Omar Bennett
Political operatives are the group of people who formulate and implement the strategy of a political campaign. They are the indispensable advisers to prominent politicians, working behind the scenes to support a politician's career. Political operatives may be involved in opposition research, providing information on the issues and backgrounds of candidates, as well as developing policies and strategies. They may also take on human resources, IT, cybersecurity, and financial operations responsibilities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A person who does secret work for a government or political organization |
| Work | Support a politician's career, including advising, campaigning, and opposition research |
| Work Environment | Campaigns are generally run by a campaign manager who coordinates the campaign and assures that efforts are effective; larger campaigns have hundreds of staff members |
| Department | Operations, Finance, Field, Communications |
| Roles | Campaign manager, GOTV coordinator, Field organizer, Researcher, Adviser |
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What You'll Learn
- Political operatives are people who do secret work for a government or political organisation
- They can be advisers to prominent politicians, requiring time and devotion
- Operatives may work in the operations department, handling human resources and people operations
- They can also be involved in field operations, organising phone banks and staging locations for canvasses
- Operatives may also be political consultants, providing advice and assistance to a campaign
Political operatives are people who do secret work for a government or political organisation
Political operatives can be involved in a number of tasks, from opposition research to providing IT and cybersecurity operations, as well as financial operations. They may also be involved in more hands-on work, such as canvassing and building local events. In smaller campaigns, operatives may take on multiple roles, such as fundraising and communications.
Political operatives are often the people who formulate and implement the strategy of a political campaign. They can be volunteers or paid employees of the campaign or a related political party. Operatives may also be political consultants, providing advice and assistance, or campaign managers, who coordinate the campaign and ensure efforts are focused effectively.
In the case of Huma Abedin, a longtime aide and adviser to Hillary Clinton, being a political operative meant working alongside and advising a former First Lady, Secretary of State, and presidential nominee. Abedin's work also included advising on campaigns and spending a lot of time on the campaign trail.
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They can be advisers to prominent politicians, requiring time and devotion
Political operatives are individuals who work to support a politician's career. They can be advisers to prominent politicians, a role that requires a significant amount of time and devotion. Huma Abedin, for instance, served as an adviser to Hillary Clinton, a former First Lady, Secretary of State, and presidential nominee. In a podcast, Abedin described what it was like to work alongside and advise Clinton, providing a glimpse into the life of an indispensable adviser to a prominent politician.
Political operatives in advisory roles may be involved in various aspects of a politician's work, including policy formulation, campaign strategy, and communications. They may also be tasked with opposition research, which involves investigating the backgrounds of candidates, including the politician they advise, to identify any potential issues or "skeletons in the closet." This information is crucial for the politician's campaign strategy and communications approach.
Advisers to prominent politicians often work closely with their employers and may accompany them to various events and engagements. They may also be involved in public relations and media interactions, helping to shape the politician's public image and messaging. Additionally, these operatives may have a role in fundraising efforts, which are essential for financing the politician's campaign and related activities.
The role of an adviser to a prominent politician can be all-consuming and demanding, as it requires a deep understanding of the political landscape, the ability to provide insightful advice, and the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances. Operatives in this role may also face public scrutiny and need to navigate ethical considerations, ensuring that their actions and advice align with the politician's values and the public interest.
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Operatives may work in the operations department, handling human resources and people operations
Political operatives are individuals who work to support a politician's career. They can be described as indispensable advisers to prominent politicians, working behind the scenes to formulate and implement the strategies of a political campaign. Operatives may work in the operations department, handling human resources and people operations.
The operations department is responsible for a range of tasks, including running payroll, IT and cybersecurity operations, financial operations, and field operations. They secure the campaign's electronic systems, track the budget and spending, and handle the logistics of field programs. Field operations, in particular, involve direct voter contact through canvassing, phone calls, and local events. These activities help to construct and clean the campaign's voter file, enabling more effective voter persuasion and identification.
In the context of human resources and people operations, political operatives in the operations department may be involved in managing and coordinating the campaign staff. This includes both unpaid volunteers and paid employees, such as political consultants and campaign managers. Political operatives in this role ensure that the campaign staff is effectively organized and focused on their tasks. They may also be responsible for running local "storefront" campaign offices and providing administrative support to the campaign.
