I think this conversation represents the point of view of political consultants or operatives. They think they should run things. They are the handlers of the candidates and the manipulators of voters to contribute and vote. They have no use for populist waves when the people demand to be heard and heeded. I prefer a representative government that sees the power and wisdom in the people. These men want a more authoritarian, top down model, preferably with htem in charge.
in particular, this conversation was between two has beens, grasping unsuccessfully for some kind of relevance.