New Evidence Mark Penn To Blame For Major Clinton Mistake

CBS News:

Hillary Clinton's first major mistake of the campaign, her staff has long admitted, was whacking Barack Obama after his supporter David Geffen trashed Clinton to New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd on Feb. 20, 2007.

Much of the blame for the overreaction has been shouldered by Clinton communications boss Howard Wolfson, who demanding an apology from Obama -- and insisted Obama's campaign return Geffen's campaign contributions.

But Newsweek's epic account of Obama's campaign this week points a finger at Clinton's top strategist and pollster Mark Penn. The controversial Penn, the story claims, advocated a scorched-earth response -- then trashed Wolfson for the response when it triggered a damaging backlash.

Read the whole story: CBS News

Comments

[emmaspeaks]

She and John McCain bought advisers that were used in the past by Bill or friends. She never looked past her nose and designed a campaign. That is why it fell apart, that and the old politics of expectancy, over competence, lies and attacks.

[jeffp26]

For all of the bs about how "experienced" and sophisticated Hillary's campaign was, it turns out she just assembled a bunch of boobs.

And, including Penn, arrogant pigs. (I do apologize to all my porcine brethren.)

[MurrayAbraham]

The main mistake Sen Clinton did was to buy into Penn's "micro-trends" theory. I.e. that there wasn't any major issue anymore but that the electorate could be broken in pieces each interested in a particular issue. In other words, the United States didn't exist! Great way to run for President.

[Oldtimer]

I am so so so glad the Clintons lost to Obama. Can you imagine having to live the 90s over again?

[Rhia]

I just hope Obama would recruit the ones who have truly supported him, through thick and thin were always there for him, did very good job in electing him into office, stayed calm and collected during the uncertainties of campaign. Clintonistas may be well experienced but look at how they performed during crunch time. They messed up big time! Obama should not trust those Clintonistas. They may bury him into debt.

[goosie29]

Why is this news at this point in time? For heaven's sake let it go!

[Tommygun2146]

Want to know the real reason Hillary Clinton did not win the nomination? Because Barack Obama won.

[cantalopejones14]

SALON .COM DEMANDS THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE!

[Tommygun2146]

It's over. Obama has been elected and on January 20, 2009 will be sworn in as this nation's 44th President. Your false assertions are no longer relevant and the only thing they bring into question is your sanity.

[janinei]

I think that Obama trusts that even though McCain was born in Panama, he is an American citizen, no need to see the birth certificate!

[Rhia]

Why not you go in Hawaii and check it for yourself if he's really born in Hawaii. Or much better is go to Kenya or Indonesia just to make sure you have covered it properly. Make this as your life pursuit.

Have fun!

[Grunty1]

The last right-winger who went to Kenya to defame Obama didn't enjoy it.
In fact, I think the "Obama Nation" author is still in prison there...

[TomTheAlmostUgly]

No, Obama's birth certificate is somewhere in Central Park in New York City. But it's invisible during the day -- you can only search for it at night. Good hunting!

[Casbah]

This is just one more reason out of many why Hillary Clinton didn't win the nomination. There is an excellent piece in the Atlantic Monthly detailing how dysfunctional her campaign was and how the huge egos of folks like Penn and Wolfson got in the way of running a successful campaign. I also think there was some Clinton fatigue among Democrats -- I mean, if Hillary had won the nomination and general election, it would've meant more than 20 years of either a Clinton or Bush in the White House!

[XME]

This doesn't surprise me at all. I've long believed that Clinton's biggest mistake was listening to the likes of Mark Penn to begin with.

[majorteddy]

Hillary interviewed David Axelrod , but Bill wanted the best and he insisted they go with Marc Penn(one of the Clinton cronies). Ouch !

[XME]

Good point. When it comes right down to it, perhaps Hillary Clinton's biggest mistake was listening to Bill Clinton!

[cougarrr15]

Oink oink

[Matt7]

Maybe it's Maybelline.

[EricHayes]

I got it. Good one.

[Bitsko]

You all know Nelson Muntz from the hit TV show "The Simpsons." Well, I happen to have Nelson with me right now. Is there anything you would like to say about this story, Nelson?

"HA HA!!!!"

[ErnestineBass]

Wow, it just struck me...Penn looks just like one of those Cabbage Patch Kid dolls.

[aznurse]

Hey, is he still a big time lobbyist for Colombia?

[Pennyweight]

Hmmm...let's see. This would be reason 288, no 289, why Obama may hesitate to pay off Clinton's debt to Mark Penn. My interest in helping her pay Mark Penn stopped at reason number 11, but I'm easy.

[Gmoney1]

Hillary had to be begged to concede to Obama after the primary - her stingy, reluctant support was too obvious - she lost that primary because of who she is and who Bill Clinton is and was - the best won - she needs to pay her own bills -

[snarkopolitan]

Want to hear the laugh of all times? There is a movement among PUMAs, those die-hard, Hillary-R-Us Clinton groupies, to ask Clinton for their money back! Her support of The One didn't sit well with some of them, so they are calling her campaign and getting refunds. That'll show her for trying to live her life instead of theirs.