All shook up: Barack Obama's staff hasn't been

If one measure of a presidential candidate's potential effectiveness in office is staff management and cohesiveness, there's a clear winner among the remaining contenders.

It's not John McCain, who last summer discovered he wasn't on the same page with either his campaign manager (Terry Nelson) or chief strategist (John Weaver).  Both departed, leaving behind an empty    treasury and a candidate whose prospects appeared on life support.

It's not Hillary Clinton, who has presided over two major staff upheavals.  In mid-February, loyalist Patti Solis Doyle stepped aside as campaign manager, replaced by loyalist Maggie Williams.  Now the controversial Mark Penn has been jettisoned (among the many slings and arrows directed his way since news broke Sunday evening that he was out, our favorite was this pithy point in Beth Fouhy's story for the Associated Press: "Critics also complained that as both pollster and senior strategist, Penn was engaged in a profound conflict of interest — testing the very campaign messages he himself created.").

As has been previously noted, the negative effect of personnel shakeups can be overstated -- in part because most voters could not care less and in part because the changes ultimately might be a good thing.  Still, it's hard not to be struck by how little it seems Barack Obama's brain trust ...

has been riven by jealousy, back-biting and bad vibes.

It's not as if there haven't been moments when a barrage of internal sniping could have been expected from team Obama; his surprise loss in New Hampshire springs to mind.  Maybe there have been bouts of finger-pointing among Obama's top aides, and they've simply done a good job of keeping it private.  But even that speaks to a discipline not evident in the workings of the Clinton campaign.

All of which leads us to recommend this recent piece by the National Journal's James Barnes.

The headline, "Obama's Inner Circle," is prosaic but accurate.  Barnes provides mini-looks at a plethora of Obama aides.  These include the few who have obtained prominence as the presidential race has slogged on -- strategist David Axelrod (above, working the press on the campaign plane), manager David Plouffe, economic advisor Austan Goolsbee (spotlighted because of his poor judgment in having a badly timed back-channel meeting with Canadian officials) -- as well as those who haven't but who wield behind-the-scenes clout, such as Valerie Jarrett, an old friend of both the candidate and his wife, Michelle (and the grand-niece of one of Bill Clinton's buddies, Vernon Jordan).

The Obama folks have to start airing their dirty laundry someday, right?  That's just human nature. And Barnes' article will serve as a useful guide to the players.

-- Don Frederick

Photo credit: Getty Images

Comments

[Abednego Kvetch Jr]

Obama's pastor and mentor did most of the faux pas....
thereby helping the minions in concentrating on their work.
Then you had the distractions of endorsers showing the
monkeys on their shoulders such as Randy Rhodes, Gov.
Judas and Hanoi Jane....this is what the media chose to
highlight instead of the very real dog eat dog mentality
and coniving, abundantly present in the bum's pig stye.

[Debmood]

Hillary is a shady character with many shady people on her staff. Where is the story on Maggie Williams as a predatory lender? Why is Hillary's campaign in debt? How is she going to handle the business of the country on the economic front when she can't handle her campaign staff?
By the way, I found this on another blog, though I knew it already. "Mr. Penn will continue to collect paychecks — and payments on the debt — as an adviser and pollster for Mrs. Clinton, the campaign said"
It's bad enough we must put up with Hillary's imaginary stories (lies) but we also know that the Clintons are hanging on to steal this nomination. The price will be that she will easily lose to John McCain. The woman is disgusting!

[Tom J]

The difference imo is that those in the Obama campaign actually believe in the program.

Axelrod and the rest of the team have been on the same wavelength with Obama for years. They're not mesmerized by some 'charisma', they're not in the campaign because it happens to be their job du jour - they're actually in agreement on where the country needs to go. That's their common goal, as opposed to just getting through the campaign season and emerging as the whatever-it-takes 'winner'.

Penn (and others) are nothing but hired guns, available to the highest bidder. Determine strategy when you're perfectly willing to talk for and against any and all issues? How could anyone EVER think that made sense?

I'm reminded of two things:
"Those are my frim principles, and if you don't like them...well, I have others." (attributed to Groucho Marx)
Advice to brides-to-be: If you want a happy life, focus on the marriage not the wedding.

An election is supposed to be the start, not the end.

[Laureats of the Rezco school of political ¨science¨]

Political science encompasses most human endeavours,
including financial wizardry , strong arm diplomacy and
persuasion skills just to name a few. Rezco's forte is creativity in interpretation of the law....creativity in this
domaine can drag your ass in front of a judge regardless
of how much discipline is endoctrinated in the flunkies
assisting you at all levels. A realestate empire can change
into a house of cards and in the process change a
succesfull presidential campaign into a train wreck.

[Cool]

The Obama team is cool, growing into the future.

It's a great tribute to the leader who had to hire these people when his chances were slim indeed.

Obama is a natural born leader.

