Sarah Palin's Chief Of Staff: Ed Rollins Has Long History Of Sticking Foot In Mouth

GOP Establishment hack Ed Rollins

By Gary P Jackson

Michele Bachmann's hired GOP establishment attack dog, Ed Rollins, has stirred up a hornet nest among Conservatives and Tea Party members, as the guy has a record of trashing both. It's still hard to fathom why Bachmann hired someone like this. At any rate, Sarah Palin's Chief of Staff Michael Glassner talked to POLITCO about the loose cannon:

Sarah Palin's chief of staff blasted Michele Bachmann strategist Ed Rollins today after Rollins criticized the former Alaska governor and suggested to POLITICO that his candidate would benefit by comparison to her

"Beltway political strategist Ed Rollins has a long, long track record of taking high profile jobs and promptly sticking his foot in his mouth," said Sarah PAC chief of staff Michael Glassner in an emailed statement. "To no one's surprise he has done it again, while also fueling a contrived narrative about the presidential race by the mainstream media. One would expect that his woodshed moment is coming and that a retraction will be issued soon."

A Bachmann aide blew off Rollins' nastiness by saying he was "working in his role in his media analyst" at the time he spewed his nonsense. Where I come from those are weasel words. Bachmann hired this loser knowing what he was, and it's doubtful he went on the attack without her approval. Bachmann needs to own this. If she can't keep this loon on a leash, how does she think she'll be able to serve in an executive position?

Meet Sarah Palin's Chief of Staff, Michael Glassner

Speculation of a 2012 presidential run by Sarah Palin went into overdrive last week when it was announced she hired longtime political strategist Michael Glassner as her Chief of Staff, a position that had not existed within Team Palin.

We researched his resume and found him to be a serious logistics guy and a problem solver. The perfect man to have on one's team.

ABC News has a more in-depth look at the man and his abilities:

The veteran Republican operative who could help guide Sarah Palin into the 2012 presidential race has a close friendship with Todd Palin to thank for his new role. He is now at the top of the former Alaska governor's political hierarchy.

Friends and associates of Michael Glassner, whom Palin recently hired to be her chief of staff, say it was Todd who reached out to him in recent weeks and urged him to come aboard. His task: to bring some order to Palin's far-flung and highly-insular circle of advisers.

At a speaking appearance in Long Island, New York on Thursday Palin said she "hired a chief of staff because, to tell you the truth, Todd's getting kind of tired of doing it all for me." And her comment likely rings true for just about anyone who has seen the ad hoc nature of her political operation.

It now falls on the shoulders of Glassner, a veteran of Sen. John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign and a long-time aide to former Sen. Bob Dole, to professionalize Team Palin.

"Governor Palin's done incredibly well flying by the seat of her pants," said Glassner's friend Scott Reed, a former presidential campaign manager for Sen. Bob Dole. "But Michael will be trying to get a semblance of a structure in place so they can operate better and service her better."

At least initially, sources close to Glassner expect him to do the job from New Jersey where he lives with his wife and two young daughters. Former colleagues describe him as a detail-oriented, fiercely loyal person who "takes great pride in flying under the radar." They also say he is a "fitness nut" and, along with his wife, a dedicated vegetarian. (It's unclear how that might clash with Palin's love of hunting big game animals and her ability to field dress a moose.)

Palin's handful of aides seemed to welcome his arrival. With individuals working for her in California, Texas and Washington, coordination has been difficult.

During the 2010 election cycle Glassner was a supporter of Alaska's GOP Senate candidate Joe Miller, whom Palin endorsed. Campaign aides said he offered advice and helped make important contacts throughout the campaign in an unpaid role.

Glassner first met the Palins when he joined the McCain campaign as the director of vice presidential operations in 2008. He was responsible for scheduling and logistics, and perhaps most importantly, keeping Sarah and Todd Palin happy.

[ .... ]

A quiet efficiency appears to be the trademark of his own management style, but at least one former colleague said Glassner can be tough.

"He has a very soft approach on the front end," said Meg Collin, who worked with Glassner during his seven-year stint at the IDT Corporation, a global telecommunications firm. "Michael's the kind of guy who'll ask you nicely and dangle a carrot, but if you don't do what he needs to have done, he can be quite forceful."

