WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 2008

Clinton Replaces Campaign Manager

Longtime Aide Maggie Williams Replaces Patti Solis Doyle As Head Of A Campaign In Crisis

  • Play CBS Video Video Clinton Shakes Up Campaign

    Hillary Clinton has replaced her highly criticized campaign manager following a series of losses to Barack Obama and negative attention after giving her campaign funds. Dean Reynolds reports.

  • Video Edwards Aide: Obama Can Win

    A Democratic strategist and former aide to John Edwards, Joe Trippi tells Bob Schieffer about the close race for the nomination between candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

  • Hillary Clinton's departing campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle, poses for a photo in her office, May 8, 2007 in Arlington, Va.

    Hillary Clinton's departing campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle, poses for a photo in her office, May 8, 2007 in Arlington, Va.  (AP Photo/Chris Greenberg)

(CBS/AP)  Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton replaced campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle with longtime aide Maggie Williams on Sunday, engineering a shake-up in a presidential campaign struggling to overcome rival Barack Obama's financial and political strengths.

The surprise announcement came hours after Obama's sweep of four contests Saturday. The Illinois senator also grabbed the lead in caucuses in Maine on Sunday.

Campaign aides said Solis Doyle made the decision to leave on her own and was not urged to do so by the former first lady or any other senior member of the team. But it comes as Clinton struggles to catch Obama in fundraising and momentum and faces the prospect of losing every voting contest yet to come in February.

Solis Doyle announced the shift in an e-mail to the staff on Sunday.

"I have been proud to manage this campaign and prouder still to call Hillary my friend for more than 16 years," Solis Doyle wrote. "Maggie is a remarkable person and I am confident that she will do a fabulous job."

Solis Doyle said she will serve as a senior adviser to Clinton and the campaign, and travel with Clinton from time to time.

Williams, who served as Clinton's White House chief of staff, is a longtime Clinton confidante who joined the campaign after the New York senator narrowly won the New Hampshire primary on Jan. 8. She will begin assuming the duties of campaign manager this week.

The staff shake-up caps a week in which Clinton grabbed the bigger prizes on Super Tuesday, winning New York, California and New Jersey, but Obama prevailed in more contests. Obama won the popular vote in 13 states, while Clinton won in eight states and American Samoa.

Both Clinton and Obama raised a stunning $100 million each last year, but Clinton recently has lagged behind Obama in money collected. He raised $32 million in January to her $13.5 million, forcing her to lend her campaign $5 million before Super Tuesday. The campaign said Saturday that it had raised $10 million since the beginning of February.

Obama enjoyed a three-state sweep Saturday night, winning the Louisiana primary and caucuses in Washington state and Nebraska, as well as caucuses in the Virgin Islands. He has the potential to pad his victories in contests Tuesday in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., as well as next week in Wisconsin and his native Hawaii.

CBS News correspondent Dean Reynolds spoke with Democratic strategist Joe Trippi.

"It's really hard to see a place where the Clinton campaign is competitive until you get into March," Trippi said. "February's gonna belong to Obama."

Clinton is hoping to stem the tide on March 4 when Ohio, Texas, Rhode Island and Vermont vote.

In a statement, Clinton praised Solis Doyle and said she looked forward to her continued advice in the coming months.

"Patti Solis Doyle has done an extraordinary job in getting us to this point - within reach of the nomination - and I am enormously grateful for her friendship and her outstanding work," Clinton said. "And, as Patti has said, this already has been the longest presidential campaign in history and one that has required enormous sacrifices of everyone and our families.

"I look forward to her continued advice in the months ahead," Clinton added.

Williams joined the campaign when Clinton brought aboard a new group of advisers.

"Patti and I have worked with Maggie Williams for more than a decade," Clinton said in the statement. "I am lucky to have Maggie on board and I know she will lead our campaign with great skill towards the nomination."

The Democratic Party's system of awarding pledged delegates proportionally and the oversized role of superdelegates, the 796 lawmakers, governors and party officials who are not bound by state votes, meant that no candidate had a commanding lead.

According to CBS News' latest survey, Clinton had 211 superdelegates and Obama had 137. However, Obama now appears to have won enough pledged delegates in caucuses and primaries to overcome Clinton's superdelegate edge. The latest tally gives Obama a narrow lead, with 1,134 delegates overall to Clinton's 1,131.

The delegate numbers increased the possibility of a protracted fight for the Democratic nomination, perhaps lasting through this summer's national convention in Denver.

© MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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by grazinggoat February 11, 2008 8:49 PM EST
CBS News: '' "I have been proud to manage this campaign and prouder still to call Hillary my friend for more than 16 years," Solis Doyle wrote. "Maggie is a remarkable person and I am confident that she will do a fabulous job." ''

-I doubt Maggie Williams would take allegiance oath to America. She GOT to be for ''THE herself and THE themselves first''. Watch it, surprise after surprise revelations, she got into her sleeves... and sudden money pouring into Clinton''s campaign. You''ll see who is benefiting from this management shift. Thruth is not served by this move. Please, someone dig deeper into this. Solis was doing a great job.

-Don''t kill the messenger if the Message is not a good one.

-Obama''s message, platform are better ones for America. That is why people are shifting their adherence to him, no matter how silly his denigration campaign is done by Repukons and (some) Hilarians.

-Nothing more to add.
Reply to this comment
by alanrobisch February 11, 2008 6:31 PM EST
Slick Wills translates to Tricky D*ick and a whole host of other filth vile satanic right wingers. Enjoy your heaven on earth right wingers. Hitler awaits your company.


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Posted by l8c6 at 03:19 PM : Feb 11, 2008
+ report abuse

Do you belong to the KKK or does it just seem that way with your bigotted senseless post.Hillary if anyone is dependent on large donations from corporation. If anyone is being advocated for is barack obama who had a 100% liberal rating during his time in congress
Reply to this comment
by l8c6 February 11, 2008 6:19 PM EST
The corporate right wing media is pushing Obama.

Red states are voting for Obama as independents.

Hillary is despised by the right wing.

The right wing is unscrupulously slick.

The right wing is every judgment they place on others

Slick Wills translates to Tricky D*ick and a whole host of other filth vile satanic right wingers. Enjoy your heaven on earth right wingers. Hitler awaits your company.
Reply to this comment
by l8c6 February 11, 2008 6:14 PM EST
Then he will get his clock cleaned by the Republicans and all will be right with the world.

Posted by craigh9

Yep, they will clean his clock real good. Obama hasn''t felt the heat. He will if he gets the nomination. If he gets the presidency the right wingers will "find their soul" by unifying once again under their hate of the "liberal" enemy.

It will make for a weak divided presidency. An embarrassment for a populist movement once again defeated by the illusive private wealth that controls with the hand of a king or dictator. The mortality of those who constantly defeat the progress of humanity, stifling advancement always have their short time.
Reply to this comment
by pepperwood2 February 11, 2008 5:47 PM EST
"Patti Solis Doyle has done an extraordinary job in getting us to this point - within reach of the nomination - and I am enormously grateful for her friendship and her outstanding work.

"I look forward to her continued advice in the months ahead," Clinton added.

Didn''t Hiliary say the same thing and is now doing the same thing when Convicted Villian Sandy Berger was discovered working for her Campaign??

Clinton Also Says - That you must remember that I''m running out of money. I have to keep a small portion in reserve when it comes time to Let''s Make A Delegate Deal in the coming weeks.

I''ve played every trick & scheme card from the Clinton Playbook that I an expert at. Whether it be racist, sexist, gender, sympathy, poverty, woman rights, minority, parental disparage concerning Chesnea, I drug my mother out to the Caucuses, Bribed The Chapuadikdik Kid to fake his support for Obama, The press & media to go along with me, every negative means at my disposal. The Clinton Polictics of Personal Destructon, and yet Obama''s character, elegance, leadership, dedication, trust, spirtually, honor, loyality has managed to appeal to the People. How can this be?? The American People must be fooled. I''m in it to win it.

That''s why I need more Loot. It''s not over till its over. With Sandy, the DNC & others by my side working day & night on how to obtain the Nomination??

We have our ways?? Stay tuned & keep the Gold Rushing In. CACKLE CACKLE CACKLE



Reply to this comment
by l8c6 February 11, 2008 5:11 PM EST
Then he will get his clock cleaned by the Republicans and all will be right with the world.

