Transitions in Democratic Consulting World
John Lapp, one of the principal architects of the Democrats' takeover of the House in 2006, has decided to join McMahon Squier & Associates -- a Democratic media consulting firm.
"Lapp knows what it takes to win, a bare-knuckles, take-no-prisoners approach to politics," said Steve McMahon, one of the firm's partners. The company will now be known as McMahon Squier Lapp and Associates.
Lapp comes to the company from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee where he served as executive director and then director of the committee's independent expenditure program, a position from which he oversaw the spending of tens of millions of dollars in campaigns around the country.
"I wish I was as good as he is when I was his age," said Rep. Rahm Emanuel (Ill.), the former chairman of the DCCC and how head of the House Democratic Caucus.
Prior to joining the DCCC, Lapp served as Iowa state director for Dick Gephardt's 2004 presidential campaign and managed Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack's 2002 reelection win. He also directed the successful House campaigns of Ken Lucas (Ky.) in 1998 and Steve Israel (N.Y.) in 2000.
Lapp joins a firm best known for its stewardship of the presidential effort of former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean during the 2004 cycle. In the 2006 cycle, the firm helped reelect Gov. John Baldacci (Maine) helped Baron Hill reclaim the Indiana House seat he lost in 2004.
Speaking of Democratic media firms, one of the largest -- Murphy Putnam Shorr -- is splitting up. Saul Shorr, who joined Steve Murphy and Mark Putnam in July 2004, has decided to go out on his own again. Murphy and Putnam have been partners since 1996 and will remain so following Shorr's departure. Murphy Putnam is expected to be the lead media consultant for the likely presidential bid of Gov. Bill Richardson (N.M.)
By
Chris Cillizza
|
January 3, 2007; 3:50 PM ET
Categories:
Political Pros
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Posted by: Herman | January 25, 2007 5:09 PM | Report abuse
Dogged Determination. I beg the Dems to stay focused on a limited palette of domestic and international issues. You will be invited by the brainiacs of the opposition to run hither, tither, and fro. Don't do it. I am sure God will send a disaster or two, this seems unavoidable lately. The unforseen will be enough distraction. There you have it. Sound advice for free. Will you listen? We will see. Oh yes. Please do not pursue immigration reform until the borders are secure and the laws in place are enforced. America needs a time-out to catch up before important, so-called "reform" is considered.
Posted by: Sonja | January 4, 2007 1:09 AM | Report abuse
All this hype about overpaid consultants is enough to make me want to vomit. These are the same consultants, all DC based, who have nearly ruined the Democratic Party. It's time to hire the consultants in the heartland who understand values, voters and politics -- and who will do it all for half the price. This mutual admiration society is nauseating.
Posted by: values matter | January 4, 2007 1:02 AM | Report abuse
All this hype about overpaid consultants is enough to make me want to vomit. These are the same consultants, all DC based, who have nearly ruined the Democratic Party. It's time to hire the consultants in the heartland who understand values, voters and politics -- and who will do it all for half the price. This mutual admiration society is nauseating.
Posted by: values matter | January 4, 2007 1:02 AM | Report abuse
Lapp is second-to-none when it comes to trouncing Republicans. This is a huge score for McMahon Squier.
Posted by: Doyle | January 3, 2007 10:54 PM | Report abuse
drindl: Your comment about consultants re 07:12pm is what I have been trying to say when I refer to how I learned from the "common" folk in my many years of being involved in the political process. These folks are paid big bucks to in reality say things that are plainly false but in a way that it doesn't seem so to the folks that pay little attention to what is actually happening in the first place. This is and has been going on for years and the real puzzle for me with all the information available to almost everyone why we as a country keep electing people that a majority of us come to dislike in such a short time.
Posted by: lylepink | January 3, 2007 8:31 PM | Report abuse
'Prior to joining the DCCC, Lapp served as Iowa state director for Dick Gephardt's 2004 presidential campaign '
--because that worked out really well. god save us from DCCC consultants.
Posted by: drndl | January 3, 2007 7:12 PM | Report abuse
Did you mean Vilsack's 2002 re-election?
Posted by: Anonymous | January 3, 2007 6:37 PM | Report abuse
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You guys sit in front of your computers and write a bunch of dreck without knowing a thing about what you are writing. Lapp was the principal architect behind the DCCC's success in taking back the house. His record speaks for itself and McMahon Squier were very smart for grabbing him. I am sure each and every Democrat running for office wishes they had landed him. The guy is the real deal. And also one of the smartest and most earnest guys in politics.