A boost right off the stage and into retirement for Hillary, where she belongs.

The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder: "Demoted Hillary Clinton strategist Mark Penn may no longer have the coveted title of chief strategist, but he remains a key member of the campaign's senior staff. Indeed, it is not clear precisely what Mr. Penn's demotion entails, other than a public rebuke."

"Mr. Penn took part on the campaign's morning message call this morning, as usual. This afternoon, he is also scheduled to be on a call with Clinton and other aides to begin to prepare for Saturday's presidential debate in Philadelphia. Mr. Penn 'is still going to be very much involved,' a senior campaign official said."

I think it will, as long as she gets rid of Penn's tactics and starts being herself. I think people will like that.

Gee, this is impartial. Not. Given that the circumstances surrounding the memo are murky at best, and the Canadian government has insisted that the adverse publicity for Obama was patently unfair, this smacks of an attempt by Gergen to tar Obama, again. Sorry David, I'm not buying it! That Clinton could be unaware or unconcerned about her campaign advisor's connections to a lobbying firm paid to promote deregulated trade with Columbia, and favorable government policies for Nationwide and Blackwater, is yet another reflection of what a bad leader she would make.

When IS a resignation not a resignation? Depends on your definition of the word "IS." Sound familiar?

Worst case scenario for Hillary is that Penn defects in loyalty and begins to attack her. Networks will pay attention to his "insider's opinion" and it could incredibly damage her campaign.

it would probably have more of an impact if he was actually gone from the campaign:

Marc Ambinder reports

Demoted Hillary Clinton strategist Mark Penn may no longer have the coveted title of chief strategist, but he remains a key member of the campaign's senior staff.

Mr. Penn took part on the campaign's morning message call this morning, as usual.

This afternoon, he is also scheduled to be on a call with Clinton and other aides to begin to prepare for Saturday's presidential debate in Philadelphia.

Mr. Penn "is still going to be very much involved," a senior campaign official said.

Indeed, it is not clear precisely what Mr. Penn's title-change entails, other than a public rebuke, although the official said that "there is a difference between being in charge and being one of many voices."

David, it makes it worse. Firstly Mark had the burden of responsibility, being the Chief Campaign Strategist. Secondly, he only gave up his position and payroll level, he still is very much a part of the Clinton machine and was still making calls as recently as this morning. This dead fish is stinking up her campaign, and has put Hillary's run for Pennsyvania into a nosedive, and they're all out of parachutes.

What do you mean: his departure? He didn't resign. He isn't gone. Today the Clinton Headquater had its daily conference call to their other campaign offices> Andhe was at his desk as usually and he was part of the conference call. He is still involved on a daily basis, in a leadership role in her campaign. His being fired was just "mirrors and a smoke screen." That is typical for Hillary. One can't believe anything that comes out of her mouth or out of her campaign center. Lies, lies, lies! If you think I am wrong CNN check it out!

Gergen, if any average voters really knew jack about this guy, maybe it would be better for her campaign to have him resign. But average people only see the headline "Clinton top strategist resigns over scandal" and that's the long and short of it for most people. When they read that it was sheer hypocrisy that forced him to step down, that just rubs salt in the wound. Average voters pay attention to headlines, not the personal histories of campaign staffers. This is going to crush her campaign temporarily and because of the nature of the scandal, it could even cost her blue-collar states such as PA and IN. Especially combined with the fact that she's a multi-millionaire, which doesn't ring very closely to many of those she's trying to represent.

What matters to me is that you actually stated something about Obama's advisor and NAFTA!!! Shocking….so many people on these blogs just don't get it - they still blame Hillary for the NAFTA/Canada thing.

Mark Penn needed to go in my opinion - he has made some bad comments during the campaign which I'm sure Hillary would not have supported, but she had to answer to them. I have been an admirer of hers for a long time, and truly beleive she is the best qualified candidate.
But, I always felt he needed to go.
I watched Meet The Press a few weeks ago, and the guests that week
all agreed that "Hillary is better than her campaign" - and I agree.

Um. In your own article, you noted that Penn would still advise her after he resigned.

So he just doesn't have an official position.

Cut him some slack. After only getting a few hours sleep, any reasonable human being might accidentally buy plane tickets and go negotiate a trade deal with a foreign country. It happened to me last week. It happens!!! Trust me….

With this piece, it seems that Gergen is lobbying for the position of spin-master himself.

At McBush swearing for President
Obama: You just had to keep fighting didn’t you Hillary
HRC: It was my turn Kid. No line jumping

Go OBAMA 08

Listen….you can hear the Clinton's dreams dieing…….

Actually Hillary's people met with Canadian officals before Obama regarding NAFTA. Why is that not discussed more?????????

She takes a licking and keeps on ticking. Go Hillary. Stop the Obama train wreck. Save our Country from destruction.

With all do respect, Mr. Gergen - I bear to disagree. Penn was involved in a business interest that is not so welcome to us as voters and particularly to Clinton's platform - or so she says as she crosses about the country. This is one of the reasons that we as voters do not trust Clinton(s). She represents herself to voters in one manner and then disregards these stands with her deep embedded interests to parties that have gone on to destroy the economical well being of America. Frankly, I always listen to your commentaries and 99.9 percent of the time, I agree with you. But, if you think that Penn's forced resignation from his position and eventual demotion was not valid considering the circumstances? Please think again, Mr. Gergen. Think again. Voters do not trust the Clinton(s) and mistrust her cronies even more. Will it make a difference to her campaign now that Mr. Penn has been demoted? Journalists have debated why her candidacy has faltered? There is a block of voters in this election that are educated and informed. A great, extensive and varied block and we are determined to vote our will. Our will is that the next President of the United States not be imbedded (sp?) with special interests AND more importantly? The next President must have our trust. You can spin Hillary Clinton any way that you want as journalists - simply put? She is not likeable. She can not be trusted.

