Thursday, June 15, 2000 -- NEW YORK (AmpolNS) -- Tony Coelho is stepping down as top dog at Al Gore's presidential campaign. Commerce Secretary Bill Daley will step down from his administration post to take over the Gore campaign.

Not a moment too soon, we say!

Coelho has completely mismanaged what should have been by this point an aggressive, visionary presidential campaign. Instead, few Americans have any idea where Gore stands on issues -- since Gore clinched the Democratic nod, he has been virtually ignored by the press.

Worse yet, Coelho failed to stop the press from essentially lying about Gore by perpetuating myths about so-called "lies" he supposedly told.

Regular Ampol readers know that our editors and staff have little love for Coelho. He has been a weak, defensive guest on the Sunday political talk shows. And questions concerning business deals and influence peddling have dogged Coelho since long before he started honchoing the Gore campaign over a year ago.

Coelho has been hospitalized for a chronic colon problem, diverticulitis, so it is understandable that he might wish to step down at this juncture. While The Doc certainly does not wish Coelho ill, and in fact wishes him a speedy and full recovery along with the rest of the Ampol staff, Coelho's indisposition comes at a time when the Gore campaign could use a shot in the arm. 

Bill Daley may just be what Gore needs -- and energetic campaign chief reputed to have outstanding and sometimnes ruthless political instinct.

Expect Daley to move very quickly, starting with a complete shakeup in the Gore team and a reinvigorated campaign in a matter of days, not weeks.