Mark Penn Exits the Hillary Clinton Campaign!

[unchainthedogs]

Good!!

[CGP]

Mark Penn will no longer be "Chief Stragist" for the HC Clinton.

Unclear whether he was asked to "step down" or whether he made the choice himself.

Related to the recent controversy over his attendance at an event about a free trade plan which Hillary Clinton opposes.

Just head this on CNN (my partner was watching it, not me!!).

[neutralplayer]

Now lets see if Carville takes the job.

[Santiago]

Carville would be great!

[mjoynaples]

I do not know all the players for Hillary's campaign, though I have heard mixed reviews on him ( he was the one who passionately pushed using the
3:00 am phone call ad...) I also hear that Howard W had previously left because of him but returned for her sake and thankfully has made a great difference from what I observe....

so what does MP's leaving mean any thoughts?

[EH]

GREAT NEWS!!!

The Obamabrats were waiting with baited breath to throw some more slander on Hillary! Great move!!!

[Soaring Eagle]

Now lets see if Carville takes the job.


Penn gone! :D:D Best news i heard today!

[Disfranchised]

I would love to see James!http://www.mydisplayimage.com/blog/premium/anim_kisses.gif

[Amy Dugan]

carville would be the one to FOCUS the campaign. a war room that fights but will not look dirty. not sure how he did it in 92 (draft, pot, flowers) IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID! is what the country heard.

[rene.d]

Oh man!!

I never knew he coined that phrase!

[Amy Dugan]

yep
he made the sign and put it up in their war room. i got the movie

[PuppyDogMom]

Sure hope Carville's around looking for something to do. Now wouldn't that be fun!

[Amy Dugan]

i met carville in 2002
great guy. i said something that cracked him up.
got a photo and his book autographed

[lucky-ann]

:D it was about time that that happened! the columbia thing was really the worst, but yet before that incident nobody liked him in the campaign...(at least i read that somewhere ;)) great news!

[Ijane]

I Really, Really like Carville!!!

It must have made him feel good when he started receiving all of our: You Da Man, Carville! emails after the Judas thing..lol

[mkreyns]

Carville will be doing a fund raiser in Knoxville in May. If anyone lives close enough, I have the information.

[hillary4change]

I am not sure if he will come on board or not. He sure liked being able to come down on Judas, remember? We will see. It would be great. I love him!!!

[Molly]

Just saw the news alert on FOX News. I am glad that Penn is gone - the press did not like him - he could be the reason for so much negative press. But - it really does not look good this late in the game to change the top campaign staff- I am sure the media will make lots about this... let's hope Carville will take the position - he would be great!
Go Hillary!

[Brooke]

Yes!!!! Great news!! Now let's get James in!!

[no_more_bush]

Good, didn't he say some shady things right before the Ohio and Texas primary?

[joeysky18]

It's the only option.

[lanney]

How much do you think this will effect campagin?

[JMS825]

I dont want Carville in charge cause right now he can talk and support her without being scrutinized for his words. Personally I wish we had Rove take over cause it will not only help her now but perhaps he can pull repubs over in the general.

[JJ4Hillary]

OH THANK YOU GOD.http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e87/IrinaSmith/Smileys%20and%20Emotions/jfdancing.gif

[Jayling]

Looks like Wolfson will still lead the strategy:

Penn leaves Clinton Campaign after Columbia Meeting (http://www.mlive.com/elections/index.ssf/2008/04/penn_leaves_clinton_campaign_a.html)

by Beth Fouhy | The Associated Press
Sunday April 06, 2008, 7:27 PM

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Mark Penn, the pollster and senior strategist for Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential bid, left the campaign Sunday after it was disclosed he met with representatives of the Colombian government to help promote a free trade agreement Clinton opposes.

"After the events of the last few days, Mark Penn has asked to give up his role as chief strategist of the Clinton Campaign," campaign manager Maggie Williams said in a statement released Sunday. "Mark, and Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates, Inc. will continue to provide polling and advice to the campaign."

Communications director Howard Wolfson and pollster Geoff Garin will craft strategy for the campaign going forward, Williams said.

The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that Penn, who serves as chief executive of public relations giant Burson-Marsteller, met with Colombian officials March 31 to help craft strategy to move the Colombian Free Trade agreement through Congress. Penn later issued a statement apologizing for the meeting, calling it an "error in judgment."

