STATE : Feinstein Campaign Manager Quits, Says Ex-Mayor Lacks Commitment

Dianne Feinstein’s campaign manager abruptly resigned today, complaining that the former San Francisco mayor “has been unwilling to commit to a schedule, an organization and a budget capable of electing her governor.”

Feinstein responded to Clinton Reilly’s announcement with a sharply worded written statement: “I regret that he would announce his resignation to the media without first having told me.”

“I am confident we shall recruit others equally as capable of carrying out a winning campaign,” Feinstein continued in her written statement. “This in no way deters my determination to continue my campaign for governor. In fact, it redoubles my commitment.”

Reilly’s announcement praised Feinstein’s “immense potential” but was unusually blunt, especially for someone with such a long and close political association as Reilly had with Feinstein.

Reilly had managed Feinstein’s successful 1983 campaign against a recall attempt and her successful 1984 reelection campaign for mayor as well as her unsuccessful bid for the Democratic nomination for vice president in 1984.