In a memo to reporters titled “Obama Campaign Fills Out Key Posts for the General Election,” the Obama campaign announced today that it’s Chief of Staff to the Vice Presidential Nominee is… Patti Solis Doyle.
That’s right, Hillary Clinton’s former campaign manager and longtime ally is slated to run the VP nominee’s operations. But don’t immediately assume this means Clinton has an inside track on the spot. Solis Doyle was used as a scapegoat for most of the Clinton campaign’s problems, and when she got the boot in February there was no shortage of Clinton staffers willing to trash her anonymously on her way out. Clinton didn’t come to her defense. At least not publicly.
Clinton and Solis Doyle reportedly have not spoken since Solis Doyle’s ouster. The Obama camp is clearly being strategic by placing her in this spot (there are dozens of other people who could play this role on the campaign, after all). But how?
