Power in the Clinton camp is divided among a handful of top aides: Terry McAuliffe and Jonathan Mantz head fundraising; Mandy Grunwald handles campaign advertising; Howard Wolfson runs communications; Mark Penn is responsible for polling and strategy; and Harold Ickes oversees political matters. Bill Clinton acts as chief surrogate with the standing to weigh in whenever he chooses.
As campaign manager, Solis Doyle was atop the pyramid, responsible for directing the staff, making final decisions on budgets and hiring, and consulting with the candidate. In "Hillaryland" -- the nickname for Clinton's staff that dates to her White House years -- Solis Doyle, 42, could boast of a rapport with the candidate that few matched. The two teamed up in 1991 when Bill Clinton first ran for president. She later became Hillary Clinton's scheduler in the White House.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Tuesday, February 12, 2008 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 39 words Type of Material: Correction
Clinton's campaign: An article in Monday's Section A about changes that Hillary Rodham Clinton is making amid a tight Democratic presidential race said the campaign had repaid a $5-million loan from the candidate. The loan has not been repaid.
Solis Doyle had not managed a presidential campaign before, and initially there was trepidation in the Clinton camp when she was elevated to that role. After Clinton finished third in the Iowa caucuses Jan. 3, speculation sprouted that the New York senator would overhaul her senior staff. But that talk was quashed when Clinton rebounded five days later, winning the New Hampshire primary and blunting Obama's momentum.
Still, new campaign aides began arriving on the scene. One was Williams, who initially played a low-key role.
One Clinton campaign aide, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Solis Doyle's preference had been to leave after the New Hampshire election.
"It has been a much longer and more arduous campaign than she had expected, and she felt that it was time for new leadership and fresh ideas," said the aide, adding that Williams would bring a more "inclusive" management style than Solis Doyle, who preferred a more "top-down" approach.
In her new role, Solis Doyle will be an advisor to Clinton, accompanying the candidate on the trail from time to time.
Some Democratic strategists questioned the wisdom of downgrading Solis Doyle when so many had a hand in crafting Clinton's message.
"It always makes me uncomfortable when somebody is moved aside like this in the middle of a troubled campaign period, because I really never think it's about one person," said Bill Carrick, who has advised Democratic candidates and is unaligned in the 2008 race. "When a campaign has problems, it's probably much more systemic than it is caused by any individual."
