WhoRunsGov.com, a Wash Post Co > Profiles > Jim Messina

Jim Messina

1. Why He Matters
2. At a Glance
3. Path to Power
1. 3.1. Baucus Aide
4. The Issues
1. 4.1. Health-Care Reform
5. The Network

Current Position: White House Deputy Chief of Staff to President Barack Obama (since January 2009)

Boss: White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel

Credit: Gerald Martineau/TWP

Table of Contents

1. Why He Matters
2. At a Glance
3. Path to Power
1. 3.1. Baucus Aide
4. The Issues
1. 4.1. Health-Care Reform
5. The Network

Why He Matters

A Western Democrat who is an expert campaigner, Messina left his job as chief of staff to Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) in June 2008 to work on Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. After Obama’s victory, Messina was rewarded with a position in the White House. He works under Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel as the deputy chief of staff for Obama.

As the campaign chief of staff, Messina reported to campaign manager David Plouffe. But he impacted all major decisions, from budget to message, and helped Obama fare far better than expected in Western states such as Montana and North Dakota.

At a Glance

Current Position: Deputy Chief of Staff-to President Barack Obama (since January 2009)

Career History: Chief of Staff for Sen. Max Baucus (2005 to 2008); Chief of Staff for Sen. Byron L. Dorgan (2002 to 2005); Campaign Manager for Sen. Max Baucus (2001 to 2002)

Birthday: N/A

Hometown: Born in Denver, Colo. and raised in Boise, Idaho

Alma Mater: University of Montana, B.A. (political science),

Spouse: N/A

Religion: N/A

DC Office: N/A

Email N/A

Web site N/A

Path to Power

Born in Denver, Colo., but raised in Boise, Idaho, Messina earned a B.A. in political science from the University of Montana. While in college, he worked for the Montana Democratic Party and as press secretary for Democrat Frank Morrison in his unsuccessful run for governor.

Messina managed his first campaign in 1993 when Dan Kemmis (D) ran for mayor of Missoula, Mont. He also worked as a chief of staff in the Montana state Senate before heading East to Washington.Lauren Whittington, “Rep. McCarthy welcomes five new faces,” Roll Call, June 28, 1999

Baucus Aide

In 1995, Messina got his first Washington job as a legislative assistant in the office of Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mt.). He climbed the Hill for a dozen years, serving as chief of staff to Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.), chief of staff for Sen. Byron L. Dorgan (D-N.D.) and finally, Baucus’ top aide in 2005.Almanac of the Unelected, 2008 edition

Messina ran Baucus’ 2002 Senate campaign and left his duties as Dorgan’s top staffer in 2004 to attempt to elect Alaska Gov. Tony Knowles (D) to the Senate. After Knowles lost, Messina returned to Capitol Hill to work as chief of staff to Baucus.

Messina is “highly respected at the DSCC for his work in the field and on the Hill,” Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee spokesperson Cara Morris said at the time. “He brings that overall experience to [his] campaigns.”Nicole Duran, “Knowles taps Dorgan chief for his race,” Roll Call, June 8, 2004

But Messina’s expertise in selling Democrats to Red State voters was a big draw for Obama, who asked him to join his team in 2008 while he was helping Baucus get re-elected. “The moment he asked me, I didn't even think about it, the answer was ‘Yes,’ and at the end he said, ‘OK great, get to Chicago,’” Messina said.Ysabel Bilbao, “Boise native Jim Messina will lead Obama’s campaign,” KTVB Idaho, June 17, 2008; Baucus went on to an easy re-election, winning by more than 40 points, and Obama was competitive in Montana while winning a handful of Mountain West states. Messina worked as the campaign chief of staff, though he still reported to campaign manager David Plouffe.Chris Cillizza, “Messina to become Obama campaign chief of staff,” The Washington Post Online, The Fix, June 16, 2008

Messina’s Western know-how undoubtedly helped Obama win states like Idaho in the Democratic primary and Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico in the general election. “I spend a lot of time thinking about ways to win in those states,” Messina said.Ray Ring, “Obama’s Western ace in the hole,” High Country News, Aug. 11, 2008

The Issues

Messina is primarily a campaign guru, but he served as Senate Finance Chairman Baucus’ top aide during a number of key fights over health-care reform, Social Security and Bush’s controversial tax cuts. Baucus defected from his party to support those tax cuts in 2001, but later pulled back on that position.Ezra Klein, “The Sleeper of the Senate,” The American Prospect, Nov. 2008

During Obama’s campaign, Messina oversaw every detail. He ran staff and daily meetings with Obama, administered the budget and monitored all day-to-day activities. “I spend a lot of time making sure the trains run on time — making sure that Barack and the staff get to where they need to go and the message is right and basically making the departments talk to each other,” he said. “We've grown from a small business to a Fortune 500 company, and coordinating all that is probably the biggest piece of what I do.”Ray Ring, “Obama’s Western ace in the hole,” High Country News, Aug. 11, 2008

Every budget request went through Messina. When David Plouffe wanted $7 million for a 30-minute documentary-style commercial the week before the election, he came to Messina with the request. “I spend the money, so everything’s gotta go through me to get spent, which is the best job ever,” Messina said. “It’s like getting the keys to a f---ing Ferrari.”Ryan Lizza, “Battle plans; how he won,” The New Yorker, Nov. 17, 2008

Messina has an even bigger budget to work with as the deputy chief of staff in the White House. He works alongside Mona Sutphen, a foreign policy expert, who was also appointed deputy chief of staff after the election.

Health-Care Reform

Messina became a White House point-person for Democratic legislators during the 2009 health-care debate.

After town halls in held by congressmen in their home distrcist went disastrously for Democrats during the August 2009 congressional recess, Messina joined David Axelrod to advise Democratic seantors on pushing reform back home. They encouraged lawmakers to focus on how "consumer protections" would benefit those who already had insurance. Brown, Carrie Budoff, Politico,com, "White House to Democrats: 'Punch Back Twice as Hard," August 6, 2009

Messina also discussed ad campaigns from opponents of reform, some targeting lawmakers. "If you get hit, we'll punch back twice as hard," Messina promised, according to Politico.com. Brown, Carrie Budoff, Politico,com, "White House to Democrats: 'Punch Back Twice as Hard," August 6, 2009

The Network

Messina has worked as chief of staff for Sens. Max Baucus and Byron Dorgan, as well as Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.). He came to Washington as a legislative aide for Baucus in 1995.

As a top player in the 2008 Obama campaign, he reported directly to campaign manager Plouffe and all-around strategist David Axelrod. As deputy chief of staff, he will report directly to chief of staff Rahm Emanuel.

SideBar

Retrieved from "http://www.whorunsgov.com/Profiles/Jim_Messina"