Top Clinton Strategist Leaves Campaign

Mark Penn Resigns Post Amid Anger Over His Meeting Colombian Officials For Trade Talks

(CBS/AP)  Mark Penn, the pollster and senior strategist for Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential bid, left the campaign Sunday after it was disclosed he met with representatives of the Colombian government to help promote a free trade agreement Clinton opposes.

"After the events of the last few days, Mark Penn has asked to give up his role as chief strategist of the Clinton Campaign," campaign manager Maggie Williams said in a statement released Sunday. "Mark, and Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates, Inc. will continue to provide polling and advice to the campaign."

CBS News' Fernando Suarez reported in a From the Road campaign blog that director Howard Wolfson and pollster Geoff Garin will take over Penn's duties for the campaign henceforth.

Penn's departure comes as Clinton, considered the front-runner for the Democratic nomination last year, trails Barack Obama in delegates and the popular vote with a must-win primary in Pennsylvania April 22 and nine other contests remaining. Clinton almost certainly will end the primary season narrowly behind Obama in the popular vote and pledged delegates unless the nullified primaries in Florida and Michigan are counted - a scenario that seems remote. Her challenge will be to convince some 800 superdelegates to back her despite the numbers.

Penn has been a lightning rod for controversy throughout the campaign and managed to retain considerable influence in the operation almost solely because of the candidate's loyalty to him. He was known to get into angry shouting matches with other members of Clinton's team, including longtime adviser Harold Ickes and media strategist Mandy Grunwald, who often disagreed with his strategic advice and resented his unchecked authority to design the candidate's message.

Democratic strategist Chris Kofinis, who had been a spokesman in John Edwards' campaign, said Penn's departure was needed to help the candidate.

"The worst kept secret in the whole Democratic race was that Penn's campaign strategy was not working and that the Clinton campaign has unfortunately paid the price," Kofinis said. "The truth is this is the best move the Clinton campaign could have made and something that I imagine most Clinton supporters wished had happened months ago."

The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that Penn, who serves as chief executive of public relations giant Burson-Marsteller, met with Colombian officials March 31 to help craft strategy to move the Colombian Free Trade agreement through Congress. Penn later issued a statement apologizing for the meeting, calling it an "error in judgment."

But the apology evidently wasn't sufficient. Aides said both Hillary and Bill Clinton were deeply angry upon hearing of the meeting and that Penn was quickly pushed to leave.

The trade deal flap effectively ended an unusually tight relationship between Penn and both Clintons since Penn was recruited to provide polling and strategic advice to Bill Clinton's re-election campaign in 1996. He went on to direct strategy and message for the former first lady's successful 2000 Senate race in New York.

Hillary Clinton was in New Mexico Sunday raising money for her presidential bid. She has made opposition to new trade deals a centerpiece of her campaign and has vowed to renegotiate NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement, which has been blamed for moving blue collar jobs to Mexico and elsewhere.

It was the second major departure of a Clinton campaign official this year. In February, Patti Solis Doyle stepped down as campaign manager and was replaced by Williams.

Penn pushed Clinton to adopt a meat-and-potatoes, issue-based campaign that stressed her "strength and experience" but managed to overlook voters' desire for fundamental political change, which rival Barack Obama was able to capture.

Penn also moved to frame the New York senator as an establishment figure and quasi-incumbent, quashing some of the excitement she might have generated as the first serious woman presidential contender.

Critics also complained the as both pollster and senior strategist, Penn was engaged in a profound conflict of interest - testing the very campaign messages he himself created.

Penn's consulting firm, Penn, Schoen & Berland, has been paid $10.8 million so far by Clinton's campaign.

Penn has come under criticism for other Burson-Marsteller clients, including tobacco giant Philip Morris and corporate clients accused of union-busting activity. While Penn says he does not personally work on any accounts that could be construed as anti-labor, labor leaders have publicly expressed concern about his involvement with the campaign.

According to Justice Department filings, Colombia agreed last year to pay Burson-Marsteller $300,000 to help "educate members of the U.S. Congress and other audiences" about the trade deal and secure continued U.S. funding for the $5 billion anti-narcotics program Plan Colombia.

The Colombian government announced Saturday it had fired Burson-Marsteller after Penn apologized for meeting with its representatives, saying his statement conveyed a "lack of respect" for the country.

[jt_lancer]

We must STOP free trade NOW!

We CANNOT allow peaceful Americans to voluntarily exchange goods and services for mutual benefit!

Americans should only be allowed to buy the goods and services that the politicians allow them to buy.

At government approved prices.

Of course, if its not good for you, Americans should not be allowed to buy it at all.

Trans fats? No way.

Cigarettes and alcohol? Not a chance.

Obesity-inducing fast food? Forget it.

Trust me, people. The Nanny State knows what is best for you.

Let us take away the heavy burden of decision-making in your life.

Let us decide what is best for you.

I''''m Hillary Clinton and I approve this message.

[libra127]

Posted by b-easy63 at 12:12 PM : Apr 08, 2008

You like to toss the word around, but it''s clear you haven''t a clue as to what a LIE really is. It is a deliberate telling of a falsehood, b-easy, a DELIBERATE telling of a falsehood. If it''s not deliberate, it''s not called LYING.

[libra127]

it matters that he still works for the Clinton campaign in essentially the same capacity-

Posted by b-easy63 at 12:10 PM : Apr 08, 2008

The POINT, oh great b-easy, is that they have not lied about it as jgunther7 had claimed. The Clinton campaign is free to use Penn in any capacity they choose. They never claimed he was not "still in Hillary Headquarters". He is no longer acting as chief campaign strategist. Neither you nor jgunther provided a shred of evidence that he is.

[b-easy63]

Obama just picked up 2 more Superdelegates in Montana bringing his total in that state to 4 out of a possible 8. Hillary has picked up ZERO from that state so far. The 2 who just endorsed him are women and this was after a visit by both candidates. Looks like Obama appealed to them more, though one did say she reserved the right to switch to Hillary if Montana goes to Hillary. LOL

[rowdytexan2]

Doesn''t matter where Mark Penn offices. He''s a paid public relations person. And represents a lot of people.

Just like Axelrod offices where he wants to and supports the Obama shill, as well as Richard Daly''s corrupt politics for which he''s still getting paid, and still supporting the oil interests from whence he came.

This is just some no brainer krap coming out of Obama''s campaign to distract from his incompetence. The man hasn''t spoken to an issue in weeks!

[rowdytexan2]

LOL. Yep. And she really did run for cover in Bosnia (after the photo shots) and there WAS sniper fire in the hills) so she did not lie there either--right, rowdy? The articles say, she did not tell a complete lie, though the mom and baby WERE INSURED at the time of their deaths and the hospital did not turn them away as she said.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by b-easy63 at 12:12 PM : Apr 08, 2008

lol, B-easy you shill just as good as the Obama campaign shills where you get all your krap other than what you make up in your own mind.

[b-easy63]

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/

2008/04/is-hillarys-muc.html

Well, I''''ll be damned. Turns out Clinton told the hospital insurance company story right in the first place!

Good for Hillary!

Posted by RowdyTexan2 at 06:54 PM : Apr 07, 2008

Excellent research, Rowdy. I suspected this was the case. There''''s even a YouTube video of the deputy sheriff telling Hillary the story, just like she retold it. But those ever-lying Hillary-haters will bash her for it still.

Posted by libra127 at 11:42 AM : Apr 08, 2008


LOL. Yep. And she really did run for cover in Bosnia (after the photo shots) and there WAS sniper fire in the hills) so she did not lie there either--right, rowdy? The articles say, she did not tell a complete lie, though the mom and baby WERE INSURED at the time of their deaths and the hospital did not turn them away as she said.

[b-easy63]

Mark Penn is still in Hillary Headquarters, they have lied and deceived us again

Posted by jgunther7 at 10:17 AM : Apr 08, 2008

Huh ? How so ? Did you read the article ? It says: campaign manager Maggie Williams said in a statement released Sunday: "Mark, and Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates, Inc. will continue to provide polling and advice to the campaign."


Posted by libra127 at 11:29 AM : Apr 08, 2008


LOL Did YOU understand what you just wrote? It matters not where Penns office is, it matters that he still works for the Clinton campaign in essentially the same capacity--but with a different title. No one is going to buy that bs and the unions will make Clinton eat it.

[b-easy63]

I''ll say it again...

Clinton to Pledged Delegates she lost: "Go against the will of the voters."
Clinton to Superdelegates she lost: "Go against the will of the voters."
Clinton to Richardson: "You ***. You went against the will of your voters."
Clinton to Florida and Michigan voters: "Your voices must be heard!"

[libra127]

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/
2008/04/is-hillarys-muc.html

Well, I''ll be damned. Turns out Clinton told the hospital insurance company story right in the first place!

Good for Hillary!

Posted by RowdyTexan2 at 06:54 PM : Apr 07, 2008

Excellent research, Rowdy. I suspected this was the case. There''s even a YouTube video of the deputy sheriff telling Hillary the story, just like she retold it. But those ever-lying Hillary-haters will bash her for it still.

[libra127]

Mark Penn is still in Hillary Headquarters, they have lied and deceived us again

Posted by jgunther7 at 10:17 AM : Apr 08, 2008

Huh ? How so ? Did you read the article ? It says: campaign manager Maggie Williams said in a statement released Sunday: "Mark, and Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates, Inc. will continue to provide polling and advice to the campaign."

