I love the rumor mill, especially when we’re only a few hours away from a second crushing defeat for Hillary Clinton. Fox News’ Major Garrett writes:
It’s back to the future at Hillary Clinton’s campaign as some of the top advisers to former President Clinton are set to join to Hillary’s faltering campaign as early as tomorrow. Senior Clinton sources tell Fox that Hillary intends to bring in as top day-to-day advisers James Carville and Paul Begala.
And then a bit later…
Paul Begala sent the following e-mail to The Bourbon Room moments ago.
Major:
I know you’re swamped and I hate to bother you on such a busy news day, but whoever told you I am joining Hillary’s campaign fed you some bum info. It’s just not true. Or as I say to my boys, N.H.D. Not. Happening. Dude.
I am not coming in as a volunteer, or as an adviser or as a strategist or anything else. I have contributed to her campaign, and am convinced she would be a great President. But I am not joining the campaign in any form or fashion.
Thanks a lot.
All best,
Paul Begala
The sourcing on the story is impeccable and its been confirmed through other, external sources very close to the Clinton campaign. The story has always said this is a matter that has to be finalized in a shake-down meeting tomorrow after what is expected to be a bruising Clinton loss here in New Hampshire.
The final decision is due tomorrow but the current intention, as The Bourbon Room first reported, is to bring Begala and Clinton on board as day-to-day strategists on a volunteer basis.
One of the realities of political coverage, is denials fly until the press release is out. There’s no press release on this. It is in development and that’s always the way The Bourbon Room has reported it.
The topic of bringing Carville and Begala on board was first raised in a Clinton conference call yesterday, a call in which two very credible sources tell me Begala and Carville participated.
Like everyone else who has spent time with the Clintons, Paul Begala knows how to chose words. In his letter to Garrett, did you notice how did denied that he’s joining the Clinton campaign, today? He didn’t say anything about tomorrow, or the next day, or next week. The words missing from Begala’s letter were: “I’m not joining the campaign today or at anytime in the future.” But he didn’t say that, did he? Nope.
He’ll be on board by the end of the day tomorrow.
Tags:
2008 Election, Campaign, Hillary Clinton, Politics, Paul Begala, James Carville