At IDT, Glassner was chief of staff to the company's CEO, handling external communications as well as government and investor relations. He left the job in 2008 to join the McCain-Palin team, and after the campaign, started his own strategic marketing and public affairs firm, C&M Transcontinental.

"I got the sense that he kind of missed that," Collin said. "There was always a certain sparkle in his eyes when he talked about politics."

At least a few of Glassner's confidantes acknowledged they were surprised by his decision to sign on with Palin, but predicated he would be an effective chief of staff in her often unpredictable world. Palin said on Thursday that she is "still thinking about" running for president, but that she has yet to make up her mind.

"Mike understands finance, understands compliance, understands scheduling and advance," said Burke, Dole's former top aide, "All the nuts and bolts of an infrastructure -- that is where his skills are so strong. He's the guy that's always three steps ahead."

This is a very lengthy article, so check it all out here.

We like the fact that Glassner shares some of qualities and activities the Palins  treasure. The love of the outdoors, and being a "fitness nut" and so on. He and his family will fit in quite well.

We've heard some grumbling from some of our fellow Conservatives because Glassner worked with both Bob Dole and John McCain's presidential campaign.

Let me caution, that just because someone worked within an unsuccessful campaign, doesn't mean they are somehow incompetent. As you'll read, Glassner, first "worked" for Senator Dole at the tender age of 11, as he handed out bumper stickers and such. That of course led to him working for Dole long before a presidential run, and he didn't run Dole's campaign. He is fiercely loyal, so it makes sense he would be loyal to Senator Dole as an adult.

Glassner's job in 2008 revolved around Sarah and Todd. Keeping them on schedule and ready to roll.

Having read his resume, and now this more in-depth look, I don't think Sarah, or Todd, couldn't have picked a better man. This is the guy you hire to make sure the trains run on time. The one who gets things done, and done well.

Once the 2012 campaign starts, Glassner's expertise will be essential. Sarah Palin is one of the very best retail politicians in the country. She loves getting out among the people. She will travel extensively and take her message to as many places as humanly possible. Glassner will be the one charged with making it all happen.

Sarah Palin Hires Michael Glassner as Chief of Staff

This may be the most excitement ever created by the hiring of a logistics guy!

This announcement has set the blogosphere ablaze.

From Peter Hamby at CNN:

Sarah Palin has added a veteran Republican strategist to serve as chief-of-staff for her political action committee, Sarah PAC, CNN has learned.

Michael Glassner, an attorney and longtime adviser to former Kansas senator and presidential candidate Bob Dole, has signed on to steer the former Alaska governor’s political operation as she considers a possible 2012 presidential bid.

During the 2008 presidential campaign, Glassner managed vice presidential operations during John McCain’s unsuccessful White House bid.

"We are happy and excited that Mike is joining our team," Sarah PAC spokesman Tim Crawford told CNN.

Glassner worked logistics with the vice presidential team in 2008. That was the wing of the McCain campaign that actually gelled and worked pretty good as a unit.I'm sure he is someone who will serve Sarah well.

Glassner will work as Chief-of-Staff for SarahPAC, for now, but this is the sort of fellow one hires when they are getting serious about running for President. Glassner is a logistics specialist. A great team manager. He has a solid resume. From Linked-in:

Michael Glassner's Summary

A 25-year veteran in public affairs and national political campaign management, Glassner provides experience and leadership in public affairs and policy development to achieve bottom-line business and policy objectives for clients.

C&M Transcontinental LLC offers national and international experience and expertise at devising and leading global strategic plans for successful public policy and communications challenges.

Specialties

Government affairs, corporate and campaign operations, internal and external corporate communications, investor relations, general corporate management.

Michael Glassner's Experience


Partner


C&M Transcontinental

Public Relations and Communications industry

September 2009 – Present (1 year 6 months)

C & M Transcontinental (C & M T) merges the leadership and public affairs capabilities and policy and market development expertise of two leading professionals with over 50 years combined experience in corporate strategic communications, government program management, marketing and public relations at the executive level, political campaign management and more. C & M T is committed to its clients’ bottom-line business and policy objectives, achieved with a commitment to exceptional client service, quality control standards, and delivering a return on investment.

