Ep. 37 (video): The Obama Organizer Who Showed Up in Sherman and Changed Alex's life (Scott Mackey)

Alex has told this story before — how a campaign organizer showed up in Sherman, Texas of all places, and changed the trajectory of his life. This week, that organizer is finally on the mic. Scott Mackey recruited Alex as a high school senior during the 2008 Texas Democratic primary, back when the campaign had no budget, no VAN data, and was cutting turf on hand-drawn Google Maps. It's a homecoming conversation and nostalgia journey. But Scott and the hosts don't just stay in 2008. They use the Obama years as a lens for everything that's happened since — what that campaign got right about organizing and message, where the party has drifted, and what it would actually take to build that kind of coalition again in Texas and beyond. In this conversation: How Scott went from Peace Corps-bound in Guatemala to catching a flight to South Carolina the morning after New Hampshire Organizing Sherman with no data, no staff, and hand-drawn turf maps — and what that scrappy model still teaches The Obama organizing principle of "respect, empower, include" — and how far Democrats have drifted from it Why Trump's rise runs on the same playbook as Obama's, just a different feeling James Talarico's "top vs. bottom" framing and why it's connecting where traditional Democratic messaging hasn't Citizens United, dark money, and how Democrats became the party defending institutions instead of people The 2028 primary field — and why the candidate who changes everything might not be on anyone's radar yet Plus: Scott ran the 2030 census numbers — and even holding Obama's exact 2008 map, Democrats lose seven electoral votes. The old math won't cut it. Follow Scott: @scottmackeywriter on Instagram Scott's novel: Love Is Not The Answer Learn more: Veterans for All Voters — veteransforallvoters.org Support the show: Love what we're doing? Become a member at patreon.com/missiontexaspodcast — just a few dollars a month keeps independent Texas media alive. And if you can't spare the cash, a five-star review goes just as far. God bless Texas. 🤠 00:00 Introduction and Host's Political Journey 00:21 Guest Scott Mackey and Early Political Engagement 01:03 Scott's Path to Politics and Obama Campaign Involvement 02:08 Inspirational Readings and Campaign Excitement 05:15 Obama Campaign's Emotional Impact and Strategy 09:21 Challenges of Political Organizing and Campaign Comparisons 16:26 The Role of Emotional Appeal in Politics 23:08 Economic Crisis and Political Realignments 28:00 Spiritual Disconnection and Political Challenges 31:01 Influence of Citizens United and Demographic Changes 36:52 Grassroots Organizing and Potential for Change 42:00 Comparative Strategies: Texas and Colorado 45:49 Future Political Landscape and Candidate Speculations 53:15 Political Accountability and Trust Building 57:37 Vision for Politics Focused on Public Interest