In Depth Analysis of the DNC and Kamala Harris by Prominent Political Consultant John Shallman
John Shallman is available via Zoom, Skype or Phone
Intro: Our guest is prominent California political consultant John Shallman, who is putting Kamala Harris on the Couch—a virtually couch, of course, due to the current Covid pandemic.
John Shallman a political analyst—some might say a political animal– joins us to outline the significance of Joe Biden’s pick of Kamala Harris as his vice presidential choice.
John Shallman is nationally known for his experience in presidential caucuses and addresses why the Biden-Harris ticket has not yet raced to the center as most presidential teams have done after the primaries. Some pundits believe there was little in the middle during the Democratic Convention. Welcome John Shallman.
Q&A:
- You have a unique perspective on what went wrong for Kamala Harris during the Presidential Primaries, and how that experience might have actually made her the very best choice for Vice President as well as the best campaigner for Joe Biden against Donald Trump. Tell us about that.
- How do you think the dynamics of the Democrat National Convention and the appearance of the newly minted Vice-Presidential candidate Kamala Harris differed by virtue of the fact that it was–virtual?
- Does the selection of Harris represent a seismic shift for women, Blacks, South Asian Americans and immigrants?
- The Los Angeles Times profiled your propensity for pulling off political upsets in their article titled, “He’s Led Political ‘Dark Horses’ to Surprising Wins.” Share with us some of your political victories the Times is referencing.
- The Los Angeles Times also wrote about the shocking defeat of “B1 Bob” Dornan, a conservative 9-term congressman in the deep red Republican bastion of Orange County California by the first Latino Woman Democrat in Orange County—Loretta Sanchez. What was your involvement there and might any of that apply to the current Presidential race?
- You just wrote a political novel, Return From Siberia. Tell us about your book and some of the real-life portions that you may have hidden under the guise of fiction. Specifically, how does your novel’s themes and your story echo the Kamala Harris story?
- You have some experience putting in the first Hindu in the U.S. Congress. That is quite timely considering that Kamala is half Indian.
- You have ample experience and knowledge of California’s politics and your novel focuses on ideas and themes which relate directly to this. So, tell us more about this but please open with the answer to why on earth did Joe Biden pick a person from California when he already had a lock on California. Wouldn’t he have been better off picking someone from one of the swing states that might determine the election outcome?
ABOUT JOHN SHALLMAN…
John Shallman is an award-winning media, advertising and campaign professional with an unparalleled record of political victories for clients throughout the country. The Los Angeles Times profiled his propensity for pulling off political upsets in their article entitled, “He’s Led Political Darkhorses to Surprising Wins.” Shallman’s roster of wins includes Governors, U.S. Senators, Congressmembers, State Legislators, and local elected officials from Mayor to District Attorney. Shallman is a “go-to” crisis management expert for A-List celebrities, corporate executives and athletes. He has consulted for a number of television and film projects, appeared on television news including ABC’s Nightline, CNN, Fox News and has lectured at Universities and Colleges across the country.
John served as President of the Los Angeles Transportation Commission, is a volunteer basketball coach for a local public park league and is Chairman of the Board of Directors at Campbell Hall School. A passionate sports fan, Shallman has especially enjoyed consulting for NFL teams and his beloved Los Angeles Clippers.
John is a graduate of the University of Iowa and London School of Economics. He’s married to Lani Barrameda-Shallman and they have four children, four dog– and a bunny!
Author of the new novel RETURN FROM SIBERIA, John weaves a wonderful work of narrative nonfiction, making readers wonder if there is any fiction in it at all. Any semblance to his actual self and members of his family is purely intentional.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
“With Return from Siberia, John Shallman has done the near impossible of blending an insider’s look at campaign politics, and a moving excavation of a family’s generational legacy into a single work that is fascinating, propulsive, deeply emotional and above all a darn fine read.
It is easily the most unique book I’ve read in years; both an education on politics, and reminder of the enduring quality of family.”
–John Ridley, Writer & Academy Award Winner (12 Years A Slave)
In the midst of running a long-shot political campaign, Democratic political consultant John Simon discovers a 100-year-old manuscript written by his grandfather, Joseph—a brilliant young revolutionary whose exile to Siberia by the last Czar of Russia is just the beginning of an extraordinary tale of survival, romance and revolution.
As the manuscript is translated, chapter-by-chapter, the Simon family is pulled deep into their ancestor’s story— in particular, the bitter rivalry between two brothers, whose competing visions of the American Dream are played out on the campaign trail and in their lives. The true story documents an extraordinary time of political upheaval in Russia and Europe just prior to World War I, while also drawing parallels in current day American politics and the current philosophical and ideological debates about immigration, Democratic Socialism and Capitalism. Beyond the deep social, political and philosophical themes, there is romance, adventure, betrayal, suspense, and the struggles of families today and in yesteryear.
John can discuss:
• The story behind the story – how the discovery of a book in Yiddish written by his grandfather inspired him to write RETURN FROM SIBERIA; how it transformed him and the lives of his family too and why it’s so relevant today.
• How the dreams and hopes of our ancestors are transmitted to us – is it more than genealogy and biology?
• Immigrants and the American Dream – is it still possible?
• Capitalism vs. Socialism – the story of two brothers in RETURN FROM SIBERIA – was it also the story of the 2020 Democratic Primary Election?
• 2020 Presidential Campaign – What will be the impact on swing states as a result of Democratic infighting of left vs. center? Biden’s VP choice and whose base is more motivated in the age of Trump?
“As science advances, people are obsessed with their newfound ability to trace their DNA and learn more about who they really are—countries of origin or ethnic mix. But that’s just biochemistry and geography. It will tell you where you’re from but it won’t tell you who you are. You get that from the stories of your parents and grandparents and those before them. It’s the triumphs and the tragedies. It’s the courage and perseverance in the face of insurmountable challenges. It’s the magical romances and adventures. You won’t find that in a blood test. You can get that if you just ask questions and listen. And you’ll learn everything about who you really are and your own limitless potential.”
— John Shallman
CONTACT: Rachel Ford rford.specialguests.com or Jerry McGlothlin at 919-437-0001 or jerry@specialguests.com
