Tips for Gordon

Hillary’s guru has some tips for Gordon

Matthew d'Ancona

19 September 2007

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An interview with Mark Penn, Hillary Clinton’s chief strategist

‘What we have tried to do is make sure people understand that you need experience to bring about change. You have got the House of Commons and the House of Lords, and we have got two Houses in Congress. There is no magic end run to the systems that exists, you have to be able to work efficiently in them. Senator Clinton pointed out that presidents like Lyndon Johnson got Medicare and Franklin Roosevelt got Social Security — getting something big like universal healthcare in America is going to take that kind of experience.’ Gordon could not have put it better himself.

So what about this time? Will Penn be helping Labour try to win a fourth term? The PM’s friendship with another US pollster, Bob Shrum, is well-known, and Shrum is expected to play a significant role in the general election. But does Penn keep in touch with his fellow warriors from the 2005 campaign?

‘I do, but not on this trip.’ He reconsiders. ‘Actually, I have a dinner tonight, and there may be some there.’

A-ha. So: has he been chatting with Gordon’s gang about what help he might give next time round? Penn pauses and answers with a cryptic smile: ‘Things have been going well so far.’ For once, this garrulous sage keeps his analysis to himself.

Mark Penn will be talking about Microtrends, chaired by Matthew d’Ancona, on Thursday 4 October, 6:30-8:00 p.m., The Ideas Space, Policy Exchange, Clutha House, 10 Storey’s Gate, London SW1P 3AY. Tickets £10. Tel: 020 7636 1577.