[b-easy63]

EUREKA!!!! It turns out HRC DID actually sign a pledge agreeing not only to not campaign in Mi and FL but also agreeing to NOT seat the delegates. She signed it in the fall of 07.

http://www.democraticunderground.

com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&ad
dr
ess=385x115322

Now, of course she wants to renege, because what has occurred does not favor her. Sounds like someone just wants to cheat..er I mean... win..any way she can even if it means breaking her SIGNED pledge. So much for what that woman promises-- Hillary will lie, break promises, backstab or do anything to suit herself--NOT the country--but Hillary does it FOR Hillary, whenever following the rules or the law is not convenient.

[jgunther7]

Mark Penn is still in Hillary Headquarters, they have lied and deceived us again. We must get rid of this trash. Anybody but Clinton.

[blackspirit3]

IN 1992 THE CLINTONS WENT TO THE WHITE HOUSE TO FIX THINGS

- The only president ever impeached on grounds of personal malfeasance
- Most number of convictions and guilty pleas by friends and associates*
- Most number of cabinet officials to come under criminal investigation
- Most number of witnesses to flee country or refuse to testify
- Most number of witnesses to die suddenly
- First president sued for sexual harassment.
- First president accused of rape.
- First first lady to come under criminal investigation
- Largest criminal plea agreement in an illegal campaign contribution case
- First president to establish a legal defense fund.
- First president to be held in contempt of court
- Greatest amount of illegal campaign contributions
- Greatest amount of illegal campaign contributions from abroad
- First president disbarred from the US Supreme Court and a state court

IN 2008 LETS SEND THEM BACK TO FINISH THEIR JOB

[blackspirit3]

Hillary Clinton became the first first lady to testify before a grand jury when she was subpeonaed by the Whitewater grand jury.
%u2022 Took a $100,000 bribe, camouflaged as futures trades, from Tyson Foods Inc. At issue was a $100,000 windfall from cattle futures after a $1,000 investment.
%u2022 Speculated in Health Care industry futures while overseeing legislative reform of same.
%u2022 Failed to correct false testimony by co-defendant Ira Magaziner in Health Care trial.
%u2022 Ordered members of the Health Care Task Force to shred documents that were the target of a court probe.
%u2022 Obstructed justice by ordering the shredding of Vince Foster''s documents in the Rose Law Firm.
%u2022 In 1996, Hillary was accused by the Senate Special Whitewater Committee of ordering the removal of potentially damaging files related to Whitewater from Foster''s office on the night of his death and telling aides to lie about their removal. Of course, Hillary denied everything.
%u2022 Obstructed justice by keeping her billing records, a document sought under subpoena, in the White House residence.
%u2022
%u2022
%u2022 Lied to investigators about her knowledge about billing records.
%u2022 Lied to investigators about her involvement in the Castle Grande land flip con.
%u2022 Ordered the use of the FBI to discredit Travel Office employees.
%u2022 Lied to investigators about her involvement in the firing of Travel Office Employees.

[jedi08]

Guess who didn''t really leave the campaign. Mark Penn.

What a joke this campaign is

[apprxam]

Syofie needs a nap. Night, night sweetie.

[apprxam]

I say that this was a stupid move by Penn, but politics being what it is, arrogance is more appropriate. So corrupt is our political system that Mr. Penn found no contridiction in playing both sides, or representing the opposit of his boss. Getting his money from every side of the coin makes since in Washington. Any wonder why American manufacturing and jobs are just given away in the face of common sense? Or placing ourselves at the mercy of Saudi Arabia, China and soon Moscow with no irony what-so-ever. Instead of freeing ourselves from the death-grip of oil, Mobil/Exxon and others have bribed America''s politicians and the struggling auto industry to road block any meaningful attempt to progress towards better energy technology. War, waste, environment be ***.

[jedi08]

I love how the Billary supporters just make up stories about Obama. Sure Obama is a muslim who hates america and is related to Sadam and is secretly plotting against american.

At the same time Hillary is an honest person who was against Nafta, brought peace to Ireland and single handly stopped the war in Bosnia while dodgeing snipper fire.

You Billary Supporters are Dishonest. Just like the person you support.

Thats ok because only women over 60 and the uneducated are falling for your tatics and thankfully that doesn''t make up 50 percent of the Dem party.

Billary is a cold hearted soulless Bit@H.

[trishab4]

C''''mon, come out and back your shill candidate! He''''s losing it more by the minute!
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Posted by RowdyTexan2 at 09:28 PM : Apr 07, 2008

Democrats | 2,024 Needed to Clinch
OBAMA 1,631 (52%)
CLINTON 1,492 (47%)
EDWARDS 18 (1%-)

Yeah Rowdy , your claim is pure lies. Obama has never been as popular as today. Clinton is getting flushhhhed every day and showing she''s not fit for presidency.

Obama is the Democrats'' prime choice for presidency. He will beat the Evagelist backed McAimNshoot/OooooohMissed!