The Nation: Shaheen will again be a player in Clinton's NH campaign

[BeyondGeography]

By John Nichols

The Nation -- There are plenty of what might charitably be referred to as "unsavory" characters associated with the presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton, who tends to attract the seamy political hangers-on who like to attach themselves to candidates who have money and good poll numbers. One of the worst of these, Bill Shaheen, was serving as co-chairman of the Clinton campaign in New Hampshire.Now he's suddenly out of his official role. But don't think this shady character is gone for good.

Shaheen, the husband of former New Hampshire governor and current U.S. Senate candidate Jeanne Shaheen, got in hot water after saying Clinton's leading challenger for the nomination, Illinois Senator Barack Obama', would be a weak nominee because of his admission of past drug use. But don't think that Billy Shaheen, one of the most calculating people in New Hampshire -- and America, for that matter -- made any kind of mistake.

...For floating the drug-peddler's-don't-make-sound-presidential-timber line, Shaheen was officially -- if somewhat insincerely -- rebuked by Clinton and everyone around her. But don't think Bill Shaheen has really lost favor with a Clinton campaign that likes nothing so much as digging dirt and distributing it -- preferably without the finger prints of the candidate or her top national aides.

Shaheen will remain a key player in New Hampshire and in the national Clinton campaign; working, whether officially or unofficially, for Clinton. As the preeminent Democratic fixer in what for the fading front-runner has emerged as the critical primary state, he knows his services will be in demand.He also knows that the Clinton camp doesn't hold grudges against people who do the dirty work.

Officially, Bill Shaheen is off the Hillary Clinton campaign.

Unofficially, the smart bet is that Shaheen's taking "thank-you" calls from the Clinton team and awaiting his next assignment. An even smarter bet is that Shaheen's will not be a long wait.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/thenation/20071214/cm_thenation/1259779

[MadBadger]

1. Chris Matthews said the exact same thing on Hardball today.

[Beacool]

5. Oh yeah, let's listen to misogynist Tweety. He's an expert in bashing Hillary.........

:crazy:

[MadBadger]

6. I listen to him when he's right.

[saracat]

2. No kidding.

[bluestateguy]

3. If Hillary vanquishes the other Democrats, he'll worm his way back in in a few months...

Right now I'm sure they just told him to go away for awhile; take a Club Med vacation or something. But if Hillary becomes the presumptive nominee, I'm sure he'll quietly be re-hired during the long lull in the Spring when few people will be paying attention to the campaign.

[ClarkUSA]

4. Politics as usual from the Clintons

Hillary has lost my vote forever. Fortunately, after January, she'll never need it.