Bernie Moore-Knowles
Papa'aloa, Hawai'i

Sorry, but you can not convince me that the Clintons had no idea as to what Mr Penn was all about. They knew what his company was all about and what they did for a living. I would not be one bit surprised if Penn's company was involved directly or indirectly with the past NAFTA negotiations. The simple fact is that they had hoped this would not have come to light, but it did. Americans are not that stupid so give us some credit will you. As for Obama's advisor, that was NOT in any sense of the word worse, in fact it is childs play when compared to what just happened. This was not a renegotiation of a deal, it was a new deal, that again would go against American jobs.
It is a shame that the Clinton's have been able pull the wool over the eyes of so many Americans.

The fact is… you can't play in the superbowl until you have won the playoffs.

"Still, it was a far cry from what one of Barack Obama’s top advisers did when he met with Canadian officials on NAFTA and his mistake properly set off a mini-firestorm."

are you serious? as a canadian living in the US, I have been closely watching the news and I never saw any proof that this actually happened? So much for reporting the facts David.

David … do you really think anything changed? They argued fot months over Penns real title, he was or was not the strategy director or the pollster … now he's been "demoted" but is still a "voice". What exactly changed?

Also a bit disappointed that you rehash the Obama Canada story incorrectly.

Penn has not left the Clinton campaign - so let's report the truth here.

Also, where would this issue be if the Obama campaign acted like the Clinton campaign? This issue would be plastered all over the front of news papers for days with people on talk shows talking about it and Obama mentioning it at every campaign stop. Thank God Obama is different.

What we do need is for the press to fairly report this, along with the Canadian report about the Clinton campaign approaching them before Ohio. Additionally, we need the press to research into the connection between a conservative female member of the Canadian Parliament visiting former President Clinton at his house the same time the Obama report surfaced - that sounds fishy.

Let's get some fair press out there - the Clintons have it wrong - the press has been overly hard on Obama and any potential issue around him - while Hillary has skated through Canada, Bosnia, Columbia, and let's not forget the other lie she has been telling about the hospital (seems like she did as much research on that as she did on Bush's war resolution she voted for and the intelligence report she never read).

Oh, and Gergen, we know you are pro-Hillary - but in the interest of honest reporting - do you think you could be fair and honest for once?

If the campaign really turned against Penn in February, and was looking to get him out the door, then they have probably not been letting him write the course over the last 2 months, which I suspect is the case. It's hard to believe that Penn was still detailing the campaign strategy until yesterday. To the extent he had already lost the trust of the remaining leaders, his removal makes no difference.

Ciinton Campaign Journal: Mark Penn stopped talking today, just two months after we stopped listening.

I don't get it! Is Penn is still advising the Clinton Campaign or not. Change of title. Is that about it?

It is like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

Any more brilliant questions, David?

Yeah, HILLARY'S PEOPLE GAVE CANADA THE WINK WINK! That story was out weeks ago. I can't believe this lie is still being peddled as coming from Obama.

Well Rev Wright continues to hold the ear and heart of the "wanna be"
president and will be an "in your face" fixture at both the inauguration and the white house. Picture that! Bad decisions don't care who makes them.
AAAARRRRGH. Just kick him to the curb Hill. Keep the faith.
Hillary's TOO LEGIT TO QUIT!!

she is responsible for her campaign as it does have her name on it. i love how the blame for the blundering campaign is now pinned on Mr. Penn rather than the person who's name it represents.

just another example of finger pointing and blame by HRC. no responsibility is ever taken by her.

I think he's done her huge damage….I don't think he really resigned since he's still there just not official. I think Clinton should resign because she has deceived the American people once again.

Yeah, HILLARY'S PEOPLE GAVE CANADA THE WINK WINK! That story was out weeks ago. I can't believe this lie is still being peddled as coming from Obama.

Wow, David Gergen has always been a Clinton supporter; but, he's usually fairer than this!! Everybody in Canada knows the story about NAFTA was misreported here and it was Clinton's campaign who contacted them. Also, Penn hasn't been fired, he's been "shuffled". Lastly, the big questions are stil: Did the Colombians think that Penn was speaking for Hillary? Did Penn think that he spoke for Hillary? Did Hillary think that Penn spoke for Hillary? Given her propensity for obfuscation and lying, you have to ask yourself what's really going on.

This is in fact the second lie the Clintons have devised with regards to trade deals. The Canada thing was done first by the Clinton, CTV (Canada) has the option to run both Hillary's NAFTA conversation with Canadian Consulate and Obama and for some reason they chose Obama.

Hillary is as much phony as Dick Cheney. No more Cheney, Bush or Clintons.

GET OUT HILLARY…..NOW !!!

I, personally,did not even know who Penn was. Hillary's best chance
to be President was in the beginning of this Campaign. Hillary shot herself in the foot too many times. Americans are wonderful caring people in general and want to forgive people for their mistakes. Hillary
did not do the same for Obama. When Hillary and Bill began the attacks against a man from their own party and sided with McCain that was the beginning of the end. The hate and the lies and wanting to win at any cost, the fact that Hillary and Bill thought they deserved to win was a slap in the face to Americans, he bashing of Obama made Americans take note of Obama. Americans are very smart people when it comes to judgement.

Hillary has only "herself" to Blame. And Bill.

Obama will make it. 2008 It is too late for Hillary.

Penn's continued presence will harm Hillary more than his exit.

But both are of little consequences; the campaign is already winding down

Another one Bites the DUST! Heh heh.

Billary will be defeated if we have to expose every single lie. One at a time. Pretty good spin there, top strategist has a "what was I thinking?" moment.

