Profiling Joe Trippi

In today’s Washington Post, there is a profile of Joe Trippi, best known for his work as Howard Dean’s campaign manager during the 2004 election cycle. Trippi is widely credited for being the first person to recognize and utilize the power of the Internet in electoral politics. That being said, he did preside over Dean’s monumental collapse as the clear front-runner in the race, and he was largely criticized for his prolific spending of campaign funds and disorganized strategy in Iowa, where John Kerry eventually won. Although he had planned to retire from electoral politics, Trippi signed on as a senior advisor to John Edwards’ campaign earlier this year. Here’s a snippet about his growing influence in the campaign:

Trippi declined to discuss his role in the campaign’s day-to-day operations. “I hope that I have brought a better focus to the campaign and his message — and helped better define the differences between the change John Edwards would bring to Washington [versus] the business as usual candidacy of Hillary Clinton,” he said.

Asked to explain Trippi’s rise within the Edwards inner circle, a former staffer said: “Two words: Elizabeth Edwards.” The source, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly, added: “I think Trippi’s influence grows daily, and because that influence is Elizabeth-sanctioned it makes it all the more powerful.”

It wouldn’t be a surprise if Elizabeth Edwards thought highly of Trippi; she is a long-time blog reader and fan of the netroots scene that Trippi helped to cultivate. That being said, I would be wary if he gets too much decision-making authority. He may have done groundbreaking work with the Dean campaign, but he also carries plenty of baggage 2004 as well. It’s an interesting piece that’s worth reading, and it gives some further insight into the Edwards campaign.