Fired Clinton Campaign Manager Named to Run Obama's VP Campaign

Democratic presidential frontrunner Barack Obama fired a powerful salvo today at former rival Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton by hiring her deposed and estranged campaign manager, Patti Solis Doyle, to serve as chief of staff to an unnamed vice presidential candidate.

Clinton supporters have been publicly advocating that Clinton get the second spot on the ticket while Obama surrogates have thrown cold water on the idea.

Obama spokesman Bill Burton said nothing could be inferred about Obama's thoughts on a vice presidential candidate from the hiring of Solis Doyle, which was announced along with several other new posts Monday afternoon.

But a Clinton insider, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told CQ Politics that the subtext is clear.

"Translated subtitles aren't necessary," the insider said. "There is no other way to interpret this other than '[Expletive] you.'" Burton declined to comment on the Clinton camp's reaction to the appointment.

Solis Doyle, who had served as Clinton's scheduler when the senator was first lady and in various capacities since then, was ousted as campaign manager a few days after the "Super Tuesday" Feb. 5 primaries. The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this month that the two - who used to be extremely close - have not spoken since, though Solis Doyle continued to draw a salary of nearly $12,000 per month from the Clinton campaign at least through the end of April, according to federal election records.

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