WASHINGTON–Patti Solis Doyle, former Clinton campaign manager, jettisoned in the final months of the primary, joins the Obama team as the chief of staff to Obama’s eventual runningmate. Former top Edwards campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillon–who ran Iowa for Edwards– is the Obama battleground states director. Shakeup in Michelle Obama staff–Stephanie Cutter–top Democratic advisor who comes out of the Ted Kennedy operation—is now senior advisor to the campaign and chief of staff to Michelle Obama. Cutter was also the Kerry campaign communications director. Veteran Obama Senate office top staffer Michael Strautmanis moves over to the campaign full time as a senior advisor.
The female picks help add some gender balance to a male-dominated top Obama staff.
FOOTNOTES: Don’t read into the Solis Doyle appointment as a sign that former rival Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) is moving up on the vice presidential short list. Rather, the opposite is probably more realistic. Solis Doyle now is the highest ranking Hispanic on the Obama campaign. She helps build a bridge to Clinton women to join the Obama camp.
Solis Doyle, the sister of Chicago alderman Danny Solis–has long known chief Obama strategist David Axelrod.
For names of first wave of Obama general election staff. click below…
Obama Campaign Fills Out Key Posts for the General Election
New hires and current staff members assume leadership roles for next phase of the campaign
CHICAGO, ILThe Obama campaign took a major step today in readying for the general election fight, announcing fifteen new members of the campaigns leadership team. The staff membersa combination of new hires and current staff assuming new roles will help broaden and deepen the reach of this campaign for changefrom field organizing to constituency outreach to voter registration.
From the beginning, weve asked the American people to stand up and take ownership of this campaignand its because of their overwhelmingly positive response that 16 months later were poised to make history together, campaign manager David Plouffe said. Today were 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. These staff members bring a wealth of organizing experience to their new role, and theyll provide key insight and direction as we continue to build our coalition.
New roles announced today:
Constituency Director: Brian Bond formerly LGBT Outreach Director at the DNC
National Field Director: Jon Carson formerly Obama for America Voter Contact Director
Senior Advisor to the Campaign and Chief of Staff to Michelle Obama: Stephanie Cutter
Industrial States Regional Director: Paul Diogardi formerly Political Director for the Democratic Governors Association.
Battleground States Director: Jen OMalley Dillon formerly Iowa State Director for John Edwards for President
Chief of Staff to the Vice Presidential Nominee: Patti Solis Doyle
Latino Vote Director: Temo Figueroa formerly Obama for America National Field Director
First Americans Vote Director: Wizipan Garriott
Northeast Regtional Director: Eureka Gilkey formerly Obama for America Deputy Political Director
50-State Voter Registration Director: Jason Green formerly Obama for America political and field staff
Campaign Chief of Staff: Jim Messina formerly Chief of Staff to Senator Max Baucus
LGBT Vote Director: Dave Noble formerly of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
West Regional Director: Matt Rodriguez .formerly Obama for America New Hampshire State Director
Senior Advisor: Michael Strautmanis
African American Vote Director: Rick Wade
