Eli Attie
The Catalyst
Ideas with a spark, energy, range and the ability to start things.
Eli Attie is a television writer and former speechwriter who has navigated the intersection of politics and media. This interview reveals his ability to inspire and connect with others through narrative, showcasing his role as a catalyst for change in both his writing and political endeavors.
“Well, so what happened was I was working for David Dinkins and I was very happily living in New York and having a great time right after college. And David Dinkins lost his re-election campaign and I had gone from being one of the sort of city hall speechwriters to being his main speech writer on that reelection campaign.”
“Yeah, I guess that's right. I worked when I went to Harvard College and there was a writing center there, which was a place where students could go get help on papers from other students. And we were trained in how to do it. And it was a very kind of non-directive peer counseling center.”
“Think that's right. You know, I love Al Gore. I saw him recently. He'll always, we sort of these days drift in and out of contact. There was a time, first few years after I worked for him, we would talk on the phone and we were in more regular touch. But to me, he'll always be my troop commander from the war. I'll do anything for him.”
“And so the short version is I flew out, I met with him for half an hour, and he changed my life. And I have to point out, by the way, that in addition to you and I being graduates of PS40, he hired, Aaron Sorkin hired me. I was on the phone with a friend from elementary school from PS40 when I was about to make the move to LA.”
The Axe Files with David Axelrod — Ep. 107 - Eli Attie
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