Clinton's Penn Problem.

[MadBadger]

CLINTON'S PENN PROBLEM...As the presidential campaign geared up, it was no secret that Hillary Clinton's top strategist, Mark Penn, was a divisive and often disliked figure in Democratic political circles, including within Hillaryland at times.

Yet for so long many in the media, like the Washington Post, referred to Penn's "undisputed brilliance," without skeptically analyzing his business ventures, polling techniques or approach to politics. I tried to point out what Penn was all about in a Nation feature, "Hillary Inc.," last May, and why his presence as Hillary's guiding figure should be cause for concern.

It looks like others are coming to the same conclusion. On Wednesday Newsday ran an article entitled, "Clinton insiders question top aide's approach." Said one Clinton ally of the cautious centrism favored by Penn and adopted by Hillary: "Mark wanted to run her, basically, for re-election, and we are seeing what happened."

Penn didn't do much to help himself with his performance on MSNBC's Hardball yesterday. In trying to distance himself from Bill Shaheen's ridiculous suggestion that Barack Obama may have been a drug dealer, Penn kept referring to Obama's past drug use. Edwards strategist Joe Trippi, who was standing next to Penn, immediately reacted to Penn's comments.

"I think he just did it again. He just did it again," Trippi said. "This guy‘s been filibustering on this. He just said cocaine again."

As Penn continued, bringing up Obama's childhood in Indonesia, Trippi looked at Penn with disbelief. "I can't believe we‘re doing this again," Trippi said. "This is amazing. Every day they go out and prove they're a status quo campaign that's not about change."

You can watch the full exchange here.


Posted by Ari Berman at 12/14/2007 @ 4:08pm | Email This Post

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campaignmatters?bid=45&pid=259940

[SaveElmer]

1. Arianna Bermington strikes again...nt