Rob Flaherty, Deputy Campaign Manager, Joe Biden 2024, "You Don't get a Trophy for Cutting the Margins"

Rob Flaherty, Deputy Campaign Manager, Joe Biden 2024, "You Don't get a Trophy for Cutting the Margins"

Author: Georgetown's Institute of Politics and Public Service October 16, 2025 Duration: 34:37
Welcome back to the Fly for our third episode of Season 18! Rob Flaherty is a Georgetown University Fall 2025 Fellow who is a leading political strategist. He previously served as Former Assistant to President Joe Biden, as well as his Director of Digital Strategy. When President Biden exited the presidential race in 2024, Flaherty took over as Deputy Campaign Manager for Harris for President in her historic 107 day battle for the White House. Flaherty is a 2013 graduate of Ithaca College, whose career in politics was sparked after watching West Wing and from there, joined local campaigns in New York. As a young professional, Flaherty also worked on Terry McAuliffe’s campaign for governor of Virginia. Later, Flaherty moved to the national stage where he became Presidential Candidate Beto O’Rourke’s Digital Director in 2020, Creative Director at Priorities USA, and Deputy Director of Digital Communications for Hillary for America. Flaherty runs a fellow’s discussion group currently titled "The Politics of Attention: Media, Campaigns, and Our Broken Information Environment.” Flaherty sat down with the Fly to discuss these topics and more, ranging from how he started in politics, his work in the White House and on the campaign trail, digital media strategy wins and losses, and how the traditional media and press has evolved, as well as its implications for the political landscape in the United States. This is a must-listen episode with many fun tid-bits and insights into the White House and digital media!

Ever wonder what really happens behind the closed doors where political power is exercised? The Fly offers exactly that perspective, a weekly journey into the rooms where consequential decisions are negotiated and made. This isn't a theoretical discussion; it's an audio postcard from inside the Oval Office, a campaign war room, a governor's mansion, or the corridors of Congress. The podcast, produced by Georgetown's Institute of Politics and Public Service, is built on the premise that understanding process is just as important as debating policy. You'll hear the strategies, the tensions, and the human dynamics that shape our government's most impactful moments. What makes the series particularly engaging is its unique hosting perspective: it's guided by a couple of curious college students who are themselves navigating the complexities of the American political system. Their genuine quest to learn how things actually get done creates a refreshing and accessible entry point for anyone interested in the mechanics of power. Each episode feels like a candid conversation, pulling back the curtain on the often-opaque world of politics. Tune in for a grounded, insider look that goes beyond the headlines and soundbites.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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