Two More Officials Quit Kerry Campaign

[arcos]

Two More Officials Quit Kerry Campaign

Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry (news - web sites)'s press secretary and deputy finance director quit Tuesday, adding to the bitter turmoil on Kerry's team after the dismissal of his campaign manager.

Robert Gibbs, chief spokesman for the Massachusetts lawmaker, and deputy finance director Carl Chidlow quit in reaction to the firing of Jim Jordan, abruptly let go by Kerry Sunday night. Both expressed dissatisfaction with the campaign, according to officials.

Gibbs will be replaced by Stephanie Cutter, a former spokeswoman for Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., and currently the spokeswoman for the Democratic National Convention, the officials said.

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http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=694&ncid=703&e=3&u=/ap/20031111/ap_on_el_pr/kerry_campaign

[sventvkg]

1. He's over.....Lets move on.

[Warpy]

3. He's dumped his DLC handlers

..in favor of a campaign manager who is one of Kennedy's guys.

I hate to point out the obvious, but this is a GOOD sign, one that he's not going to campaign as GOP-lite.

Shoot, he's already stopped trying to smear the other guy and started to speak about issues.

[AP]

5. Kennedy isn't DLC?

I have to say, I think when people say "DLC" they're using shorthand for ideas they don't really understand.

However, it's not like Kerry fired Zell Miller and has hired Paul Wellstone's ghost. He fired people who were good enough to work for him last January, and he has hired people who were good enough to work for the other Senator from Mass who has endorsed him.

[Padraig18]

2. I think we may safely use the word 'implosion' now...

...without fear of contradiction.

[Pez]

4. shakin it up!

finally, the stuffy peeps are getting out of the picture and allowing kerry to be himself. and for all the blabla naysayers-- the first vote hasn't been cast so chill the eff out m'kay ;-p

[Padraig18]

6. I hope he survives, frankly.

When he gets 'on message' and goes after *, no one does it better, my candidate included. He's much better at being John Kerry than he is at being "I'm not Howard Dean."

[democracy eh]

7. IF the Kerry's campaign is over, then the questions begin...

I have much respect for the Senator, it may not be over. however, if this is the beginning of the end and Kerry is the first of the upper tier to go...

Where will his support go?

go the Clark the fellow veteran? (other things in common too)

go to Gep the fellow established Washington Dem?

will Kerry publicly back another candidate?

Will it be a public display of support to heal the wounds for the good of the Dem Party and back Dean? (if it looks like a Dean freight train)(not a given)

will he bother positioning himself for VP? or go back to the Senate?

Does he make a decision before or after NH to give the #3 guy a better chance at beating Dean (if that is the goal)

There is is always some long term value in being the first to honorably drop out "for the good of the party", after that it is just one of many ...

more importantly, where will his supporters go?

it also may not be an end but a new beginning, all depends on how it affects the ability to raise $$$$$$

[Pavlovs DiOgie]

8. Congrats to Kerry!

He finally found a way to get in the news without bringing up Howard Dean. Hopefully this is the beginning of better campaigning, but is it too late for him?

[eissa]

9. LOL! Good one!

Truthfully, I'm a little worried; now that he is not focusing on Dean and talking issues, he may actually have a chance of winning! :P

I really don't think he will be dropping out; it's still really early, anything can happen.

[DJcairo]

10. Dudes, the guy is the only other one with over $20 mil

Even is his entire staff left he and Teresa could cruise around the country and campaign. Come on. Kerry isn't going anywhere soon unless he loses in NH which, for the good of the country, I hope he doesn't.

[LuminousX]

11. Even if he doesn't win NH

I believe Kerry is in it for the long haul. He really isn't the quitting type of person.

I do have to agree with the sentiment that with a new sense of purpose, a new livlier campaign, Kerry may be presenting the Kerry I had hoped for and was expecting a year ago. Fingers are firmly crossed.

[Padraig18]

12. I don't want him out...

.... quite honestly. As I've said elsewhere, when he's on message and attacking * and pushing JK, he's great. His problem has been with his getting off message, i.e., "I'm not Howard Dean" is not a message.

:shrug: