Hillary's Political Operations Team

[housewolf]

In Vigilant Hillaryland, Advisers Stay Devoted

As she prepares to run for re-election next year, and perhaps make a presidential run in 2008, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton is counting on the counsel of a tight-knit group of advisers who possess a set of qualities that she may prize above all others: discipline and loyalty.

Leaks? Public skirmishes? None of this tends to happen in Hillaryland, as Mrs. Clinton's advisers call the inner circle, mostly because the people who have gained entry into this exclusive club have shown strict devotion to her through the years, including her darkest days in public life.

In fact, political strategists say they are struck by the similarities between Mrs. Clinton's inner circle and the team surrounding President Bush, who has placed a premium on loyalty since his days as governor of Texas and whose lieutenants are known for falling in lockstep behind him.

"Both operations make the papal conclave look like a bunch of free talkers," said Chris Lehane, a Democratic strategist, referring to the Bush and Clinton camps. "I mean that in a positive way, because that is the type of discipline it takes to win."

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more...
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/01/nyregion/01hilllary.html?

[WI_DEM]

1. I'm sure her most trusted advisor is William J. Clinton

[cally]

2. I didn't know that most of her core advisers are

women. If she does end up being a Presidential candidate, that will be the first.

[woodleydem]

3. I'm not sure if Hillary can win a national election, but I do know I one

thing: if she runs, she will run an agressive, tight campaign that will have a clear narrative, everything that Kerry's campaign wasn't. Her advisors and operatives are the best in the business, and they will be ready to wage war with any RW group that wishes to slander her with a Swift Boat-like hatchet job. That NY Times article is a good read.

[janx]

4. And of course *everyone* trusts Chris Lehane...

;-)

[Writer]

5. That little dweeb nearly ruined Kerry's campaign

And was horrible for Clark's.

Why oh why is he still a Democratic analyst? I wish they'd find something better for him to do. Like run Fantasy Island, for instance.

[cestpaspossible]

6. yuck yuck

:P