Politico Morning Score: Heating Up
By POLITICO STAFF | 3/10/11 6:13 AM EST
From today’s edition:
2012 RECRUITMENT WATCH – THE SCRAMBLE BEGINS – Don’t look now, but the pace of hiring for the presidential campaigns-in-waiting just picked up – a lot. There’s been big movement on at least four teams in just the last 24 hours. Here’s what you may have missed:
– HALEY BARBOUR: The Mississippi governor’s political team, fresh off bringing on Jim Dyke as a top communications aide, has recruited former RNC online communications chief James Richardson to work on web outreach. Henry Barbour’s statement, shared with Morning Score: “Haley is very pleased that James Richardson has joined his team to help manage the national interest of bloggers and other online journalists in the Governor’s political activity. Haley understands the significant role bloggers play in today’s political world and wants to maximize that dynamic medium.”
– TIM PAWLENTY: Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty just added two major early-state talents to his 2012 operation, signing former Mike Huckabee adviser Eric Woolson to his effort in Iowa and bringing former Mitt Romney strategist Rich Killion on board in New Hampshire. Real Clear Politics reported the Killion news: “The Concord strategist is regarded by his peers in New Hampshire as one of the top three GOP strategists in the state – if not the best.” And the Washington Post had the Woolson hire first: “Woolson was at the center of Huckabee’s stunning victory in the 2008 Iowa caucuses … Woolson’s hire is also a sign of Pawlenty’s big bet on Iowa.”
– JON HUNTSMAN: Horizon PAC, the would-be vehicle for Huntsman’s presidential ambitions, has enlisted several well-connected former McCain backers in New Hampshire to help prepare for 2012. NH Journal’s Amelia Chasse: “Horizon PAC … recently announced Peter Spaulding as its top New Hampshire advisor … NH Journal has learned that another Commissioner is also helping lead the charge for Huntsman in New Hampshire – former State Commissioner of Employment Security Richard Brothers … Bill Grimm of Franklin, has also joined the Huntsman team and will help recruit veterans for Jon Huntsman.”
– RICK SANTORUM: The former Pennsylvania senator has bulked up his New Hampshire advisory committee with several new members, including former Union Leader editorial page director Jim Finnegan. John DiStaso has more: “Conservatives Jim Finnegan, Elaine Kindler and Sue Carroll ‘have come on board to help inform Senator Santorum and America’s Foundation about the concerns and issues important to New Hampshire families,’ according to an announcement to be made public on Thursday. Finnegan … was well-known for his directly, sometimes scathing, commentaries on a wide range of state and national issues.”
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