George Stephanopoulos, host of “This Week” on ABC, was gracious enough to give The Think Tank five minutes today to talk Inauguration, politics and media.
The Think Tank: In 1992 you were a symbol for a youth movement in the Clinton campaign. As we know, young people were very energized for Barack Obama. What similarities do you see between the two? What differences?
GS: President-elect Obama took it to the next level. In 2008, similarly to 1992, young people under the age of 30 voted overwhelmingly for the Democrat. Interestingly this time around young people weren’t a higher percentage of the electorate, but because they were united, they made a difference. The open question is this: Will this generation stay involved? Will they stay tied to Obama? Will they stay tied to the Democratic Party? Take today, for example: Obama announced Organizing for America, a mechanism to keep all of the people that supported his campaign engaged.
The Think Tank: In 1992, The War Room changed the way campaigns were run. In 2008, technology changed them even more. What role do you see technology playing in the Obama administration?
GS: No question. It changed everything about campaigns, from fundraising to organizing to communications. Obama was able to tap a low donor base using online resources. This made him a viable candidate. And when he matched Hillary Clinton’s fundraising numbers at the beginning, you knew something was going on. In 1991, we talked about taking the message directly to the people by using local television. What will the Obama communications operation look like? He is looking to President Frankling D. Roosevelt and 1933. FDR was determined to help get them [the American people] through by talking them through it.
The Think Tank: You interviewed President-elect Obama last week. For those that may not know, how are your guests selected?
GS: We try and follow a set of rules. First, we try to be very fair to all sides. We want every side to be heard. And we want there to be a diverse conversation. We also try to compliment the headline guest with a roundtable that is very engaged.
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