In what it's billing as "a major step...in readying for the general election fight," the Obama campaign announced 15 new hires to its leadership team today. The most familiar name on the list is that of Patti Solis Doyle, who was Hillary Clinton's longtime campaign manager before being replaced by Maggie Williams in February.
Doyle, a longtime friend of Obama chief strategist David Axelrod, will serve as the chief of staff to Obama's running mate. Her hiring will likely be interpreted as a signal that the Obama campaign is consolidating various elements of the party, including former Clinton loyalists, after the long and sometimes bitter battle for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Another notable name on the list is that of Democratic operative Stephanie Cutter, who became well known to political reporters as the communications director for Democratic nominee John Kerry in 2004. Cutter, presently the spokeswoman for Sen. Edward Kennedy, will be a senior advisor to the campaign and chief of staff to Michelle Obama.
A full list of the new staffers, as provided by the campaign, is below.
Constituency Director: Brian Bond – formerly LGBT Outreach Director at the DNC
National Field Director: Jon Carson – formerly Obama for America Voter Contact Director
Senior Advisor to the Campaign and Chief of Staff to Michelle Obama: Stephanie Cutter
Industrial States Regional Director: Paul Diogardi – formerly Political Director for the Democratic Governor's Association.
Battleground States Director: Jen O'Malley Dillon – formerly Iowa State Director for John Edwards for President
Chief of Staff to the Vice Presidential Nominee: Patti Solis Doyle
Latino Vote Director: Temo Figueroa – formerly Obama for America National Field Director
First Americans Vote Director: Wizipan Garriott
Northeast Regtional Director: Eureka Gilkey – formerly Obama for America Deputy Political Director
50-State Voter Registration Director: Jason Green – formerly Obama for America political and field staff
Campaign Chief of Staff: Jim Messina – formerly Chief of Staff to Senator Max Baucus
LGBT Vote Director: Dave Noble – formerly of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
West Regional Director: Matt Rodriguez –.formerly Obama for America New Hampshire State Director
Senior Advisor: Michael Strautmanis
African American Vote Director: Rick Wade
Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the national reporter and political analyst for CBSNews.com.