Patti Solis Doyle regroups for NH primary

Patti Solis Doyle, campaign manager for Hillary Clinton, is in the fight of her life.

Doyle, whose ties to Clinton go back to 1991, when she was hired as Clinton’s scheduler, has five days to turn the tide. After a solid defeat in Iowa, the New Hampshire primary is a crucial contest for a candidate who was once considered a Democratic shoo-in.

This is Doyle’s first national campaign. Although she prefers to stay behind the scenes, she is known as a fiercely competitive person who runs a tight, well-organized operation. She has described herself as “tough as dirt.” (Story continues below interactive map.)

The daughter of Mexican immigrants and sister of Chicago City Council President Daniel Solis, Doyle has long enjoyed the friendship and full confidence of her boss. She helped strategize Clinton’s Senate campaign in 2000 and has headed her political operations in recent years.

She is married to Jim Doyle, senior VP at Penn Schoen and Berland. The firm’s president, Mark Penn, is Clinton’s pollster.

There’s no indication yet of any reorganization in the Clinton camp. Last week, Clinton dismissed such speculation. “There’s no turmoil, no shake-up,” she told the Wall Street Journal. “I have total trust in Patti, who’s my campaign manager, confidante and friend.”

The candidate boarded a plane at midnight, heading for New Hampshire, hoping to repeat her husband’s 1992 victory there.

“Hillary is going to continue making the case that in these serious times when America faces big challenges, it will take a leader with the strength and experience to deliver real change,” Doyle told reporters.

“This race begins tonight and ends when Democrats throughout America have their say. Our campaign was built for a marathon and we have the resources to run a national race in the weeks ahead.”

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