Clinton staff shakeups? Part II...

Posted: Tuesday, January 08, 2008 1:43 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Andrea Mitchell
Staff and responsibility changes are in the works in the Clinton campaign. Several sources indicate that people will come in and layer several of the prominent staffers responsible for the Iowa and New Hampshire strategy. Those likely to be layered include Mark Penn, Mandy Grunwald, Patti Solis Doyle -- and possibly Howard Wolfson.

Clinton co-chair Terry McAuliffe hinted at upcoming changes in an interview on MSNBC at 12:30 pm, when I asked:

Q: Can you sit here today and tell us that your campaign will have the same players ... coming out of New Hampshire as going in?

McAuliffe: Everyone who is in the campaign today will be in the campaign...
Q: Will they have new bosses? James Carville? Paul Begala ? The dream team from 1992?

McAuliffe: I would hope James would come in. He's been making a fortune on CNN -- I'd love to get him on board. We want everybody who believes in Hillary to come in and help in this campaign.

Q: I'm smelling a shakeup in the Clinton campaign.

McAuliffe: We'll bring in more people to help us. We're about to head into Feb 5th, 23 states. From day one, this campaign, and Hillary, has given strict instructions: Anyone who wants to come in can help us. I think a lot of people now, seeing the situation we're in, love Hillary, adore Hllary, want her to be president, are going to come in and say, I'm going to come in and help Hillary. That's natural in a campaign.

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Comments

If we thought they had infighting and confusion in her campaign before we've seen nothing yet. They won't be able keep control of anything and everyone will be fighting.

Jessica, Wisconsin (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:07 PM)

I received an email today. Is Obama a Muslim? Is his middle name Hussien? Is his step-father a radical Muslim who is teaching hate against Americans in this country? Are we going to elect a MUSLIM to attack this country from the inside out? Am I understanding all of this correctly?

Araliun (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:08 PM)

deck chairs

vm (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:08 PM)

McAuliffe: I would hope James would come in. He's been making a fortune on CNN --

His show was cancelled what the heck is McAuliffe talking about?!!!

Larry L (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:08 PM)

I am sorry........but being the age that has seen the 60's and see what happening to our children and the drugs, drive-bys and the blame that has been put on everyone but "themselves". Yes I see change if Obama gets in, but do we want that kind of change???? My hand does go over my hear when the anthm is played. I have a problem with his middle name, his background, the church that he attends (africian betterment) oh yes we are in for some changes. Yes we will be re-arranging chairs on the Titanic but in a differant way!!!! I am sorry but i do not see this as JFK vision.

scared stiff, Kansas City Missouri (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:10 PM)

Bad advice can easily lead to it.
Clinton's Supporters Question Her Strategy

Was Iowa a Mistake for Hillary Clinton?

http://www.youpolls.com/details.asp?pid=1474

.

PollM, Dallas TX (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:11 PM)

Watch the Obama-bashing from the Hillary camp commence. She is the same evil empire US regime that Bush is. Look who was holding fund-raisers for her...propogandist RUPERT MURDOCH!!!

Vote for change, vote for Obama.

(and no, skeptics, I'm not being paid to say this)

It sure will be awkward for ole' hillary after Obama wins, who she decides to campaign for...The repiglican candidate or Obama?

john k, Delaware (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:12 PM)

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY wrote "Could it be anymore plain to see, that these people are political hacks who are getting paid by the Obama camp. to "slam" the message boards with anti-Hillary rhetoric?"
Wow J Merle I always assumed you were nuts but now I have proof. You just can't handle it when someone disagrees with you. I've been posting against Hillary from the start and so have a lot of the people who post here. You just can't handle the truth!

Obama '08!!!

Larry L (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:12 PM)

D. Anders..... is right on. Actually, there are a lot worse statistics concerning the ClintonThe intolerant messages on this board toward D. Anders, makes me realize that there are people out there that still don't get out much, and if they can't refute an argument in an articlate manner, they just start criticizing.... typical Left Wing Radicals.. if you don't have the facts.. then attack!