The word is getting out, just what type of people the Clintons are, Cutthroat!

Obama for President!

Hey I have an idea:

Clinton Supporters stop hating on Obama
and Obama Supporters stop hating on Clinton

Maybe we'll get somewhere as democrats……..

I do not think that she has to do anything. The worse has happened. Americans just need to vote with their hearts and minds.

Yes, right over the edge into the dumpster. People are going to see another reason why Hillary has no business aspiring to be the CEO of the most powerful, challenging, complex organization in world history - she can't even manage her campaign staff. Starting to hear the "death rattle" of Billary?

David,

Wow, are you really saying what Penn did pals in comparison to what happened in Canada? First off it was the Clintons who first contacted Canada not the Obama campaign.

Second, Penn is her top guy, a guy who is actually working for the Columbian goverment. You are kidding with this article right? Clinton is done and you will have four years of bagging on Obama.

Yes, Hillary will bounce back from this situation. Hillary will win over the superdelegates. Oh, I forgot, Obama is paying super delegates to endorse him. Don't give up Hill. If Hillary loose the nomination I will vote for McCain and wait for Hillary in 2012.

I WANT THE CLINTONS BACK IN THE WHITEHOUSE.

Obama is great. One speech will solve any problem.

Flip-Flop Clintons! He is still involved in her campaign.

Obama Nation 08!!

Probably changes nothing–it's not Penn that has been setting the tone for the Clinton campaign. That would be HRC. Send her some more money.

All i want to say is in the last election the democracts won the big states in the primary that hillary is making noise about but in the general election Bush still won twice he did it so to me what does winning big states have to do with been electable.

Hillary needs a booster shot of truthfulness that could prove helpful.

Sounds like Another Clinton smoke screen. Nothing new. She is always saying one thing and doing another. Obama may have his faults, but I would take him over a bold face liar anyday. Please Hillary, Don't go away mad. Just go away.

Mr. M.Penn steping aside is a sigh of relief for the internal organisation of the campaign.The officials in charge of the day to day management,will agree to disagree,and hence plot along on effective stratergies,that will help Hillary to concentrate on solutions rather than confrontation.Fallen and dusty,you get up brush off the dust and keep on going.To answer Mr. Gergen question,I think so-it will bring peace internally.

For crying out loud on NAFTA. HIllary challenged CTV to release - with immunity - the name of the person from her campaign who alledgedly met with Canadian officials. The story died there. There is a physical memo in the possession of AP documenting Goolsbee's meeting with the Canadain consulate in Chicago. Apples and oranges. The Canadian govt had to softpedal it so as not to be perceived as meddling in a US election ('no intention to convey, blah,blah'). If they wanted to disprove the memo they would have produced its author Joe de Mora to make a statement they he lied and that did not happen.

Penn's departure from the upper echelon of her campaign can absolutely not hurt her. It's just probably too late.

Funny comments. But realistically, its Democrats for Mc Cain '08.

Anyway, it seems we need more speeches than solutions. God bless America.

Penn is not gone. He still have to do back door deal on trade for Hillary and Bill to keep their money flowing. We are the people of a Perfect Union that is being lied to, trick and mislead by the Clinton's. Bill and HIllary are getting away with a lot of bad tactics that they hope to take to the WH with them if Hillary is elected. I hope that she will not make it because she can't control her campaign and listen to any story someone hands her without checking out the facts. Hillary you dumb and don't know the first thing about competing in the Presidential race. Go join a beauty contest to get some tips.

Obama 08 for sure.

He and his company are still advising her. She might get a boost if she actually severs all ties with him. At this point it's just a media play, and hopefully it won't work. He was working for Clinton's campaign and the Columbian's at the same time…very poor move, and just another example of her poor leadership. You are the choices you make and right now she's a poor candidate.

This will definitely give her a boost….. the campaign will have harmony and unity to put out a common message and attack Obama without appearing too negative

bye bye Hillary

Say what you want — who cares anyway — Hillary with out a doubt would make the best President. If Obama gets in - it is going to be Americas loss.

I don't see how this could give her a boost since he has been on her Staff for all these months.
To say this would give her a boost is amazing to me.
It may boost contributions from her supporters who had enough since to see that Penn was a "conflict waiting to happen" as was so well put on CNN last night.
I think the way her campaign has been run hurts her. I wish she had done this long ago.
It's much too late now. Game over. No matter what Wolson comes up with.

This just shows how mismanaged her campaign is. How is she ready on day 1? She has been running her campagn for two years now and its still in the toilet. She had this thing won. She had all the support,(media,super delegates,backers ect.).It was like starting a 100 yard dash from the 50 yard line. How could she be in this position? Please tell me. They blame everyone else for their misstakes. She can not even admit she lied. Bill talking about beating up on a girl? What do you think the rest of the world is going to do? She made some dumb comment about how long it takes to get ready in the morning..why? ..so women would say to themselves."you know what, she is right, we do have it harder" Is that the argument you want the President of the United States of America making when meeting with Russia and China? The whole world knows now she lied about Bosnia, its humilating. Europe knows she lied about Ireland. Ohio knows she lied about Nafta. It goes on and on and on and on…

Where is the proof that it was Sen. Obama's campaigner who met with the Canadian minister?????????

Anderson, please do a fact check on this! I am sure it was Hillary's campaigner, maybe even PENN!!!!

how about all that so called charity money they gave away oh yea right they gave it away to there own charity who in turn gave millions away to other charities of the very people endorsing her campaign oh my what a tangled web we weave. lies lies lies and lies!!!! all she is good for more lies.

Go Obama 08

What kind of dream world are we living in? There is no way at all she could ever catch up in popular vote or delegate count unless the superdelegates all vote for her, thereby negating the importance of an election in the first place. From here on out, this is all a big waste of time and effort. Sure, I'm happy to go out and vote for Obama but I do agree this is definitely "Silly Season."