Additionally, political operatives in the operations department may handle staff recruitment and training, ensuring that the campaign has a skilled and knowledgeable team. They may also be tasked with staff welfare and development, creating a supportive environment for campaign staff to thrive. This can include providing emotional support, as political campaigns can be all-consuming and demanding for those involved.
Overall, political operatives who work in the operations department play a crucial role in managing the human resources and people operations aspects of a political campaign. Their work helps to ensure that the campaign runs smoothly and that the campaign staff is well-supported and equipped to achieve the campaign's objectives.
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They can also be involved in field operations, organising phone banks and staging locations for canvasses
Political operatives are individuals who work to support a politician's career. They can be involved in various tasks, including field operations, which encompass the "on-the-ground" organising required to connect with voters personally. This includes coordinating phone banks and staging locations for canvasses, which are crucial for effective campaigning.
Field operations, an essential aspect of political campaigns, involve a dedicated team managing the logistics of a larger field program. This team ensures direct contact with voters through phone calls and canvassing, aiming to persuade and identify the campaign's target voters. The field department also runs local "storefront" campaign offices, providing a physical presence in the community.
Organising phone banks is a key task for political operatives in field operations. Phone banks are systems that enable campaigns to make outbound calls to voters or receive inbound calls from them. These calls can be utilised for fundraising, with candidates or staff personally calling donors to request contributions.
Staging locations for canvasses are also vital. Canvassing involves going door-to-door to engage with voters directly and distribute campaign literature. By setting up staging locations in specific areas, campaigns can efficiently coordinate their canvassing efforts, ensuring that volunteers know where to meet, receive materials, and get assigned to their designated canvassing routes.
Political operatives play a crucial role in managing these field operations, ensuring that campaigns effectively engage with voters through phone banks and canvassing. These activities are essential for building support, spreading the campaign's message, and ultimately influencing election outcomes.
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Operatives may also be political consultants, providing advice and assistance to a campaign
Political operatives are individuals who work to support a politician's career. They may be involved in various tasks, including providing advice and assistance to political campaigns. Operatives who serve as political consultants play a crucial role in formulating and implementing campaign strategies. They offer their expertise and guidance to the campaign team, ensuring that efforts are focused effectively to achieve the desired political goals.
Political consultants, including operatives, bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the campaign. They advise on a range of matters, from developing policies and strategies to navigating the complexities of the political landscape. Their insights help campaigns make informed decisions and adapt to the ever-changing dynamics of politics. Operatives may also have specialised skills or connections that benefit the campaign, such as expertise in a particular field or region.
The role of a political operative as a consultant can vary depending on the campaign's needs and size. In smaller campaigns, operatives may wear multiple hats, handling tasks typically assigned to separate departments in larger campaigns. They might be involved in opposition research, where they investigate the backgrounds of candidates, including their own, to uncover any potential issues. Additionally, they may assist in fundraising efforts, whether through casual events or high-priced dinners, ensuring the campaign has the financial resources it requires.
Political operatives also contribute to the campaign's field operations. They organise and execute strategies to directly engage with voters through canvassing, phone calls, and local events. This aspect of their work is crucial in building and maintaining voter relationships, persuading undecided voters, and identifying the campaign's target voter demographic. Operatives may also manage local campaign offices, coordinate phone banks, and oversee staging locations for canvasses and other campaign events.
The work of political operatives as consultants extends beyond the campaign trail. They may be involved in public service, working alongside prominent politicians and even advising former First Ladies, as in the case of Huma Abedin, who served as an aide and adviser to Hillary Clinton. Operatives provide indispensable support, often requiring significant time and devotion, to ensure the success of the political figure they are assisting.
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Frequently asked questions
A political operative is a person who does secret work for a government or political organisation. They are also known as advisers to politicians, providing advice and assistance to political campaigns.
Political operatives are responsible for supporting a politician's career. This can include tasks such as providing advice, assisting with strategy, and handling logistics for campaigns. They may also be involved in opposition research, fundraising, and running local campaign offices.
Political operatives need to have a broad skill set, including strong communication and organisational skills. They should be able to work effectively in a team and manage multiple tasks simultaneously. Additionally, they need to be discreet and trustworthy due to the sensitive nature of their work.
To become a political operative, one typically needs to have a strong interest and knowledge of politics. Gaining relevant experience through volunteering or working on political campaigns is essential. Building a network within the political sphere and demonstrating your ability to handle confidential information with discretion are also key steps towards becoming a successful political operative.