Obam 08

[KMB08]

I have a feeling if BO's negative news had been reported ad nauseum, his staff would have also been stressed to the limits. There is plenty of negative news on BO's State Senate record, as well as his ties to lobbyists, which he flat denies to his supporters, and many personal duplicitous statements BO has uttered. Many of his false statements can be checked out at factcheck.org, and one pretty much has to read any and all news sources, because BO's news, if negative, rarely sees the mainstream airwaves.

Had the Rev. Wright relationship been aired over a year ago during the time BO was trying to conceal Rev. Wright's involvement in his life, this race could look dramatically different than it does now, and this, my friend, would have created major tension within BO's campaign just as it would any candidates.

To change campaign personnel is commonplace, and perhaps, even for the good of the candidate.

[shirlin]

Each time I donate to Obama's campaign, I am donating to a movement against liars and the politics of divide-and-rule, and for the 21st century and a better America. The latest Penn controversy merely underlines what it is about the Clintons that we Democratic Party loyalists abhor--the Clintons' utter absence of integrity and their moral deficiency and inability to differentiate between truth and lie. The Clintons cannot be trusted. Watch how Hillary keeps moving the goalposts. She has already openly asked to change the rules on Michigan and Florida that she had earlier agreed to. She has said that pledged delegates, popular votes, numbers of state, caucuses, even superdelegates do not have to count. Now it is the electoral states in play. The Clintons play the race card, denigrating Obama as only an black affirmative action front-runner. The Clintons' so-called charity millions go to the Clinton family foundation, controlled by Bill, Hill and Chelsea, and of the one-quarter spent so far of this tax-deduction shell game, much has gone to the projects of political persons who have endorsed them. If or when the Clintons steal the nomination, it will not be merely apathy but the destruction of the Democratic Party, leading to the installation of an Independent Party.

[Jim]

Bill and Hillary Clinton are cut from the same cloth. Yes, they're politically ambitious - enough for him to have reached the White House and she now to covet the same goal. But their ethics and morals have been deplorable for DECADES. And they have (and will) ruthlessly slander anyone who tries to expose their illegalities and indiscretions. These facts are all a matter of public record. Have so many people forgotten?

[Tina]

This comment is for Shirlin. Your comments change when confronted with truth. You posted commenting on the Clintons' tax returns, and made several false and inflammatory statements. The Clintons directed their money to organizations like the American Heart Association, Children's Defense Fund, Katrina Fund, and the Presidential Library, etc. There's nothing shady here. Again, in case you don't know this, this kind of foundation is only required to give 5% annually, and the Clintons have given much more--they also receive $0 in compensation. Furthermore, they don't have to give anything. Hillary's read of the delegate rules is accurate, and is confirmed by Pelosi and Dean-the delegates CAN vote for anyone. Support your candidate, but stop repeating lies. Your belief in something doesn't make it real.

[nic]

Abednego --

Must be tough going through life spewing nothing but hate-filled gibber jabber. You talk as if you know the man. If you do, please elaborate. If not, keep the ridiculous speculations to yourself. Pretty soon no one will be able to hear your nonsense over the sound of the revolution...

[Tina]

Shirlin,

Your comments are uninformed and wrong. Mrs. Clinton is following the rules set up by the Democratic Party, and Governor Dean reaffirmed the rules in an article on Campaign '08 on 04/02/2008--it's RIGHT here, and you might want to check it out. The Clinton Family Foundation gives to well-respected charities in line with the interests of the family (American Heart Association, Katrina Fund, 9-ll Fund, etc.) The Clintons don't have to give to anything. Your continued and baseless accusations are tiresome, because the so-called "lies" aren't. C-SPAN gives the full story about HRC's Bosnia trip (where the Secretary of the Army supports her assertions) and the AP just interviewed the deputy trooper who relayed the hospital story to Mrs. Clinton--he says she recounted it as he told it. If anything, the campaign didn't do the vetting job, but she was using the reference to highlight the healthcare crisis. Where's the scandal? I don't see it.

[Bill W]

Obama's campaign has exercised an almost unheard of discipline.

Yet, this is hardly a surprise. Even Hillary's own staff will tell you that Barack Obama is a much more gifted executive than Hillary - also much more intelligent, able, politically talented, erudite, and correct on all the issues.

In fact, most of her team, given a choice, would be on board with Barack. But, due to long-term personal commitments, many are forced to slog it out as reluctant members of Hillary's poorly-managed "organization."

Said one Hillary insider, "I would give anything to be a part of Obama's campaign. He's obviously the better candidate. But I've known Hill and Bill for over two decades. And that means the inevitable mixture of fear and obligation that is a natural byproduct of getting close to the Clinton's. I mean, it's terrible - the whole thing, from the campaign to the candidate. I'm really ashamed to be a part of it. But what are ya gonna do?"

