Yes We (Still) Can

May 7, 2018
Pfeiffer, Pod Save America cohost and former Obama senior adviser, in an entertaining work of memoir–cum–political strategy, spells out the strengths of his old boss as campaigner and president and seeks to shed light on why Donald Trump won in 2016. With the goal of ensuring the liberal cause isn’t lost in future elections, Pfeiffer describes how he was hired by Obama during the 2008 campaign and how for the next six years he had a front-row seat to the president’s triumphs and struggles. Taking a conversational, occasionally snarky tone, he brings the reader into high-level meetings, such as one over tax cuts held in the vice-president’s office; a fund-raiser attended by Kanye West; and his own awkward moments (he once split his pants in the Oval Office while preparing the president for a press conference). Throughout, Pfeiffer offers advice in bold type, based on the successes of Obama and Trump, on running a winning campaign, using Twitter, dealing with fake news, and other topics crucial to elections. “The path back for Democrats is pretty clear,” he writes, “and it doesn’t mean becoming more like Trump.” Those who share Pfeiffer’s admiration of Obama and his hopes for a Democratic resurgence—and, of course, fans of his podcast—will love both the chatty insider anecdotes and the advice. Agent: David Larabell, Creative Arts Agency.

May 15, 2018
Another Barack Obama staffer reveals his White House experiences.During his campaign for the presidency and his two terms in office, Obama gathered a cadre of young, articulate, and apparently tireless men and women to serve him. In his debut memoir, Pfeiffer, now co-host of the political podcast Pod Save America, recounts his stints as Obama's traveling secretary during the campaign and later director of communications (2009-2013) and senior adviser (until 2015). The author's warm, affectionate portrait of Obama and revelations about pre-Trumpian politics complement recent memoirs by Alyssa Mastromonaco (deputy chief of staff), David Litt (speechwriter), Pat Cunnane (senior writer), and David Axelrod (political adviser) in what appears to be a growing genre. Pfeiffer, an unabashed admirer, burnishes a familiar image of Obama as focused, idealistic, pragmatic, funny, caring, shrewd, savvy, and confidently competitive. "Obama does not like to lose at anything," writes the author, "--golf, basketball, cards, Scrabble, and most certainly campaigns." The author disputes the notion that Obama was aloof: "He is a truly decent and empathetic human who genuinely liked being around people (less so members of Congress angling for a photo and a pork barrel project)." He was challenged, though, by a Republican Congress determined to thwart every effort and policy decision and from a vicious media firestorm--eagerly propagated by Fox--over his place of birth. "If you want to know why nativism and racism are resurgent in the Republican Party," the author writes, "look to Fox News. And if you want to know how we ended up with Trump as president, yet again just look to Fox News." Part of Pfeiffer's motivation in writing is to encourage voters--especially millennials--"to knock the GOP upside the head and convince them that they have to abandon not just Trump but Trumpism." The current Republican Party is composed of "clowns, con men, and racists" and those who enable them, such as "diabolical" and "cynical" Mitch McConnell. Pfeiffer argues that a new path requires Democrats to be "audacious, authentic, and inspirational."A nostalgic look back and hopeful look forward.

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