'Tom Terrific' (executive director of the DNC) an architect of Dems' triumph

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=1673&u_sid=2279327

Published Monday
November 13, 2006

'Tom Terrific' an architect of Dems' triumph

BY JAKE THOMPSON


WORLD-HERALD BUREAU

WASHINGTON - After last week's elections, he's "Tom Terrific."

At least that's what a security guard at the Democratic Party headquarters here calls former Omahan Tom McMahon - and it may be true.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate was an engineer on the Democratic train that steamed to dramatic election wins nationwide.

As executive director of the Democratic National Committee, McMahon helped design a strategy to compete in all 50 states. He guided the strategy of putting party operatives in every state 18 months before the election to help Democratic candidates.

He helped shape the Democratic message. And he provided the fuel by expanding the use of Internet fundraising and grassroots techniques pioneered by DNC Chairman Howard Dean's 2004 presidential bid.

All that paid off last week, when Democrats won control of the U.S. House (with a total of at least 229 seats) and the U.S. Senate (51 seats). Democrats also picked up six new governorships, for a total of 28, and nine new state legislative chambers.

"It was complete jubilation," McMahon recalled during a Friday interview at the darkened, mostly empty DNC headquarters. "It was absolutely euphoric."

While the DNC's campaign strategy was well-received in the states, not everyone supported it. There were critics on the Democrats' House and Senate campaign committees, both of which played a big role in Tuesday's triumphs, too.

"The other Democratic committees do not believe the 50-state strategy contributed very much to the results," said Larry Sabato, a University of Virginia political scientist.

But the DNC can legitimately point to some real fruits of its labors, Sabato said, including the defeat of Republican Rep. Jim Ryun in Kansas.

In Nebraska, the strategy drew applause.

"The DNC gave us an unprecedented amount of support," said Barry Rubin, executive director of the state Democratic Party.

FULL story at link above, reg req.