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.
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.