Edwards changes the mix on staff

John Edwards is reshuffling the ranks of his top staff, adding two prominent Democratic operatives as senior advisors and shifting some responsibilities from campaign manager David E. Bonior.

Paul Blank and Chris Kofinis, leaders of the labor-backed anti-Wal-Mart effort WakeUpWal Mart.com, were expected to join the Edwards campaign as early as next week. Blank would take over day-to-day campaign operations, and Kofinis would serve as communications director.

The deal was not yet final but was expected to be completed in the next few days, advisors said Thursday.

Blank was political director for Howard Dean’s 2004 presidential effort and remains close to former Dean campaign manager Joe Trippi, who is serving as a senior advisor to the Edwards effort.

Bonior, a former Michigan congressman, would retain the title of campaign manager but step up his role as public spokesman for the campaign. He’s also expected to travel extensively with Edwards.

The changes come after a disappointing fundraising quarter for Edwards and some ongoing communications challenges, including the continued fallout over his $400 haircuts and connection to a New York-based hedge fund.

Edwards raised just over $9 million from April through June, much less than rivals Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.

Top Edwards strategist Jonathan Prince said staff changes reflected the campaign’s continued growth and should not be taken as a sign that anything was amiss.

Bonior, Prince said, remained in charge of the campaign, “but as it heats up he’s going spend more and more time on the road. That means we are looking to have additional people in the office to manage the organization as it grows.”