2012 Campaign Decision Makers Conference
The Institute's Campaign for President series was created in 1972 and runs every four years, in the weeks following Election Day. The Institute brings together campaign managers and analysts from major presidential campaigns to examine the electoral process. They provide a rare exchange of views and confidences about the strategies and tactics employed by the key decision makers in a presidential campaign. Click here to download the timeline of the 2012 campaign cycle. A sampling of media coverage of the conference’s audio recordings appears below:
Obama for America Campaign Manager Jim Messina engages with undergraduates during a break at the Institute of Politics’ “2012 Campaign for President: The Managers Look at 2012” conference on November 29.
Mitt Romney's campaign manager Matt Rhodes during the conference discussions.
Opening Reception and Dinner
Washington Post Chief Political Correspondent Dan Balz and New York Times Assistant Managing Editor and IOP Senior Advisory Committee member Rick Berke moderated a dinner discussion on initial campaign strategy on Nov. 28.
Participants: Jeremy Bird (Obama), Matt Rhoades (Romney), Mark Block (Cain), John Brabender (Santorum), Matt David (Huntsman), Vince Haley (Gingrich), Rob Johnson (Perry), Phil Musser (Pawlenty), Keith Nahigian (Bachmann), Trygve Olson (Paul), Carlos Sierra (Roemer)
Discussion of the Republican Primary and Convention
Politico Senior Political Reporter Jonathan Martin and CBS News Political Correspondent Jan Crawford presided over a breakfast discussion on the Republican Primary and Convention on Nov. 29.
Participants: Matt Rhoades and Stuart Stevens (Romney), Mark Block and Linda Hansen (Cain), John Brabender (Santorum), Matt David and Ana Navarro (Huntsman), Vince Haley (Gingrich), Rob Johnson and Rick Carney (Perry), Phil Musser (Pawlenty), Keith Nahigian and Brett O’Donnell (Bachmann), Trygve Olson (Paul), Carlos Sierra and Morgan Martinez (Roemer)
Discussion of the Democratic Strategy through the Convention
ABC News Senior Political Correspondent Jonathan Karl and Politico Senior Politcal Writer Lois Romano moderated a morning discussion on Democratic strategy through the Convention on Nov. 29.
Participants: David Axelrod, Jim Messina, Jeremy Bird, Stephanie Cutter, Teddy Goff, Jim Margolis, David Simas
Discussions on Independent Expenditures
Former IOP Senior Advisory Committee member, Washington Week Managing Editor and PBS Newshour Senior Correspondent Gwen Ifill and New York Times Assistant Managing Editor and IOP Senior Advisory Committee member Rick Berke moderated an afternoon discussion on Independent Expenditures on Nov. 29.
Participants: Brian Baker (Ending Spending Action Fund), Bill Burton (Priorities USA Action and Priorities USA), Carl Forti (American Crossroads), Steven Law (American Crossroads), Nick Ryan (Red, White and Blue Fund), Charlie Spies (Restore our Future)
Discussions on the General Election
CNN Chief Political Analyst Gloria Borger and National Journal Editorial Director Ron Brownstein presided over an afternoon discussion on the general election on Nov. 29.
Participants:
Romney: Matt Rhoades, Stuart Stevens, Rich Beeson, Peter Flaherty, Gail Gitcho, Ron Kaufman, Zac Moffatt, Beth Myers, Neil Newhouse, Russ Schriefer, Dan Senor, Bob White
Obama: David Axelrod, Jim Messina, Jeremy Bird, Stephanie Cutter, Teddy Goff, Jim Margolis, David Simas