As the new playcaller behind Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, Stephen K. Bannon has drawn instant, nervous news coverage — already deemed a “street fighter” by CNN, a “right wing Rottweiler” by Vice, a “rogue and provocateur” by Politico, and “Trump’s latest Svengali” by Mother Jones.
Perhaps journalists are uneasy because Mr. Bannon is a media guy himself. He is a radio host, an independent filmmaker, and as Breitbart News chairman has steered that bustling group with insight and purpose. Mr. Bannon plans to return to his editorial kingdom “on the evening of Nov. 8,” according to the organization itself, which officially calls Mr. Bannon “a huge piece of manpower.”
He’s got history in the political arena and knows the landscape. Consider “The Undefeated,” Mr. Bannon’s 2011 feature-length documentary film chronicling Sarah Palin’s political career at a time when she was besieged by an unfriendly press and Hollywood mockery. Against industry odds, Mr. Bannon made sure the film got national distribution and selective screenings before important conservative and grass-roots audiences; he knew what was at stake.
“There is a battle for the soul of the conservative movement and the Republican Party,” Mr. Bannon said at the time. “It is most important to bring this film to these influential activist audiences.”
Now he emerges as a tough and strategically minded wingman for Mr. Trump as the nominee crosses from the land of political potshots and cranky journalists into an intensified battlefield, in an election considered historic, even by historians. And that election will be here in 82 days.
No comments:
Post a Comment