[NinaK]

Obama's pastor and mentor did most of the faux pas....
thereby helping the minions in concentrating on their work.
Then you had the distractions of endorsers showing the
monkeys on their shoulders such as Randy Rhodes, Gov.
Judas and Hanoi Jane....this is what the media chose to
highlight instead of the very real dog eat dog mentality
and coniving, abundantly present in the bum's pig stye.

Posted by: Abednego Kvetch Jr |
---------------------------------------
A. Kvetch, Jr.

Definition of kvetch:

1) One who complains and finds fault
2) A chronic and annoying complainer

You criticism of Senator Obama's supporters is childish and silly. Calling Senator Obama a bum and his campaign a pig sty is abhorrent, and that is putting it mildly. But, then true to form, you follow in Hillary and Bill's footsteps, just like most of her supporters. The Clintons love to smear, smear, smear, slander,and trash-and-burn. The majority of her clan do the same. You must be very proud of yourself for belonging to the hateful, racist, and biggoted clan of the Clintons. Congratulations, they have trained you well.

By the way the definitiions of your name describe you to a "T". ;) ;)

[Jim]

Right on! If President Obama runs his White House and the nation half as well as he has managed his campaign, we’ll be able to unite our country, reclaim the American Dream, and repair the incredible damage caused by the Bush Administration.

[NinaK]

Abednego Kvetch, Jr.

Definitions of kvetch

1) To complaign and find fault

2) A chronic and annoying complainer

From the Ten Commandments: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" "Thou shalt not bear false witness" and "Love they neighbor as thyself"

If you practiced these guides, you would not spew such garbage. Try it, you'll find you will have become a better human being. It is much more difficult to be a decent person while being mean and spiteful take no effort at all. Your choice, bud.

[Alberto]

Sure is a lot of sniper fire out there tonight. It's amazing how people can demonize others who have never done them or really anyone else harm Running for political office is just like running through a mine field.

Too bad, the self righteous nay sayers just can't focus on the issues, and just forget about, " Mom, Johnny did this or that," And " Dad, Mary's friend called you a dirty rat." Pretty childish stuff- but incredibly bigoted and hateful at the same time. Tell us the good things about your candidates please, but forget the attempts at trashing other's character.

Not this time.

For those who can't comprehend. The Issues are 1 Iraq 2. The Economy. 3. Education 4. Healthcare 5. Jobs, 6. Repairing our decaying Infrastructure. Regaining our place of respect in the rest of the world's eyes. 7. Restoring our national unity which will allow ordinary people to make the decisions in government instead of the corporate lobbyists. You can put these in any priority that you wish, but stop the insane personal venom.

Thank you.

Personal attacks are not going to unite us to solve our problems- but maybe that's what the haters want.

[NinaK]

This could explain why Hillary is the way she is:

In her biography she claims that when she was a child, she came home from school crying because another little girl who beat her up everytime she went out. Hillary wanted comfort and reassurance; instead her mother said to her, "There's no room for cowards in this house for cowards. The next time she hits you, I want you to hit her back".

Imagine a parent saying such a cruel thing to her child!! Since Hillary seems to remember this so well, I would venture to guess she actually sees herself as a coward and that is why she keeps reassuring herself that she is a fighter. Listen to her speeches and take note how often she uses the words "fight" and "fighter". It is almost like a mantra that she repeats over and over again.

[Warren]

"A realestate empire can change
into a house of cards and in the process change a
succesfull presidential campaign into a train wreck."

Laureate" Perhaps you should change your name to Frank Giustra and Ron Birkle school of politucal science. They make Tony Rezko look like the tooth fairy. Read for yourself.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/31/us/politics/31donor.html

Repeat after me. Kazikhstan- cha-ching $131,000,000 into the Clinton coffers.

Cayman Islands, Dubai, $30,000,000 into the Clinton piggy bank

April 5 (Bloomberg) -- Former President Bill Clinton has earned $15.4 million from billionaire Ron Burkle's Yucaipa Cos. investment firm since 2003, according to tax documents released by his wife, presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

The earnings represent 20 percent of the approximately $75 million Bill Clinton earned during the same period, according to the documents. That may raise new questions about what services he performed for Los Angeles-based Yucaipa, whose investors include the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid al- Maktoum.

Tax lawyers said the Yucaipa partnership income for Bill Clinton looks to be a form of salary because it was in round numbers for most years.

``Most people who make that much money work for it,'' said Yale University tax law professor Michael Graetz, a former Treasury Department official in President George H.W. Bush's administration. ``What are they being paid for, and if it's the Sheikh of Dubai paying the husband of somebody who might be the next president of the United States, what do they think they're paying for?''

Rest of story.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=aQKAq1WjTDjI&refer=home

[GHarri]

Obama's staff has not been shaken up, but at the same time, they aren't doing what they should be doing by now: finding the strongest running mate who will balance his age, ideology, geography, etc. McCain has all the time in the world to prepare for November, and it will eventually show. Here's what Obama should be free to think about:
http://digits.hrblock.com/ssDigits/digits.php?rType=1&sPath=1140&sNode=1140&uId=198