David Axelrod

David Axelrod is an American political strategist, commentator, and former senior advisor to President Barack Obama. He served as the chief strategist for Obama's successful 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns, playing a pivotal role in shaping the candidate's message and public image. Following the 2008 victory, he was appointed Senior Advisor to the President in the Obama administration, a position he held until 2011. Axelrod is widely regarded as one of the most influential political consultants of his generation, known for his narrative-driven approach to campaigning and his deep roots in Chicago politics.

Early life and education

Born in New York City and raised in Manhattan's Stuyvesant Town–Peter Cooper Village, he was the son of a psychologist and a journalist who wrote for the left-leaning newspaper PM. His family's political engagement was influenced by the New Deal coalition and the civil rights movement. Axelrod attended the University of Chicago but left before graduating to pursue a career in journalism, taking a position as a political reporter for the Chicago Tribune. His time covering Chicago City Council and local politics, including the administration of Mayor Harold Washington, provided him with an intimate understanding of Cook County political dynamics and media relations, which would later form the foundation of his consulting career.

Political career

After leaving the Chicago Tribune, he founded the political consulting firm AKPD Message and Media in 1985. He quickly gained a reputation as a master of crafting compelling narratives for candidates, working on numerous successful campaigns for Senate, gubernatorial, and mayoral races, including those for Senators Paul Simon and Hillary Clinton, and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. His most defining partnership began in 2002 when he began advising then-Illinois State Senator Barack Obama. Axelrod was instrumental in developing the central themes of "hope" and "change" for Obama's 2008 primary and general election campaigns against John McCain, effectively utilizing new media and mobilizing a broad coalition. He served as Senior Advisor in the White House, helping to guide communications strategy during the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Post-White House career

Following his departure from the White House in 2011, he returned to Chicago to lead the Institute of Politics at the University of Chicago, an organization he helped found to inspire civic engagement among young people. He also resumed work as a political commentator, serving as a senior political analyst for CNN and NBC News, and hosting the podcast "The Axe Files." He authored a memoir, *Believer: My Forty Years in Politics*, detailing his experiences with the Obama administration and the broader political landscape. His consulting firm, now part of OGILVY, continues to advise corporations and non-profits on strategic communication, while he remains a frequent commentator on networks like MSNBC and at events such as the Aspen Ideas Festival.

Political views and legacy

A lifelong Democrat, his political philosophy is characterized by a pragmatic progressivism, emphasizing economic fairness, healthcare access, and a robust social safety net, principles aligned with the Democratic Leadership Council in the 1990s. His legacy is most firmly tied to his role in electing the nation's first African-American president and his pioneering use of data analytics and digital storytelling in modern campaigning, influencing subsequent operations like those of Pete Buttigieg and Joe Biden. Critics from both the left, such as supporters of Bernie Sanders, and the right, including strategists like Karl Rove, have debated his tactics, but his impact on political communication is widely acknowledged by institutions like the John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Personal life

He married Susan Landau in 1979, whom he met while she was working for the campaign of Jane Byrne. They have three children, including their son Michael Axelrod, who also worked in the Obama White House. A significant and defining aspect of his personal life has been his family's advocacy for epilepsy awareness and research, following his daughter's diagnosis with the neurological disorder. He resides primarily in Chicago and is a noted fan of the Chicago Cubs, having celebrated their 2016 World Series victory. His personal and professional papers are archived at the University of Chicago Library.

Category:American political consultants Category:Advisors to the President of the United States Category:1955 births Category:Living people