
Mary Matalin is an American political consultant and strategist who has worked with the Republican Party in various senior roles. She has served under President Ronald Reagan, was campaign director for George H.W. Bush, and an assistant to President George W. Bush, as well as a counsellor to Vice President Dick Cheney. Matalin has also worked on several political campaigns, including Ronald Reagan's, George H.W. Bush's, and Fred Thompson's 2008 presidential campaign. She has also served as deputy campaign manager for political operations on Bush's reelection campaign in 1992 and worked as a strategist for the Republican National Committee. In addition to her political career, Matalin has been chief editor of Threshold Editions, a conservative publishing imprint at Simon & Schuster, since 2005, and has authored several books.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 19 August 1953 |
| Party affiliation | Republican (until 2015), Libertarian (2016 onwards) |
| Role | Political consultant, strategist, advisor, counsellor, chief of staff, campaign manager, author, television and radio host |
| Notable politicians worked with | Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Dick Cheney, George W. Bush, Fred Thompson |
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George H.W. Bush's 1988 presidential campaign
Mary Matalin, an American political consultant and strategist, has worked with the Republican Party in various capacities. She began her career with the Republican National Committee (RNC) and later joined George H.W. Bush's 1988 presidential campaign as the Deputy Political Director and Midwest Regional Political Director in the primaries.
Matalin's contributions to the campaign were instrumental in Bush's successful election as President. Her role brought her national attention, and after the election, she returned to the RNC, where she served as Chief of Staff to the Chairman, Lee Atwater. In this capacity, she effectively ran the RNC, especially during Atwater's absence due to health issues. Matalin's work ethic and strategic acumen during the 1988 campaign solidified her reputation as a key Republican strategist.
The 1988 campaign also served as a platform for Matalin to showcase her skills and build her public profile. Her involvement in such a prominent campaign, along with her subsequent appointment as Chief of Staff, established her as a rising star within the Republican Party. Matalin's work with George H.W. Bush's campaign opened doors to further opportunities, including serving as deputy campaign manager for political operations during Bush's reelection campaign in 1992.
Overall, Mary Matalin's contributions to George H.W. Bush's 1988 presidential campaign were significant. Her strategic insights, political expertise, and dedication to the Republican Party played a crucial role in Bush's electoral success. This campaign marked a turning point in her career, elevating her to prominent positions within the party and solidifying her influence in American politics.
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George H.W. Bush's 1992 reelection campaign
Mary Matalin, an American political consultant, strategist, and commentator, has worked with the Republican Party in various capacities. One of the notable campaigns she has been a part of is George H.W. Bush's 1992 reelection campaign.
Matalin served as the deputy campaign manager for political operations on Bush's 1992 reelection campaign. Her work on this campaign was particularly notable because, at the time, she was dating her future husband, James Carville, who was the chief strategist for Bush's opponent, Bill Clinton. Matalin's public profile rose during this campaign due to this ironic romantic twist.
During the 1992 campaign, Matalin played a key role in shaping and communicating Bush's message to the American public. As a seasoned political strategist, she contributed to the development of the campaign's strategy and tactics, helping to craft a message that resonated with the Republican base and appealed to undecided voters. Matalin's experience and insights were instrumental in shaping the tone and direction of the campaign, as she navigated the complex landscape of the early 1990s political climate.
The 1992 reelection campaign was an intense and closely watched contest. Bush, facing a challenging economic climate and a strong challenge from Clinton, relied on Matalin's expertise to navigate the political headwinds. Matalin's role as deputy campaign manager placed her at the heart of the campaign's decision-making process, where she influenced messaging, advertising, and outreach strategies. Her contributions helped shape the narrative of the campaign and how Bush's policies and vision were communicated to the electorate.
Despite Matalin's efforts, Bush ultimately lost the 1992 election to Clinton. Following this defeat, Matalin shifted her career focus to broadcasting, co-hosting talk shows like "Equal Time" on CNBC and hosting her own weekly radio show. However, her work on the 1992 campaign left a lasting impact, showcasing her skills as a strategist and communicator, and solidifying her reputation as one of the leading voices in American politics.
