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Nick Clemons

by: Judy Reardon

Thu Jun 05, 2008 at 10:33:43 AM EDT
The other day Kathy Sullivan mentioned in a comment on another diary Nick Clemons' fantastic track record this year with Hillary Clinton, and I woke up this morning thinking Nick deserves a stand-alone diary.

After Nick successfully ran Hillary's campaign in New Hampshire, he was tapped to run New Jersey, Texas, Pennsylvania and South Dakota, all tough states, all wins.

Nick is not a self-promoter, so he doesn't get the credit he deserves for being one of the best political operatives in the business today.

In addition to being an expert on field and getting out the vote, Nick's developed into a darn good stategist. And he's a leader.

I saw his leadership abilities first hand in 2003 when he was the field director for John Kerry's New Hampshire primary campaign. In the very dark months of August through November 2003, when the outside world thought Kerry's candidacy was doomed, Nick kept his young field staff motivated to press on.

I first met Nick in early 1997 when he began working as a constituent services staffer in Jeanne Shaheen's Governor's office. Being able to see Nick develop his skills and advance these last 12 years has been one of the pleasures in this very tough and often heart-breaking business.  

I'm really proud to be able to say I knew Nick when he was just starting out.  
Judy Reardon :: Nick Clemons
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Nick Clemons | 7 comments
Hear, hear; or is it, here, here? (0.00 / 0)
In the fall of 2004, Nick was the general election state director for Kerry and Mike vlacich was the coordinated campaign manager.  They not only worked in the same building, they literally shared an office. No egos, just focused on getting the job done, which they did.  When you tell people in other states that the presidential campaign drector and the coordinated campaign director worked side by side, they can't believe it, because in so many states, the people in those roles don't even talk to each other or are busy turf building. In 2006, the roles were reversed a bit - Nick was the coordinated campaign director, and Mike was the Lynch campaign manager. Again, they got the job done.

It really has been great to see Nick's success this year (and, along with Nick, Kathleen Strand and the best Abbe ever, Abbe' Ross, who also were out there in those states).

 



"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

Nick and Mike (0.00 / 0)
I worked with Nick and Mike on the C/G '06 and Swett '96 campaigns -- on the latter, Nick coordinated field for the Southern Tier, while Mike worked the Seacoast with an iron fist.  They were both 22 years old, and they kicked ass.

I remember how impressed I was when Jeanne snapped them up right after Dick's narrow loss.  Gave me an early view of the Gov's eye for talent, and her ability to surround herself with -- and develop -- intelligent young people with a passion for public service.

[ Parent ]
intelligent young people with a passion for public service (0.00 / 0)
few and far between


for transparency sake ~I represent Union print shops
[ Parent ]
Well... (4.00 / 2)
I beat you both. I signed off on Nick being hired as the Nashua area coordinator of Clinton/Gore primary effort in 1995, right after Nick's UNH graduation. In 1996 he worked for the Swett senatorial campaign...and of course his role as campaign manager for Baines' 2001 reelect.

The entire Clemons family are an amazingly talented team. Nick's younger brother Ben is a Nashua Alderman at large and is running for the vancant register of deeds position in Hillsborough County. His older brother Brent briefly ran for congress last time and Nick's dad is a Hillsborough County Commissioner, former Nashua School Board member and was an asst principal at Manchester's Central High under John Rist (Kathy's husband). And Nick's mom Jane, party leader, legislative leader and tireless campaigner is respected statewide.

Hats off to Nick! May he replace Shrum, Carville and the rest...soon.

2012 starts today.

Got this email (0.00 / 0)
that I think is worth sharing:

"---- sent me an email that was going around yesterday entitled "you know you worked in NH for Hillary if," and one of the items was "you would follow Nick Clemons to hell and back (or at least to NJ)." There are dozens of people who feel that way, including myself. The entire NH field staff would run through a brick wall for him, no questions asked. Even though he does not want it, he definitely deserves more credit from the outside world."

______________________________________

From the other side of the aisle.... (4.00 / 1)

(ie the Obama side), every time HRC won a primary in a state where Nick was, it hurt , but the hurt was assuaged by more than a little New Hampshire pride for the work that Nick Clemons did. We miss him here, but he is far too talented to be confined to one small state.

"But, in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope." Si se puede. Yes we can.  
Congrats Nick... (0.00 / 0)

.... you've done well.

NH Ex-pat, from your old "Lions" baseball team, '83-'85

Nick Clemons | 7 comments

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