Democratic strategist Jim Messina and Republican strategist Karl Rove face off in a civil, enlightening and sometimes downright funny program. Both have been senior presidential advisors with a deep and substantive understanding of the political dynamics railing America. Both are in-demand for their shrewd and timely commentary. Add to the mix Rove's breadth of historical knowledge and Messina's expertise in data analysis and you have the secret sauce that makes for a powerful political debate.
When political strategist Jim Messina used big data and technology to help President Barack Obama win a second term in the White House, Bloomberg Businessweek called it “the highest-wattage crash course in executive management ever undertaken.” Since then other nations' governments, including the European Union and UK Prime Minister Theresa May, have brought Messina into their camps to help them win their fights. Currently the CEO of the Messina Group, Messina provides businesses across industries guidance to harness cutting-edge strategies to break into new markets, win a competitive play, and harness consumer loyalty. In-demand for his shrewd political commentary, Messina regularly appears on major networks to decode what is happening in Washington and shed light on current events. Audiences who hear Messina speak are wowed by his quick and sharp insights into politics today, and the strategies and technological forces at play.
With over four decades of experience in the political arena, Karl Rove is an iconic strategist whose provocative and robust knowledge of the major issues of the day have made him one of the most sought-after commentators of our time.
Rove has been described by respected author and columnist Michael Barone as “unique…no Presidential appointee has ever had such a strong influence on politics and policy, and none is likely to do so again anytime soon” and by Fred Barnes, Executive Editor of the Weekly Standard as “the greatest political mind of his generation and probably of any generation… He knows history, understands the moods of the public, and is a visionary on matters of public policy.”
From major international conferences to college campuses and more intimate corporate events, Karl Rove's shrewd and unparalleled analysis make him resonate with all audiences. Sponsors hosting Rove have reported that his remarks "were extremely insightful and very helpful to our industry leaders" (Edison Electric Institute); "stimulating and valuable" (The Fraser Institute); and "provocative, lively and thoughtful" (Nomura); with audiences "often erupting in applause" (Wabash College) and his presentations consistently praised as "one of the highest-rated" (The TriZetto Group).
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Rove and Messina engage with wit and substance at SALT Conference
At Skybridge Capital's 8th annual SALT Conference, Democratic strategist JIM MESSINA and Republican strategist KARL ROVE participated in a panel entitled, The American President: A Debate on the 2016 Election, and delivered witty and engaging insights on the election process and the dramatic twists and turns in the race to the White House. Both have been senior presidential advisors with a deep and substantive understanding of the political dynamics railing America. Add to the mix, Rove's breadth of historical knowledge and Messina's expertise in data analysis and you have the secret sauce that makes for a powerful political debate.
Watch highlights >>
Sold Out Debate with Political Masterminds Rove & Messina
ROVE & MESSINA faced off at the EY Strategic Growth Forum with a dialogue that was insightful, engaging and, "at times, downright funny." If you are looking for a crowd pleasing debate duo for this heated political season, this is your team.
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JIM MESSINA
CEO, THE MESSINA GROUP
Former White House Deputy Chief of Staff and President Barack Obama’s 2012 Campaign Manager
Jim Messina is arguably one of the world’s most successful political advisors. The mastermind behind President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign, Jim Messina seized the reins on what Bloomberg Businessweek dubbed “the highest-wattage crash course in executive management ever undertaken”—and succeeded, earning the President another term in the White House. With the guidance of technology’s foremost leaders, Jim abandoned every step of a traditional presidential campaign and merged technology and politics in a way that was both unpredictable and unprecedented.
Jim’s strategies established the modern presidential campaign—Google’s Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt called it “the best-run campaign ever.” The American Association of Political Consultants later crowned him the Campaign Strategist of the Year (2013).
Since then he has gone on to advise Presidents and Prime Ministers on five continents including: UK’s Theresa May and David Cameron, Mexico’s Enrique Peña Nieto, Argentina’s Mauricio Macri, Italy’s Matteo Renzi and in 2016 helped Spain’s President Mariano Rajoy win a surprising re-election margin.
In 2013, Messina launched The Messina Group. In this role, Messina provides strategic consulting to businesses around the world. The firm has been involved in winning public policy campaigns on five continents. Clients include Uber, Airbnb, Google, Delta Air Lines, Hutchison Whampoa, and over 70 others.
Previously, Jim served as Deputy Chief of Staff in President Barack Obama’s White House, where he was integral to the passage of the historic health care bill, the economic stimulus act credited with saving the US economy, and the landmark repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.”
Messina continues to advise and guide Democratic candidates and organizations at all levels, as well as providing insight on news outlets such as MSNBC, CNN, Bloomberg, BBC and others.
Jim serves on the boards of Organizing for Action (OFA), Virgin HyperloopOne, Google’s Advanced Technology Panel, Vectra.ai, Pillpack, Patient Safety Movement Foundation, LanzaTech, Hyp3r, the United States Soccer Foundation, and the Montana Land Reliance.
Karl Rove, an iconic political strategist and one of the most sought-after political pundits of our time, is best known for his provocative and robust knowledge of the major political issues of the day.
Rove served as Senior Advisor to President George W. Bush from 2000–2007 and Deputy Chief of Staff from 2004–2007. At the White House he oversaw the Offices of Strategic Initiatives, Political Affairs, Public Liaison, and Intergovernmental Affairs and was Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, coordinating the White House policy-making process.
Rove has been described by respected author and columnist Michael Barone in U.S. News & World Report as “…unique…no Presidential appointee has ever had such a strong influence on politics and policy, and none is likely to do so again anytime soon.” Washington Post columnist David Broder has called Rove a master political strategist whose “game has always been long term…and he plays it with an intensity and attention to detail that few can match.” Fred Barnes, executive editor of The Weekly Standard, has called him “the greatest political mind of his generation and probably of any generation… He knows history, understands the moods of the public, and is a visionary on matters of public policy.”
Mr. Rove writes a weekly op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, appears frequently on the Fox News Channel, and is the author of the New York Times best seller, Courage and Consequence. His latest book is The Triumph of William McKinley: Why the Election of 1886 Still Matters.
A Colorado native, he attended the University of Utah, the University of Maryland-College Park, George Mason University, and the University of Texas at Austin.
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