The Permanent Campaign
This is the archive page for The Permanent Campaign, which is no longer actively sending. Sarah Isgur, a veteran of national campaigns and the hard-knocks world of political communications, provided insight into strategy and mechanics of political campaigns with some behind-the-scenes flavor along the way.
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The Sweep: The Power of Persuasion—and Pragmatism
Part 2 of our conversation on how to change culture without fighting the culture wars.
The Sweep: Chickens and Eggs and Otters, Oh My
How to change the culture without getting caught up in culture war narratives.
The Sweep: CPAC Shows the GOP Is Still Trump’s Party
Plus: Rick Scott’s agenda gets a muted reaction from Republican Senate candidates.
The Sweep: The GOP Is Paying a ‘Trump Tax’ in Its Fundraising Efforts
Plus: All eyes on Arizona, grading redistricting, and what happened to Josh Mandel.
The Sweep: What Democrats Don’t Get About Texas
Plus, ‘Walking Dead’ PACs and mail-in ballot snafus in the Texas primary.
Stirewaltisms: Democrats Have Issues About COVID Restrictions
After two years in which masks and closures became powerful shibboleths for the American left, letting go is proving very challenging.
The Sweep: Did McCain-Feingold Ruin America?
Plus, the effect of voting reform laws, the Ohio Senate primary, and more.
Stirewaltisms: The Upside of Six More Weeks of Winter
Plus: The crime rate conundrum, critical Maus theory, and a showdown at the Golden Corral.
Stirewaltisms: A Supreme Break for Biden
Plus: An outbreak of decency, Newt Gingrich’s target audience, and the mailbag.
The Sweep: Do We Really Need Election Police?
Plus: Tommy Tuberville declines to weigh in on the Alabama Senate primary, and Bernie is mad at Manchin and Sinema.
Stirewaltisms: The High Price of Low Politics
Plus: The Dems fail to kill the filibuster, Bernie Sanders is overrated, and there’s trouble at Del Boca Vista.
The Sweep: Party Realignment Is Real, and It’s Bad News for Democrats
Plus: The RNC goes after the Commission on Presidential Debates.
Stirewaltisms: What the Heck Are Democrats Going to Run On?
Plus: Ron Johnson may get lucky with Dem primary, Mike Rounds becomes a lightning rod, and letters from our readers.
The Sweep: Biden Pushes for Voting Reform
Plus: Has Donald Trump backed another losing candidate in Alabama?
Stirewaltisms: Goodwill Binned
Plus: Nancy Pelosi’s political future, the garbage fire that is the Ohio Senate primary, and Ted Cruz’s nonsensical impeachment talk.