doi:10.7916/vk5f-6383Oral history interview with Jim Messina, 2021Messina, Jimoral historiesmixed materialPresidents--United StatesPresidential campaigns--United StatesLabor laws and legislation--United StatesCorporate speech--United StatesMessina, JimObama, BarackUnited StatesCitizens United. Trials, litigation, etcDon't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010Patient Protection and Affordable Care ActJim 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 central 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