George Twigg, who served as Sen. John Kerry's, D-Mass., Wisconsin communications director during the 2004 elections, was recently named spokesperson for Mayor Dave Cieslewicz. The Daily Cardinal interviewed Twigg regarding his experiences working with Kerry and the transition to city politics.
What role do you feel you played in Kerry's Wisconsin victory?
My job was really just to get our side of the story out, and, conversely, when Republicans came into the state and made all these claims about the things we were doing, that we did some truth telling and made sure people knew what we felt was their real record on those issues.
By \truth telling,"" what do you feel you exposed?
One point this fall, George Bush was in Wausau for a campaign rally, and he was talking about how he was going to support this program called MILC, a price supports system for dairy farmers ... Two days later, Republicans back in D.C. killed the program. It was a really clear example of him making these campaign promises out on the trail ... We got this 30-foot tall inflatable dairy cow called ""Marathon the Mad Milk Cow,"" and she followed around Bush and Cheney to a bunch of their events. We had people dressed up in cow costumes, talking about how Bush was, we felt, not being forthcoming on his position.
Describe the Kerry rally atmosphere.
It was certainly the biggest rally or political event that I had ever been to, easily. ... To have 80,000 people on West Washington Avenue ... I think that everyone that took part in it felt like something special was happening that day.
What was the most difficult period of the Kerry campaign, and how did you and your staff react to his electoral defeat?
It was tough... We had managed to win the state, and actually improved our margin over what Gore got in 2000, so that took a little bit of the sting off. But you never like to lose.
How are your positions with Kerry and Mayor Cieslewicz similar, and to what extent, if any, did your role with Kerry prepare you for your job with Mayor Cieslewicz?
It's a very different job, but one of things I've found is that the intensity is very similar to what there was in the presidential campaign. There are a lot things going on at the same time; you have to be able to multitask and do a lot of things at once.
Rumor has it you play guitar in a band. What is your band's name, and what is the greatest rock 'n' roll album of all time?
I'm going to have to pass on that one.
Pass on the band name?
I'll pass on the band, but what was the other question?
What is the greatest rock and roll album of all time?
I'd probably have to say Stevie Ray Vaughan's ""Couldn't Stand the Weather,"" which is one of his greatest albums.
