Rory Cooper, partner at Purple Strategies, has worked at all levels of Republican politics…cutting his teeth in campaigns, working in the George W. Bush White House, for the Department of Homeland Security right after 9-11, running communications for the conservative Heritage Foundation, and as Comms Director for House Majority Leader Eric Cantor. Rory tells great stories from these stops, with lessons and insights learned along the way.

IN THIS EPISODE

Rory’s early political memories growing up around Detroit…

A high school Rory finds a way into the 1992 Presidential debate…

Rory takes over a New Orleans GOP field office in 1996…

A young Rory learns an important political staffing lesson from Trent Lott…

Rory is one of the first staffers hired after the Dept of Homeland Security is created post 9-11…

Rory talks being around President Bush and working in the Bush White House…

An important campaign lesson Rory learned on a California special election…

Rory runs communications for the Heritage Foundation as the think tank undergoes changes…

Interviewing to become Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s Communication Director…

Memorable fights with both Republicans and Democrats as Cantor’s Comms Director…

Rory talks the leadership qualities he saw from then Speaker John Boehner…

The GOP member who’s not a household name who impressed Rory…

Rory talks the difference in good Hill boss versus a bad Hill boss…

Rory reflects on the surprise loss of Eric Cantor in the 2014 GOP primary…

Rory busts some myths about the Cantor loss and the impact of that primary on GOP politics since…

How Rory approaches his next job off the Hill…

Rory talks the work he does now at Purple Strategies…

The messaging lesson Rory learned from Joe Biden…

Rory’s two tips to help people succeed in their career…

AND…Spence Abraham, aligning Powerpoint slides, Dick Armey, ascendancy principles, BRAC, Joe Biden, the boringest day of the campaign, Neil Bradley, Andy Card, carnival barkers, Alex Castellanos, Bill Clinton, corn chowder, Joe Crowley, Ted Cruz, Bob Dole, donut hole fixes, DREAMers, Eisenhower Internships, Rich Falkenrath, fiscal cliffs, Mike Forbes, the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act, the Grateful Dead, Joe Hagin, Laura Ingraham, John Jamian, Mardi Gras beads, making Tucker Carlson happy, Mel Martinez, Kevin McCarthy, Mitch McConnell, Patrick McHenry, Steve McMahon, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Meet the Press, the members only elevator, Milk Duds, navigating cubicles, Obamacare, participants vs pundits, Phish, quoting Hayek, the Republican Study Committee, remaining sticky, rude customers, RINOs, Save Your Asks, serious legislators, Steve Stombres, the Tea Party, Donald Trump, VAWA, village city councils, What It Takes, yellow tape around memorials, & more!

Rory Cooper, of Purple Strategies, on Campaigns, Comms, & Cantor