"Senator Clinton was disappointed that meetings with Colombians had occurred. She is a strong opponent of the trade deal," said a Clinton campaign officials speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not given authority to speak publicly. "Over the course of the weekend he recognized he needed to step aside as chief strategist."

And another article that has more meat in it:
http://www.contracostatimes.com/politics/ci_8832484

[memphis]

James Carville's website states that he no longer accept domestic races.
His last was for Bill Clinton in 1992.

I emailed him a couple of months ago asking him to please help Hillary win the nomination.

I received a reply that said Mr. Carville no long accepted domestic races but they would forward the email on to Mr. Carville.

[JMS825]

They are saying on Fox that Penn stepping down is bad for her campaign. They said he is stepping down cause of his meeting with Columbian and how it ticked off Hillary. To me that just shows she may listen to people but she will not sell out her campaign to make others happy.

[Patricia GA]

I dont want Carville in charge cause right now he can talk and support her without being scrutinized for his words. Personally I wish we had Rove take over cause it will not only help her now but perhaps he can pull repubs over in the general.



I think Carville might be of more use too by not being officially part of the campaign.

[Bets1]

Just think of all the money Hillary's campaign will save. Penn's salary was obnoxious!

[supra5677]

I emailed and contacted the Indiana office myself about Mark Penn. Hillary is fighting for "insourcing" not out sourcing. Mark Penn's main asset was a pollster not a strategist. James Carville actually would be good because he has an "intuitive" nature about people. The media would have killed our campaign with this monday. Good shrewd move..

Brian
African American Supporter
Over $50K in California!!

[JJ4Hillary]

Just think of all the money Hillary's campaign will save. Penn's salary was obnoxious!



I know! this guy was making a lot of money for a the work he do.:mad::mad::mad::mad:

[joeysky18]

How much do you think this will effect campagin?

I don't know how much. But the effect will be positive.

[lanney]

I am worried, Hillary still have two weeks to change course, 2 week is life time in campaign.
Monday all channels will have field day to bash Hillary, she is not at fault but she will get bashing.

[ImmaSlave4U]

Not sure if another campaign shake-up is a good thing or not.

Thew news is saying "Mark Penn's departure is the latest sign of trouble in Clinton's trailing effort to catch Obama."

[JMS825]

Not sure if another campaign shake-up is a good thing or not.

Thew news is saying "Mark Penn's departure is the latest sign of trouble in Clinton's trailing effort to catch Obama."

Funny how the media called for Penn's head before and how he was a loss not a gain for Hillary now they say him leaving is bad

[Ohio mom]

I would love to see James!http://www.mydisplayimage.com/blog/premium/anim_kisses.gif

HEY WHERE DO YOU GUYS GET THOSE SMILEYS AND AVATARS FROM?:p..THEY ARE HILARIOUS!!!

[JJ4Hillary]

You can get some here.

http://www.mysmiley.net/

[Area504]

http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Respect/bravo-009.gif

[Johnf]

Just saw the news alert on FOX News. I am glad that Penn is gone - the press did not like him - he could be the reason for so much negative press. But - it really does not look good this late in the game to change the top campaign staff- I am sure the media will make lots about this... let's hope Carville will take the position - he would be great!
Go Hillary!


You might be right there. Hillary needs all the support she can get in this campaign, it will be difficult this late in her campaign, however, maybe with Garin he might be able to pull in the reins, someone is going to need to speak out and calm things down. The media - Obama didn't like Penn, but now that he's gone they say it's a bad thing. That's because anything they can say or do to discredit Hillary they will. She and Garin need to take this opportunity to show a stronger Hillary.

[Ohio mom]

You can get some here.

http://www.mysmiley.net/

THANKS!!:)

[xyndau]

Penn had to go after the Columbia fiasco. I have felt for some time now that Penn really was not what Hillary needed. It's late in the campaign, but as they say, better late than not at all. Let's see what some fresh thought can accomplish!

[endodoc79]

Penn was an embarrassment to the campaign and had done a terrible job. Just before the vote in OH + TX he made the news with an announcement that it was not his fault if the vote did not go well. This angered me so, to think Hillary was working as hard as she could for us and the only thing he cared about was how he would be perceived. While making changes in the middle of a campaign can be tricky, asking him to step down was the right thing to do. Howard Wolfson is extremely competent and qualified to be making strategic maneuvers.

[JMS825]

Just Hope Penn dont turn into a Dick Morris and try to bash Hillary cause of a grudge

[bernie gagliano]

Her name is on the press release with her quote:
"...Penn was asked to give up his role as chief strategist..."

