Perry Effort Hires Former Newt Staffer

Politico reports:

The group "Americans for Rick Perry," which made headlines in the last two days for trying to light a fire for the Texas governor in the form of support at the Ames Straw Poll in Iowa next month, is making hires - including a top former Newt Gingrich staffer, sources told POLITICO.

Craig Schoenfeld, a veteran Iowa strategist, has been brought on board and has started nascent discussions with others about six-week contracts - meaning the duration of the lead-up to the Ames poll, the sources said.

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Schoenfeld ran Gingrich's Iowa effort until the massive Newtiny that saw nearly 20 staffers quit last month, in part because the candidate wouldn't commit to the retail politics and fundraising involved in winning the state.

His presence gives the group instant heft.

Schoenfeld declined to comment, and directed calls to Bob Schuman, the California-based consultant who is spearheading the pro-Perry effort, which is raising money to support the governor, even as he weighs whether to jump in.

Schuman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.