Axelrod Responds To Obama Victory: "Expects Attacks"

In an interview with DoubleSpeak, Barack Obama's Chief Strategist David Axelrod responded to Obama's Iowa caucus victory. During this interview at the Senator's first campaign event in the state of New Hampshire, Axelrod said that attacks on Obama are to be expected from his rivals over the next few days.

Matthew and Peter Slutsky With David Axelrod

Transcript:
DAVID AXELROD
Wow, I mean it was a magical night. It was a wonderful night. We've been, you know, we've been working at this for 10 months, and we had this vision when we started that we could attract young people in ways that they hadn't been attracted before. Independents, some disillusioned republicans, and built on our democratic base. and do something special, and, you know, its great to have a theory. You can build the plane, but last night, we found out whether it could fly or not, and it flew beautifully, you know. and I think its going to continue to fly.

DOUBLESPEAK
Do you credit young voters with your victory last night?

DAVID AXELROD
Well I think they were a huge part of it, just to put it in perspective, in 2004 only 12% of the voters who participated in the caucauses were under the age of 45. Last night, it was 40% and of that 40% 22% were under the age of 29. And so, 22% of the voters we're under the age of 29, and 22% were over the age of 65. Usually the over 65 dominate. So it was a profound change in the composition of the electorate. So, yes I give young people credit, and you know, look, this is not just a prescription for winning the nomination, this is what we as a party have to do, we have to reenergize young people in this country, and give them a sense that there is meaning in politics, that you can actually acheive postive things for yourself and the country by being involved. That's been beaten out of young people for so long, and I think he is reigniting a sense of possibility, and thats very very important.

DOUBLESPEAK
Whats your messaage to New Hampshire youth? inevitably this thing could get ugly, there could be attacks leveled at obama in the next week.

DAVID AXELROD
There very well may, I would expect that, but you know, I think in a sense, those are exactly the kind of tactics that are part of the old politics that we've come to know and hate in this country. I think we have to stop ripping each other down, and lifting up the country, and thats what this candidacy is about.

Comments

[butchie65]

I think you Edwards haters will be in for a suprise. It just shows you don't watch or think when people speak. The words "Fired up," doesn't make a President.Did anyone see the people that were interviewed after his speeches ? They are Republicans just wanting to be there to see him speak. They come away with still being Republican voters. There are also a lot of underage people who can't even vote. We will see, just so it's a Democrat President.

[gaiilonfong]

Edwards is starting to look pathetic. His wife was over the top on Hardball yesterday.
ITS OVER JOHN....help to get rid of those IDIOT CLINTONS, that would be a great legacy for you

[coonce]

Hillary's camp is ABOUT to attack Obama? She apparently hasn't learned that attacks don't WORK - Iowa proved that. After having her people out calling Obama everything but a terrorist (even hinting at that, with their Extreme Muslim emails) - and after losing by 8 pts, you'd THINK she'd learn that voters want REAL CHANGE - not a REPEAT of Iowa.
Coonsey's View
www.freewebs.com/coonsey/

[Boadicea]

Edwards is certainly taking the attack tack. He had a guy on msnbc this am saying that Obama's win as "unAmerican."

WRONG. Finally, real Americans have stood up.