Pro Politics with Zac McCrary Roger Lau, Warren 2020 Campaign Manager & Deputy ED of the DNC
Roger Lau has one of the most unique origin stories in all of politics. Growing up in Queens as the child of Chinese immigrants, he dropped out of high school...before eventually getting back on track, getting his GED, and taking a fateful Political Science course at UMass Amherst. Roger talks mistakes and lessons from his early days, how he re-focused his life, and the incredible job interview that led him to an internship that shaped the rest of his life. Roger also shares how he entered the world of Elizabeth Warren in 2012, his perspective as manager of the Warren 2020 presidential campaign, and what motivated him to join the DNC after the 2020 elections.
IN THIS EPISODE
Roger grows up in Queens as the son of Chinese immigrants…
Mistakes Roger made early and how he got back on the right track…
Early political memories from Roger’s childhood…
The amazing confluence of events that led to Roger interning for Senator John Kerry…
Roger speaks to the John Kerry he’s seen up-close and personal…
The role that served as Roger’s “big break” rising through the ranks of politics…
The roles Ayanna Pressley has played in Roger’s career…
The Roger Lau 101 for effective campaign managers…
Roger’s entry point into the world of Elizabeth Warren…
Roger takes the helm of the Warren 2020 campaign…
Roger talks the elements that made the Warren campaign unique…
Two things other 2020 primary campaigns did that impressed Roger…
What makes Elizabeth Warren unique as a political figure…
What sparked Roger’s interest in going to work at the DNC…
What Roger thinks political operatives should understand about the AAPI community…
AND 123 miles, the 7 line, Joe Biden, Scott Brown, Pete Buttigieg, campaign unions, cardboard corrugating factories, Julian Castro, clown t-shirts, Dorchester, Dunkin Donuts, GEDs, generational talents, hot leads, Jesse Jackson, Joe Kennedy, late night dinners, Monopoly, PS 11, Quincy, Juan Rodriguez, Rockaway Beach, John Rocker, rocket science, Roosevelt Avenue, Maya Rupert, selfie lines, Faiz Shakir, Shea Stadium, the Springfield Republican, teaching America, ugly suits, UMass Amherst, unpaid internships, Washington Square Park, wingwomen, Woodside, Worcester, & more!