Jim Messina reflects on his contributions to the domestic policy of the Obama administration, in which he served as White House deputy chief of staff for operations from 2009 to 2011, and to the political career of Barack Obama, which he supported in various roles including campaign manager for the 2012 presidential campaign. Messina provides details about the strategies, negotiations, and events c entral to many important legislative and policy initiatives with which he was closely involved, including the Affordable Care Act, multiple budget proposals, the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010, the Employee Free Choice Act, and the nomination of justices to the Supreme Court. Messina also discusses the Obama 2012 presidential campaign, and describes the importance of defining a campaign narrative, the benefits and challenges of campaigning as an incumbent, the campaign's efforts to collect and mobilize granular voter data, the effects of the changing technological and media landscape, and the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision on advertising spending and campaign fundraising. Also discussed are the administration's presidential transition and the challenges of managing the unprecedented volume of applications for political appointments, White House restrictions on the hiring of former lobbyists, the White House's evolving relationship with the grassroots movement that drove the Obama '08 campaign, and the relationship between the White House and Congress
Presidents--United States; Presidential campaigns--United States; Labor laws and legislation--United States; Corporate speech--United States; Messina, Jim; Obama, Barack; United States; Citizens United. Trials, litigation, etc; Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010; Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Format
oral histories
Genre
Interviews
Date
2021
Physical Description
177 pages
Note (Biographical)
Jim Messina is an American political adviser, public servant, and Democratic Party campaign strategist. Messina served as national chief of staff for the Obama 2008 presidential campaign, director of personnel for the Obama Transition Project, deputy White House chief of staff for operations from 2009 to 2011, and campaign manager of the Obama 2012 reelection campaign. After the successful 2012 reelection campaign, Messina became national chairman of Organizing for Action (OFA), and co-chair of Priorities U.S.A. Action. Prior to the Obama years, Messina served as a staffer and campaign manager for several democratic senators and representatives, including Senator Max Baucus of Montana
Note
Interviewed by Dov Weinryb Grohsgal on June 26, 2020, and February 16 and June 14, 2021. This interview is part of the Columbia University: Obama Presidency Oral History
Note (Provenance)
Jim Messina, Gift, transferred from Columbia Center for Oral History Research 2023