John Marttila and Campaign Management
Abstract:
In 1972, John Marttila, a Boston-based professional campaign consultant, was asked to manage Delaware Democrat Joe Biden's race for a U.S. Senate seat. Biden's campaign was floundering and low on funds. This case recounts the strategies and tactics Marttila used in his first campaign -- Father Robert Drinan's successful 1970 bid for a seat in the U.S. House from Massachusetts. It then provides basic information on Delaware's demographics and voting history, and on Biden's opponent in the senatorial race. Students are asked to develop solutions to the problems posed by the Biden campaign, keeping in mind the differences and similarities between that and the Drinan race. The sequel details Marttila's tactics in guiding Biden to victory.
Other Details
- Case Author:
- Eric Redman
- Faculty Lead:
- Richard Neustadt
- Pages (incl. exhibits):
- 37
- Setting:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Funding Source:
- Alfred P. Sloan Foundation