In perhaps the strongest language to date used for attribution by a prominent Democrat, CBS News.com reports on its Internet site that Tony Coelho, a onetime chair for Al Gore's 2000 campaign, "lashed out at the John Kerry presidential campaign, characterizing it as a campaign in chaos." Coelho said, "There is nobody in charge and you have these two teams that are generally not talking to each other." CBS adds, "As Coelho and other detractors see it, there is a civil war within the Kerry campaign," with former Kennedy aides Mary Beth Cahill and Bob Shrum "at odds with recent additions who served under President Clinton." Coelho said, "Here are two groups that have never gotten along and have fought, and it is a lot over money."
Lockhart Taking Charge Of Kerry Message.
Former White House press secretary Joe Lockhart is making his presence in the Kerry campaign felt, as the New York Times reports he "has taken charge of much of its daily communications." Campaign manager Mary Beth Cahill remains "in charge of spending, scheduling, get-out-the-vote efforts, and other vital functions."
Democrats Critical Of Edwards' Low Profile.
Adding to the Kerry campaign's difficulty is growing Democratic skepticism about John Edwards' role in the campaign. The New York Times reports in a front page story that "at a time when Vice President Dick Cheney has been mocking and pummeling Mr. Kerry across the country, reveling in the traditional fighting role of a vice-presidential nominee," Edwards has "adopted a decidedly less belligerent and lower-profile stance as he campaigns through communities like this small town in southeast Ohio." Democratic strategist Tony Coelho said, "The Bush camp is using Cheney in a much more aggressive way than the Kerry camp is using Edwards. What they do with Cheney is go out there and be the hammer, when necessary, but also the validator. It doesn't seem that Edwards is in it all the time. They use him a little bit as a hammer, but not a lot. I don't understand it. They need it."
