Begala: "Nothing But Contempt" For Penn, Compares Him To Rumsfeld

Longtime Clinton adviser and confidant Paul Begala took full aim at Mark Penn on Friday, expressing scorn for the recently demoted strategist, and comparing his time with the Clinton campaign to that of Donald Rumsfeld's tenure as Secretary of Defense.

"I have nothing but contempt for Mr. Penn," said Begala at a New York City breakfast sponsored by the non-profit group Public Agenda. "And for those of us who wanted to see him out from the beginning, it became almost a Rumsfeldian thing. And he is not even fired. He has been demoted. How could this be?"

Begala, who has served as a CNN analyst during this election cycle, spent much of the event touting Sen. Hillary Clinton as a capable and experienced candidate who shouldn't be sullied by her chief strategist's mistakes. Asked how the New York Democrat could end up in her current predicament -- even Begala said it looked, at this moment, like Sen. Barack Obama would win the nomination -- he put the onus on Penn's ill-conceived game plan.

"Mark Penn did have this strategy," Begala said. "He wrote a book called Microtrends in which he argued that the era of big trends is over. That's like going to New Orleans before Katrina and saying the era of big storms is over. It might end up being true but it could be really wrong."

Taking more, often humor-laden swipes, Begala went on: "[Penn] is looking to target non-Catholic Latino woman. All two of them... He slices the baloney incredibly thin. And in addition to being a political strategist, he is heading one of the biggest public relations firm in Washington, which is a huge conflict of interest. The campaign ended up looking like Exxon Mobil instead of what it really is..."

Begala's comments on Penn's tenure as chief strategist are some of the harshest yet to emanate from within the broader Clinton circle. In the wake of Penn's decision to meet with the Colombian ambassador to the U.S. -- to discuss the promotion of a trade deal that Sen. Clinton opposes -- other advisers to the senator (notably Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell) hinted their disapproval and desire to see Penn fired. Prior to Penn's demotion, which came as a result of his Colombia misstep, there was still critical sentiment of his leadership within the campaign's inner circle. That dirty laundry, as the Clinton campaign stumbled in post-Super Tuesday slate of primaries, was increasingly aired in public.

On Friday, Begala addressed other, perhaps more pertinent, topics related to the 2008 campaign. He expressed bewilderment over the structure of the Democratic primary, which will have no candidate receiving the needed number of pledged delegate support. But as for one of the inventive measures the Clinton camp has floated as a metric for superdelegates to decide the nominee -- Rendell's idea to look at how each candidate has done based on the Electoral College votes they would receive in a general election match-up -- Begala called that "silly."

That aside, Begala did not show great concern that the clash between Clinton and Obama would come back to haunt the party. Unless, he added, it was taken to the convention.

"The bitterness is at the elite level -- the really close friends and the big donors," he said. If, however, the primary battle went to the Democratic convention in late August, then "there is insufficient time from them to stitch things together."

Overall, Begala reminded the audience that both Obama and Clinton were remarkably well suited and qualified as candidates: "[Sen. Chris] Dodd, [Gov. Bill] Richardson, and [Sen. Joseph] Biden, in any other field they would be frontrunners and between them they didn't get any delegates."

And while both Obama and Clinton would have to overcome racism and sexism respectively (as well as Sen. John McCain's skill at transcending the negative perceptions of the Republican Party), Begala noted that the political landscape was ripe of the Democrat's taking.

"If ever we are going to break through those prejudices it is going to be a year when the economy is in the tank, when we are in an unpopular war, and the stars are aligned," he said.

Comments

[audiodramatist]

None of these old heads get it... It’s about change, stupid(s).
This will not be an election where the next president is elected by 27% of the eligible voters; as was the case with RWR.

Come Election Day there will be young folks camped out overnight waiting for the polls to open, just like it was tickets going on sale for a blistering rock concert.
None, and i mean not a one of the past strategies will make much of a difference.
The nation and the world no longer will tolerate all the crap built up by the warmongering greediest to continue to bury us in their lies and filth.

[jukesgrrl]

I certainly hope you're right about young voters, but I have yet to see any evidence of it. Yes, they're voting in greater numbers than before, but not nearly enough to put a dent in the turn-out of predominently older voters. Watch the results in PA. If young voters turn out in hordes, my hat's off to youl; but if there are more than 5 camped out at any polling place, I'll be shocked.

