Mr. McKinnon keeps his promise...

winthrop · 05-22-2008, 07:07 PM

McKinnon To Step Aside From McCain Effort

Mark McKinnon, the lead media consultant for Sen. John McCain's (Ariz.) presidential bid, is stepping down from that role -- making good on a pledge he made last year not to work against Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) in the fall campaign.

McKinnon confirmed his decision to The Fix this afternoon. "I'll be transitioning, shifting position from linebacker to head cheerleader," said the always-colorful McKinnon. He added that he would continued to be a "friend and fan" to the campaign.

McKinnon, a former Democrat, played a central role in Gov. George W. Bush's 2000 campaign and the Bush-Cheney reelection four years later. He was part of a large contingent of Bush operatives to make the transition to McCain in late 2006 and early 2007, but was one of only a handful who stuck with the Arizona senator after his campaign's implosion last summer.

That same summer, McKinnon told Cox Newspapers that if Obama was the Democratic nominee, he would not play an active role in McCain's effort to defeat the Illinois senator.

"I just don't want to work against an Obama candidacy," McKinnon told Cox Washington bureau chief Ken Herman; electing Obama, he added, "would send a great message to the country and the world." McKinnon said at the time he would vote for McCain.

Whether McKinnon would abide by that promise has been the subject of considerable speculation since that time. McKinnon is widely regarded as a trusted member of McCain's inner circle, and many within the campaign acknowledged that losing him would be a heavy blow to the effort.

The task of creating the ads and media strategy for the campaign will now fall to a trio of consultants -- Fred Davis, Chris Mottola and Mike Hudome -- known collectively as Foxhole Media. Hudome will be heading up the effort.

Of late there has been considerable speculation that Mike Murphy, McCain's 2000 media consultant, might rejoin the fray -- speculation stoked by a report from Politico's Jonathan Martin that Murphy and McCain had huddled for several hours on Sunday.

Murphy is not likely to return to the campaign, however, according to sources familiar with the effort. No reason was given for the unlikely return, but several informed observers suggested that Murphy's relationship (or lack thereof) with campaign manager Rick Davis had much to do with it. (The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder reported today that Davis was unaware of McCain's meeting with Murphy.)

Murphy himself offered no comment when contacted about the matter today by The Fix.

itsmeeeeeee · 05-22-2008, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winthrop

McKinnon To Step Aside From McCain Effort

Mark McKinnon, the lead media consultant for Sen. John McCain's (Ariz.) presidential bid, is stepping down from that role -- making good on a pledge he made last year not to work against Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) in the fall campaign.

McKinnon confirmed his decision to The Fix this afternoon. "I'll be transitioning, shifting position from linebacker to head cheerleader," said the always-colorful McKinnon. He added that he would continued to be a "friend and fan" to the campaign.

McKinnon, a former Democrat, played a central role in Gov. George W. Bush's 2000 campaign and the Bush-Cheney reelection four years later. He was part of a large contingent of Bush operatives to make the transition to McCain in late 2006 and early 2007, but was one of only a handful who stuck with the Arizona senator after his campaign's implosion last summer.

That same summer, McKinnon told Cox Newspapers that if Obama was the Democratic nominee, he would not play an active role in McCain's effort to defeat the Illinois senator.

"I just don't want to work against an Obama candidacy," McKinnon told Cox Washington bureau chief Ken Herman; electing Obama, he added, "would send a great message to the country and the world." McKinnon said at the time he would vote for McCain.

Whether McKinnon would abide by that promise has been the subject of considerable speculation since that time. McKinnon is widely regarded as a trusted member of McCain's inner circle, and many within the campaign acknowledged that losing him would be a heavy blow to the effort.

The task of creating the ads and media strategy for the campaign will now fall to a trio of consultants -- Fred Davis, Chris Mottola and Mike Hudome -- known collectively as Foxhole Media. Hudome will be heading up the effort.

Of late there has been considerable speculation that Mike Murphy, McCain's 2000 media consultant, might rejoin the fray -- speculation stoked by a report from Politico's Jonathan Martin that Murphy and McCain had huddled for several hours on Sunday.

Murphy is not likely to return to the campaign, however, according to sources familiar with the effort. No reason was given for the unlikely return, but several informed observers suggested that Murphy's relationship (or lack thereof) with campaign manager Rick Davis had much to do with it. (The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder reported today that Davis was unaware of McCain's meeting with Murphy.)

Murphy himself offered no comment when contacted about the matter today by The Fix.

i posted this two days ago!
mc cain's lead media consultant resigns - refuses to work against obama.

winthrop · 05-22-2008, 10:54 PM

Does that mean it cannot be reiterated?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode