Top Clinton Aide Considers Job With Obama Camp
NEW YORK—A top strategist for Barack Obama has reached out to Hillary Rodham Clinton’s former campaign manager about joining forces for the general election, the latest sign of political reconciliation between the two rivals as Obama begins consolidating his position as the likely Democratic nominee.
Obama strategist David Axelrod and former Clinton aide Patti Solis Doyle confirmed they had had informal conversations about how she might help the Illinois senator if he secures the presidential nomination as expected. The conversations were first reported on the Politico Web site.
“When the time comes, if we’re the nominee, we’re going to want to work with talented people across the party including those who worked for Senator Clinton,” Axelrod said. “Patti’s a good and talented person, and we all have a high regard for her.”
He added, “No specific offers have been proffered, and none has been accepted. This is not an official entreaty from one campaign to another.”
Solis Doyle hails from Chicago, Obama’s home turf, and met Axelrod 20 years ago while working in city government there. Her brother, Danny Solis, is a Chicago alderman.
A longtime Clinton loyalist, Solis Doyle began working as Hillary Clinton’s scheduler during her husband’s 1992 presidential bid and stayed with her through two terms in the White House. She helped manage the former first lady’s first New York Senate bid in 2000, and began laying the groundwork for her presidential bid shortly thereafter.
In February, Solis Doyle stepped down as campaign manager after Clinton’s third-place showing in Iowa and disappointing performance in the 22-state “Super Tuesday” contests Feb. 5. Maggie Williams, Clinton’s former White House chief of staff, replaced Solis Doyle.
Clinton has vowed to stay in the race through the final primaries June 3 even as she trails Obama in the popular vote and among pledged and superdelegates. She has also pushed for a resolution of disputed primaries in Michigan and Florida, whose results were voided after the states violated party rules by moving their contests to January.
Obama is expected to secure the majority of pledged delegates Tuesday after primaries in Kentucky and Oregon.
For her part, Solis Doyle said in an interview that her status has not changed.
“I’m for Hillary, I have been for 17 years. This thing isn’t over,” Solis Doyle said. “But I’m a Democrat and if Obama’s the nominee, I will do whatever I can to get him elected and make sure the party is unified.”
She stepped down because she could see who was gaining momentum and knew she would join forces with the opponent. Politics gets dirtier all the time. Theory - I want to be at the top regardless of who I have to betray getting there, general concensus. No loyalty for all those years Clinton paid her dearly; no loyalty for all she learned during that time. My, my…
Don’t misunderstand; I am not a Hillary supporter. I’m not taking sides; it’s all about what is right and a large percentage of the people do not practice what is right anymore.
I think this shows a unity among Democrats. I also think it shows that Obama is smart. Embrace the wounded party and make them feel welcome.
I recall JFK selecting LBJ as his running mate. I remember how angry some people were because of many things that Johson said.
I recall when Bush was running against McCain for the Republican nomination. Bush and company ripped McCain apart (which I am hoping the Democrats will use.) They implied among other things that he was not mentally sound .
Oh, how often we wish we would have kept our big mouth shut.
What a sellout!!! I too, will vote for McCain. Solis is from Chicago, her brother is from Chicago, Obama is from Chicago. Is there a pattern here. She did a lousy job for Hillary, maybe she will do the same for Barack!!!
Hillary is the only chance to beat John McCain. She should run as an independant if she is not nominated!!
Hee,hee,hee! The writing is on the wall even if Hillary is not reading it.
Hillary supporters…..Get over it! LOL! She’s fighting a losing battle.
Obama for prez 08.
WAKE UP BEFORE ITS TO LATE…OBAMA IS NOT RIGHT FOR THIS COUNTRY
I WILL VOTE MCCAIN BEFORE I EVER VOTE FOR INEXPERIENCE
We Clinton supporters are getting over it alright!!!!! I’m voting for McCain!
There are a LOT of people in my circle that voted for Obama when he was new and fresh, but they are NOT supporting him now. I think this is common and widespread. The more Obama talks, the more we realize he is not ready to be a president yet.
Why do Hillary Clinton supporters so often use loyalty as an argument? Government shouldn’t be about favors and loyalty. It’s supposed to be about what is best for the *country*; not your party, and not you.