Finally, we will have only speeches from the Great President OBAMA

David, David, David. With spin like this, you may get the top spinmaster job in Hillary's campaign. Unfortunately, if we're reading this, we have just a little bit more savy than the Sunday Morning tv folks. Its a big deal, if the head of your campaign is taking the opposite stand from the candidate, especially regarding jobs in states that have been losing jobs. Don't repeat this on Sunday, you'll get laugh out of the studio.

i agree with most people here. this penn guy must go.. i mean, what gives him the right to say G>D> America, or Aids was invented by the gov. to kill blacks, or blacks killing blacks is wrong, they are killing the wrong people, or. I guess i could go on, but wait, that wasnt penn, that was baracks spiritual advisor, his uncle, his mentor. oh yea, penn is a bad guy.

David, Penn is still with the campaign. All the much ado about nothing, the smoke and mirrors was to make the labor union members think Hillary fired Penn. That is not true. Penn is still on Hillary's payroll and still an advisor.

Hillary's lies, lack of character and honesty are causing her to lose this election.

Wow! I didn't even make the awaiting moderation! It's alright most of the others have already said what I posted anyway. GO OBAMA

From Canada
Are you kidding me? Does anyone down there know the difference between Canada and Columbia. Our wages are better than most States and we have some of the strongest unions on the continent. "United Steelworks of America" Canada is an equal partner.
Check Columbia's record on Unions and minimum wage.

OHIO and Pennsylvania Union's, the Clinton's would sell you for a dollar then fire you just like they fired their advisor. Don't kid yourselves!

As a "Canadian Unionist" how can you even compare Canada and Columbia!!!!! Obama you can talk to us any time you want.

Bush and Clinton when it comes siding with Unions - you would sell your own mother!!!!! and pretend otherwise!

As if Mark Penn is behind everything that has gone wrong in the Clinton campaign! if only it were that easy! Hillary Clinton just doesn't get it. That is why her campaign is in debt, that is why she is behind in both popular vote and electoral vote and that, my friends, is why she will lose this nomination. Mark Penn is only a small part of that.

Hillary, it's over! You're making a fool out of yourself!

you have to fire both liars to get a boost

How can a person get a boost after once again proving to the world that she does not know how to surround herself with the right people?

I agree, a smoke screen for sure. He's still there, advising and making his "mark." (Ha) One thing for sure, however, I think she's finally lied enough to make the "end" in sight. I think from here on out, she will slowly decline.

Hopefully she hasn't done and will not do anymore damage to our party. This idea that we have to let the "people's voices" be heard is a bunch of nonsense. In previous primaries, most voices weren't heard….why do they have to be now?

Thank God!

People who say they are going to back McBush if their canidate does not win need to relax a little. Would you really contribute to the mess this country is in..i.e, jobs leaving this country at an alarming rate, people losing their holmes, education sadly lacking behind the rest of the world. Katrina victims still without a place to live two years later, thousands of sons and daughters dying in Iraq. Tax breaks for the richest americans. Thats like cutting off your nose to spite your face. But, if you want, go right ahead. Which ever canidate loses this nomination will not run again in 2012. Why? Because with the way you are acting, who ever wins the democratic nomination will not win the general election. The loss will be blamed on the loser of the democratic race for destroying the party. Think about that very carefully.

They, Clintons and their long time compatriots, do all sorts of double playing with American people. When they are caught red handed, they say it was a mistake or a lack of judgment. And someone steps aside still playing in the backdoor. But, not being honest to American people is a part of their professionalism.

I like to ask this simple question to Clintons: "Do your politics really need to be so nasty and dishonest to get to the power?"

May God forgive Clintons and all their compatriots if they believe in God.

I love your honest views on CNN. In contrast to Wolf Blizster and Lou
Dobbs you are not bias and you always address both candidates with
fairness. It is refreshing. The reason why these real issues that are arising from the Hillary campaign is not hurting her is because CNN does not run them over, over and over. To be really honest CNN was instrumental in ensuring that all the following in regards to Obama
played over and over and over: The Canadian Naffta misspoke, The Rev Wright, the Shame on you Obama. They were debated every hour, and run on the news screen every few minutes over, and over and over again. Cnn the World knows who you want to win this election. You should not use the Power you have to sway voters. Please let the process it course. Please let the people choose who they want to win this election. It is not about you and your fears of a Black candidate becoming President. It is time for a change…

David

I so often agree with you, but you can't actually mean that you think it is no big deal that Hillary's top strategist is being paid by the Colombian government?

Nothing could give this cow a boost, except maybe a bulldozer. Only in America…………………a common criminal running for President.

Gergen- you need to know the facts before you speak!!
Obama's aid did not do what the report originally said and
the Clinton people said in Ohio. It was another political mis-speak by Clinton and her campaign.
It was both an Obama aid and Clinton aid that met with
Canadian officials, Both said nothing was said about
'we are just saying against NAFTA for the election'.
The Canadian officials later confirmed that both the representatives
of Obama and Clinton said nothing about what was reported by the Canadian (FOX type) network. It was all fabricated!!!!

Jeez louise… more spin from CNN!!!

Hard to say - if Hillary herself is responsible for all of the exaggerations and "misspeaks", then no.
She seems to be doing a pretty good job at single-handedly imploding her own campaign (no others necessary).
Not being able to pick a trustworthy inner staff or run a fiscally responsible campaign is a direct reflection on her scatter-brained lack of leadership and clouded sense of reality!
What say you Clinton supporters? Anything other than just "Go Hillary"? Go ahead, type a real comment!

Did somebody say "resigned"???????

