doi:10.7916/1703-wv21Oral history interview with K. Cornell Belcher, 2022Belcher, Cornelloral historiesmixed materialPresidents--United StatesPublic opinion polls--United StatesPolitical campaigns--United StatesElection forecasting--United StatesBelcher, CornellObama, BarackNational Democratic Policy Committee (U.S.)Cornell Belcher reflects on his career in American politics and contribution to the political career of Barack Obama, which he supported as a leading pollster for Obama's presidential campaigns in 2008 and 2012. Belcher outlines the importance of polling and its application to political campaigning, major events from the 2008 campaign cycle, and the campaign's strategy in key battleground primary states including North Carolina and South Carolina. Belcher also discusses his entry into national political life, education as a pollster, founding of Brilliant Corners Research & Strategies, and notable work prior to 2008, which included the development of the fifty-state strategy with Howard Dean, then-chair of the Democratic National Committee. Also discussed are the institutional racism of establishment political organizations, the racist backlash to Obama's candidacy and election, and the significance of racial aversion during the Obama years and throughout American history