NPR: Penn Not Really Gone From Clinton Camp

Penn Not Really Gone From Clinton Camp

When is a resignation not a resignation? Apparently when it's a "resignation" from the Clinton campaign.

On Sunday, Clinton campaign manager Maggie Williams sent out an e-mail saying that Mark Penn, chief strategist, had decided to step down from his post, which sounded very much like he was actually leaving the campaign. After his visit with the Colombian ambassador to discuss a free trade deal that Senator Clinton opposes, it appeared he was persona non grata with the Clintons.

Or maybe not.

In her e-mail, Williams noted that the campaign would still use the services of Penn's polling operation. And then Penn took part in yesterday's daily phone call with the media. He also joined other aides in a call with Clinton to begin to prepare for Saturday's presidential debate in Philadelphia. Marc Ambinder of theAtlantic.com notes that a senior campaign official told him that Penn "is still going to be very much involved."

Uh-huh. So he's stepped down, but he hasn't stepped away apparently. And he doesn't seem to be doing anything different now from what he was doing before ... he's just doing it without the title.

Meanwhile, more trouble with the Clinton-Colombian connection.

The Swamp reports that another top Clinton aide, communications director Howard Wolfson, "retains an equity interest in the Glover Park Group, a DC PR firm that 'signed a $40,000 per month contract with the government of Colombia in April of 2007 to promote the very agreement that Clinton now rails against on the presidential campaign trail.' His interest is valued at $500,000 to $1 million."

"Apparently, Clinton doesn't feel any deep discomfort with aides making money off of advocacy for a Colombian trade deal while, in Hillary's words today, 'violence against trade unionists continues and the perpetrators are not brought to justice, ' " writes Newsday's John Riley in The Swamp. "She isn't taking a stand against conflicts between her positions and her advisors' clients. There's no principle here."

8:45 AM ET | 04- 8-2008 | permalink

Comments

Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.

Sent by Sweetie | 9:14 AM ET | 04-08-2008

The bottom line is that news organizations need to say more about Penn's involvement in these very controvercial companies- I never knew about his involvement with blackwater, pfizer etc...until he was ousted from his current position. Voters need to be aware of this information before heading to the polls. It says a lot about Hillary.

Sent by jen | 10:10 AM ET | 04-08-2008

It's really disappointing that the Clinton's aren't more selective of who they surround themselves with. Hillary has a lot of brain power, but unfortunately seems to lack som common sense.

Sent by Karen Williams | 10:38 AM ET | 04-08-2008

I do agree that Hillary is a very smart woman. However, if she believes that surrounding herself and her campaign to become the next president with the likes of Penn then to me it indicates that we cannot expect real change other than political rhetoric if she is to get the nomination and presidency. This clearly shows that she is not ready to take control on day one.

Sent by Roger | 12:04 PM ET | 04-08-2008

Enough!! I am tired of being lied to by Senator Clinton and or new outlets. Hundreds of papers and varies news shows told the American people Mark Penn was fired when they all knew he was not. Also it has come to our attention that the media has know about Mark Penn's dealing with the Columbia and other questionable entities yet failed to report that information to the American people. Just like most news persons were aware of Senator Obama controversial Pastor comments but failed to inform the American people until it was convenient for Senator Obama and Senator McCain???s continued mistakes regarding important facts that any President should understand. The American people are depending on our news persons to provide us with timely relevant information. Let us make informed decisions regarding our next President. What happened to fair and unbiased news coverage, it is started to look like several news outlets are a part of or surrogates of these remaining political campaigns.

Sent by Kay | 3:09 PM ET | 04-08-2008

I know Hillary could raise alot of $ for her campaign.....a dunk tank. I'd pay to throw something at her to land her in more hot water.

Sent by nancy | 3:44 PM ET | 04-08-2008

Hm, a candidate surrendering important decisions to a bombastic political opportunist to get elected... is this how George Bush got started with Karl Rove?

Sent by Janna | 4:18 PM ET | 04-08-2008

Hillary is very smart but her character does not represent anything I stand for. The only reason left to vote for her if I have to is simply because I want to oppose judges appointed by the Republicans. Does this make her proud! She has underestimated women and exploited her own party with these shanagans. And as a side note, if I ever visit the Bill Clinton Presidential Library and go to the "Republican Attack Machine Section" I am going to laugh my head off. Neither Bill or Hillary ever did anything without some sort of political gain. What a fallacy believing in them it was! I am very proud democrat and it breaks my heart to say these things.

Sent by Brenda | 8:07 PM ET | 04-08-2008

The reason Hillary cannot separate herself is because the one most close to her also has ties to the Colombia Trade agreement-Bill Clinton. He has provided speeches in favor of the Colombia Trade agreement and received $800K in compensation as reported by Huffington Post and Associated Press.

Sent by June | 11:29 PM ET | 04-08-2008

While all of this stuff IS TRUE, Clinton will still win PA. Why? I wish I knew.

Sent by Gerald Shields | 5:33 AM ET | 04-09-2008

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