Clinton insiders question top aide's approach

[babylonsister]

Clinton insiders question top aide's approach
BY GLENN THRUSH | [e-mail]
8:36 PM EST, December 12, 2007


DES MOINES - On the eve of the final Iowa debate before the Jan. 3 caucuses, Clinton campaign insiders are increasingly questioning the cautious, poll-driven approach taken by Mark Penn, Hillary Rodham Clinton's top political aide, sources familiar with the situation say.

With Clinton barely holding her own against Barack Obama and John Edwards in Iowa, dissatisfaction is growing with Penn, who some say has mistakenly run Clinton as a de facto incumbent.

"There are two people who have come up with this strategy -- one Hillary Clinton and one Mark Penn," said a top Clinton ally, speaking on condition of anonymity. "Mark wanted to run her, basically, for re-election, and we are seeing what happened."

Said another Clinton camper: "The heat's on Mark. ... He's got a lot of enemies."

Penn didn't respond to requests for comment. Campaign spokesman Howard Wolfson downplayed the dissent.

Clinton's aides insist that no shake-up is imminent and that Penn still has her ear. But they concede Bill Clinton has taken a more active behind-the-scenes role as her campaign flags.

more...

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/ny-ushill1213,0,2146646.story

[snowbear]

1. After watching him up against Axelrod & Trippi, I can see why they're paranoid..

Trippi just handed him his ass on national tv..

[madrchsod]

2. that`s why gore fired him

penn and dick morris- now that`s a pair of losers