddles,

Will you EVER tire of being a lib loser???


Friday, April 25, 2008

Hamas Endorses Obama
On Sunday, Aaron Klein and John Batchelor interviewed Ahmed Yousef, chief political adviser to the Prime Minister of Hamas, on WABC radio. The interview produced a scoop which, for some reason, has not been widely publicized: Hamas has endorsed Barack Obama for President. Yousef said, "We like Mr. Obama and we hope he will win the election." Why? "He has a vision to change America." Maybe Yousef has some insight into what Obama means by all these vague references to "change."

[libh8er]

taddles,

Maybe you should spen more time reading real news instead of spending your recess at Huffington''s garbage laden site.

[ladyesq1]

Goes to show how big of a joke Obama is....he has all these "fans".

Presidents should not have "Fans". They should have supporters and fellow citizens who believe in them. Fans are for rockstars and movie stars. I can''t believe we are putting a president in office how how charismatic, charming, handsome and rockstarish he is.

What is America coming to? Goes to show you why 18-22 year old college kids should NOT be choosing our next President. Wake up folks....this is not American Idol...its the Presidency of the U.S.

[popstom1]

No obama offered more money Axelrod is a hired gun
go''s to the highest bitter

[libh8er]

anything you don''''t hate?
Posted by taddles at 11:37 AM : May 02, 2008

Baby ducks :)

[prinzowhales]

Ayman al-Zawahiri is also a US intelligence asset, just like his brother, Zaiman, who works with the Kosovo Liberation Army in Kosovo...they run the distribution end of the opium products from our allies in Afghanistan...as INTERPOL noted, our allies are a narco-terrorist organization.

He is, however, in a different department from that of the proprietor of the Daily Kos.

[libh8er]

Wake up folks....this is not American Idol...its the Presidency of the U.S.
Posted by ladyesq1 at 11:40 AM : May 02, 2008

We need to go back to the Jeffersonian model with some augmentation.....

1) if you''re on the gov''t dole, you don''t get to vote
2) If you can''t show an ID, no vote for you
3) If you''re not a tax payer, so sorry....no vote
4) Don''t own a house or land? No soup for you!

[sgtrds]

anything you don''''''''t hate?
Posted by taddles at 11:37 AM : May 02, 2008

Baby ducks :)

Posted by LibH8er at 11:41 AM : May 02, 2008

Esp when they''re deep fried. Mmmmmmmm!

[taddles-2009]

Posted by LibH8er at 11:39 AM : May 02, 2008

Because Ahmed Yousef said he liked Obama when asked what he thought about the American electoral process is not an endorsement from Hamas, he also said he liked Hillary Clinton. McCains camp sent out the part of the interview where this guy said he liked Obama and claimed this as an endorsement from Hamas. Basic Republican BS. As usual, you''re full of $hit.

[taddles-2009]

"taddles,

Maybe you should spen more time reading real news instead of spending your recess at Huffington''''s garbage laden site.

Posted by LibH8er at 11:40 AM : May 02, 2008"

Maybe you should read the entire transcripts rather than paroting the FOX talking points, you might learn something.

[crewmember1]

For all the silliness of the "comments, if that is what they are, it is true the stability of the campaign has been like a rock. We should be rpoud to have a White House with this kind of strength. We deserve it. A person like Obama doesn''t come around every time - I''m old and i can tell you that this is an opportunity. Obama has made enough money and could, like the KEnnedys make a great name for himself as a Senator - it isn''t about that. He is doing this for the people, not himself. He has aged in the 16 months on the road.

[taddles-2009]

"1) if you''''re on the gov''''t dole, you don''''t get to vote
2) If you can''''t show an ID, no vote for you
3) If you''''re not a tax payer, so sorry....no vote
4) Don''''t own a house or land? No soup for you!

Posted by LibH8er at 11:45 AM : May 02, 2008"


You missed that part where non land owners and slaves have 3/5''s of a vote.

[crewmember1]

Do you Obama hating Hillary "Posters" really think you are swaying people? The people are swayed becaue the press has not scrutinized Hillary for anything she has done, especially her latest ABC Good Morning America on Tuesday, wherein she threatened to obliterate Iran if she gets the Presidency. Now the ambassador is protesting the United Nations. Bet you haven''t heard that story - not here, not CNN, FOX, ABC,NBC. Britain sent a letter warning of irresponsible imprudence. Did we hear anything from the news? Google Hillary obliterate to find out what the rest of the world is worried about.

[taddles-2009]

"4) Don''''t own a house or land? No soup for you!

Posted by LibH8er at 11:45 AM : May 02, 2008"


That should read blacks are worth 3/5''s of a person for taxation purposes. And make sure you bring back that part where women can''t vote. I''m sure your a lot of fun at parties, your hood a sheet must go over really well.

