Knoxville — The departure of Al Gore’s campaign manager is not likely to have a negative impact on the vice president’s bid for the White House, a University of Tennessee political scientist said Thursday.
Dr. William Lyons said Tony Coelho’s departure may help focus Gore’s campaign.
“In recent weeks, his campaign had begun to flounder,” Lyons said, “and I guess the Gore people thought they needed some energy.”
Coelho announced he was stepping down from his position, after being told by doctors to restrict his travel as he receives treatment for an inflamed bowel.
United States Commerce Secretary William will reportedly resign his Cabinet post to assume management of Gore’s campaign.
Coelho is credited for renewing the vice president’s fortunes by moving the campaign headquarters from Washington, D.C. to Nashville.
Lyons says past questions about Coelho’s financial dealings did not resonate with the public.
“There some concerns raised about him and his financial dealings,” Lyons said, “but once the story became old news, the general public lost interest in such charges.”
Daley is expected to join the Gore campaign around July 15.