FHC Political Party to Hire Obama's Strategist for 2014 Presidential Campaign

03/28/2013 - 03h00

The Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB) is bringing one of the campaign strategists of the president of United States, Barack Obama, to help build Senator Aécio Neves candidacy for the 2014 Brazilian presidential campaign.

The move to bring David Axelrod, a former senior White House official and Obama's political adviser for presidential campaigns, was made by the PSBD campaign manager, Renato Pereira, with the help of former President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, also known by his initials FHC - who is close to former US President Bill Clinton.

According to Folha, the party also contacted Antonio Villaraigosa, mayor of Los Angeles and one of the rising stars from the US Democratic Party. The party aims to bring the two Democrats to guide their candidate pre-campaign strategy, especially on the internet. There is still no date for their arrival, but party leadership believe it will be after May.

This month, Aécio Neves should assume PSDB presidency and launch the party's TV program, the first appearance of the Minas Gerais State Senator on national television as the party's alternative to run for Brazilian office - the Palácio do Planalto. PSDB members want to learn how to shorten the distance between their candidate and voters by using a more direct talk, with messages focused on specific social segments. They also seek creative social media tools that are more modern and efficient.

Obama popularized his candidacy, got close to young voters and spread the slogan "change" on the Internet. He also raised money through fundraising through small donations from individual supporters.

In 2010, in a similar move, the Workers Party (PT) invited the American Ben Self, from Blue State Digital, as a consultant, providing internet strategy tips for President Dilma Rousseff's campaign. He also worked for Barack Obama's campaign.

Translated by SIMONE PALMA