[broncfan1661]

David Axlerod knows both Hillary and Obama well. He helped her get elected to the Senate and now he''''s gone to work for Obama. Why? Because he knows Obama is the right person for the job and Hillary isn''''t.
Posted by SgtRDS at 11:34 AM : May 02, 2008
______________________________________________________

Hillary already had her campaign staff in place before Obama decided to enter the race.

[taddles-2009]

"Hillary already had her campaign staff in place before Obama decided to enter the race.

Posted by broncfan1661 at 11:55 AM : May 02, 2008"


She''s had her campaign staff in place since ''99

[obamasgranny]

"He loves his candidates when he starts," Smith explains, but the love often fades; "he''s usually let down when he finishes [a campaign]."
________________________________________________
He''ll be on anti-depressants when Obama is finished!!
He will be so bitter he''ll join Pastor Wrong on a national "hate" tour!!

NOBAMA 08

[broncfan1661]

A person like Obama doesn''''t come around every time - I''''m old and i can tell you that this is an opportunity. Obama has made enough money and could, like the KEnnedys make a great name for himself as a Senator - it isn''''t about that. He is doing this for the people, not himsel
Posted by crewmember1 at 11:49 AM : May 02, 2008
_______________________________________________

Yeah Right.

[jlbizzle]

Rasmusson Poll: 58% Say Obama Denounced Wright for Political Convenience, not Outrage.

[broncfan1661]

She''''s had her campaign staff in place since ''''99

Posted by taddles at 11:56 AM : May 02, 2008
_________________________________________________

And she chose not to include AxelRove

[shyalia]

Her campaign staff was working for her husband in 93...see the latest youtube and dailykos videos to she what fine upstanding people she has working for her.......

[popstom1]

imposter I have seen that phoony video try again

I wonder how many people that voted for Obama before Rev Wright backlash wish they could change their vote.
The Superdelegates should wait until the last primary before casting their votes.

[obamasgranny]

It appears the utube clip was altered:
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0508/Pennebaker_Clip_Doctoered.html

[themagic07]

WAKE UP DEMOCRATS%u2026..Obama is the combination of Rev Wright and Rezko. This rookie is DISHONEST and DISGRACE. He can say anything to get elected, but please don%u2019t be fooled by salesman. If he is the nominee, the republicans will eat him alive. We, as the Democrats, deserve better! Vote for HIM is a vote for WRIGHT AND REZKO. VOTE FOR HILLARY...

Rowdy/Texas2 The video you refer to on You Tube has been doctored. It has also been removed. If you don''t believe me try to find it at the address you posted. D.A. Pennebaker, the director of "The War Room," who said his film had been doctored to produce a widely-viewed YouTube clip. Who do you think doctored the Video on You Tube?

[rowdytexan2]

Axelrod is the same scum bag that sold Richard Daly to Chicago. And who still acts as Daly''s go to guy!

Axelrod is selling another lying corrupt politician. He evidently scores big money off the corruption shills!

[pepperp1]

Baloney Obama''s number one expense maybe.............the author of Obama Drama Even you can Be a Racist



Ind-NC please turn out and vote swamp the Move On Party activist on the Fringe of the Dem Party lets not let extremist take over another Party



We the People cant afford it

[libra127]

see the latest youtube and dailykos videos to she what fine upstanding people she has working for her.......

Posted by shyalia at 12:08 PM : May 02, 2008

THAT VIDEO HAS BEEN DETERMINED TO BE DOCTORED!!

SEE ARTICLE AT:

www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/02/clinton-adviser-claims-in_n_99810.html

[eddynewhope]

Only the Clinton supporters are clinging to Rev. Wright. Senator Obama has disassociated himself from the guy after his former paster betrayed the Senator''s loyalty in a vain attempt to sell books, and at the invitation to speak from one of Clinton''s top supporters. Now if you would like to judge a candidate by a tiny minority of his associations, it betrays the fact that Hillary supporters have nothing good to say abou their own candidate. The hatred and fear being spewed, like the hatred and fear spewed by Rev. Wright provides comfort to those who thrive on a divided American. Spew away, and cheer your candidate for her "gas tax holiday" and praise of John "100 years in Iraq" McCain which is nothing more than B S political ploys like so much of what we see from the Clinton camp. You are being duped by these destructive has-beens who have forever soiled their legacy as Dem icons of the 90s.

[lordmi]

Clintonists are Idiots.
All of them .
The proogf is in these stupid messages here. Only debil can write that trash.
No surprises - straight correlation between Dirty clintons and trash, that supports them.
Thank You for consideration and GET OUT of the way.