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Penn Ties Still Hurting Clinton in Pa.

Pro-Obama unions attack Hillary for not dumping strategist

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 9, 2008 9:14 AM CDT
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(Newser) – The demotion of Mark Penn in Hillary Clinton's campaign hasn't ended the problem the errant consultant is causing her in Pennsylvania, Bloomberg reports. Unions supporting Barack Obama have pounced on the strategist's advocacy of a Colombian free-trade deal, calling him pro-business and anti-worker. "She has to sever completely with Mark Penn," said Teamsters president James Hoffa. "Her credibility is at stake."

Clinton and Obama are locked in a tight battle in some of the Keystone State's industrial centers, such as Wilkes-Barre and Harrisburg. And while Clinton has generally held an advantage over Obama among blue-collar workers, the Penn fallout threatens to jeopardize her chances.

Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., addresses the Communications Workers of America (CWA), Tuesday, April 8, 2008, in Washington.
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., addresses the Communications Workers of America (CWA), Tuesday, April 8, 2008, in Washington.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Mark Penn, who left the Clinton campaign Sunday, April 6, 2008 after it was disclosed he met with representatives of the Colombian government to help promote a free trade agreement Clinton opposes.
Mark Penn, who left the Clinton campaign Sunday, April 6, 2008 after it was disclosed he met with representatives of the Colombian government to help promote a free trade agreement Clinton opposes.   (AP Photo/The New York Times, Librado Romero, File)
Teamsters President James Hoffa addresses a Teamsters conference in Houston.
Teamsters President James Hoffa addresses a Teamsters conference in Houston.   (AP Photo/The Chronicle, Steve Campbell)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, reaches for photographers on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, April 8, 2008.
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, reaches for photographers on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, April 8, 2008.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., speaks at the Communication Workers of America legislative conference in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, April 8, 2008.
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., speaks at the Communication Workers of America legislative conference in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, April 8, 2008.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • Democratic presidential candidates • Democratic nomination • Pennsylvania primary • Election 2008 • Teamsters • James P. Hoffa

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