Suttons Bay, Michigan (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:12 PM)

Ever hear "too many cooks spoil the broth". It won't work. Penn, Wolfson, Mc Auliffe, Doyle and Grunwald would tend to protect their own turf. It's just human nature. If Carville signs on, he'd better give up CNN and it is probably too late as the rest of the press would see right though it. Lazarus came back from the tomb, so anything's possible. We'll see

Joe Mathews, Manchester, VT (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:12 PM)

I smell fear in the Hillary machine. I for 1 have not liked her staff for some time. Her Press Director, Poulson I thnk is his name is one of the mose disturning people I have seen since Carl Rove. It's a wonder people are flocking away from her.

SK, Olympia Wa. (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:13 PM)

Nope! can't go with hope and dope!

John Edwards will be a great President - with a FAITHFUL wife of 30 years.

Margaret, NYC (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:14 PM)

You don't get it do you?
Obama will NEVER be President.
If Hillary drops out of the race, a lot of mainstream Democrats like myself will organize cross-over vote groups designed to encourage mainstream Democrats to vote Republican.
We will not be bullied around by independents.
We'll throw the election to the Republicans and wait 4 more years for a qualified, experienced, and capable Democratic Candidate.
Sorry.

Douglas Tucker, Pilot Mountain, NC (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:15 PM)

It's time for major change...let's start with this D Anders person from Texas! Anyone? Radio Head you're dead one with that one. I think this country has had enough of the racist, negative, fear-mongering of the GOP. Enough of the Hannity, O'Reilly factor. How about some results.

Jeff Malcolvich (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:16 PM)

What do you mean by "layer?"

m, boston, ma (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:16 PM)

Someone in the media needs to start asking Obama real questions and get detailed answers.

"I am change, I am hope, Come believe with me" is bogus stuff for the dumb masses.

Ask him if he thinks America's white teachers are being racist toward non white students.

Or ask him what percentage of black men in prison or wrongfully there and should be realeased.

Or ask him who is going to pay for the $9 billion he has promised to Jesse Jackson for "urban poverty" and the promise not tell people he's "acting white"

washington (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:17 PM)

Radio Head. Hate to break it to you but D Anders is posting facts sorry you don't agree with them but maybe you should go to stophillary.com let the truth set you free.

Seattle Sue (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:17 PM)

WOW HILL HATERS REALIZE THIS SHE HAS MORE DELEGATES THAN ANYONE! SHE WILL WIN THE BIG STATES! MOST OF OBAMA VOTERS WERE 8 WHEN THE CLINTONS WERE IN THE HOUSE! WELL I WAS NOT AND NOR IS MOST OF MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS! WE HAVE ALL THE VOTES GOING TO HILLARY. HILLARY 08!

christy (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:17 PM)

If all the Clinton campaign can come up with is trying to smear Obama it will backfire completely. Hillary isn't suddenly tanking, many people were accepting of her because there did not seem to be an alternative. Now that voters have seen there is someone else, a real breath of fresh air, they moved away from what they didn't really want.

And who decided that a winning strategy is being able to withstand a Republican attack? That person should be let go as being politically brain-dead. That's on the level of my dad can beat up your dad, hardly what we need to run a country. We've had 7 years of incompetence, and now she's sounding like Karl Rove on terrorists trying to kill us?

Please, she's done herself in. And it will get worse as Obama gains traction.

Kit, Honolulu (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:17 PM)

I'm not sure why people are so anti-Hillary and pro-Obama. So he can speak well and is pretty smart. Ok, great. I can't wait to see him get lambasted in a debate against McCain.

Why does everyone have a problem with someone who is experienced in how DC works in the WH? Hillary is not out of touch, she knows what it takes to get things done. Obama does not.

It's a heck of a lot easier to go into a company knowing who can get things done and how well they can do them than go into a company and not know a soul.

Obama doesn't know anyone. Make him the nominee at your own risk. If you didn't like Bill Clinton's first term in the WH, you CERTAINLY won't like Obama's.

Mike, Washington, DC (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:17 PM)

No more plants! No more Bushes! No more Clintons! No more Monicas! NO dynasties!
Oh - and no more COCAINE, Obama!

We need John Edwards!!

Alise, GA (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:18 PM)

i voted for bill clinton. i had so much respect for him. the things he is saying today are really changing my mind about him in his later years.

ace (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:18 PM)

This country made a mistake with Bush the last 8 years. Now it seems many want to over correct and be politically correct and elect the flowery over dramatic speech giving Obama. It will be another four year mistake. A shiny new star full of little substance who is not ready to be the president. Give me Hillary any day.

