As Hillary Clinton builds up to her expected presidential campaign
next year, she's recruiting veterans of President Barack Obama's two
successful White House runs, signaling that she's taking steps to avoid a
repeat of her failed 2008 bid.
Clinton has not declared her candidacy, but the addition of top Democratic talent to her team is among the clearest signs that an announcement is forthcoming.
US President Barack Obama and anticipated presidential hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton. Photo / AP
Among the Obama operatives joining their former rival's campaign are Joel Benenson, the president's longtime pollster who will take on the broader role of chief political strategist for Clinton, and Jim Margolis, who will serve as her top media adviser, the same role he held in Obama's campaigns.
A Democratic official familiar with Clinton's decision-making confirmed the moves.
The official, like other Democrats aware of Clinton's manoeuvres, was not authorised to publicly discuss the developments and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Clinton has paid speeches and appearances on behalf of the Clinton Foundation scheduled through March, suggesting her campaign may not begin until after that.
"Hillary knows that the last campaign didn't go well," said David Axelrod, a longtime Obama adviser.
"For those asking if '16 will be different, these are some very strong signals."
Clinton supporters have been pushing the former secretary of state to manage her 2016 team differently than her last campaign, which was undermined by a mismanagement and internal strife.
Her campaign also struggled to keep up with the more technologically savvy, data-driven Obama team, which revolutionised the ability to target specific voters.
Clinton's campaign is likely to include loyalists who have worked for her and Bill Clinton during the couple's decades in politics, including some who were with them during the 1990s and her 2008 campaign.
Among them is John Podesta, who is leaving the White House in February as a presidential counsellor and is expected to become Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign chairman.
The overlap between Obama's longtime aides and Clinton's emerging campaign also deepens the merger of the Democratic Party's two most powerful factions.
Even as the party's liberal wing searches for a potential alternative to Clinton, an alliance between the White House and her campaign would offer a contrast with the wide-open fight among Republicans for their nominee.
A melding of Obama and Clinton's teams would complete their evolution from bitter rivals to allies.
Clinton was Obama's first secretary of state, and the two speak occasionally.
But there has been lingering tension between their advisers that occasionally comes up. That happened last year when Clinton was seen as being critical of the president's foreign policy.
Clinton is likely to distance herself from some of Obama's policies if she runs. Still, Democrats say they're pleased by the prospect of a united front as the campaign begins, particularly as Republicans prepare for what could be a lengthy and crowded primary.
Clinton has not declared her candidacy, but the addition of top Democratic talent to her team is among the clearest signs that an announcement is forthcoming.
Among the Obama operatives joining their former rival's campaign are Joel Benenson, the president's longtime pollster who will take on the broader role of chief political strategist for Clinton, and Jim Margolis, who will serve as her top media adviser, the same role he held in Obama's campaigns.
The official, like other Democrats aware of Clinton's manoeuvres, was not authorised to publicly discuss the developments and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Clinton has paid speeches and appearances on behalf of the Clinton Foundation scheduled through March, suggesting her campaign may not begin until after that.
"Hillary knows that the last campaign didn't go well," said David Axelrod, a longtime Obama adviser.
"For those asking if '16 will be different, these are some very strong signals."
Clinton supporters have been pushing the former secretary of state to manage her 2016 team differently than her last campaign, which was undermined by a mismanagement and internal strife.
Her campaign also struggled to keep up with the more technologically savvy, data-driven Obama team, which revolutionised the ability to target specific voters.
Clinton's campaign is likely to include loyalists who have worked for her and Bill Clinton during the couple's decades in politics, including some who were with them during the 1990s and her 2008 campaign.
Among them is John Podesta, who is leaving the White House in February as a presidential counsellor and is expected to become Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign chairman.
The overlap between Obama's longtime aides and Clinton's emerging campaign also deepens the merger of the Democratic Party's two most powerful factions.
Even as the party's liberal wing searches for a potential alternative to Clinton, an alliance between the White House and her campaign would offer a contrast with the wide-open fight among Republicans for their nominee.
A melding of Obama and Clinton's teams would complete their evolution from bitter rivals to allies.
Clinton was Obama's first secretary of state, and the two speak occasionally.
But there has been lingering tension between their advisers that occasionally comes up. That happened last year when Clinton was seen as being critical of the president's foreign policy.
Clinton is likely to distance herself from some of Obama's policies if she runs. Still, Democrats say they're pleased by the prospect of a united front as the campaign begins, particularly as Republicans prepare for what could be a lengthy and crowded primary.
