Is Ed Rollins' latest move a sign Bachmann campaign is doomed?

By Michael J.W. Stickings

Interesting:

Ed Rollins is going to be stepping back from day-to-day management of the Michele Bachmann campaign, and moving into a senior advisory role, he said in an interview.

Rollins said the reason for the change is personal — his health and the rigors of a campaign.

"I wish I was 40 years old, but I'm not," he told POLITICO. "I'm 68 years old, I had a stroke a year and a half ago. I'm worn out."

The change is coming just as Bachmann is entering a new phase of the race, searching for the right way forward against the Rick Perry juggernaut, which has sucked away the oxygen since her Ames Straw Poll win.

Rollins insisted this represents a change of schedule but not his commitment to Bachmann.

"I want nothing but the best for her, she's a great candidate, I'll continue to be there for her," he said.

Hmm. Maybe.

Maybe his health really is a concern. But you can't help but wonder, can you?

The guy's not stupid. He's been around. And maybe, just maybe, he sees the writing on the wall, what with Rick Perry well ahead in Iowa and looking more and more like the frontrunner -- and certainly like the main right-wing opposition to Mitt Romney. (Would Rollins be stepping down had Perry not entered the race?)

Not so long ago, it looked so good for Bachmann -- when she was new and fresh and the anti-Romney. But now, things having changed so dramatically, maybe Rollins just doesn't want to be so deeply involved with a loser. 

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