"Mr. Penn took part on the campaign's morning message call this morning, as usual. This afternoon, he is also scheduled to be on a call with Clinton and other aides to begin to prepare for Saturday's presidential debate in Philadelphia. Mr. Penn 'is still going to be very much involved,' a senior campaign official said."

Money, Power, ego, win at any cost. Lie to American People.
That is total disrespect of the American People. Americans
are the most forgiving and good people in the world and we
will never be able to survive another liar, deceiver, in the White
House. The Clintons belong with Bush, Rove, Cheney, Rice,
Rumsfeld,McCain, and the rest of the Country's "takers".Let
us ad Hannity and Limbaugh to the list of master deceivers.
They haverobbed our Country of everything we hold dear.and
we are to listen to them. Most of the above should go on trial
for the largest and worst deceptive policies in History.

Obama 2008

Oh man David…what are you thinking now days.

You try and tone down Hillary's support (long time support) of NAFTA, then forget to mention that SHE is the one that was playing games with Canada, now you try and say it's nothing like what Obama's people did?!
Are you kidding me! You have been an obvious shill for Hillary for some time.

Look, I know the Clinton's used to be your boss, but get over it and be an actual reporter, like you claim to be.

Cnn, you are deliberately leaving out pro hillary posts? What is going on here?

Not to place to fine a point on it….but her goose is cooked!!!!

one thing I am happy about My candidate has stood back and took the high road and not directly attacked the Clinton's on any of these many scandals they are swimming in reminds me when her husband was in office he was good for nothing and so is she!!! lies lies lies they donated all that money wow looks good on the surface except that when you look underneath you find out it was to there own charity and the charity they run made alot of donations to, well what do you know the very people that are supporting her now. Obama gets his money and support from the people !!!! not from thieves in Washington the lobbyist, the ones selling this country away one piece at a time! we already have one failed trade deal and now her chief campaign stagiest is talking with a piece of legislation that GW bush is supporting that should be reason enough for most educated people to run. He can not even speak English with any kind of proficiency.

Go Obama 08

Penn hasn't left the Clinton camp - all he did announce his resignation and give up his title. He is still there working for Hillary and intends to keep on working for the Clintons - what a sham! The news media should be reporting that this is just another Clinton LIE !

Like planning before a battle, and this election seems to have the attributes of one hell of a fight, you must lighten the load on the way to the battlefield. That guy should have been sent packin long ago. We are still with you Hillary. Give Em Hell Kid!

It is absurd to accept Mark Penn's response that his meeting with the Colombian government was some error in judgement. The contract between the Colombian government and Penn's PR firm is over a year old and the firm had already received $300,000 in payment. His remark tries to mislead the American public that his involvement in this affair was a one time event.

How long will the US stand for the duping by the Clinton's???

Hillary is like a teenager that gets told by their parents "you need to make different friends". She is shrewed and she cherry picks people who think the way she does. I'm sure she is surrounded by "yes" people, all old friends that has her back. Even if she fired them they would still be running the show behind the scenes. I'm sure there is nothing she doesn't know about them or about what they are doing.
Unfortunately we will still have to hear her two-cents worth.

Im sure the President of Iran would play nice if he knew Hillary had a harder time getting ready in the morning.

And once again the media rushes in to "save" and "protect" misunderstood Hillary? I'm surprised at you David (not really). This is the kind of journalistic "integrity" I've come to expect from the majority when it comes to nit-picking everything Obamas says and does (on Hillary's outraged command, while she manipulates, panders and openly lies and there is always always some explainable reason for it per her, her campaign and of course people like you Mr. Gergen.

When you get all that factual proof about Obama and his advisor and the Canadian Governent let me know. As far as Mr. Pen WE KNOW HE ACTIVELY SOUGHT TO MAKE A TRADE DEAL AGREEMENT WITH THE COLOMBIAN GOVERNMENT. To even suggest that Hillary the experienced and of sound judgement is oblivious to what Mr. Penn was and likely still is doing insults my intelligence.

Why doesn't the media talk about the Paul v Clinton fraud lawsuit? Add that to the list of questionable relationships.

Penn's PR firm provides the polling data, etc. necessary to make decisions. At this stage, it would be difficult to get another firm up to speed with the campaign so she has done the right thing. It amazes me how little some of these bloggers know…..The polling & demographics data is critical to the campaign!

Folks, this all boils down to electoral college votes come the November general election. If you don't understand how the electoral college votes work, then if Obama is the Democratic nominee, you also won't understand come November why the Democrats lost the White House.
You've GOT to carry the states with the most electoral votes in November — the states with the biggest populations.– states like New York, Texas, Florida, & California.

In essence all he did was have the maintenance guy at Clinton HQ just scrape Chief Strategist off his office door and sent out a resignation letter to the media who needed to be the first to run the story.

So let me try this at work tomorrow:
Resign my position and ask to get paid after my work is complete while doing the same job as before but without the title.

Result: Unemployment line.

Penn is still with her campaign. He is very actively engaged in it.

Canada came out and defended Obama with the NAFTA story. They said his campaing made no representations to them whatsoever on NAFTA.

The Canadian government stated HILLARY'S representatives DID CONTACT THEM and said DON'T WORRY. They stated Hillary's discussions were just political rhetoric. And may I add that Bill Clinton was in Canada at the time this was whole thing was being reported and misreported.

Now ask yourself, do you really believe that Penn wasn't acting for the Clintons as well as himself? I do and I'm disappointed in David Gergen's reporting of this.

Penn is still there, Maggie Williams has help this don't matter people will still vote the way they're going to vote. When ever Hillary is a liar and that is just that.

