Team Halter Hires Team Obama

Bill Halter’s one day old campaign for Governor rolled out its campaign team today.  The list reads like a who’s who from President Obama’s 2008 and 2012 campaign, including Gary Moody who headed up Arkansans for Obama this past year.

I note this as it is unusual as of late for Arkansas Democrats to mention any connection to President Obama.  Just this past week, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel proudly boasted of how he might sue to stop Obama’s executive orders dealing with gun control.  Halter’s prominent mention of his campaign connection to his party’s incumbent stands out.

Could it be that Halter plans the unusual strategy of running as a Democrat in an Arkansas Democratic Primary? The left of his party will be thrilled I am sure.

Here is the release…

“Today I am pleased to announce some of the key team members for Bill Halter’s upcoming campaign for governor. They have already been an integral part of our planning process and will be a formidable resource for our campaign as it begins to move forward.”

Jim Margolis, GMMB – Senior Strategist for the Halter Campaign

Jim was a senior strategist for the Obama for America campaign in both 2008 and2012 and currently represents Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). Margolis has also advised and produced advertising for Senators Max Baucus (MT), Mark Warner (VA), Kent Conrad (ND), and Byron Dorgan (ND).

Greg Pinelo and David Smith, GMMB – Media Consultants for the Halter Campaign

Greg was a senior member of the Obama advertising teams in both 2008 and 2012 and produced ads for Mark Warner’s campaign for Governor of Virginia. Pinelo and Smith teamed to produce ads for Warner’s senate campaign and handled media for Jim Webb’s (VA) upset senate victory over George Allen. Smith also led the advertising effort for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee on behalf of Senators Heidi Heitkamp (ND) and Tim Kaine (VA), as well as Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley on behalf of the Democratic Governors Association.

Jim Whitten, Campaign Resource Group – Advisor for the Halter Campaign

Jim is the managing partner of Campaign Resource Group, a full service political consulting firm that has helped elect Democrats at all levels of government since 2000. Jim brings over 40 years experience in Arkansas politics.

Gary Moody – Field Consultant for the Halter Campaign

Arkansas native Gary Moody is veteran of Arkansas Democratic politics, most recently serving as Arkansas State Director for President Obama’s re-election effort. He previously worked as Executive Director for the Young Democrats of America, the nation’s largest political youth organization. Prior to that, he worked for the Democratic Party of Arkansas as the Executive Director for the Young Democrats of Arkansas.