Edwards shuffles top campaign staff

NEW YORK -- John Edwards is changing the ranks of his top staff, adding two prominent Democratic operatives as senior advisers and shifting some responsibilities from campaign manager David Bonior.

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

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

Blank was political director for Howard Dean’s 2004 presidential effort and remains close to former Dean campaign manager Joe Trippi, who is now serving as a senior adviser 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, a former U.S. senator from North Carolina, 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 the staff changes reflected the campaign’s continued growth and shouldn’t be taken as a sign that anything was amiss.