Bush consultant meets with McCain about presidential bid(2008)

The Mercury News ^ | 6-7-05 | Robert Hillman

[Gipper08]

WASHINGTON - (KRT) - Mark McKinnon, the Austin political consultant who oversaw the advertising for President Bush in the 2000 and 2004 campaigns, has committed to help Sen. John McCain in a second presidential bid.

McKinnon - one of the president's closest friends and confidants and a frequent mountain biking companion - met with the Arizona Republican over lunch this spring in the Senate dining room to discuss his support, said a GOP activist familiar with the meeting.

At this point, McCain, who lost to Bush in a bitter 2000 Republican primary, is in the early but unmistakable stages of laying the groundwork for another campaign. And McKinnon has indicated he would review his options, should Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice or the president's brother, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, run in 2008.

The White House has sent word that Jeb Bush should be taken at his word, that he will not run. Rice, just four months into her new job, is not expected to seek the presidency, though some top Republicans have suggested she might be considered for vice president.

McKinnon, vice chairman of the Austin-based consulting firm Public Strategies Inc., said on Monday he's had "friendly conversations with Senator McCain" but would not discuss his commitment.

"I like the senator a lot, but it is too early to speculate on his intentions, as he has said himself, not to mention mine," McKinnon said in an e-mailed statement. "My political focus right now is on a successful second-term agenda for President Bush."

McCain's political strategist, John Weaver, said the senator is heartened by those "encouraging him to run," but that he has not yet decided whether he will.

"He's not out organizing," Weaver said, "and he's instructed us not to do that, either....."

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[NonValueAdded]

Get your money in front, McKinnon.

[Mr. Jeeves]

Well, there is no clear front-runner right now, but there wasn't one in 1997, either. I wouldn't be surprised if someone like Pence emerges as a serious candidate.

McCain is intensely disliked on Free Republic, but not by the Republican Party base in general. He could end up being the nominee almost by default unless someone else emerges who can make a convincing case against him.

[Gipper08]

I have not seen any evidence that Allen would nominate judges to the right of GWB's judges. Aside from possibly Rodgers Brwon I see no Scalias or Borks in this group.We must have Scalias and Borks nominated.

[alicewonders]

Wow, the Republican Party really is hell-bent on self-destruction. I guess the game plan is to stoke the fires of Clinton-hatred so high that voters can't see the real McCaniac through all the smoke. Should be about the lowest voter turnout in recent history.

You know what? If this is the direction that the Republican party is going to take - then I won't be voting for them. It is clear the majority of the people are conservative - not moderate - why are they ignoring us so much lately? This will not be good for them.

[Alex Marko]

no, i'm being realistic. We've had a two term president that is very conservative.(which i like) However, most of the US voters are moderate in thinking and with the polarization of both parties, people are just getting fed up with extremes. The reason the DNC lost is because they were hijacked by the extreme left of the party. If the same happens to the GOP where a minority of voters in the gop pick the 08 candidate like Pence or Tancredo, we are going to get walloped by a moderate democrat. Of course if hillary won their nomination, we could put up a horse and win.

[Wuli]

I did not say he would appoint judges to the right of GWB. I think most of GWB's appointments are mostly "right" enough, and Allen supports them all; unequivocably and in interviews I have listened to, it seems clear he understands the stakes.

[Gipper08]

You are correct.Allen or the rest not being "perfect" conservatives on every issue will divide the conservative base and allow a popular(despite what Freepers think) McCain to get the nomination.Rank and File Republicans do love McCain.

[Alex Marko]

Ever think about the theory that the Bush Admin. wouldnt want a GOP candidate to win in 08 because of Jeb's aspirations in 2012?

[sittnick]

McCain = John B. Anderson 2008

(Explanation, Anderson was a liberal Republican [called "moderate" by media] who was covered more than Reagan once Bush the Elder stopped winning. Anderson made a big deal out of being Moderate and "electable." The media covered him heavily, and his third party run netted him 7% and certainly hurt Jimmy Carter.

McCain will do similarly, a bunch of 2nd and 3rd place wins in northeastern states, unrelenting praise from the media and warnings to the Republicans that such a man is needed to win. As long as he doesn't go third party as Anderson did (no unpopular Dem incumbent this time), we do not have to worry about him.

My own ranking of preference: (dashed line indicates level of acceptability:

Brownback
Allen
Santorum
Cheney
--------------
Any other Bushes
Any graduate of Yale (College or Law--They've occupied since Reagan...Sheesh!)
McCain
Rice
Giuliani

[Gipper08]

You do not understand Pence's style.While SIGNIFACANTLY to the right of Bush, the media will not be able to portray Pence like they have Bush.Pence rivals Reagan in his ability to control the media.Pence's style is optimistic and he will bring over more crossover Democrats than even McCain would. We will get people (conservative Blacks,Hispanics,Catholics) to become Republicans with CONSERVATISM not moderation.

[Gipper08]

Yes

[finnman69]

I would easily vote for Giuliani and hold my nose for McCain over Hillary

[alicewonders]

If it were between McCain & Hillary, I would hold my nose & NOT VOTE.

[Alex Marko]

My vote sits with Guiliani right now as best chance to win 08. However, a lot changes in 3 years.

[sittnick]

More often than not, the winner of the presidency is a person who was not nationally known before the primaries.

Bush 43(known) Clinton (unknown) Bush 41 (known) Reagan (known) Carter (unknown) Nixon (known) Johnson (known) Kennedy (semi-unknown) Eisenhower (known)

I don't agree (especially for Republicans). In any event, the sample is small enough and the rules have changed enough that this may no longer be the case.

[AbeKrieger]

He won't get through the primary.

[paudio]

I must say BC04 TV ads were not that moving. The ads from other organizations (SwiftVet, PforA, etc) were more memorable.

[sittnick]

My vote sits with Guiliani right now as best chance to win 08. However, a lot changes in 3 years.

Giuliani cannot win the heartland.

[eyespysomething]

I won't vote for McCain, even if Hillary is the Dem candidate. If those are our choices, then we deserve what ever we get.

I'll probably vote some 3rd party, so the vote will show up for someone.

The 2 main parties suck.

[AbeKrieger]

Ever think about the theory that the Bush Admin. wouldnt want a GOP candidate to win in 08 because of Jeb's aspirations in 2012?

No because running a weak candidate intentionally for a loss in 2008 sets up an incumbency in 2012 which would be very difficult to overcome... add in the lack of red-voter interest which could end up costing congressional seats as well, and it is a risk they just won't take again.