| Hyers is a Minnesota DFL type who worked on several campaigns there, but has moved well beyond his home state in the last few years.
And, wherever he goes lately, he works to connect with the real Democratic base.
Here's what he told the Philadelphia Daily News last week:
"These are a lot of the people who worked for Howard Dean" when he ran for president, said campaign manager Bill Hyers, himself a veteran field director. "These are real activists you can count on."
The Evening Bulletin had some more great Hyers quote:
Hyers believes campaigns are won through the enthusiasm and loyalty of volunteers.
"They are our secret weapon," Hyers insisted. "We have 30 people back at our campaign headquarters right now sitting on the floor making phone calls to get out the vote."
snip
"We are taking nothing for granted," Hyers maintained. "We are going 100 miles an hour until the polls close."
A month ago, Nutter was single-digits in the polls, fourth behind two members of Congress and a millionaire.
Today, thanks in good part to Hyers' campaign management, Nutter is the winner of the Democratic primary and therefore the next mayor of Philadelphia, which really needs a reform-minded mayor.
Here's what Gillibrand has to say, exclusively to this diary, about Hyers' latest win:
Bill Hyers continues to demonstrate the extraordinary leadership and vision that he brings to campaigns.
He is not afraid of an underdog and climbing mountains.
Bill is a dedicated and strategic planner. He is a master of field operations, and a true believer in democracy.
When Hyers took on the Gillibrand job, she was at essentially zero name recognition, and the same in the polls, if any had been taken a year before the election.
Until the last couple of weeks, Gillibrand was behind, but an incredible field effort (more unions- than netroots-based, though we certainly helped) -- making more than 400,000 voter contacts in an district where 220,000 voted -- helped retire the Miami Mob Leader.
It wasn't close, 53-47.
Hyers met with Gillibrand supporters on Thanksgiving weekend and told us that money, message and field were essential, but more essential than anything is having an excellent candidate.
Like Gillibrand, Nutter fit that bill.
Hyers also told us that the campaign pinched pennies in a variety of ways (see the above link) to save resources for late-campaign TV ads and GOTV expenses.
Hyers is now the Nevada state director for Edwards, working for the most progressive electable Democratic candidate, as he did in 2004.
The conventional wisdom is that Hyers' candidate will not win this time.
But, given Hyers' record with come-from-behind progressive Democratic candidates, I wouldn't bet against him.
P.S. Gillibrand is supporting Clinton, who helped out a lot in her campaign. So Gillibrand's commendation of Hyers does not imply that she supports who he's working for now.
Gillibrand and Hyers will be on the same page after the convention. |
