Al Giordano reminds us it was Patti Solis Doyle who wanted to force Mark Penn out of the campaign

[beachmom]

In case anyone was wondering where The Field went, it is here:

http://narcosphere.narconews.com/thefield/a-chief-staff-unchosen-vp

Al has an insightful post on what the Doyle hire means:

The Internets are abuzz with one of the new staff hires announced by the Obama campaign today: Patti Solis Doyle, the former Clinton campaign manager forced out and scapegoated for the failings of Mark Penn, Howard Wolfson, Mandy Grunwald, Terry McAuliffe & company is now with the title of "Chief of Staff to the Vice Presidential Nominee."

...

Frankly - and it may surprise some to hear me say this - I think Solis Doyle is one of the few former top staffers for Senator Clinton that I would hire. She was put in an impossible position by that campaign, given the title of "campaign manager" yet none of the authority that comes with it. She (and Harold Ickes) begged Senator Clinton to fire top strategist Mark Penn, to no avail.

But more interesting is that the Obama camp has appointed a chief of staff for a VP nominee that hasn't been chosen. It sends a message to all the aspiring vice presidents out there that, to get the nod, he or she has to check all hubris at the door: the top cat will pick your staff, too.

There is some consensus that this seems to rule out Hillary as VP. Apparently, Doyle and Clinton have not been on speaking terms lately. However, Al shows the only way Clinton would be on the ticket:

Not that Senator Clinton couldn't make up with her staffer-done-wrong, but to do so she'd have to dump Penn and company and keep them far from the organization. I like the way this is going.

This has been the best explanation I have seen yet. And, I think Mark Penn should never work for a Democratic president, senator or candidate again. We now have some insurance against that, at least at the presidential level.

[Barack_America]

1. What an interesting analysis.

I always suspected that Penn might be behind much of the "dirt" emerging on Solis Doyle at the time of her departure.

And the idea that Solis Doyle's hiring is a slap in the face to Penn, rather than Clinton, is a fascinating take.

ETA: And it has not escaped my attention that Penn was Bill's idea and is Bill's closest confidant. That, IMO, makes this all the more interesting.

[Cha]

2. I think Obama knows what he's

doing..thanks for this beachmom.

"Frankly - and it may surprise some to hear me say this - I think Solis Doyle is one of the few former top staffers for Senator Clinton that I would hire. She was put in an impossible position by that campaign, given the title of "campaign manager" yet none of the authority that comes with it. She (and Harold Ickes) begged Senator Clinton to fire top strategist Mark Penn, to no avail."

Maybe there's another scenario where Obama's already chosen the VP person and Solis-Doyle and said candidate are simpatico.

[beachmom]

3. Not sure about that, since vetting takes a long time. It's probably

a good time to rent the move "The Contender". I loved that film, but it shows how much work vetting takes.

[Barack_America]

4. Assuming, of course, that Obama hasn't had somebody in mind all along...

Which I tend to think he has.

[beachmom]

5. Oh, I am sure he does. However, vetting may eliminate his #1 choice.

Unfortunate, but often the case.

[Cha]

7. I did forget about "vetting"..

Well, it's kind of amazing that the VP with already have Patty as Chief of Staff, then.

I liked The Contender too but have forgotten a lot of it so I really need to get it again. Jeff Bridges and Joan Allen.

[sandnsea]

6. She's known for Latino outreach, iirc

Which probably means Richardson, don't you think?

[Cha]

8. I don't know but it's

going to be Exciting as if it's not enough already!