Top Bachmann aide out after flap over campaign switch
December 29th, 2011
06:19 PM ET
11 years ago

Top Bachmann aide out after flap over campaign switch

(CNN) - Michele Bachmann confirmed Thursday that another key member of her presidential campaign was no longer working for her.

"He quit," Bachmann said of former Political Director Wes Enos. Bachmann was speaking on CNN's "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer." The Ron Paul campaign put out a release noting that he was "recently terminated" by the Bachmann campaign.

The move is the latest development over the last day that has rocked Bachmann's Iowa organization. Late Wednesday, former Bachmann state chairman Kent Sorenson showed up on stage at an event for rival Ron Paul, declaring he had switched allegiances just days before the first-in-the-nation caucus.

Almost immediately, Bachmann claimed the move was financially motivated, citing a conversation she claimed to have had with Sorenson.

Enos released a statement early Thursday calling into question Bachmann's account of what prompted Sorenson to jump ship. Enos' statement was circulated by Paul's campaign Thursday afternoon.

"I won't say much about the situation or the conflicting statements beyond this; I can say unequivocally that Kent Sorenson's decision was, in no way financially motivated," Enos wrote in the statement.

At the time, Enos said he was sticking with Bachmann, despite their disagreement.

"While I personally disagree with Kent's decision, and plan to stay with Michele Bachmann because I truly believe in her, I cannot, in good conscious watch a good man like Kent Sorenson be attacked as a 'sell-out' … That is simply not the case, and it was not the basis of his decision."

But only hours later Bachmann Press Secretary Alice Stewart said only that Enos "no longer works for the campaign." Stewart said legal reasons prevented her from describing in more detail what transpired. A Paul campaign press release regarding the comments from both Sorenson and Enos stated that he was the "recently-terminated Iowa political director for the Bachmann Presidential campaign."

Bachmann said in the interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer that her phone records would be able to prove the conversation with Sorenson did take place, and added that others in her campaign could also vouch for her side of the story.

"[Sorenson] flat out told also Eric Woolson, who is the Iowa Director as well," Bachmann said. "He told a lot of people. There's people a mile long that he told that he was getting money and all of those people are coming out of the woodwork, making themselves available."

–CNN's Shannon Travis and Kevin Liptak contributed to this report.

Also see:

Occupy vs. Ron Paul

Dole calls old Iowa allies to push Romney

Gingrich's 'wild and wooly' Iowa tour

Romney's Iowa confidence grows

Perry ad in Iowa calls GOP rivals DC-insiders


Filed under: 2012 • Iowa • Michele Bachmann • Ron Paul
soundoff (12 Responses)
  1. T'sah from Virginia

    If Bachmann keeps this up, her endorsement for someone else will not even be worth it... She will ruin them just like Sarah Palin!!!

    Obama 2012

    December 29, 2011 06:56 pm at 6:56 pm |
  2. Robert

    Maybe they should take the fingers they are pointing and use them to plug the leaks on their sinking ship!

    December 30, 2011 09:04 am at 9:04 am |
  3. Joe from CT, not Lieberman

    As Michelle's campaign slooooooly sinks in the west, her delusional view of the Universe still tells her that she WILL be the Republican Nominee for President. Will someone still left on her campaign staff please make sure she has bee taking her medications?

    December 30, 2011 09:24 am at 9:24 am |
  4. Jim C.

    After watching the interview, one thing is clear. Bachman can lie with the best of em. I was also waiting (aching) for Wolf to ask her the name of the boy standing with her. $100 says she would have no idea what the prop's (errr boy's) name was.

    December 30, 2011 09:33 am at 9:33 am |
  5. Former Republican, but never again!

    Bachmann will finish dead last in the caucus. If she truly is a dedicated conservative and wants to beat Romney, she'll drop out and ask her followers to vote for Santorum.

    December 30, 2011 10:11 am at 10:11 am |
  6. Straight Shooter

    Somebody is going to get a "Doesn't Play Well with Others" on their report card.

    December 30, 2011 10:12 am at 10:12 am |
  7. Gloria

    She won't have any supporters (staff) left by Jan. 3rd!

    December 30, 2011 10:54 am at 10:54 am |
  8. Indy

    I used to find primaries rather dull and have never been a fan of reality shows, but that was before the current GOP primaries.
    Best. Reality Show. Ever.

    December 30, 2011 11:04 am at 11:04 am |
  9. Shannon

    Can someone, anyone tell me why this woman doesn't have to do the job she is taking money from the American people to do.

    December 30, 2011 11:09 am at 11:09 am |
  10. AlanMichael

    Michelle can't be taken seriously as a potential POTUS. The US would be laughfing stocks and ranked just ahead of Kim Jung um as far as world leaders.

    December 30, 2011 11:17 am at 11:17 am |
  11. benny

    bachmann's demise will help Santorum's momentum even more. I expect Paul to win Iowa (dedicated voters & best GOTV) at 25-30% Santorum second (the Evangelical vote & picking up most of bachmann support) at 18-23% Romney third (lack of enthusiasm) at 15-20% Perry 12-16% (pocking up some of nachmann supporters) & GingRICH will get less then 12%!!

    December 30, 2011 11:19 am at 11:19 am |
  12. Tracy

    Obama/Clinton 2012 – Clinton/Richardson 2016.. But still love ya Biden!!

    December 30, 2011 11:34 am at 11:34 am |