Maroon Bison Presents: The Southern Comfort Podcast
Hosted by veteran campaign operatives and HBCU alums Kevin Harris and Richard McDaniel, The Southern Comfort Podcast delivers unfiltered political analysis with a Southern perspective, drawing from over 40 years of combined experience shaping campaigns from City Hall to the White House. Each week, they break down complex policies, share insider stories, and explore the intersection of politics and culture, offering listeners a front-row seat to the strategies and wisdom that drive American politics.
Maroon Bison Presents: The Southern Comfort Podcast
Episode 26 | Jake! Not State Farm (Part Two)
In Part 2 of their deep-dive with strategist Jake Orvis, Rich and Kevin unpack the overlooked heart of modern campaigns: research, tracking, fundraising—and the politics of being a white dude in a Black campaign space. From tracking candidates with binoculars to dodging call time in the men’s room, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at campaign mechanics, racial dynamics in Southern politics, and why nobody really likes asking for money.
The trio blends real-world advice with hilarious personal stories—plus reflections on managing egos, getting cursed out at barbecues, and why campaign operatives are some of the closest people you’ll ever work with. It’s vulnerable, technical, and as always, Southern as hell.
📍(01:00) - The Research Game: Foyers, Memos & Receipts
Jake breaks down the vital role of political research—from digging up court records to vetting your own candidate before the opposition does. It’s about precision, receipts, and never mixing up “John Smith.”
📍(07:00) - Trackers, Camcorders & Binoculars
What happens when you’re the white intern who “looks Republican”? Jake tells the hilarious story of his first tracking gig (involving a canceled event and a parking garage stakeout), and how campaign surveillance has evolved in the TikTok era.
📍(18:30) - The Art of Call Time
No one likes it—but fundraising call time is the engine of modern campaigns. The crew discusses why it’s painful, who struggles with it the most, and why you'd better be ready to call your exes if you're serious about running.
📍(24:00) - Hardest Jobs on a Campaign
From body person to call time manager, the team explores the toughest campaign roles—the ones with all the responsibility and none of the power. Rich, Kevin, and Jake debate which position is the most grueling and underrated.
📍(31:00) - Race, Respect & Running in the South
Jake opens up about navigating race and privilege as a white campaign manager working for Black women candidates. They get real about the expectations, historical context, and the difference between “diversity” and empowerment.
🏆 Mamba Mentality Award
Campaign Body People win this week’s Mamba Mentality Award. These behind-the-scenes MVPs manage logistics, egos, schedules, and crisis control—often with no glory, no backup, and no sleep. Salute.