David Saunders (political strategist)

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David "Mudcat" Saunders is a Democratic political strategist and author. He was a senior advisor for John Edwards during the 2008 presidential campaign. He also played key roles in Virginia politics, helping Mark Warner win the governor’s race in 2001 and Jim Webb win a U.S. Senate seat in 2006.

Saunders argues that Democrats win more voters by respecting rural culture. He says once rural people feel understood, they will listen on the issues. He co-wrote with Steve Jarding the book Foxes in the Henhouse: How the Republicans Stole the South and the Heartland, and What the Democrats Must Do to Run ’em Out.

In a 2005 interview, he bluntly criticized Democrats for losing in 2004, saying they didn’t count electoral votes and needed to stay in the game. He has been the subject of profile pieces, including two by Matt Labash in the Weekly Standard, where he commented on Beltway wisdom.

In 2006, Saunders advised Jim Webb’s Virginia Senate campaign. Webb credits Saunders with convincing him to run and with planning how to beat George Allen after first challenging Harris Miller. Known as "Mudcat," he has worked to rebuild Democratic strength in the South by forming alliances between African-Americans and Southern white voters he calls "Bubbas." Webb has spoken about this approach.

Saunders also served on the Advisory Board of the Commonwealth Coalition, which opposed Virginia’s 2006 amendment banning gay marriage. He called the amendment political trickery meant to unite Republicans’ base in hate.