Obama campaign announces co-chairs, including Rahm, Bill Daley, Caroline Kennedy, and Russ Feingold

[jefferson_dem]

Obama campaign announces co-chairs
By BYRON TAU |
2/22/12 6:31 AM EST

The Obama campaign has released a list of 35 campaign co-chairs who will act as key surrogates and ambassadors.

The co-chairs are a diverse array of Obama supporters — including former Republican senator Gov. Lincoln Chafee (now an independent serving as Rhode Island governor), former Wisconsin Senator and progressive darling Russ Feingold, former White House chiefs of staff Rahm Emanuel and Bill Daley, Caroline Kennedy, business executive Penny Pritzker, Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese and actress Eva Longoria, among others.

"The president’s national co-chairs will be tremendous assets on the ground as we build the biggest grassroots campaign in history,” Obama's campaign manager Jim Messina said in a statement. “They each share the president’s vision for a future where every American can have a fair shot at success, where hard work pays off and responsibility is rewarded."

The extensive surrogate list gives the president some political cover on several fronts. Feingold's inclusion is aimed at progressives unhappy with the extent of the administration's progress on liberal priorities. Feingold himself recently blasted the president's decision to embrace his outside super PAC. The inclusion of gay rights activists and HRC president Joe Solmonese is aimed at outreach to gay and lesbian voters, despite the president's reluctance to embrace same-sex marriage. And labor is represented as well, with Maria Elena Durazo, executive secretary-treasurer of a California AFL-CIO affiliate, on the list. The campaign also included volunteers, activists and local leaders from important swing states — including VIrginia, North Carolina, and Florida.

Obama's 2008 campaign was co-chaired by Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), former Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine and ex-Rep. Paul Hodes (D-N.H.).

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http://www.politico.com/politico44/2012/02/obama-campaign-announces-cochairs-115161.html

[politicasista]

1. Interesting n/t

Last edited Wed Feb 22, 2012, 04:35 PM - Edit history (1)