ES, Waco, Tx (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:20 PM)

Well put whoever called it "Moving deck chairs on the Titanic."
Twenty-four years of two families running this country is too long. The time for change is now!

Nick, Madison CT (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:20 PM)

So many of you are riding a pathetic bandwagon for a man who has no experience. He stands on one issue, "I did not vote to go to war." If people could see through the excitement and get real with the issues they'd vote for Hillary. Experience offers change by looking back to make the future better. Get over the hype and look at the record. Obama, although one day he will, has no record to speak of. I lived in D.C. for three years and feel certain I have more experience than Obama!

Janet, New York, NY (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:21 PM)

Wake me up when the CORPORATE media decides to scrutinize Obama. LOL
So far - he's the Wall $treet media's guy! and the dumbed down Britney Spears public is buying his hope scam.

Margaret, NYC (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:22 PM)

I guess the question is really what could help Clinton over come the attractiveness of Obama. There are so many negatives that Clinton has. It begins to make one wonder how she thought that she could get this far. I would never have advised Clinton to run for president now. She might be what the Republicans need to rally behind their candidate. I don't understand why they hate her with so much passion.

I happen to agreee with Radio Head. D Anders needs to relax or come out and say that D Anders is a bigot; just be honest about it and let us understand how you got these twisted ideas that don't belong.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:23 PM)

Clinton losing her cool during the debate,then crying during an interview is exactly why she will not be elected President,she can't handle the pressure of an election,how could anyone expect her to handle the pressures of the White House.Johnny Mac is a warrior,tough as woodpecker lips and our enemies fear him.

jerry Butler,Pa (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:24 PM)

Many past American politicians prayed to Jesus when they needed help. We are still a country founded on Christian values. But Jesus said do to others as you would have them do to you. Perhaps Mrs. Clinton is afraid of the answer to a prayer.

God Bless America
May we get the leader that we need, instead of the one we deserve.

R.S. Detroit, MI (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:24 PM)

Obama/Lieberman08 - DC establishment insiders

Margaret, NYC (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:24 PM)

By the time the Clinton Cronies get done with B. Hussein Obama, the only candidate left standing will be Edwards.
He was a anchor once, he can drag them down again...

The only candidate out there with ideas of change is Ron Paul. And his 'change' is based on going back to our Constitution and Individual freedom. Get out of all the disputes and war. Protect ourselves. Maintain our borders. Financial responsibility by our government. And let the individual states handle the business of their people.
Fire the feds, less is more.

RH Oregon (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:25 PM)

Hillary better humble herself a little bit and no I don't mean crying it out. She has surrounded herself with people just like her who share her opinions and wealth, that is why she is so out of touch. Of course the inevitability factor didn't quite help her campaign either. Now she is just acting like a spoiled brat who isn't getting what she wants. It isn't about YOU Hillary, its about the American people! Playing musical chairs wont help. She used to have my vote but that went out with the trash last week. Obama,... now he GETS it!

greg, Oakland, California (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:25 PM)

To: J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY

Rats, you caught me. And I'm still waiting for my Obama check :)

You've never heard that expression before?

Rich, East Brunswick, NJ (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:25 PM)

Do whatever it takes to get the job done! I for one am tired of hope and change, change, change, change talk. No more change....let's go for sticking to the original premises of the constitution and just get rid of the talkers and stick to the doers. Ask any woman in any household or office who does all the talking and who actually gets the stuff done. The wife or assistant. After Katrina whose office did everyone run to - to find out how to get the paperwork done to get the money - to get FEMA moving -to bypass burocratic hot aired hopeful talking parties on both sides ---- Hillary's.

So go ahead....go get all the people that you can. I think Obama's okay, but I'm from Illinois and haven't seen him around here much since he was elected Senator. I think he needs to go home to Illinois and take care of his state first, then maybe his hope talk can be based on more that 2 years as a Senator, He didn't even have to deal with any crisis here like 911 in New York City.

C. Kost - Mt. Prospect, IL (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:25 PM)

"You can't live on hope!" Obama's a great speaker, but we need more!

Kitty, Pennsylvania (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:26 PM)

If Hillary keeps attacking Barack, I hope her political career is over. How dare she lead on for the Republican attack dogs. A month ago, I sill said that I deeply respected Bill, although I retain some anger at him for lying on the stand and squandering the last two years of his presidency. After watching them get desperate this past month, I am just angry and now want them to just go away.

