Uber Hires Obama Campaign Manager, Senior Advisor David Plouffe
In an effort to convince governments that its services are key to making transportation “as reliable as running water,” transportation network company Uber has hired the man who helped Barack Obama become President of the United States in 2008, David Plouffe.
Forbes reports Plouffe will begin his role as the TNC’s senior vice president of policy and strategy in September, with the goal of swaying legislators toward supporting the right for all TNCs to enter markets legally and with few operation restrictions.
As explained within a blog post by CEO Travis Kalanick regarding his hiring, the former campaign manager and Senior Advisor to the President after David Axelrod believes his new employer is a “once in a decade if not once in a generation company,” with the taxi industry standing in the way of success in the near-term:
As Uber succeeds like I believe it can, it will spur the creation of hundreds of thousands of small businesses and directly create millions of jobs; deliver rapid, easy and affordable transportation alternatives to workers, parents, businesses and people out having a good time; make our roads safer, drastically cutting down on drunk and distracted driving; and give those who choose not to purchase an automobile a more viable way to live their lives day to day.
Uber also hired Ashwini Chhabra away from the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission in May, where he worked as deputy commissioner of policy and planning. Chhabra serves as the TNC’s policy development chief.
Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.
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You've at least got to admire the consummate opportunism of ramoras like Plouffe who can attach themselves to the richest abcesses of a dying political and social system. He's got the wavelength.
As a Canadian, I make a point out of "not commenting" on US politics or policy. If it makes you feel any better, were no different up here. We have a entire Senate made up of political appointees. 100k plus a year, expense accounts. Its job for life, and nobody cares if you don't show up for work. The only requirement is to be a friend,of the government of the day.
PLOUFFE: This is a graph of the US economy. PRESIDENT: [you insert a response]
While its always tempting to blame the revolving door syndrome on the current administration, this is a decades old bi-partisan affliction. We seem to have an ever increasing amount of lobbyists per elected official and a seemingly endless demand for more well connected insiders on K Street. And its no surprise - buying elected officials is a great investment which is why lobby firms can lure well connected political insiders with the type of money that anyone working for the government can only dream of.