Jim Messina took a Western path to becoming one of the nation's
top Democratic operatives. Born in Denver 38 years ago, Messina
went through Boise public schools and earned a University of
Montana degree in political science. He began working in Montana
campaigns, then branched out to campaigns in many other places.
Often, his candidates have won, and he's worked his way up to be
chief of staff for no less than three Democratic members of
Congress. In June, he took leave from the headquarters of
Montana Sen. Max Baucus, and moved to a borrowed apartment in
Chicago to become chief of staff for Barack Obama's presidential
campaign. Messina broke from his demanding, seven-days-a-week
schedule to chat by phone with Ray Ring, High Country News
senior editor, on a recent Saturday morning.  HIGH COUNTRY NEWS 
How did your Saturday start?  JIM MESSINA   Every morning, we
have the 7 a.m. press call ... with the whole press team, about
20 people. We talk about what was in the morning papers, and go
over the schedule. .