Penn Fired as Clinton's Chief Strategisttbn0.google.com
Penn Fired as Clinton's Chief Strategist
Added 1868 days ago in Opinion
online.wsj.com — Mark Penn has quit his role as the chief strategist for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, following the controversy over his participation in talks over a free-trade pact with Colombia. He will continue to provide polling advice, the Clinton campaign said.

On Friday, the Wall Street Journal broke the story that Mark Penn had met with the Columbian Ambassador in his role as president and CEO of Burson-Marsteller, who had a $300,000 contract with the South American country to push for passage of a bilateral free-trade agreement (an issue that the Clinton campaign publicly opposes).

Penn apologized in a statement saying "the meeting was an error in judgment that will not be repeated and I am sorry for it. The senator's well-known opposition to this trade deal is clear and was not discussed"

On Saturday, Columbia fired Burson-Marsteller after saying Penn's apology shows "a lack of respect to Colombians, and finds this response unacceptable."

The Colombian Government announces its decision to terminate the contract with Burson Marteller. This firm conducts public relations and communications consulting services on behalf of Colombia in the United States for the approval of the Free Trade Agreement and the continuation of Plan Colombia.

Mr. Mark Penn, President and CEO of Burson Marsteller, reponded to claims by Union representatives who questioned his relationship with the Colombian Government by declaring that it was an “error in judgment” to meet with his client the Colombian Ambassador on March 31. The Colombian government considers this a lack of respect to Colombians, and finds this response unacceptable.

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Posted by HStern
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Will Mark Penn's removal from Hillary Clinton's campaign make a difference?
Yes
38%
No
62%
This is not a scientific survey, click here to learn more. Results may not total 100% due to rounding and voting descrepencies.
User Comments
HStern
Posted 1868 days ago
0 up votes, 0 down votes
Good decision.
JBeal
Posted 1867 days ago
0 up votes, 0 down votes
About time, Penn has made many strategic blunders that have hurt the Clinton campaign. But above all he's not worth the money he's getting paid.
Penn is one of the most prominent consultants in Democratic politics and his political consulting firm has already collected some $10.8 million in fees from a campaign struggling to get ahead in the waning array of primaries and caucuses. Not worth it.
bish66
Posted 1867 days ago
0 up votes, 0 down votes
Long overdue. The hairstyles of Camp Clinton can only improve.

There was an article the other day that the other aides can't stand Penn, so with him gone and maybe someone fresh and new coming, the climate inside the Camp might improve.
AUpolls
Posted 1867 days ago
0 up votes, 0 down votes
I heard that he'd quit.
Charles43
Posted 1867 days ago
0 up votes, 0 down votes
Mr. Penn HAS NOT LEFT the Clinton campaign - He was demoted, His value to the Clinto campaign means alto the Senator Clinton. You must remember he had been with the Clinton's for a very long time.
However, the bottom-line in this matter. I just shows the trouble Senator Clinton's campaign is in - Todays poll not that Senator is only 7 points behind. Also, the entire state of representatives in PA is for Clinton, this by its self is worth 3-4 points.

On the 22 Apr when the vote has been counted and Senator Clinton score a 57% to 43% win it ONLY MEANS THAT SHE CAN RECEIVE 15-21 delegates. Senator Obama has to date a 130 delegate lead and superdelegates are already moving his way.
Phatsis
Posted 1858 days ago
0 up votes, 0 down votes
She fired him during a tizzy! Just because he's still around doesn't change that fact!
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