Mark Penn sucks-Even in Victory, Clinton Team Is Battling Itself (Wapo)

[kpete]

Even in Victory, Clinton Team Is Battling Itself

By Peter Baker and Anne E. Kornblut
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, March 6, 2008; A01



For the bruised and bitter staff around Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Tuesday's death-defying victories in the Democratic presidential primaries in Ohio and Texas proved sweet indeed. They savored their wins yesterday, plotted their next steps and indulged in a moment of optimism. "She won't be stopped," one aide crowed.

And then Clinton's advisers turned to their other goal: denying Mark Penn credit.

With a flurry of phone calls and e-mail messages that began before polls closed, campaign officials made clear to friends, colleagues and reporters that they did not view the wins as validation for the candidate's chief strategist. "A lot of people would still like to see him go," a senior adviser said.

The depth of hostility toward Penn even in a time of triumph illustrates the combustible environment within the Clinton campaign, an operation where internal strife and warring camps have undercut a candidate once seemingly destined for the Democratic nomination. Clinton now faces the challenge of exploiting this moment of opportunity while at the same time deciding whether the squabbling at her Arlington headquarters has become a distraction that requires her intervention.

more at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/05/AR2008030503621_pf.html

[Mass]

1. So why does Hillary keep this guy who is an offense to any Democrat and that even her staff dislikes

:shrug:

Does he have damaging information on her?

[billyoc]

2. He clearlly reflects her own worldview, especially regarding workers' rights. nt

[ingac70]

3. Probably so...

Oh, and one of his employees is McCain's campaign manager.

[bigtree]

4. more campaign GOSSIP

The 'victory' shows how irrelevant all of this gossip really is, except as fodder for those who need an anti-Clinton narrative running at all times to satisfy their self-aggrandizing hatred of the Clintons.

[Lerkfish]

10. man, I hope when this is all over

you let the scales fall from your eyes.

[bigtree]

12. I don't hold either candidate above the muck. But, here we are . . .

We have to choose between them. Don't assume you have some lock on knowledge and wisdom. My eyes are as open as any.

[Lerkfish]

13. I'm responding to the tone of this statement:

"except as fodder for those who need an anti-Clinton narrative running at all times to satisfy their self-aggrandizing hatred of the Clintons."

I'm not saying I have a lock on wisdom. I'm saying your partisanship has blinded you in your perception of fellow DUers. and I stand right by that statement rather firmly.

[bigtree]

14. well, if the shoe fits

I'd advise you to heed your own admonition about 'blinders' if you can't admit to the virulent, anti-Clinton hatred spewed in this forum every day, all day. Obama's been the target of hatred here as well. I stand behind that firmly, as well as you.

[Lerkfish]

16. I"m anti-clinton, but its you that labels it "hatred"

I say that's your personal problem to label it that way. I will NOT admit to your characterization of "virulent, anti-Clinton hatred spewed in this forum"

I've not smeared clinton, but I have pointed out my objections to her being president. In fact, I've pointed out my objections to BOTH Clinton and Obama. at various times.

My biggest gripe is with clinton supporters, like yourself, who view the world in a paranoic black and white fashion, and who insist on making candidate preference personal at every opportunity.

[Lerkfish]

17. actually, as it turns out, I don't have to spew clinton hatred, she's turning republican

right before our very eyes.

do you have ANY rational defense for this?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4932159&mesg_id=4932159

[davidpdx]

5. I think we should start a petition

to save Mark Penn's job. I mean he's done such a good job *cough* so far.

[blogslut]

6. Something just occured to me

George W. Bush brought practically every loyal campaign captain with him to staff his White House. Will Hillary do the same? Will Obama?

Who do we want occupying the Office of Strategic Initiatives? Mark Penn or David Axelrod? Who do we want as chief of staff? White House Counsel? Press Secretary?

Hmmm?

[earthlover]

7. "Tuesday's death-defying victories"--It's official. Media covers Hillary like CIRCUS!

And in the center ring....in the death defying (fill in the blank)....the 1st Lady of Spin....Hillary Clinton!......

Band plays Entry of the Gladiators....lights go out in the house....drum roll....cymbals crash.....spot light on Hillary.....room spins and spins.....the MC is the media

To bad the Elephants will steal her show....

[charlie]

8. That oughta be fine by Penn

Less than a week ago, when it looked like things might go south, he was trying to fob off responsibility like a hot potato. It was funny and bizarre how he tried to make himself out to be some sort of ethereal figurehead, with no oversight or authority (and natch, no culpability). Sleazy weirdo.

[Lerkfish]

9. Funny. when I express my distaste for Penn here, I'm a "misogynist"

and here it turns out her own staffers recognize how badly he's screwed up her campaign.

so does that make it "ok" now to point out his incompetence?

[0007]

15. If you can 'pass go' it is okay.

[Apollo11]

11. Very interesting article

It sure sounds like they have a lot of fun in the Clinton campaign HQ!

Penn was growing increasingly aggravated by what he saw as an untenable management structure, which another aide described as an "oligarchy at the top." Penn had no real people of his own on the inside and chafed whenever Solis Doyle or Ickes got involved in his sphere. At one point, he and Ickes, who have been battling each other within the Clinton orbit for a dozen years, lost their tempers during a conference call, according to two participants.

"(Expletive) you!" Ickes shouted.

"(Expletive) you!" Penn replied.

"(Expletive) you!" Ickes shouted again.