Rollins steps down in Bachmann campaign shake-up
(CNN) – Michele Bachmann campaign manager Ed Rollins is stepping into an advisory role and deputy manager David Polyansky is leaving the campaign, Rollins said Monday.
Rollins, who’s 68 and had a stroke a year and a half ago, cited health reasons for his decision.
"I just don't have the endurance to go 12 to 14 hours a day, seven days a week anymore," Rollins told CNN's Anderson Cooper on Monday.
Rollins said he still has great affection for Bachmann and pledged to give her counsel moving forward.
"At the end of the day, I'm not going away," Rollins said.
Rollins has been with the campaign since early June. The hire was a big get for Bachmann, as Rollins helped former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee spearhead a campaign that eventually won the Iowa caucuses in 2008.
"Ed is moving away from the demanding day-to-day operations of the campaign and into a serious advisor role," press secretary Alice Stewart said in a statement. "He is fantastic and will continue to be invaluable on the campaign."
Late Monday night, Bachmann's team announced Keith Nahigian, current campaign strategist, as the new interim campaign manager.
"Keith has played a vital role in the success we have had to date and I'm confident he can lead us to a strong finish in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and across the country," Bachmann said in a statement.
Politico first reported deputy campaign manager Polyansky’s departure earlier Monday, saying he had "strategic differences" with Bachmann.
When asked about the conflict, Rollins told CNN that there are always differences in a campaign.
"David did a superb job. He ran the straw poll in Iowa," Rollins said. "I think David just decided–because we worked so well together–that he was going out, too."
However, Rollins said Texas Gov. Rick Perry's recent entrance into the race has made a difference in Bachmann's campaign.
"Legitimately, it's a Romney-Perry race," Rollins said. "I think she's the third candidate at this point in time, which is way different and better than we thought when we started this thing. She's very much in this thing."
He said Bachmann's key role in the next couple of weeks will be her performances in the debates.
- CNN's Steve Brusk and Peter Hamby contributed to this report.
Watch Anderson Cooper 360° weeknights 8pm ET. For the latest from AC360° click here.
From CNN Politics
- Disastrous jobs data sharpens Trump's dilemma over closed economy April 9, 2020 05:46 pm
- Trump preparing to announce second task force focused on economic recovery April 9, 2020 02:52 pm
- CNN poll: Biden leads Trump in national head-to-head matchup April 9, 2020 05:05 pm
- Biden campaign braces for general election: 'This is the beginning of a very difficult race' April 9, 2020 02:40 pm
- Senate at stalemate over more COVID-19 aid after Republicans and Democrats block competing proposals April 9, 2020 03:33 pm
- 'This is brutal': Lawmakers in hard-hit areas try to deliver during pandemic April 9, 2020 10:04 am
I didn't think I could have a lower opinion of Ed Rollins but knowing he was part of the Bachman crusade could help.
Buh-bye, Mrs. Bachmann!
Now, if only Palin can get her campaign organizers and manager to go. You know the ones: Dopey, Sneezy and Doc.
funny. but Rollins credibility has already sunk to an all time low for taking on the gig in the first place!
She will say God told him to quit. Hey, I hear there are some spot available in the Gingrich campaign!!
Poor Ed. Once he woke from his self-induced coma, he realized that working for a loon made him look loony too. D'oh!
He probably was doing OK for awhile until he realized he'd have to look in her eyes each and every day.
"Rats fleeing a sinking ship." First thing I thought of and I see I wasn't the first.
"He said Bachmann's key role in the next couple of weeks will be her performances in the debates."
Which she will do poorly on. It is sad when you are so dumb that even an idiot like Perry can make you look like moron.
Maybe he figured out (finally) that she's a dingbat....
If Ed Rollins can't stand the heat in theBachmann kitchen it must be very bad. Ole' Ed is know for his race-baiting, snaggle toothed campaigns. His quitting speaks reams.
@MarineDad
.
I am also a dad who is a marine but I am a father first and then a marine.
Your priorities are out of wack.
Mu-ahha-ha-ha-ha!eeeeevil laught..
Bachmann and Charles Manson have other things in common besides those "crazy eyes."
I don't blame Mr. Rollins for stepping down. Campaigning is a tough job and at his age (68), it can definitely wear you down.
Having said that, with Rick Perry literally upending the Republican Primary and essentially absorbing a lot of Bachmann's supporters, one has to wonder how much of this new political paradigm played a part in Rollins decision to hand over the reins.
He's not stupid. Hanging your hat in the Bachman camp is a real losing battle. Even the best of the best campain perople cannot get past the crazyness.
The news media is making too much of this. He is saying he will still be involved in the campaign, doing what he is best at - advising and coaching the candidate and senior staff. Unlike some of her male challenger, Bachman knows why she is running and doesn't really need advisors to tell her how to connect with people.
Personally, I would never vote for her, but this is a media driven story about an inside the Beltway staff change. GIve her a break.
Ed is way too sane and classy of a guy to work for a Rightie extremist Nut like Bachmann. Good move Ed.
Cedar Rapids – Palin is a quiter and out for herself and where she can make the most money. Has good speeches telling you just what you want to hear. Get you head out of the sand and let her actions speak for themselves. She'd most likely quit the presidency claiming it was a hardship on her family and start a new reality TV show.
If Rollins quits, then Michelle is done. Looks like she's been "Perry-ed"
Why aren't there some intelligent candidates running. The GOP is digging around in the cellar with idiots on board this campaign. Nuts. Just nuts!
Mr Rollins knows when to fold them and he knows that Rep Bachmann should go back to Wash because she can't win the GOP/T primary and he knows the jig is up.
maybe it was all the stupid things she said sucking up to that Demmit guy over the weekend ?. this lady holds the key to getting Obama reelected. the more we hear from her....the better the democrats look. she's gonna help crush the t-baggers and religious zealots come 2012. hope she stays in the race as long as possible. the more she talks, the crazier she gets. i love Buchmann!
Frau Eva Braun, I mean Michele Bachman is toast. Too bad though. I would loved to have had her as the candidate. and to Alaska Palin..... please help that nitwit become the GOP nominee. Nothing would make Obama a more sure second term POTUS than that fool
Rollins had his stroke 1.5 years ago ... he's been around the block to know how stressful a presidential campaign is. Why doesn't he just admit he's a rat fleeing a sinking ship?