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Mark Penn has quit his role as the chief strategist for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, following the controversy over his participation in talks about a free-trade pact with Colombia. (Campaign statement) 6:59 p.m.
WASHINGTON — New York Sen. Hillary Clinton has replaced the longtime chief strategist of her presidential campaign, Mark Penn, after disclosure that he was working with Colombia’s government to help win congressional approval of a trade pact that she opposes.
In a statement, campaign manager Maggie Williams said that “after the events of the last few days, Mark Penn asked to give up his role as chief strategist.” But Clinton campaign advisers made clear that he was all but forced out for what Mr. Penn on Friday conceded was “an error in judgment.”
Mr. Penn’s polling firm — Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates, Inc. — will continue doing work for the campaign, Ms. Williams said. But pollster Geoff Garin and communications director Howard Wolfson “will coordinate the campaign’s strategic message team going forward,” according to her statement.
Please see my diary here on the controversy:
Clinton’s aide Mark Penn fired by Colombia government
Did they fire him or did he quit because her campaign cost him the Columbia big cash?
The Colombian government terminated their contract with Penn’s firm (of which he’s CEO) in part due to his statement/apology that his meeting last Monday with the Colombian ambassador was “an error in judgement”. That statement the Colombians considered an insult and unacceptable.
The Colombia flap (sniff NAFTA-gate) drew harsh criticism by unions – lack of their trust in Clinton on matters of trade. Penn had a testy relationship with Clinton’s inner circle of advisers. They took the opportunity, gave him a push.
Penn’s leaving now, with 8 weeks to go end of primary season, makes little difference imho. Wish he had stayed as a lightning rod. Hope he got paid the millions owed.
I guess he got what he deserved. Seems he lost two jobs in less than a week.
Penn is likely is spelling relief..smells the end of the Clinton campaign anyway. Clinton is reluctantly relieved.
The Colombia flap – NAFTA-gate Two – with Penn’s firm representing Colombia to lobby the trade deal would have plagued the campaign among working class voters in PA, NC and Indiana.
James Hoffa, president of the Teamsters Union said Penn’s continued presence undermined trust in Clinton.
“How can we trust that a President Hillary Clinton would stand strong against this trade deal when her top advisor is being paid by Colombia to promote it?”
And he was paid millions for his mind-numbing “strategic advice” and “counsel.”
meh…couldn’t happen to a more deserving fellow…watch while the clinton campaign implodes…they’re doing more harm to themselves that obama or the reichwing could even have hoped for.
This is a scummy chapter in her campaign. Anyone feel like a pawn? Are we even real to these people? Politics the game. Oooops busted out as a hypocritical liar go back two spaces.
BTW – Thanks Mr. Penn you and some snipers just gave Obama Pennsylvania.
wished Penn had stayed on but the relationship among senior advisers were a day-to-day battle. Penn finally gave them the opportunity and they took it:
Let’s look at Penn’s replacement (HT:TNR) – this Geoffrey Garin’s bio below alerts a softer image for Hillary, and a new strategy.
Just hoping time is against Garin. No Lazarus here. Hillary Clinton’s campaign will continue to implode.
It’s been one big mistake. Misspoke. Misheard. Under sniper fire from day one.
We’ve been doing the math for two months. It isn’t any better without Penn than with Penn. You’d need an 85th-level cleric to resurrect her chances now. I think about the only thing Garin can do is shepherd her toward a kinder, gentler loss.
We’ll just have to keep asking who the real Hillary Clinton is.
Fighting Hillary?
Teary Hillary?
Scolding Hillary?
Misspeaking Hillary?
you overlooked the new one, unveiled last week -Misheard.
Next thing you know, she’ll be calling herself Pink…M!ssundaztood.
Or maybe Sybil is more appropriate.
I guess that means Ickes is strictly a solo act now. Penn was hilarious and dumb, but Ickes is evil and dumb. Evil and dumb isn’t funny as Bush has proven.
I wouldn’t say dumb…he sold out; doesn’t use his power for good. He seems now to exist only to frustrate other progressives, and in the process, frustrates himself. Billary will use him up–e.g., he thought he was gonna be WH CoS but that didn’t work out–and for some inexplicable reason, he keeps coming back for more.
I just call him “Ick.”
should add this phrase “anything more than standing will cost you money.”
That is excellent.
He was doing such a fine job too for Obama…lol.
Damn it! This IS bad news. She might get someone competent now.
OTOH, she might get someone who remembers her dodging snipers.
Deck chairs, Titanic, rearranged.
Bye, Mark.
all in all, not a good weekend for Clinton:
NYT:The Super D Count
more on the weekend shift here
No, no, no. There’s gotta b a pony in there somewhere.