Pro Politics with Zac McCrary Debbie Cox Bultan, CEO of NewDEAL, on 30+ Years Working in the Center-Left
Debbie Cox Bultan has been working in Democratic politics for more than 30 years, including more than a decade at the Democratic Leadership Council and then helping start NewDEAL where she is now the CEO. At NewDEAL, she works to connect pro-growth progressive leaders and help raise their profiles and amplify their ideas. In this conversation, she talks about the Hill internship that drew her to a career in politics, lessons learned managing campaigns, her long tenure at the influential DLC think tank, what has gone in to starting and growing New Deal over the last several years, and some of her top priorities heading into the 2024 elections.
IN THIS EPISODE
Growing up in an apolitical, middle-class family in Sacramento...
A formative DC internship for her local Congressman, Vic Fazio...
Debbie's early experiences working in CA campaign fundraising and managing...
Debbie's 15 years working at the DLC, the Democratic Leadership Council & the impact the DLC had on American politics...
Starting the center-left NewDEAL non-profit to engage and promote young Democratic leaders...
Using Pete Buttigieg as an example to talk through the role NewDEAL can play in the rise of a public figure...
How Debbie has worked to develop to a well-rounded skillset to lead a national organization...
The "Freedom Agenda" NewDEAL has helped develop...
The role Debbie sees the issue of abortion rights playing in the '24 election cycle...
Advice for the next generation of political operatives...
Debbie's most unusual, successful work habit...