Posted by craigh9

Yep, they will clean his clock real good. Obama hasn''t felt the heat. He will if he gets the nomination. If he gets the presidency the right wingers will "find their soul" by unifying once again under their hate of the "liberal" enemy.

It will make for a weak divided presidency. An embarrassment for a populist movement once again defeated by the illusive private wealth that controls with the hand of a king or dictator. The mortality of those who constantly defeat the progress of humanity, stifling advancement always have their short time.
Reply to this comment
by l00ker February 11, 2008 5:01 PM EST
If Clinton cannot handle her election staff ( read -lot of bickering, unorginized, messed up and most important staff quitting) -- how do we expect to belive she can handle the White House!


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Posted by mepeter at 12:53 AM : Feb 11, 2008


All of those under appreciated Murphy Browns and Ally McBeals running aroung the White House, with Bill ( Frito Bandido ) Clinton running around after all of them.
Reply to this comment
by tibu987 February 11, 2008 4:51 PM EST
Do you really want four more years of the Clinton twins?

I don''t.

And yes, just where does all the experience Hillary claim to have come from?
A shyster lawyer in Arkansas linked to scandals there.
First Lady for eight years, DUH!, she did not sit in on any national or international meetings.
A Senator from New York, gee, and she bought that one.
Ladies, please don''t vote for Hillary simply because she is a woman. That would be the worst, simple, and most naive of reasons to vote for her.
Incidentally, I am a male, white, 72 year old veteran, who voted for more women than men to hold my state''s political offices.




Reply to this comment
by libra127 February 11, 2008 4:19 PM EST
Posted by jack3213 at 01:01 PM : Feb 11, 2008

Thanks, Jack. That''s a perfect rationale for why Hillary Clinton should be our next President.
Reply to this comment
by l8c6 February 11, 2008 4:19 PM EST
The right wingers try to say Arkansans will tell you how bad Hillary is yet the state overwhelmingly voted for her recently.

Obama the spoiler, playing into the hands of the right wing. The smart can be made fool through hubris, arrogance and blinded ambition.

Obama will be a flash in the pan, a shortened political career. At best, a time of rest for the right wing to reconsolidate and "find it''s soul".

Right wing corporate media, soft on Obama, tough on Hillary. When Hillary is out of the way the right wing toxic serum will pour for Obama.

Red states are voting for Obama as independents.

McCain Huckabee 08, Pat Robertson as right wing paid lobbyists national preacher 08.
Reply to this comment
by jack3213 February 11, 2008 4:01 PM EST
Makes no matter if they cover up the campaining with gender, race, attitude, or jargon, what matters is that people of all walks of life STOP and realize that the USA needs a LEADER not a Manager. The USA needs experiance and qualifications, not by association or on the job training. It is paramount to realize that those who promise you the moon are lying to you or they would have given it to you by now. Wake UP
Reply to this comment
by libra127 February 11, 2008 3:25 PM EST
"please provide me with one single positive outcome initated and directed by Hillary in her 35 years of experience and I''ll vote for her.
Posted by craigh9 at 10:18 AM : Feb 11, 2008

She reformed the educational system of Arkansas (which was previously about the worst in the country) during the time her husband was Governor there. Check it out and keep your promise!
Reply to this comment
by craigh9 February 11, 2008 1:56 PM EST
Quite the flash in the pan - he''s leading in primary delegates, and once the party bosses realize Hillary doesn''t stand a snowballs chance in hades - they will flock to Obama and make him the Democratic candidate. Then he will get his clock cleaned by the Republicans and all will be right with the world.
Reply to this comment
by l8c6 February 11, 2008 1:51 PM EST
The right wing talks about family values and abortion. The right wing preacher men go off on the "liberals" on the topic of morality, abortion, family values.

Once in power you will not hear a right wing preacher men, who must be paid lobbyists, criticize the right wing politicians for ending abortion, oh no, instead they continue to blame the "liberals".

The right wing preacher men however praise the success of the right wing politicians to "protect" america against the so called terrorists.

Right wing tele-evangelists have gotta be right wing paid lobbyists.

Reply to this comment
by l8c6 February 11, 2008 1:44 PM EST
Apparently you agree she has accomplished nothing with her 35 years of experience. Perhaps Obamaa hasn''''t either, but he has 20+ years to change that before he catches up to Hillary!

