Hotline reports:
Later today, John Edwards’ One America Cmte will announce that ex-Rep. David Bonior (D-MI) has come aboard as a senior adviser for policy and politics. But Bonior’s role on a presidential effort will be far greater than simply “adviser.” According to a source close to Edwards, Bonior (a former House Min. Whip under Dick Gephardt) will likely assume the role of “campaign manager” should Edwards decide to run in ’08.
Bonior’s long been known as someone very close to labor and his high profile post with Edwards will certainly raise the expectations of labor support for the ’04 VP nominee. Bonior — currently the chair of American Rights at Work — served in Congress for 26 years and was Whip for 11 years. In ’02, Bonior left Congress to run for MI GOV; he finished second in a 3-way Dem primary to Jennifer Granholm. Born in Detroit, Bonior, who is pro-life, graduated from the Univ. of Iowa (a convenient alma mater for WH ’08) and served in the United States Air Force for four years.
I am very familiar with Bonior…he went to high school with my ex-father-in-law. He’s from Macomb County, Michigan, the ultimate swing district and famous home of the Reagan Democrats. I have no idea whether he has the skills to be an effective campaign manager but he definitely has the connections to be of tremdendous use to John Edwards. I expect Bonior will be able to help Edwards in the Nevada caucuses because of his close relations with organized labor. Some might be alarmed at his pro-life views, but I don’t think they will have any effect on Edwards, while they might make some lifers a little more open to taking a look at Edwards.
In other campaign news, take a look at Chris Bowers’ thoughts on Obama.