[Swift2]

God, I am so tired of this word "change" when used as an advertising slogan, nothing more. "Change"? Bush could have campaigned as "the change candidate," in fact, he did. He wasn't a "conservative," he was a "compassionate conservative." Let's say, as seems likely, that Obama takes the nomination. What will he do? Immediately try to bring the people you think are so evil into his campaign, and into the administration if he wins. He will need them, and it will take a unified party to win. People like you will have to be silenced. (Yes, you were useful tools, but now the big game's on, so shut the hell up!) That's change for ya. And when Obama wins, his first six months will remind you of nothing more than Bill's first six months, with screwed-up nominations and lack of organization unless he draws deeply from the Clinton administration. You think he's going to make the Chicago city hall into his cabinet?
This is electoral politics in the U.S.ofA. The whole political culture is for gradual change. Good luck.

[Dayahka]

As a strategist, Penn was a disaster, so on that score I guess you're entitled to feel contempt. However, it is thanks to him that we will be spared a Hillary candidacy, so you should also send him a great big Thank You card.

[batspaul]

I remember how frustrating it was to watch Crossfire and have such a such second-rate representative of my ideological leanings as Begala.

Begala continues to shill for Senator Clinton while admitting that:

a) Her chief campaign strategist, whom she hired and trusted to direct her campaign from the outset until last week, is contemptible, and

b) Her opponent Obama is remarkably well-suited and qualified as a candidate for the presidency, while she repeatedly says he is not , and belittles his qualifications as amounting to "a speech."

Does it state on the application to be associated with Senator Clinton or her campaign that you must posses no integrity at all?

[Deoliver47]

I can't stand Mark Penn, but am not impressed by Mr. Begala either.

Was skimming the article when this quote jumped out:

"Taking more, often humor-laden swipes, Begala went on: "[Penn] is looking to target non-Catholic Latino woman. All two of them... "

Very funny. Not.

"Of the 41.3 million Latinos in the United States 2004, about 23 percent (9.5 million) identify themselves as Protestants or other Christians (including Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons). Moreover, 37 percent (14.2 million) of all Latino Protestants and Catholics say they have been born again or are evangelical, according to statistics compiled in the volume, Latino Religions and Civic Activism in the United States (2005, Oxford University Press). "
http://www.nhclc.org/about/news/apr2006_4.html

Many Latino/a's are also practitioners of Lukumi - Afro-Caribbean Orisha worship. Other's are atheists.

Stereotyping of Hispanics/Latinos seems to be fair game these days. How many pollsters, and so-called political experts discuss the Hispanic vote, as if it is a monolith? It isn't. But we are a convienient target group to woo for votes, and then discard.

[4wehttam]

Why are you keeping Penn, Hillary??!!! What does he have on you and Bill, hmmmmmm??????

Inquiry minds of the voters of America want to know.

[anghiari]

Carville and Begala are the "Frick and Frack" of Hillary's campaign. I see Hillary's whole campaign team as the "Over-the-hill Gang" . Employing ancient techniques. Carville attempts to demonize Richards, while Begala tries to distance Hillary from her really awful decision making--she hired Penn and refused to fire him until he damaged her. Penn/Bill Clinton....Hillary seems never to know when to step away from a disaster....and you guys want her to answer that 3am call...clearly her supporters are on a suicide mission!

[KINOKO]

I think you meant the "Apple dumpling gang". And Hillary is "Chitty-chitty bang bang"....

[Beka13]

I think the very same thing! There is no other explaination for his still being on this campaign! Where is the media??? Talk about getting a free pass!!!!

[msspurlock]

BWA_HAHAH!
"Pot calls kettle black. Film at 11."
Begala and his Forehead of Doom.
He's Goebbels to Penn's Bormann.

[Swift2]

You just lost any debate you can imagine, because you compared Hillary to Hitler. Tag, you're an idiot.

[trinity29]

"Sen. Hillary Clinton as a capable and experienced candidate who shouldn't be sullied by her chief strategist's mistakes." Paul Begala stated
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you think Mr. Begala, the Clinton campaign followed the same consideration when they continued to attack Obama for the words of Wright who wasn't even his political advisor?

[plooger]

> "And for those of us who wanted to see him out from the beginning,
> it became almost a Rumsfeldian thing. And he is not even fired. He
> has been demoted. How could this be?"

Wow. Begala's taking a pretty hard line w/ Clinton, here. If Penn is Rumsfeld, who does that make Hillary...? Bush or Cheney?

And if so many wanted Penn "out from the beginning", what does that say about Hillary's judgment?

Kitten's got claws...!

