Is Hillary’s Top Aide Jumping Ship for Obama?

By Pamela Mortimer

Former Clinton campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle has been at Hillary’s side from the word go. In light of Barack Obama’s lead in the Democratic Party race for the presidential nomination, steps have been taken to lure Patti away from her long-time employer.

Solis Doyle and Obama strategist David Axelrod have confirmed they’d had informal conversations about her potential role in Obama’s campaign if the Illinois Senator secures the Democratic presidential nomination as expected.

"When the time comes, if we’re the nominee, we’re going to want to work with talented people across the party including those who worked for Senator Clinton," Axelrod said. "Patti’s a good and talented person, and we all have a high regard for her."

He added, "No specific offers have been proffered, and none has been accepted. This is not an official entreaty from one campaign to another."

Solis Doyle is a Chicago native, Obama’s home turf. She met Axelrod 20 years ago while working in Chicago city government. Danny Solis, Patti’s brother, currently serves as a Chicago alderman.

Solis Doyle is known for her long history as a Clinton supporter. She began working as Hillary’s scheduler during Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential bid and remained with her through both terms in the White House. Solis Doyle also helped manage Hillary’s first New York Senate bid in 2000 before laying the groundwork for the presidential bid.

In February, Solis Doyle resigned as campaign manager after Clinton took third place in the Iowa primary and followed with a disheartening performance in the 22-state "Super Tuesday" contests on Feb. 5. Maggie Williams, Clinton’s former White House Chief of Staff, stepped into the role of campaign manager.

Despite the fact that Hillary falls short with the required super delegates, she has vowed to keep going until the conclusion of the final primaries on June 3. Clinton is also pushing for a decision regarding the penalties imposed on the primaries in Michigan and Florida, which may or may not help her campaign.

The Obama campaign expects to secure the majority of delegates during Tuesday’s primaries in Oregon and Kentucky.

Although she has been considering the switch to the opponent’s campaign, Solis Doyle claims that her status and loyalties have not changed.

"I’m for Hillary, I have been for 17 years. This thing isn’t over," Solis Doyle said. "But I’m a Democrat and if Obama’s the nominee, I will do whatever I can to get him elected and make sure the party is unified."