Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has turned to former Obama pollster Joel Benenson to join her campaign team — if in fact she does decide to run for president.
Robby Mook, who helped with Ms. Clinton’s 2008 campaign, is a likely aide to any run for the White House she might make. But Mr. Benenson’s name is somewhat of a surprise to political watchers and represents a shakeup on the part of Mrs. Clinton, Politico reported.
The safer route would have been to stick with Mark Penn, past pollster for Mrs. Clinton and former President Bill Clinton, or Geoff Garin, whom she deployed after a campaign makeover during the 2008 primaries, Politico reported. But the former secretary of state seems to be casting a wider net.
Mr. Benenson served on Mr. Obama’s campaign as part of a larger team — a scenario that Mrs. Clinton is believed to be considering for herself if she runs for the White House, Politico reported.
Sources said Mr. Mook and Mr. Benenson are now working with Mrs. Clinton to shape the framework for her run, Politico reported, though neither would comment.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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