No matter who wins the nomination, we have a tough fight ahead to finally end this Republican nightmare. Please do not make it easier by attacking the person now who might lead our ticket.

Geez, wealthy "Clinton" backers getting together to do the dirty work of the Republican attack dogs. What's next, are you gonna hire the swiftboat folks too? Truly y'all have no shame.

Joshua Gold, Raleigh, NC (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:27 PM)

This is the type of stuff that moves me away from supporting Hillary Clinton:

"I think a lot of people now, seeing the situation we're in, love Hillary, adore Hllary, want her to be president, are going to come in and say, I'm going to come in and help Hillary."

This is not a dynastic crowning of a presidential successor. Thinking and commenting the way that McAuliffe does are among the many reasons that I, as a Hispanic Democrat female voter, will not be supporting Hillary Clinton. Personally, I'm leaning towards Barack Obama. My next choice would be John Edwards. Ideally, I would like to perhaps see an Obama-Edwards ticket.

I actually like James Carville and think he is smart enough to see that many Americans will not be supporting Senator Clinton in the short term nor the long term. If she's having trouble gaining support now among Democrats and Independents, can you imagine her trying to win support in the General Election among Republicans? In my opinion, at this point, her election is all about ego and a sense of entitlement. Terry McAuliffe's quoted comment above further supports my opinion.

Amanda, Arlington, VA (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:28 PM)

If this thread accurately reflects the quality and civility and of the anti-Clinton forces, she has my vote.

Jay Frank (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:28 PM)

They don't get it. Dan Abrams said something last night that is being overlooked. The Clinton staffers, Howard Wolfson in particular, are extremely prickly. It rubs off. The media can't stand them. They need to keep strategists away from camera and the more personable people, ie. that nice guy Lanny something or another in front of the camera.

Todd Bleakney, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:28 PM)

Clinton is in the worst position possible.

The only way to stop Obama's momentum is to be very agressive and to go after him. And this is exactly what will prevent her from gaining more support. The more agressive she gets, the better Obama looks. I can't tell if this is some weird political anomaly, or if Obama has pulled off one of the most brilliant campaign strategies in my lifetime.

CitizenJ (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:29 PM)

the fact that your letting Mark Penn run your campaign is funny enough. that guy is a complete idiot. ever watch him and his stupid, silly little faces when arguing with someone?

-e. (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:29 PM)

What a nasty blight put upon the public to have Carvel in our face again. But then his personality reflects Hillary's so I can understand why she wants him back. If anyone could further her downfall, I think it is him.

DFellows Austin TX (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:29 PM)

Obama is the best candidate to lose the election for the republicans. Wouldn't surprise me to see republicans make donations for his campaign. Get real people. We NEED Hillary.

Quickie (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:29 PM)

All networks listed in moniker are in Hillary's camp.

GO Obama GO!

stopwatchingcbscnnabc&nbcnews Not Rochester NY (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:29 PM)

I think we should play up the Obama is the anti christ rumor thats floating around the net

Gene valerino (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:29 PM)

For all her talk of "change" recently, Hillary Clinton sure seems to rely on the old guard to run her campaign. Gotta believe Americans are tired of the Clinton act (Bush, too), and just want them to exit the stage. As it is, they are running a 1992/1996 campaign in the year 2008. As they say, that dog won't hunt (or is it you can teach an old dog new tricks?).

Fred Womble, NC (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:31 PM)

Hey, I read on another blog that Obama is the best thing to come out of Chicago since Rex Grossman. Please, no more rookies ...

Donna, New Haven, Ct (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:33 PM)

Obama is being seen as the "second coming". Pretty soon he will be asking his followers to drink the Kool Aid. Is this what we want? I hope the voters wake up. Just because we don't like the situations we are in, doesn't mean we should follow someone with limited experience off a cliff. We need someone who has been tested and is a doer, not just a great orator.

J. Phillips (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:35 PM)

I can't understand why anyone would listen to Dick Morris. Didn't he get busted with a hooker at a sleazy motel some years ago?

norb jackson michigan (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:35 PM)

The campaign is strapped for cash, and its leadership has been wrong. So instead of firing people, we are going to layer them. Imagine what Hillary will do when she has the full Federal budget to layer.

bill kamps houston, tx (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:35 PM)

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