Penn has worked for the Clintons a long time, and previously well. He seems by all accounts a brilliant pollster and was a highly valued member of her team. Unfortunately, his promotion to CEO of Burson Marsteller seems to have gone to his head: it has conflict of interest written all over it. I agree it is not in the same league as the Goolsbee incident because Clinton did not send him, but it is ugly nonetheless, that he shows so little loyalty, not to mention common sense, and I wish she had fired him outright. Please note, Clinton was not in office for NAFTA, but she voted AGAINST CAFTA: there is no reason to doubt she will vote against the Columbian Free Trade Bill.

Why even bother to contact the media to report "Penn's resignation" when it's clear he hasn't gone anywhere? More Clinton campaign spin….

IT HAS BEEN APPARENT FOR SOMETIME THAT CLINTON'S CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN LANGUISING FOR LACK OF
A CONSISTENT APPEALING DIRECTION, CONTENT AND VOTER
CONNECTION. AND NOW WE FIND THAT HER CHIEF STRATEGIST
IS NOT ONLY A LOBBYIST BUT HAS BEEN WORKING FOR HIS FIRM'S AND HIS OWN SELF INEREST, ALSO BEING PAID BY THE CLINTON CAMPAIGN FOR DOING SO. ONE WONDERS WHY THE FORMER BILL CLINTON CAMPAIGN PEOPLE WERE NOT HIRED BY HILLARY, ONE OF THEM JAMES CARVILLE, OTHERS HAVE BEEN HIRED FOR MORE LUCRATIVE JOBS LIKE STEPHANOPOLOUS. IT IS THE ELEVENTH HOUR IN THE PRIMARIES.. CLINTON HAS AN EVERMORE UPHILL BATTLE NOW THAN EVER BEFORE.. MANY IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY WANT TO SOP THE CAMPIAGNS BY HAVING THE TWO CANDIDATES
FOR THE DEMOCRATIC TICKET. THAT WOULD INDEED BE THE WINNING TICKET IF BOTH CANDIDATES AGREE TO IT BECAUSE
MCCAIN IS GAINING GROUND ON BOTH OF THEM. THE SUPER DELEGATES WILL DETERMINE THE NOMINEE IS CERTAIN BECAUSE NEITHER OBAMA OR CLINTON WILL GET THE WINNING MAJORITYOF DELEGATES IN THE REMAINING PRIMARIES.
UNITED THEY WILL WIN, DIVIDED, THEY WILL LOSE.

By: David Paul Kuhn Back To Story Page »
Illinois Sen. Barack Obama is surging in Pennsylvania, according to several new polls. In one survey, released by Public Policy Polling this morning, Obama is now leading New York Sen. Hillary Clinton for the first time, 45 percent to 43 percent. That represents a closing of a 26-percentage-point Clinton advantage from only two and a half weeks ago.

The Pennsylvania Democratic presidential primary is scheduled for April 22.

Obama’s gains are largely due to a narrowing of the gap with white voters—29-percentage points according to PPP—but he continues to trail Clinton 49 to 38 percent among whites. In mid-March, according to PPP, Clinton led 63 percent to 23 percent among whites. That mid-March poll occurred prior to Obama’s race speech, at the height of the controversy over Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

The PPP poll of 1224 likely Democratic primary voters between March 31 and April 1, with a margin of error of 2.8 percent, found that Obama has improved by double digits with both white women and white men. Today, PPP has Clinton leading 56 percent to 31 percent with white women. Obama leads 44 percent to 43 percent with white men.

Obama also improved with black voters, long his base. He now captures the support of three in four African Americans in the state.

See Also
DNC convention stance surprises campaigns
New Bush biopic examines father-son tie
Dems working on Fla. compromise
A Rasmussen Reports poll, released April 1, had Clinton leading Obama by five points, 47 percent to 42 percent. Clinton had a 13-point lead two weeks earlier, according to Rasmussen. Another poll released the same day by SurveyUSA shows Obama making more modest gains. That survey found that Clinton was still ahead by 12 points, though Obama had narrowed her lead by 7 points in the past three weeks.

Taken together, the polls suggest that Pennsylvania, a state that once looked to be a lock for Clinton, has become considerably more competitive. His surge is especially notable considering Pennsylvania’s demographics and its closed primary, two factors

The reason Mark Penn has survived this long is because Bill Clinton owes him big time.

Plus, the Clinton's are afraid of outright firing him because he can hurt them very badly. Mark Penn hinted at this when he stood up for himself and said he was not to blame for Hillary's problems. In other words, that was Mark Penn's way of warning the Clintons.

Wow. I'm shocked at your opinion on this Mr. Gergen. How is this far less tame than what allegedly happend with Obama and Co.? How is not a scandal that Clinton's top aid, to whom she pays lots of money to help her get elected is a chief advocate against one of her MAIN positions in an upcoming primary that could severely affect the outcome.

Are you telling me that he has no sway over her, her positions or her strategies. If he does (and he did and still will), how can they justify this huge conflict of interest.

I really believe that if this were the other way around, we'd be blasting Obama.

Wow. You had me going for a while, as a middle-of-the road commentator. Now I see your true stripes.

Clintons 're the greatest liars in American political system……

The media keeps talking about Senator Obama’s aid talking with the Canadian representatives, Senator Clinton’s aid also talked with Canadian representatives, and told them to take what Senator Clinton’s words about NAFTA with a grain of salt. All this has been reported by many Canadian media out lets like the Toronto Star several times, but the American media does not seem to say much about Senator Clinton.

No, Hillary made bad judgement in Hiring to represent her campaign.
Nothing, Nothing can help Hillary's campaign now. Too much
water under the bridge and American's intelligence has been
tested by her and her nasty hateful tactics.American's are smarter
than Hillary or McCain can ever give them credit for. To believe that
"you deserve" or that you "are entitled to" was the end all to her
campaign.

Obama 2008

Michelle - love your comment…made me LOL!!

