Posted on 06/08/2011 4:39:48 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
His hire was also her first real campaign decision. If you’re not up to speed on the story, here’s what’s going on. Rep. Bachmann hired veteran Republican campaign strategist Ed Rollins to manage her campaign. Campaign managers have to carry a few qualities, among them toughness, a bit of ruthlessness, communications and fundraising savvy (and there are many qualities packed into those two qualities), and a certain ability to provide useful leadership and simultaneously blend into the background. That last is because, while they manage the campaign, the campaign isn’t about them. It’s about the candidate.
But Ed Rollins tends to overshadow his candidates, and has already done so since Bachmann hired him. He came out swinging this week, declaring that Sarah Palin is not a “serious” person. Whether you agree with that or not, the fact is that Bachmann’s and Palin’s support bases overlap on the issues, and at some point Bachmann will presumably have to depend on Palin supporters. She’ll need them to win the primary, and to win the general if she wins the primary. But if they’re alienated from the start by what they’re hearing from Bachmann’s campaign, they’re less likely to support Bachmann.
Campaign managers are hired to make it easier to win, but Rollins has made it harder for Bachmann to win. And today, he made it harder again by insinuating that Palin isn’t intelligent.
Bachmann will “be so much more substantive [than Palin],” Rollins said. “People are going to say, ‘I gotta make a choice and go with the intelligent woman who’s every bit as attractive.’”
Again, if you want Palin’s base to support your candidate at some point, it’s not a good idea to slam Palin in such personal ways. And it’s especially not a good idea when Rollins has been quoted insinuating that Bachmann herself also is not serious.
Ed Rollins has been among the GOP’s mouthier consultants for a couple of decades, but he’s seldom mouthy in a productive way in the way that, say, James Carville is for the Democrats. Carville is mouthy and annoying to to the right because he consistently attacks the right and finds ways to get under our skin. Carville’s mouth is a targeted weapon most of the time, because contrary to the way he comes off, he’s very disciplined. Rollins isn’t disciplined, and therefore tends to hurt his own side and even his own candidates.
His hire is an indication that Rep. Bachmann may not be all that good a judge of political talent.
Her first mistake and its a real beaute....shows her judgement stinks....too bad...
This post is right on target. The decision reflects badly on Bachman and probably, all by itself, undoes her campaign. The only choice Bachman has is to fire him soon before he shoots off his mouth again. And that won’t undo the damage Rollins has already done to Michele’s previously solid reputation.
Mistake? I think not.
We have had enough of that with Obama.
THIS WAS PLANNED by Ms. Bachmann and Rollins.
They are NO LONGER WELCOME.
Good grief. Admit that Rollins was responding to a Palinbot’s contention that Michelle is great, but has no executive experience like Palin.
Michelle made no mistake.
I do not fault Rollin’s, he is what he is. I fault Michele; she is responsible for surrounding herself with quality people. She has demonstrated piss poor judgement.
Not her first gaffe: http://theiowarepublican.com/home/2011/05/28/bachmann’s-debacle/
Rollins is an idiot, never has won an election. For him to respond in a snarky way to Gov Palin’s correct statement is rediculous.
Well, it’s been said that Bachmann is a Palin “light”. I kind of agree with that... But if Palin runs, there’s no contest.
Okay, then tell us about Rep. Michele Bachmann’s executive experience and contrast it with Gov. Sarah Palin’s.
Actually, the first big mistake I heard she made was supporting the ethanolmsubsidy, an obviously purely political bribe offered to Iowa farmers. This position goes against the very rationale of her candidacy.
MB’s first mistake was selling her political soul to Myth Romney and agreed to dilute Sarah’s support in exchange for the VP slot.
Rollins is so sleazy I wouldn’t be surprised if he was working for the Romney campaign in secret. Hugh mistake Michele.
Incredible statement, he just denigrated Palin, Bachmann, the voters, and especially Republican voters, or at least any that he considers simpleton enough (to him evidently) to vote for either of the skirts, (which is probably his type jargon).
I think he doesn't like females in politics.
True, Michelle pulled out her checkbook, called the infamous Ed Rollins, and special ordered this attack.
agree. 
Her silence tells me she approves of Rollins statements.
That being the case gives us more insight into who this former Jimmy Carter campaign worker and three term Congresswoman is.
Of all people, Gretchen Carlson, a morning Fox News anchor, used to have Bachmann as her babysitter back in the 70’s. Carlson has said she doesn't believe Bachmann is running for President, but rather Vice President. I guess we now know whom she wants to run with.
Off topic, but Palin’s strategy of waiting to declare might be another brilliant political move. In the past three weeks, we have witnessed three Presidential candidates shoot themselves in the foot. Romney (Mr. Global Warming), Gingrich (the anti-Ryan) and now Bachmann. At this rate, by the time Palin declares, there might be no one left to run against.
Nonsense.
Bachmann knows (as the article points out) that her base overlaps -- in fact, is the same as -- Palin's. The last thing she wants or needs is a feud with the Palin camp.
To think otherwise is to call her stupid -- which is, interestingly enough, just what Palin's detractors call her.
Really. I was wondering what his record was. Thanks.
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