Director, VP Operations


McCain-Palin 2008

Telecommunications industry

May 2008 – November 2008 (7 months)

Managed the Vice Presidential campaign on behalf of Senator John McCain and Governor Sarah Palin, the Republican nominees for President and Vice President of the United States. Directed campaign travel and scheduling, logistical advance, personnel, budgets, fundraising, and other campaign activities for the VP nominee. Managed a team of over 100 campaign staff and volunteers and served as a member of the campaign’s senior staff. Participated in strategy and planning for the McCain-Palin general election campaign

Senior Vice President, External Affairs


IDT Corporation

Telecommunications industry

July 2001 – July 2008 (7 years 1 month)

Directed public affairs, internal and external communications, investor relations, and strategic planning for an international telecommunications company with an excess of $ 2 billion in annual revenues. Acted as Chief of Staff to the Chief Executive Officer, chief spokesman for the firm, and leader of its public affairs efforts at the local, state, federal and international arenas including regulatory and legislative matters. Other duties included acting as liaison to members of the board of directors, advising the CEO on brand management, corporate governance matters, led extensive political fundraising activities, and served as Treasurer of the IDT Corporation PAC.

Also determined corporate sponsorships, assisted with new business development and charitable foundation contributions. IDT Corporation (NYSE: IDT, IDTb) is a leading facilities-based multinational telecommunications carrier that provides a broad range of services to customers worldwide. IDT’s businesses include wholesale carrier and retail services including prepaid calling cards, domestic and international long distance services, wired and wireless consumer telecommunications products, and natural gas and electric sales and distribution networks.

Chief of Staff to the Chairman


Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Government Agency; Transportation/Trucking/Railroad industry

May 1998 – July 2001 (3 years 3 months)

As counselor to Chairman Lewis M. Eisenberg, served as liaison to the governors of New York and New Jersey, Members of Congress, state, county and local government, as well as to the Port Authority (PA) Board of Commissioners and staff. Duties included negotiating large-scale transportation and infrastructure projects, creating strategies for long-term capital plans and programs, promoting privatization of selected PA facilities including the World Trade Center, and advising the Chairman on personnel and management issues.

The PA is a bi-state, $3 billion agency with over 7,000 employees that operates major transportation facilities in the region including Newark, LaGuardia, and Kennedy airports; interstate tunnels, bridges and marine terminals; and other transportation, infrastructure, and real estate properties.

Senior Advisor


Senator Bob Dole

Public Relations and Communications industry

January 1986 – December 2000 (15 years)

January 1985-December 2000, Washington, D.C., Kansas, and nationally

Served as confidant and strategist to Bob Dole, beginning as an intern and culminating as Senior Advisor to the Republican nominee for President of the United States. Roles included acting as Executive Assistant to the candidate in his run for the presidency in 1988, as Executive Director of his leading national political action committee, and as State Director of a network of U.S. Senate constituent services offices in Kansas. In 1992, oversaw and managed a successful statewide campaign for Dole’s final reelection to the Senate.

From 1993-1995, led a national network of political consultants to provide financial and advisory assistance to candidates at all levels. In 1996, acted as key aide to Senate Majority Leader Dole from the presidential primaries through the general election. Traveled with the candidate on a full time basis, coordinated candidate’s schedule, crisis resolution and day-to-day logistical arrangements. Following the campaign was retained as advisor to Dole’s Washington, D.C. law firm, Verner, Liipfert, Bernhard, McPherson and Hand in the international business development practice.

Michael Glassner's Education


University of Kansas

Political Science

1981 – 1985

Additional recent coursework at the New York Institute of Finance in Financial Accounting, Project Finance, and Bond Markets as well as coursework in Macroeconomics and Investor Relations at New York University, New York, NY.

Activities and Societies: Delta Tau Delta Fraternity Intern for Senator Bob Dole Worked full time at a local law firm

This is a solid pick for many reasons. Glassner brings a wealth of skills to the job, as well as a wealth of contacts. The sort of contacts needed to put together a winning team.

Though she hasn't announced,, we think this is a sure sign the big day won't be too far off.