Bob Shrum, a veteran Democratic political strategist, has been in his words, “at the center of progressive politcs…from Vietnam to Iraq.” He recently came out with a book, No Excuses: Confessions of a Serial Campaigner, in which he writes about his experiences in politics over the past 30 years, during which time he experienced a drastic change in campaigning.

He sat down with Jon Stewart and discussed how in the 70s each candidate had “their people, and if they lost, they went away.” Now, campaigners jump from candidate to candidate in sort of an interview process. “It’s sure easier to run with someone you believe in.” Campaigning, Shrum argues, is more a business now than ever, and that in order to win the candidate needs to go after the best, most experienced campaigners he can get, regardless of previous affiliation.

Watch the interview for an entertaining story about Julie Christie, Warren Beatty and some democrats.