Ed Rollins’ hire was Michele Bachmann’s first campaign mistake

PJ Tatler ^ | June 8, 2011 | Bryan Preston

[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.

[Popman]

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.

Up until this fiasco, I would have panned that as tin hat fodder

.. but today it's as plain as the nose on your face.....

Extremely disappointed in MB

[Popman]

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.

Did you hear what Rollins said or you just playing possum ?

You actually think Palin camp would not respond after being called out by Rollins ?

[Diogenesis]

Call the RINO, Backstabber, Carter-poser, Bachmann
ANYTHING you want. She is toast on this site.
Bachmann slept with Romney and Rollins
and got the fatal infection they planned for her.
Stupid? NO JUDGMENT SHE HAS.

[Caipirabob]

This speaks of serious judgement issues on the part of Bachmann. If he’s not gone soon her chances will be.

[bwc2221]

Sarah Palin stands by, waits and watches as another potential opponent implodes.

Bachmann’s actions are especially despicable as Sarah Palin attracted over 10,000 people to a rally in the Twin Cities.

Hint Michele: They didn't show up to see you.

[frposty]

Rollins should have also known better than to make a comparison of the ladys’ looks.

[NonValueAdded]

... and perhaps her last. I need to go back into the archives and see what we posted about that jerk right after McCain’s crash and burn.

[2ndDivisionVet]

You mean other than Rudy Giuliani? [snort!]

[cracker45]

“Call the RINO, Backstabber, Carter-poser, Bachmann
ANYTHING you want. She is toast on this site.
Bachmann slept with Romney and Rollins
and got the fatal infection they planned for her.
Stupid? NO JUDGMENT SHE HAS.”

Awfully harsh words there dufus when the whole story is yet to come out. Awfully presumptious on your part to assert you speak for all Freepers too! Are you an idiot?

JC

[cracker45]

“Call the RINO, Backstabber, Carter-poser, Bachmann
ANYTHING you want. She is toast on this site.
Bachmann slept with Romney and Rollins
and got the fatal infection they planned for her.
Stupid? NO JUDGMENT SHE HAS.”

Awfully harsh words there dufus when the whole story is yet to come out. Awfully presumptious on your part to assert you speak for all Freepers too! Are you an idiot?

JC