Clinton Adviser Harold Ickes: Blame Penn

New York Observer:

Harold Ickes definitely doesn't buy the argument that Mark Penn isn't responsible for everything that has happened to the Hillary Clinton campaign.

"Mark Penn has run this campaign," said Ickes in a brief phone interview this morning. "Besides Hillary Clinton, he is the single most responsible person for this campaign.

Read the whole story: New York Observer

Comments

[larry278]

The blame game is becoming remarkably vicious & great fun for the cynics observing it. It will become rougher & more fetidly filthy after 3/4/08. Ickes is a natural for this game. His father playe a mean blame game too. It may be in the Ickes's familys DNA.

[OtayPanky]

Dear Mr Ickes -

First, let me tell you how THRILLED I am to see you casting aspersions in Arianna's direction. She doesn't get much direct attention from Hillary's crack team. I guess you are the exception to that rule of silence.

Next, I think that what you are saying is VERY important, and needs to be repeated: Mark Penn really IS the second most important person on Hillary's campaign. As the number 2 guy, he needs to accept that he's the leader, he's the boss, he's in charge.

My only question is: Who's the idiot that hired HIM? THAT person is really incompetent, and should b e fired at once - post haste - forthwith - and perhaps even henceforth.

Thank you once again - and pay no attention to those who make fun of you and your name by calling you "Icky".

Sincererly,

Your Friend-o OTAYPANKY

[smzzzz]

Looking at the photo with Ariana standing that close to him in a see-through blouse made me wish I had become a political adviser. *sigh*

[joja]

Why not place the blame where it really belongs -- with the Clintons and their decision-making? Aren't THEY the ones who hired Penn in the first place? Don't THEY pay his salary? Do THEY not have any veto over what goes on in the campaign??

The Clintons are always at the ready with their mantra about "experience" and how that trumps charisma, but it seems the only "experience" they have to offer, themselves, is experience in how to divide people (race vs. race, and gender vs. gender) and fuck-up campaigns.

[Grunty1]

Because that would be "disloyal", and as we have seen recently, that sends Clinton supporters on the character assassination path.

Penn is likely responsible for the strategies, but as you say, THEY hired him and chose to follow his advise.

[ChimpmasterDJ]

The only thing in the universe that could possibly make me think a wee little bit better of Mark Penn, is his being criticized by Harold Ickes.

I'm quite certain that your average maggot has a more solid grounding in ethics than either of those two characters.

[shinybear]

I'm tired of the special "victim" treatment Clinton gets in the press. Everything wrong in her campaign is her OWN fault.

Instead she blames everything on everyone BUT herself.

It's the Obama cult.

It's a media conspiracy.

Maybe it's just YOU Hillary.

[DennyCrane]

Thank you. Hillary lost this campaign herself. Sure, she ran a bad campaign. But someone who was so far ahead in the polls shouldn't fall behind like she is now unless there was something wrong with her. Maybe it's good the campaign was so long. It gave people time to discover the real Hillary and to realize there was another option.

[LoRiseAntlers]

If she isn't capable of controlling her campaign staff,why the hell should I be expected to trust her to run the coumtry?

[olderdem]

This is like blaming Rumsfeld for the war in Iraq. The war is Bush's -- he is the decider.

The Clinton campaign is Hilary's. Hillary hired Penn. If the campaign is incompetent, its a reflection on Hillary's judgment -- Hillary is the decider.

[imsosure]

They're throwing stones already, makes you wonder if they realize it's over? Can't say I feel sorry for any of them, Carville is more than likely working with but he's staying in the shadows. Hillaryous,

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1656880303867390173

[Cedman]

Mark Penn has landed a major deal to promote Dunkin Doughnuts and Crispy Cream! in lieu of currency he will be compensated with company merchandise.

[init]

Exactly who Putin was referring to when he said: "Head of State? You have to have a head to be Head of State." It was either Hillary or Bush he was referring to.

[gregjones]

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Contact the DNC to let Howard Dean know that we feel that Hillary should step down in a respectful manner since she is obvously not going to win the nomination. This would be the right gesture for her political future as well as the right gesture for the Democratic Party. Just visit: 'STEP DOWN WITH GRACE' Campaign at http://www.Blacks4Barack.org....then respectfully request the DNC to ask her to step-down. Then it will be time to concentrate on the Re-Birth Of America....BARACK OBAMA !

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Say It Loud...BARACK & I'M PROUD !!!!!

[Boobaloo]

That is one smarmy looking dude.

[zreeb]

lol @ smarmy

[V4Vigilance]

Personally, I'm more than happy to see Mark Penn thrown under the bus, or 18-wheeler, or tank, or anything else big enough to actually run over him.

OBAMA '08

[ACunningham]

Hillary has been ready since DAY ONE: Hiring an uber scumbag like Penn just goes to prove her point!

.

[JFaye]

Regarding Mrs. Clinton hiring Penn ... a perfect example of special interest (de javu). Again, an editorial in the NYT's this past Sunday compared her management of her campaign to GW Bush's Iraq failure. The similarities are astounding including their willingness to refuse responsibility for their decisions. Four more years of this ... I THINK NOT.