Obama Strategist Axelrod On Learning From 1988 Presidential Race (VIDEO)

David Axelrod, the chief strategist of Barack Obama's presidential campaign and the next president's likely senior adviser, honed his national political skills on the 1988 presidential campaign of the late Illinois Senator Paul Simon.

Watch this vintage campaign report, unearthed by NBC Chicago, of Axelrod discussing Simon's chances in Iowa with Carol Marin:

Comments

[steverexxx]

Is it just me or does he look like Meathead ... you know from All in the Family.

[Shieldmaiden]

I love Axelrod. The guy is a genius and he has a lot to be proud of.

[marchamlin]

Ha! Axelrod was a porn star!

[obamanation31]

can he shave that mustache?

[Adrienne Williams - Huffpost Blogger]

wow, how this dates me...as I remember all of this! :-)

[vippy]

Axelrod was magnificient. Obama owes him a lot. Thank you Axel!

[missjabez]

I think Axelrod looks better than he did 20 years ago. Back then he seemed to be cultivating a 70s "Meathead" look. Looks aside, I am grateful for the part he played in Obama's win.

[mesuki]

I have a crush on Axelrod !

[bob8788]

Axelrod look like a porn star, back then

I remember that time think I was like 6 years old or something, man these guys are old

http://barackobamacans.blogspot.com/

[curiousasheck]

If not for the timely meltdown of Wall Street Axe might be back at work with Axlerod and Associates fishing for clients.

The rest of us would jumping off cliffs or something with the thought of McCain and Palin taking over.

[ILikeH00ters]

You are dreaming...wake up.

Palin brought down the old man's chances of becoming the POTUS. Financial meltdown was just an icing on the cake for Obama. The only people behind Palin was the extreme religious right wing base of the GOP. Moderate republicans and Regan democrats weren't on board with Palin.

Old man thought by selecting Palin he will be getting the Hillary supporters and religious fundamentalists on board with him. He accomplished getting the religious neocon support but lost the woman's vote.

[joebiz]

Thanks to Axelrod we were saved from a Pat Robertson nomination.

[dnddays]

Robertson killed his own nomination with his lies about his heroics in Korea and accounts that he used to frequent Korean prostitutes.

[PatrickforO]

Axelrod's masterful campaign strategy will cause political science textbooks to be rewritten. Not only did he propel an unfamiliar African American man with little money into the White House with a mandate from the American people, he also was instrumental in getting all of involved in the effort. The only thing I say is that we all need to stay involved. Please go to the President Elect's new website, change dot gov, register and begin to give the new administration your ideas. Change dot gov is a brilliant idea. None of us have the luxury of sitting back now and watching to see how 'they' do in office. 'They' is us.

[just4shiggles]

Very well put PatrickforO. Axlerod is one of my new heroes and I feel very lucky to have had him be involved in this election. The campaign was just a thing of beauty and it was so great to never have to feel embarrassed or have to make excuses for something that was said or done by my candidate. It's so cool to be able to hold my head up high and not feel bad that he did anything dirty in the campaign as the republican's did so often. I hope that this clean campaigning thing catches on in other races, from the local level on up. With the change dot gov site I think that a lot of republicans should realize that he intends to run this country as well and as honestly as he ran his campaign.

[Inthematrix]

Axelrod looks for like he is stuck in a late 60s early 70s time warp...lol. But seriously, this man is awesome!
http://inthematrix.wordpress.com/

[Takae]

I actually thought he looked like actor Dabney Coleman in the role of a 1970s p0rn star. :/

[Anandamerica]

I will work for food only- to Axelrod if he has a job for me even it is gardening in his back yard..This man is great architect and moving political university.I will be happy to study from this university.My hats off for finding the pearl from the mighty ocean and polish and brought to its light to this world.I
would like to be a mud in his hand so that I will be a sculpture oneday.However I feel his pain, tension and aggravation he went through and I wish him peace and prosperity in his life.Take good rest my friend so that you can find more pearls .

[digitaltruth]

Axelrod is outstanding.