[glwhite]

Shouldn't the decision to have a POLLSTER conceive and head the campaign, that bears her name, be a a telling insight about the lessons she has absorbed from her husbands long career?
I assume she has core beliefs. Unfortunately, she decided that standing up and telling the voters what those beliefs are; how she came to embrace them; and how they will guide her presidency was not a winning strategy.
And there you have Mark Penn. Someone who, arrogantly, assumed the nomination was hers for the taking and then proceeded to slice and dice the electorate into groups that could be pandered to if needed.
When she decided to honor Mr. Penn with such an important and distinguished position- that many times leads to similar positions in the White House- she signaled another presidency that could be overly influenced by polls. That is when she lost the "leadership" argument and my vote. I respect that she values and rewards previous loyalties. But, if she can't or won't fire someone who is not fulfilling the requirements of his job and refuses to enact alternate strategies for her success in a political campaign.....
Well, I have to have serious doubts about which she would choose between public image, loyalty, and a difficult or unpopular decision that she must make.

[rosal]

Why criticize Penn? He was REALLY helping the Clintons. He is trying very hard to pass the Colombia trade deal, isn't that helping the Clintons who are all for free trade? Specially the Colombia trade. Just look how hard Bill Clinton has been working to see this thru.
Its good to see how loyal the Clintons are to staff and friends. Penn did not got fired. He is more important than workers in this country. Who cares if trades like the Colombia trade can take jobs away from workers in this country, right?
People from Pennsylvania, when you send donations to her campaign, remember this goes to paying Penn his millions, while he is pushing for trades against workers.

[jsinclair]

How did Hillary get away with saying "doesn't pay attention to polls" last week?

She pays Penn $10 million to do private polling and focus groups for her. Based on the results, he's become her "Chief Campaign Strategist"!

Penn has brilliantly transformed the Clintons' "triangulation" into a science! Give the guy a break!

[4wehttam]

Well as always Clinton is Clinton. A liar and a phony status quo politician.

Lies and Corruption follow her wherever she goes. I'm surprised she got this far with everything we know about the Clintons. If we had as much dirt on Obama as we have on them, he would have never even been a contender, that is a fact.

[Counterglow]

The main problem a lot of people have with Hillary Clinton is her links to the predominately Republican corporate elite that has gutted the American middle class and made the obscenely rich even richer. The presence of this slimebag on her campaign is a constant reminder that in spite of her "woman of the people" pose, her handlers wouldn't know what to do if they met a poor person except maybe wipe their shoes off on his face.

It is particularly telling that even after Penn's stunning display of disloyalty, he hasn't been fired. This failure to deal firmly with him makes it fair to ask whether Clinton is more figurehead than leader. And after eight years of having a figurehead in the White House, America's ready for something different.

[loki]

This is all political smoke and mirrors. Business as usual. Penn quits or is said to be forced out because he supported the Columbian trade agreement. Hillary is running for President so she is saying she is against it. But just today I heard that Bill Clinton has made over $800,000 dollars from Columbia for his support pushing the Columbian trade deal through. Now, do you really think his wife does not go along with Bills supporters? Like does anyone really think Hillary was against Nafta as she claims even though she worked very hard during Bills presidency to promote and push Nafta though.

[utd]

That's 800,000 dollars, from the Columbian government, that is on HER joint tax return. She is benefiting from money made from lobbying for a trade deal with a country that she doesn't support.

[SeriousBlack]

Is it just me or does he look just like Stephen King in that picture? :)

[missjabez]

He looks like a menacing goon, or like the fat boy in high school who goes psycho and exacts revenge on his tormentors.

[Timezoned]

"Begala said. "He wrote a book called Microtrends in which he argued that the era of big trends is over. ..... It might end up being true but it could be really wrong."


"Could be" wrong is unnecessarily kind. Among its many other flaws, the basic underlying premise of that book is self-canceling and moronic.

Shall we demonstrate?

Okay: The book posits as its main thesis that the era of large trends is over. Everything is microtrends now. Everyone is splintering into smaller tendencies, no one is following overarching large ones anymore.

Everyone. Following microtrends. It's so widespread as to be almost a sort of tendency, or...what 's that word? Oh yes, a trend. A large, overarching trend.

Aside from this basic flaw in just simple logic, the premise is screwed anyway. Small town America used to follow MORE small trends, not less. Ghettos used to be more insulated and follow separate customs far more than now, with some exceptions. Mass media now homogenizes us more than ever before. Every sophomoric point in the book is refutable by a freshman. Er freshperson.

That anyone let the author of that book run her campaign speaks loads about her judgment. That she kept him when genuinely intelligent people like Begala were strenously objecting is worse.

Consider it Hillary's first test, well in advance of "day one", let's say day minus 365. The result of the test?

Abject and utter failure. Micro, mega, meta, failure.