Gore for President
Written by Donna Brazile
Then Campaign Manager to Al Gore for President
When I was a young intern for the House Democratic Caucus, Tony Coelho was known as a “young man in a hurry.” He was fearless. Before leaving Capitol Hill in 1982 to work on the campaign to make Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday a national holiday, I got to sit in various meetings where I saw Tony’s sharp insights, wisdom, and strategic thinking in respect to the 1982 mid-term campaign season.
A decade later, I witnessed firsthand Tony’s brilliance in helping to secure passage of the Americans with Disability Act. Tony was a coalition builder who used his power as an elected official to help
turn the wheels of justice in America. He was a powerhouse in building a coalition which later attracted the support of President George H.W. Bush who later signed this historic legislation into law.
But I will always remember the fellowship and friendship we forged during the Gore for President campaign. Tony and I were in the trenches together during Al Gore’s campaign for president – he was
campaign Chairman and I was initially hired as Deputy Campaign Manager and Director of the Field and Political Departments. His leadership made a significant impact on the campaign; and on me person ally. In that capacity, Tony reminded me of my role: to reach beyond the traditional pollsters and engage a new generation of political strategists to get involved in our campaign. I did so, and after a few months as Deputy Campaign Manager, Al Gore
elevated me to serve as his Campaign Manager. Tony’s keen insights and advice propelled Gore to make the decision to elevate me.
After moving the campaign headquarters from Washington, DC to Nashville, Tennessee, it was Tony who sat me down to work out the terms of my employment and more. Initially, I opposed it because I never thought I needed to have any protection for the work I enjoyed so much. Indeed, with Tony’s support I thought about my future and prepared for the possibility of having to restart my career should we lose.
At times during that long and tough political season, Tony and I fought like an old married couple, but each evening we regrouped over dinner and drinks and could truly call each other friends. I will always be grateful for Tony’s loyalty and support during some of the most challenging times in my professional life. He was my confidant and brother and a good mentor and friend to many in the campaign.