That is FIRED!

Now they should ask for the money back. No way 10 milion should have gone to his firm.

Bad thing is Howard Wolfson was bumped up. He's another numbnuts.

[Linda C]

I am not sure I want Carville now. It will look too much like Bill's group and not Hillary's.
But hey..they have got to make the decision they feel is best.

[JJ4Hillary]

Just Hope Penn dont turn into a Dick Morris and try to bash Hillary cause of a grudge

Let hope so.:(

[lucky-ann]

Her name is on the press release with her quote:
"...Penn was asked to give up his role as chief strategist..."

That is FIRED!

Now they should ask for the money back. No way 10 milion should have gone to his firm.

Bad thing is Howard Wolfson was bumped up. He's another numbnuts.

I guess your right, but they didn't say it in the statement (that he was fired)

that's her statement via NYT

Maggie Williams, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s campaign manager, released the following statement Sunday night:

After the events of the last few days, Mark Penn has asked to give up his role as Chief Strategist of the Clinton Campaign; Mark, and Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates, Inc. will continue to provide polling and advice to the campaign.

Geoff Garin and Howard Wolfson will coordinate the campaign's strategic message team going forward.

[JMS825]

I thought Geoffrey D. Garin took over

[Johnf]

I am not sure I want Carville now. It will look too much like Bill's group and not Hillary's.
But hey..they have got to make the decision they feel is best.

Nothing wrong with Bills' group. It was solid, people felt secure in it.

Regarding Garin, we all need to support with confidence the move to
Garin. I think it's a good move all around, strategially, with his ties to a lot of Obama supporters and the way Penn seemed to get the media on his back, this has only got to be a positive, in spite of what the media report.

This guy seems sharp. Adversity can make a struggle into a victory, Hillary will need everyone's support here, and money also.

This may be the turning point for Hillary with the media. Remember how Obama was hailed after his problem with his church pastor, well, Hillary can and will come out on top of this also. Just wait and see. Garin may be able to heal wounds with the media, build connections, relationships.

Let's swing into high gear here, may need to contact the media to draw parallels, examples, but I feel this could be a turning point here. Hillary needs to stay focussed and demonstrate she is a fighter no matter what, no matter what happens around her, she can rise above it all and turn a negative into a positive. That's what it's all about folks. Stay positive, keep coming up with solutions.

[DrLisa]

Wow she sure acted quickly to stay within her morals and values didn't she. No wavering when it comes to our girl. Better to have to make an adjustment than live with hypocracy!

[SunnyInCal]

I've said this before, no mater what Hillary does it will be wrong in the eyes of the media, so at this point don't expect fair treatment from them but document the unfair treatment to use as examples in the rally.

I am glad Penn is gone. He was useless and quite frankly the campaign was poorly run in the beginning. I hate caucuses but Iowa was important and the campaign didn't take it seriously. Wolfson is no better quite frankly but maybe with Penn's departure Wolfson will take his job more seriously and not say things he later needs to explain.

Carville cannot come on board not after his Judas comment. I and others may agree with it but it will be seen as bringing nastiness to the campaign. He's much better sitting outside of the campaign and saying it like it is.

[ALL4HILLARY]

Now lets see if Carville takes the job.

I hope so. Mark was just a money drain. We need someone with guts(man or a woman). We need a fighter to keep the offensive with the Obamanoids

[ALL4HILLARY]

But Howard Wolfson is not very tought. We need someone ruthless at this point

[leahchamblee]

It was odd, I think he was working on a deal without her knowledge, it was on NPR but I didn't pay it a lot of attention. Maybe it is in their logs? I believe I heard this on Friday.

[G4Hillary]

Her name is on the press release with her quote:
"...Penn was asked to give up his role as chief strategist..."

That is FIRED!

Now they should ask for the money back. No way 10 milion should have gone to his firm.

Bad thing is Howard Wolfson was bumped up. He's another numbnuts.

I like the Wolf! hehehe

[foreigner4hillary]

Carville is awesome!

[samkm]

This action by the campaign leadership further underscores Hillary's leadership position on international commerce (in favor of insource, not outsource) and further underlines Hillary's integrity. A strategist who knows her position and still chooses to go to any free trade meet and then meet with cannot be relied upon - his integrity can be questioned and the message on free trade can be questioned and that we dont need.

