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Barack Obama's On-Point Message Man
Consultant David Axelrod with his latest candidate: "I believe there is nobility in politics. I believe there is great good that can be done."
(By Nancy Stone -- Chicago Tribune)
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Over the years he developed a sub-specialty in urban politics, particularly representing African American mayoral candidates, including Street, Anthony Williams in Washington, Dennis Archer in Detroit, Michael White of Cleveland and Lee Brown of Houston.
Through all the national political work, Axelrod says he was never tempted to leave Chicago, where he and his wife, Susan, raised their three children, now adults. He likes to quote Wilhelm saying upon leaving Washington, "I'm going back to Chicago where at least they stab you in the front."
Now he is charged, along with one of his partners, David Plouffe, Obama's campaign manager, with helping to convey another African American candidate to a wider public. Brazile says Axelrod has a gift for that sometimes delicate task.
"He understands the African American community must see themselves in the candidate, not just their successes, but also their struggle," Brazile says. "And David gets that. I think he spends a lot of time on the basketball court with brothers, because he understands the language and how to connect."
Indeed, Axelrod is a devoted pickup hoops player, with an excellent outside shot, but "don't pass to him if you ever expect to see the ball again," Wilhelm says.
The night Obama won his 2004 Senate primary, Axelrod checked the returns. Obama won the very same precinct where in 1983, a hostile mob of whites protested a visit to a Catholic church by Washington and presidential candidate Walter Mondale.
"I said to [Obama] that Harold Washington is smiling down on us for the progress we've made," Axelrod recalled. "I'm not naive, I'm not Pollyanna-ish, I understand we still have racial tensions and divisions in our country. . . . One of the qualities that he brings is the ability to transcend some of these divisions, and I think America is ready for that."
Listen for that line as the story continues.