Hillary is really all over the map. She's most prepared to take that 3am call, yet she's lamenting that it takes her longer to get ready.

Fraud, fraud, fraud!

Clintons campaign is a train wreck within itself. Obama hasn't mentioned any of Hillary scandals that seems to pop up everyday, she and her campaign seems hell bent on destroying itself. But I'm wondering why are the Clintonites so mad at Obama? She gives him reasons to attack her daily on her mistakes, misteps, misspoken words, lies & contridictions but he never does….

The real question is can Hillary win in November. We know that Obama can't win in November. And I will not remind you why that is the case. OH Heck I will remind you, Rev. Wright.

Keep it up obamabots, you will cost your candidate the election if he is the nominee. Let's see how you feel about that.

LET THE DEMOCRATS PETITION THE DNC FOR A CLINTON-OBAMA OR OBAMA-CLINTON TICKET.

Obama, always been against the War!!!!!!!!! Hillary Clinton still Lies…..

Penn has under cut Union Worker in the US and Hillary Clinton supports him and he still work for her and still she lies…..

Bill Clinton recieve over $ 20 millions dollars from Saudis and Dubai Port World and still she lies……

It's amazing how this looks like $109.2 millions dollars in less than 7 years. Somebody got paid for favors and still she lies..

The Clinton's Art of lying and still she lies

Lizabeth-

Don't worry about the electoral college - that doesn't count in the nomination process.

Obama won TEXAS - he received the most total pledged delegates and the other states California, New York, New Jersey, etc…. will go with the democratic nominee which will be OBAMA !

Don't let the Clinton SPIN make you believe that anything but the PLEDGED DELEGATES count right now!

Hillary can do fine with or without Penn. She is strong and experience.

Hillary Clinton 08!!!!!!!

I've seen some poor articles, but this one takes the cake. You should be fired. Missinformation, spin, and an obvious loss of understanding of the situation… go back to school.

Don't forget folks,

Bill Clinton was in Canada two days before the supposed Obama/Nafta incident!!

It was not Obama's campaign who talked to the Canadians!! Wake up folks.

How can Republicans contionue to Lie about War heros. I agree that John Macain is a Hero. But how can Two Draft dodgers like George W. Bush and Dick (Deferment )Chaney Swiftboat John Kerry who went to Vietnam and was wounded three times. The Peaple better see that we are being hoodwinked by the big Money Guys. A working Person voting Republican is like a Chicken Voting for Col. Sanders. Why are Bill Gates and Dick Chaney's kids are not in the War. Answer, "Rich Mans War, Poor Mans Fight" We need a Revolution.

Team Clinton continues to make one mistake after another, and it is of no consequence whether Mark Penn is involved or not.

Hillary Clinton is a pathological human being who just cannot help herself.

She lacks the finesse her husband used to possess, when he could easily deflect criticism of his deceitful ways, and the American people see it quite clearly now.

Very very poor piece. This is not news, it's full lies. How can something be reported one way (NAFTA), then corrected, by the government itself, yet the correction totally ignored by all media, even in a time such as this. Media lazyness or flat out lies?

It will make absolutely no difference. Hillary Clinton is the main reason her campaign is not doing well. Her selection of staff is a reflection of her. It's too late now, baby! Tee hee….

Why does Hillary constantly reshape her message/strategy? I feel like she's all over the place rather than having a central focused goal. This isn't how you run a winning football team or business - does this work in politics?

day one
experience
strong
he can't win
she's about "change"
"yes we will" instead of "yes we can"
nafta/bosnia/union/hospital story/ FL-MI flip-flopping
credit for ireland? ship (pr whatever) healthcare?
TX firewall (Obama got more delegates)
constantly asking people to step down
Not apologizing/denouncing comments from supporters
Not commenting on Wright, then she does
Firing he other strategist about 2 months ago
Taxes and for the working people but then says "i have no problem with rich people"
230+ million in earmarks and will only release some

Is it me or is this a loose canon? She's all over the place but she hasn't really gotten anything done - where is she going?

If it's hard to understand, you need to be enlightened, no matter who you think is the best candidate. The media IS biased. It always has been. CNN is no exception. The problem is that it is almost impossible to present facts about a situation without someone not blowing the whistle on bias. But think about it. In the early days of the Democratic nomination process, when Hillary was the annointed one, most of the news was about her. As Obama hit the news radar, more and more of the news was about him as he gained ground.

There are two things the media loves more than anything else. Thing #1. Winners. Thing #2. Train wrecks (whether personal, political, or otherwise). Currently, Obama is staying pretty consistently in the winner's column. He hasn't "mispoken". He hasn't hired someone of questionable ethics who has then backstabbed him. He's just stayed consistent in message and position. Hillary, as she continues to lose ground against Obama is starting to look like a train wreck. CNN is reporting the impending train wreck. In the last couple of weeks, Hillary has not been able to get it right. And CNN has pounced. Should Barack do something incredibly dumb, they'll pounce on him, as they did during the Wright controversy.

Guys. Facts are facts. Typing the word LIES or LIARS in all caps adds nothing to the conversation. Get the facts. The REAL facts. Talk about those. If you can't get the facts, then keep the inflamatory nonsense to yourself. It shows absolutely nothing except that you need to really calm down and do some reading.

You will notice that I left my name and email address. I believe in the Constition and the right to keep and bear arms and the right of free speech. My Father was a survivor of Pearl Harbor and Guadaul Canal and was wounded twice for this Country. I never thought I would live to see his sacrifices wasted for the greed of Big Bussiness. By the way if anyone would like to discuss my opions personally, I live in Indianapolis, Indiana, My address is 8623 Turnstone Ct. 46234. Try to take my guns, or silence my voice. This coment will get me on a watchlist. That is another right we have lost, "Freedom of Expression"
Please Wake up Peaple.

