Mike Blake of the Obama Team Discusses the Film, ‘By The People’

Mike BlakeMike Blake remembers when only a handful of people believed Barack Obama could become the first black president of the United States. Although Obama was a virtually unknown candidate to millions of Americans, Blake and other members of Obama’s campaign team were committed to accomplishing the impossible. Their arduous journey to the White House is documented in the HBO film, By The People. Blake, who now serves as the deputy associate director for Intergovernmental Affairs at the White House, recently discussed the inspirational film at the world premiere in Chicago. –amir shaw

How difficult was it to introduce Barack Obama to Americans?


It was challenging. You go through all of this effort and hope that people will believe in you. You get to a point where you want people to listen just for a few moments. It took time. We went up against so many embedded forces that are difficult to break [through]. … When you work hard and long, you appreciate [the victory] even more.

What did President Obama tell his team that caused you all to continue to believe when the task seemed impossible?


He reminded us of a bigger vision. I remember him saying that, ‘the world will look at America differently, and America will look at itself differently.’ You could feel the energy when he said that. In spite of all the difficulties going on, we really believed there would be substantial change. There was an unyielding belief that we would make it.

When did you realize that the nation was finally getting the message?

The Jefferson-Jackson Dinner was the moment when everyone saw what we knew. We had this moment when people wondered if this could be real. We walked out and people saw for themselves that this is a man that America believes in. I was a part of the 20-month journey. After the inauguration, I got a call and I was welcomed to the White House. It’s a feeling I will never forget.


What should people take away from the film?

I want people to watch it and believe that dreams can become real. It’s an unbelievable story. Every time I watch it, I get inspired because you see how many people were involved and what it meant to them. No matter the odds, you can make your dreams reality. It was a dream for Obama to become president. And it’s a dream for a poor kid from the Bronx to work in the White House. I never dreamt of being in the White House and this reminds us that dreams can be real.

To view the show listings for ‘By The People’ Click Here

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