Posted by craigh9


correction. Obama would have had 20 years on Hillary but in his arrogant haste he shoot his wad and his political career in Washington will be cut short. He has set himself up to be a flash in the pan.
Reply to this comment
by l8c6 February 11, 2008 1:41 PM EST
Look how Obama wins in those right wing nazi states like Montana and Wyoming. The right wing, they have vays of moving Obama to the nomination where they will beat his azz.

Right wingers hate Hillary.


McCain / Huckabee 08

craigh9

It''s as if dealing with a right wing hater when reading your vile demands. With the absolute disrespect and hatred you have expressed to Hillary either you are a right wing hater or proof the right wing will win because of the actual division in the so called democratic party.

Right wingers are winning. Bush won the second term because the working class of this country is divided. The people are so terribly divided it''s likely to get worse for the citizens of this country before there is any hope for a change to a better direction.

That anyone would call themselves a democrat and express right wing vile hatred toward Hillary is unbelievable. The Clinton''s were constantly attacked by the extreme right all through the 90''s. Hillary was shot down by an absolutely corrupt pharmaceutical industry who spent millions to defeat her.

Merck currently is involved in a filthy vile corruption scandal.

Sociopaths are running the largest multinational corporations.

OBAMA is the spoiler. If he makes it, and I don''t think he will, he will be a failed 4 year president. The right wing wants Obama. The right wing controls the media therefore controls the sheep of this nation.
Reply to this comment
by craigh9 February 11, 2008 1:31 PM EST
Apparently you agree she has accomplished nothing with her 35 years of experience. Perhaps Obamaa hasn''t either, but he has 20+ years to change that before he catches up to Hillary!
Reply to this comment
by l8c6 February 11, 2008 1:29 PM EST
FACT: Obama is the spoiler. He is selfish and arrogant. He is splitting the party. A 3 year senator and he is putting himself ahead of reality during this critical time. His campaign shamefully joined the right wing corporate media in pulling race card and one can see the right wing corporate media play him.

He may be smart but smart people do stupid things when their egos put them ahead of the greater good.

McCain / Huckabee 08 right wingers win.
Reply to this comment
by l8c6 February 11, 2008 1:24 PM EST
craigh9

You are so arrogant that you think it''s your place to put another on the clock?

If you consider yourself a democrat then you are proof the democratic party will weaken and divide because you behave with the vile disrespect of a right winger.

Hillary Clinton does not deserve the hatred from democrats that right wingers have been giving her for years.

One could ask you to name one thing Barrack Obama has done in the 3 years he has been in Wa.

Obama has been dishonest in his assertions that he didn''t vote for the war but Hillary did. Obama was not a senator at the time the Iraq war was voted for. Anyone who is not in dry drunk denial knows Obama would have voted for the war for political reasons.

Obama will not bring change, he is dividing and weakening what is left of the democratic party. He will be a 4 year president if he even makes it.

McCain / Huckabee 08 right wingers win.


Reply to this comment
by sofusbird February 11, 2008 1:22 PM EST
Wake up, America - the Obama campaign throws big parties, hang with the "in-crowd" to show his cool friends, has the money, and is as popular as the new, cute kid on the block. But what about after the euphoria and party, when you`re sitting there, with a hangover, it`s Monday morning and the bills are due, kids (when you voters of his are of age to have them) need feeding, and all everyday issues appear... And Mr. Magic Wand is gone... Might it be Hillary that could be the person you would cry for, as she has proven for years that she`s hard working, enduring, passionate - and; get things DONE.
Who, in the end, might need help from whom - when it comes to learning how things work, and about contacts abroad.... Might it be Mr. Superman/Saviour (ref how he portraits himself on his web site; white light streaming from the "conquered states", him looking to the clouds - white light and greatness....but, what is the truth?) - might it be him, that needs Hillary`s help?
He and his campaign are really attacking her, and hitting below the belt....and the blinded crowd doesn`t react... But when she attacks back, you all "defend your hero". My! If anyone`s showing strength, integrity and willingness to serve here, it`s Hillary. Please folks; don`t be duped by charm (as you did with Bush!), manipulated by the juggling of words, and not see the shadow that also these people have. You just don`t know it yet. If Obama is chosen....you had it coming! Choose wisely, America!
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