Two Top Bachmann Aides Step Down From ‘Day-to-Day’ Roles

A few changes in the Bachmann campaign will, no doubt, draw a good deal of scrutiny at this point in the campaign.

The New York Times:

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Ed Rollins, the veteran campaign operative who helped engineer an Iowa straw poll victory for Representative Michele Bachmann this summer, has stepped down from running the day-to-day operations of her presidential campaign, a spokeswoman for Mrs. Bachmann said Monday night.

A spokeswoman for Mrs. Bachmann’s campaign cited health reasons for the abrupt change in the role Mr. Rollins, 68, will play in the presidential campaign.

“Ed is moving away from the demanding day-to-day operations of the campaign and into a senior adviser role,” said the spokeswoman, Alice Stewart. “He is fantastic and will continue to be invaluable on the campaign.”

Politico:

"I wish I was 40 years old, but I'm not," he told POLITICO. "I'm 68 years old, I had a stroke a year and a half ago. I'm worn out."

The change is coming just as Bachmann is entering a new phase of the race, searching for the right way forward against the Rick Perry juggernaut, which has sucked away the oxygen since her Ames Straw Poll win.

Rollins insisted this represents a change of schedule but not his commitment to Bachmann.

"I want nothing but the best for her, she's a great candidate, I'll continue to be there for her," he said.

However, Rollins is not the only one stepping down.  His deputy campaign manager, David Polyansky, is also exiting.

Washington Post:

Polyansky’s departure at the same time, of course, will raise questions about whether this, in fact, represents a strategic shakeup for a campaign that has taken a back in the Republican presidential race since Texas Gov. Rick Perry got into the race. Bachmann won the Ames Straw Poll three weeks ago but has struggled to build on that win.