Pro Politics with Zac McCrary

Political pollster Zac McCrary interviews interesting people who work in and around the political industry. Guests come from a multitude of backgrounds and specialties within the political industry, and span the partisan spectrum. This is not a podcast for partisan squabbling or punditry about the latest issue in DC - it is hearing directly from successful people in the industry...their stories, experiences, and advice. This is a podcast for anyone who works in politics, hopes to work in politics, or wants to get up close to see how things really work in the world of professional politics.

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Pro Politics with Zac McCrary

Re-connecting with Election Analyst David Nir for the Launch of The Downballot

August 20, 2024 • Zac McCrary

Catching up this week with return guest David Nir, who for over a decade has been an influential election analyst and the creator of Daily Kos Elections. Within the past week, David has moved his analysis to an independent site - now called The Downballot. In this conversation, David provides an update on his transition: what is happening, why now, and David's long-term goals for The Downballot. Then, stay for my original conversation with David - originally released over three years ago in early 2021. David has a fascinating career arc that charts the rise of the online grassroots from a ramshackle group of political junkies in the early 00s to now being one of the pillars of the political universe.

IN THIS EPISODE…

Why David is launching The Downballot as a new independent, site?

Living through the downturn of the online ad economy...

Long-term goals David has the for The Downballot...

Elected officials who rabid political junkies...

What was David’s first introduction to feminism?

How being the child of a Holocaust survivor has informed who David is…

Why David seeing a Geraldine Ferraro rally in 1984 was an ill omen for the ticket’s chances…

David’s early memories of Rudy Giuliani in NYC politics…

The candidate who taught David to avoid getting too attached to any individual politician…

How David fell in love with down-ballot races…

How David made the decision to forego a legal career to plunge full-time into politics…

How unlikely candidates in Kentucky and South Dakota kicked off the rise of the Democratic netroots…

How an "extra penny" let campaigns know the arrival of the progressive netroots…

Lavishing praise upon the DKE Daily News Digest and Elections Data…

David’s tips for candidates and campaigns who want to connect with the Daily Kos community…

The story of Daily Kos and the rise of Jon Ossoff…

David helps topple the “turncoat” IDC legislative coalition in New York…

What one requirement would have to be part of David’s online dating profile…

AND….

Brendan Boyle, Ben Chandler, Wes Clark, Howard Dean, David Dinkins, John Edwards, Marc Elias, Geraldine Ferraro, Rudy Giuliani, Kaili Joy Gray, Paul Hackett, Karen Handel, Stephanie Herseth, John Kerry, Jeff Klein, John Lewis, Rachel Maddow, Walter Mondale, Markos Moulitsas, Wiley Nickel, Jean Schmidt, Jeff Singer, Elliot Spitzer, Tim Tagaris, Trent Thompson, Elizabeth Warren, Stephen Wolf, AND MORE!