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David Saunders
| David Saunders | |||
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| Basic facts | |||
| Location: | Roanoke, Va. | ||
| Expertise: | Rural outreach | ||
| Affiliation: | Democrat | ||
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David "Mudcat" Saunders is a Democratic political strategist operating in the state of Virginia. He was an advisor to Jim Webb's 2016 presidential campaign.[1] Saunders previously worked on Webb's 2006 U.S. Senate campaign, John Edwards' (D) 2008 presidential campaign and Mark Warner's (D) 2001 campaign for governor of Virginia. Saunders, who works in Roanoke, Va., developed a rural outreach campaign style called the "Bubba Strategy" for Warner's gubernatorial campaign and Webb's U.S. Senate run.[2]
Career
David Saunders has worked in Virginia politics as a strategist on Democratic rural outreach, beginning with the 2001 gubernatorial campaign of Mark Warner. In Warner's campaign, Saunders began using what he called his "Bubba Strategy," a form of outreach to rural voters that prioritizes Democratic candidates finding ways to identify with rural, poorer voters. Politico provides a description of Warner's 2001 use of this strategy: "Warner sponsored a truck operated by southwest Virginia’s Wood Brothers Racing team in a NASCAR race, appeared with bluegrass musician Ralph Stanley and slathered the deeply working-class region in 'Sportsmen for Warner' signs signaling his support by and for gun owners."[2] The key, Saunders told Politico was that Warner "enjoyed the culture and he respected the culture. That’s the deal. You can’t be disingenuous about it.[2]
In 2006, Saunders advised Jim Webb's successful U.S. Senate campaign against incumbent George Allen. Webb ran "out of anger at the Bush administration's handling of the Iraq War."[3] Webb campaigned wearing combat boots "as a symbol of his early criticism of the conflict."[4]
Since Webb's victory in 2006, Saunders has advised John Edwards' 2008 presidential campaign and the unsuccessul U.S. House campaign of Wayne Powell (D), who attempted to defeat incumbent House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.). Saunders told MSNBC that the Powell campaign was chiefly about "social justice for all people, that includes gays and women. And we’re going to shout that from the rooftops."[5]
Jim Webb presidential campaign, 2016
- See also: Jim Webb presidential campaign, 2016
On November 19, 2014, Jim Webb was the first Democrat to announce a presidential exploratory committee, and David Saunders worked as an advisor to the committee from the beginning.[6] Throughout the exploratory phase, Saunders advised Webb on voter outreach, focusing on Webb's personal appeals to voters: "We need to get out in front of more people. When Jim Webb shakes your hand and looks you in the eye, you see a patriot and you see a leader."[1]
Jim Webb announced his presidential run on July 2, 2015.[7] Of Webb's presidential candidacy, Saunders said: "I think this is going to be the trust election. Who do you trust? I don’t care if it is a Democrat or a Republican. Voters hear these guys saying the same thing year after year and nothing happens. Voters might not agree with Jim Webb but they know where he stands, and they know what he is going to do if he gets elected."[1] Webb suspended his campaign on October 20, 2015.[8]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 The Daily Beast, "The Dems’ Most Awkward Party Crasher," April 21, 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Politico, "Do Democrats Need a Bubba Strategy?" July 8, 2014
- ↑ New Republic, "Jim Webb Would Be the Most Bored President Ever," September 24, 2014
- ↑ Washington Post, "Democrats Take Control of Senate As Allen Concedes to Webb in Va.," November 10, 2006
- ↑ MSNBC, "'Mudcat' Saunders: Eric Cantor is a 'bought and paid for crook,'" July 12, 2012
- ↑ MSNBC, "What is Jim Webb doing?" December 30, 2014
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Jim Webb announces 2016 presidential bid," July 2, 2015
- ↑ NPR, "Jim Webb Exits Democratic Primary, Leaves Door Open For Independent Bid," October 20, 2015