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Fred Thompson's 2008 presidential campaign
Thompson's campaign entrance was described as "lackluster" and "awkward", and he made several blunders in late September and early October, including not being aware of the Supreme Court decision regarding lethal injection. Despite this, he gained endorsements from anti-abortion organisations, 20 current members of Congress, and former U.S. Senator Alfonse D'Amato.
Thompson's chief fundraiser was Wyatt A. Stewart, and political insiders expected his inner circle to include his politically experienced wife, as well as several functionaries with whom he had been associated in the past.
On January 22, 2008, after finishing third in South Carolina, Thompson withdrew from the race, stating, "Today, I have withdrawn my candidacy for president of the United States. I hope that my country and my party have benefited from our having made this effort."
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Ronald Reagan's campaign
Mary Matalin is an American political consultant and strategist known for her work with the Republican Party. She has served under multiple US presidents and worked on several political campaigns. One of the first campaigns she worked on was Ronald Reagan's campaign.
Matalin began her career in politics with the Republican National Committee (RNC), where she worked as a political consultant. In 1980, she helped with Ronald Reagan's campaign, and she would go on to serve under him as president. Although the specific details of her role in Reagan's campaign are unclear, it marked the beginning of a long and influential career in Republican politics.
After Reagan's campaign, Matalin continued to work with the RNC, serving as Chief of Staff to RNC Chairman Lee Atwater. In 1988, she joined George H.W. Bush's presidential campaign, working as both Deputy Political Director and Midwest Regional Political Director in the primaries. Bush's campaign was successful, and Matalin returned to the RNC after his election, once again serving as Chief of Staff to Lee Atwater.
Matalin's public profile continued to rise, and she became known as a prominent Republican strategist. In 1992, she served as the deputy campaign manager for political operations on Bush's reelection campaign. Her role in this campaign was particularly notable as she was dating her future husband, James Carville, who was the chief strategist for Bush's opponent, Bill Clinton.
Matalin's work on Reagan's campaign marked the beginning of her long career in Republican politics, which included serving under multiple presidents and working on several significant political campaigns.
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Lieutenant-Governor Dave O'Neal's 1980 Senate bid
In 1980, Mary Matalin worked on Lieutenant-Governor Dave O'Neal's Senate bid. O'Neal's campaign ultimately ended in defeat, marking the first high-profile loss for Matalin, who was just starting her career in politics at the time.
Matalin's involvement in O'Neal's campaign was an early indication of her dedication to the Republican Party and its conservative values. As a young political consultant, she played a key role in shaping and communicating O'Neal's message to the public. While the specific details of her contributions to the campaign are not widely known, it is believed that she advised on strategy and messaging, drawing on her expertise and passion for Republican ideals.
Matalin's work with O'Neal's campaign was an important stepping stone in her career. Following this experience, she joined the Republican National Committee (RNC) as a political consultant, further solidifying her commitment to the Republican Party. This decision set the tone for her future endeavours, as she went on to serve in various senior positions within Republican administrations, including those of Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush, and later, as an assistant to President George W. Bush and counsellor to Vice President Dick Cheney.
Matalin's early involvement in O'Neal's campaign highlights her longstanding interest in politics and policy-making. Despite the loss, she remained resilient and dedicated to her career, going on to become one of the most celebrated and influential conservative voices in America. Her work with O'Neal provided a foundation for her future success, as she honed her skills in campaign strategy and messaging, which would later contribute to her notable career in politics and broadcasting.
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Frequently asked questions
Mary Matalin has worked on several political campaigns throughout her career. She has served as a key strategist for the Republican Party and worked on Ronald Reagan's campaign. She was also the campaign director for George H.W. Bush's 1988 presidential campaign and served as deputy campaign manager for his 1992 reelection campaign. In 2008, she worked on Fred Thompson's presidential campaign until he dropped out of the race.
James Carville, a political strategist for Democratic Party candidates.
Mary Matalin has served in various senior positions, including assistant to President George W. Bush and counsellor to Vice President Dick Cheney. She was also the chief of staff to the chairman of the Republican National Committee, Lee Atwater.