As to the internal implications: Firstly, a strategist who knows the demographics of her base and still relies on poll is obviously somewhat misguided by these numbers. Secondly, high paying jobs need to demonstrate certain major results. Mark himself has not been as active as he could be in media, speaking up for the campaign. When he has, he has been quite good. So, I have wondered about this. Now, the campaign dollars can be put to more effective uses.

Glad to see that Hillary holds her staff -- even contracted service staff -- accountable for both actions and results expected of their levels.

Glad to see that Hillary's campaign top leadership in Maggie is well in sync with Hillary on leadership approach.

A day to commend Maggie Williams for the terrific job she is doing.

[mjoynaples]

I've said this before, no mater what Hillary does it will be wrong in the eyes of the media, so at this point don't expect fair treatment from them but document the unfair treatment to use as examples in the rally.

I am glad Penn is gone. He was useless and quite frankly the campaign was poorly run in the beginning. I hate caucuses but Iowa was important and the campaign didn't take it seriously. Wolfson is no better quite frankly but maybe with Penn's departure Wolfson will take his job more seriously and not say things he later needs to explain.

Carville cannot come on board not after his Judas comment. I and others may agree with it but it will be seen as bringing nastiness to the campaign. He's much better sitting outside of the campaign and saying it like it is.


They have all put him down NOW suddenly this is bad for the Clinton campaign...yadayada.... and meanwhile did I hear that BO rec'd more delegates? WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLES thinking??? ya they are all giving her permisison to keep in the campaign as they prepare to undermine her all the way... COME ON PEOPLE this needs to just energize us more... also WHERE IS barack? HE DOESN'T go to honor MLK and the AA and media gives him ANOTHER PASS??? the twilight zone continues.... dodododododododo....:mad:

[Lodi]

I emailed and contacted the Indiana office myself about Mark Penn. Hillary is fighting for "insourcing" not out sourcing. Mark Penn's main asset was a pollster not a strategist. James Carville actually would be good because he has an "intuitive" nature about people. The media would have killed our campaign with this monday. Good shrewd move..

Brian
African American Supporter
Over $50K in California!!

Never fear, the media have found something else to harp on! Apparently Hillary misspoke about someone she met on the campaign trial (no one's fleshing out the story, just using the word lied). I shot off a note to Morning Joe, which is where I heard this, saying that all candidates misspeak and exaggerate and that someone on their respective staffs should be vetting their own candidate. I also said what irked me most was that the media harped on Hillary but ignored everyone else's misstatements. Then I gave them the Audacity of Hypocrisy and Fact Check dot org URLs.

Just as I was hitting send, I hear Joe Scarborough (my new Repub. love :)) saying that he blames the campaign for not vetting Hillary themselves. I wouldn't count on anyone else in the MSM being so fair.

Still, this is a problem. My next note will be to the campaign, urging them to discuss Hillary's statements with her beforehand and make sure everything she intends to say is accurate. We can't afford these kinds of missteps. Well, at least Penn is gone!

BTW, Brian: What does "Over $50K in California" refer to??

[Linda C]

I think you are referring to the story regarding the hospital's wanting $100.00 before they would treat a pregnant woman without insurance.

Even though Hillary never mentioned the woman or the hospital, a hospital said it wasn't them and the woman had insurance. Who they named. Total violation of privacy.

So I don't know why they "assumed" it was them and why they named this woman, who subsequently died, when as far as I can tell..Hillary didn't mention anything regarding any details.

The press said Hillary "misspoke" when Hillary didn't say anything and the hospital "misspoke"

[samkm]

Dont add fuel to their gossip. Just STAY ON THE MESSAGE. Hillary offers UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE. Every American will have coverage.

[evolin]

Frankly, he was not doing the right things to benefit Hillary.
SO bad in fact you would almost think he was working for the opposition.
I believe nothing but good can from this change. The Clintons' loyalty is amazing and they hated to cut him loose, i believe. In this particular race, he was coming up short time and time again.
So the new better phase of this race starts NOW!

[EngCindy]

Whoa.....Clinton supporter reported on CNN-Situation Room, that Penn was NOT fired, but demoted. What the hell is goin on ?
The columbians fired him, but not HRC ?

Going to officail site to see if anything posted.

[blueskygal]

every time it gets good for Hillary something like this happens. what an idiot to do what he did. but probably for the best - they don't need to change game plan, maybe just refine it a little.

[sarana]

Hillary Sexism Watch: Castrating Bitch Edition by Melissa McEwan from Shakesville? It's a must read.

http://shakespearessister.blogspot.com/2008/04/hillary-sexism-watch-castrating-bitch.html