Commentary: His nickname was 'Satan.' His political influence was immense
This is read by an automated voice.Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.
See more from the L.A.Times in Google Search.
Set us as preferred SAN FRANCISCO — Every election produces a campaign strategist whose victory bestows upon them, for at least a little while, the unofficial title of reigning political genius.James Carville, Karl Rove, David Axelrod and Stephen K.Bannon have all worn the crown.For many years, and many election cycles, California’s reigning political genius was Clint Reilly.In an age before the internet, before social media, before the cable-TV chat shows and before Carville and the like, Reilly came as close to celebrity as a political operative possibly could.
He was the subject of fear, admiration, contempt, envy and lengthy newspaper and magazine treatments.His cherry-red Jaguar, Italian suits, designer eyewear and seaside mansion made Reilly an influencer before there even was such a thing.(A connoisseur of the finer things, he served visitors coffee in bone china when they called on his San Francisco office.)“It used to be that political consultants and political mechanics were something that only a handful of people thought about,” said Eric Jaye, one of generations of campaign strategists who were trained or inspired — directly or indirectly — by Reilly.
“Clint was the original star consultant who made news himself and shaped the political discussion.”Reilly, a working-class product of Oakland who crossed the Bay and scaled the heights of San Francisco business, culture and politics, died earlier this month at age 79.California Rep.Jared Huffman is one of just four openly agnostic or religiously unaffiliated lawmakers and is by far the most outspoken.
His new book warns of the perils of rising Christian nationalism.For someone who never held political office — a 1999 bid for San Francisco mayor was a notable flop — Reilly wielded considerable influence.A list of the many Democrats he helped ele...