Hillary is much like a bobble head nodding at her latest scheme to steal the nomination.

She should return to the senate and continue her work.

"Still, it was a far cry from what one of Barack Obama’s top advisers did when he met with Canadian officials on NAFTA and his mistake PROPERLY set off a mini-firestorm."

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? The Penn affair is FAR worse. Penn, only after getting caught , admits promoting free trade with Columbia. The Obama riff was a distortion of facts that had no real validity accept for venom tossing HC fans and the press. Hillary and company wrongly laid into Obama as well. Penn will probably get swept under the rug by reporters. Unfortunately, Clinton's "values" and ideology seems to change from state to state. How many half-truths and "mis-speaks do we need to realize it's a pattern? Typical OLD-STYLE political hypocracies.

No doubt HC would be better than our current President. But come on man. Aren't you supposed to be a reporter? WHAT HAPPENED TO THE VALUES OF EDWARD R MURROW?

OBAMA '08!

How many lies is it going to take before America demands that Hillary drop out of the race?

Bosnia - Lie
Ireland - Lie
NAFTA - Lie
Canada - Lie
Columbia - Lie
Hospital/baby - Lie
Mark Penn - Lie
Iraq - Lie

And those above are just from within the past month!

Hillary is much like a bobble head nodding at her latest plan to get the nomination.

She should return to the senate and continue her work.

I think it's ultimately bad for her campaign. It seems she can't control either her husband or Mr. Penn. I think it makes people wonder how well she will be able to control her own staff and cabinet as president. Lots of mistakes have been made by the Clinton campaign and she can't seem to keep them from happening. Another thing: it looks bad when she doesn't COMPLETELY break ties with Mr. Penn, and keeps him on the side for polling and advising.

Of Course it won't give her a boost! It's just so much more disarray and nonsense her underfunded, undervoted, under-delegated (even the superdelegates are running for cover!), and in possession of a truly incompotent staff. But I guess CNN is just trying to arificially throw this in some positive light for her so they can appease the supporters of Senator Clinton who are screaming that CNN is slanted against her. CNN, ignore the irrevelevant inflammatory subjects and you won't have to worry about fire from either side. There is so much more that should be reported about these candidates that people don't know. I wish both candidates would stop throwing fire at each other, and start throwing some light instead. Stop showing us merely the fire CNN, we want to see light!!

She can fire staffers, people can "resign", she can hire new employees…..whatever.
Guess what? SHE'S STILL HILLARY CLINTON no matter who's around her. She's greedy and she lies to America like we're all stupid and beneath her. She actually believes we don't see through it.
Obama is real, Hillary is a fake trying to ACT real.
It's all about money and power for her.
All she does is read from notes and give that fake smile when talking….like she couldn't possibly be SEETHING behind it.
Transparency at it's most transparent.

Oh Please, Hillary has nothing to do with her campaign being a disaster??? Its all Mark Penn's fault?? You've got to be kidding me. They are trying to blame it all on him out of desperation.

It will be a good thing for the campaign. But, the Obamaites will try to capitalize on this non issue. Like Gergen said, it is not nafta gate. His campaign manager yesterday still denies it happened to the press when we know that it did. That is a story.

There is a big difference between Mark Penn and Obama's Top Economic Advisor:

Simply Mark Penn went Behind Clinton's back. The 300K must have looked too good to his political consulting company. However, knowing the stand of Senator Clinton, NOT a smart play or decision on his part.

I'm glad he resigned…wish he would have in January.

Obama's advisor on the Other hand…well he did Not go behind Obama's back…ergo…he was not fired.

Shame on CNN for even comparing the two…two totally different situations. And two totally different outcomes.

BILL CLINTONS PRESIDENCY WAS ONE OF THE BEST TIMES FOR AMERICA…

BUT HE HAD A LOT OF DISTRACTIONS:….

HILLARY WILL BE A MUCH BETTER PRESIDENT THAN BILL AND AMERICA WILL BE MUCH BETTER IN ABOUT 4 YEARS TIME WITH HILLARY AS THE PRESIDENT….

-HILLARY 08.

Obama is strong and Clinton is weak!!! Since Barack Obama has 1,629 delegates and Hillary Clinton has 1,486 delegates, that proves that Barack Obama is stronger than Hillary Clinton. Barack Obama is now within 396 delegates away from 2,025. I'm now hoping that Barack Obama will definitely win Pennsylvania on April 22 for sure.

My friends and also endorse Michelle Obama while she's nominated for First Lady. OBAMA 2008!!!!! I'M CRAZY ABOUT OBAMA!!!

No comparison to Canada. Typical Clinton deviance.

Penn's resignation will have absolutely no positive impact on Hillary's
campaign. Why did not Hillary interview the man before she hired him?
Or did she know about Penn dealings with Columbian's. She did!
Didn't she?
Oh, well he still has a position in the background. He is still with
Hillary on the campaign.
Hillary will be "very fortunate'"if N.Y. lets her continue representing
them in the Senate. Maybe that would "humble" Hillary. I really do
not think that Hillary is capable of being "humbled."
Hillary ruined her chances to become President. Bill helped ruin
her chances. Hillary whined, cried, complained, shouted, lied,
threw accusations at Obama, went against her party when telling
the nation good things about McCain and bad things about Obama.
The worst is she has underestimated the "very smart" American people by thinking, she was too good to lose, she was "entitled."
and another back biter to the American's is her and Bill saying,
"they don't quit" or "they don't lose." All of these statements are
really an insult to the American voters.

The rats are jumping off the ship. Pretty soon, the call will go out "ABANDONED SHIP!!!"

CLINTON-OBAMA 2008 <DREAM TICKET AND NIGHTMARE FOR THE REPULICAN'TS!