Obama adds staff, taps ex-Clinton campaign manager
Associated Press
Barack Obama's campaign named new senior advisers on Monday, including former Hillary Rodham Clinton campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle as chief of staff to the presidential candidate's yet-to-be-chosen running mate.
Also heading the list of new top aides are Jim Messina, former chief of staff to Democratic Sen. Max Baucus of Montana who will be Obama's chief of staff, and Stephanie Cutter, communications director to Sen. John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign who will be a senior adviser to Obama and chief of staff to Obama's wife, Michelle.
The campaign is beefing up for the general election. Other posts being filled include a national field director, which went to by Jon Carson, who was director of voter contact during the primaries. Another post battleground states director will be filled by Jen O'Malley, who directed John Edwards' Iowa operation.
Solis Doyle, who stepped down as Clinton's campaign manager in February, is the only former high-profile Clinton staffer to join Obama's camp so far. Clinton replaced Solis Doyle with longtime aide Maggie Williams after she and Obama essentially split the 22-state Super Tuesday contests on Feb. 5.
Clinton spokesman Mo Elleithee said Solis Doyle will be a good addition to the campaign. "As Senator Clinton has said, we're all going to do our part to help elect Senator Obama as the next president of the United States," he said.
Her role in the Obama campaign did not come as a surprise. Last month, she and Obama strategist David Axelrod confirmed they had had informal conversations about how she might help the Illinois senator if he secured the presidential nomination.
Obama clinched the nomination on June 3.
"Today we're adding to our leadership team so that we reach even more Americans who share the belief that people who love their country can change it," campaign manager David Plouffe said. "These staff members bring a wealth of organizing experience to their new role, and they'll provide key insight and direction as we continue to build our coalition."
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