Posted on 05/19/2008 11:11:34 AM PDT by trumandogz
WASHINGTON — Two top Texans are leaving Republican Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign, one sooner and one later.
Former Rep. Tom Loeffler is out as general co-chairman and national finance chairman because of McCain's new conflict-of-interest policy that has forced several other lobbyists from his campaign.
And strategist Mark McKinnon of Austin, a former top adviser to President Bush, will leave in coming weeks as a result of the probable outcome of the Democratic primaries. McKinnon told McCain last year that he would not work for him in the general election if Sen. Barack Obama became the Democratic nominee.
However, McKinnon said Sunday that he would remain involved with McCain in a limited way in the general election campaign through "things that don't involve direct engagement with Obama."
Tuesday's contests in Kentucky and Oregon are expected to provide Obama more than enough delegates to give him a majority of those pledged, a milestone his campaign thinks should move undecided superdelegates into his column and make him the de facto nominee.
McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds said Sunday that Loeffler's resignation was submitted and accepted. The campaign had no further comment on the development, which came shortly after Newsweek reported that Loeffler's lobbying firm had gotten nearly $15 million from Saudi Arabia since 2002, as well as high-dollar fees from additional foreign and corporate interests.
In April, Loeffler said "at no time have I discussed my clients with John McCain." Newsweek reported that lobbying records showed Loeffler meeting with McCain and the Saudi ambassador on May 17, 2006, to discuss U.S. and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia relations.
Loeffler, who could not be reached Sunday for comment, submitted his resignation even though the contact came prior to his service in the McCain campaign.
McCain has fielded criticism in recent weeks for having top aides who have lobbied for a variety of interests.
In a memo last week, Rick Davis, McCain's campaign manager, delineated a new policy concerning conflicts. Included are provisions that ban paid staffers from working as a "registered lobbyist or foreign agent" or getting paid for such activity.
Part-time volunteers — the category Loeffler falls in — are "prohibited from lobbying Senator McCain or his Senate personal office or committee staffs during the period they are volunteering for the campaign."
Newsweek also reported that Susan Nelson, McCain's finance director, drew $15,000 a month from Loeffler's lobbying operation after she left the firm to join the campaign. Federal law bars outside payments to campaign staffers.
"Time and again, McCain demonstrates that his calls for higher ethical standards seem not to apply to him or his campaign," the Democratic National Committee said in a statement Sunday.
Loeffler was brought in to head the fundraising operation last year after McCain's early efforts floundered.
And strategist Mark McKinnon of Austin, a former top adviser to President Bush, will leave in coming weeks as a result of the probable outcome of the Democratic primaries. McKinnon told McCain last year that he would not work for him in the general election if Sen. Barack Obama became the Democratic nominee.
McKinnon should have been dumped the moment he indicated he could not help the campaign vs. Obama. He is like a liberal weapon pointed at McCain’s campaign — forcing McCain to avoid or minimize any direct criticism of Obambi (as though McCain were likely to mix it up anyway). Either McCain will not vigorously challenge Obama’s poor ideas and background, or else if he does McKinnon will be there at any moment ready to whine to the media and provide more Democrat talking points.
Why not? Is McKinnon going to support Obama?
When will Hernandez get the boot? NEVER!
Don’t you see? It is because Obama is so highly principled. He is the transcendant candidate of our time. He is a healer, and a man that is above the normal politics that McKinnon could not, in good conscious, participate in a campaign that opposes him.
I think I just threw up in my mouth.
Another Mexican loving NAFTA goon.
And strategist Mark McKinnon of Austin, a former top adviser to President Bush, will leave in coming weeks as a result of the probable outcome of the Democratic primaries. McKinnon told McCain last year that he would not work for him in the general election if Sen. Barack Obama became the Democratic nominee.
I guess Johnny wasn't reaching around quite far enough.
However, McKinnon said Sunday that he would remain involved with McCain in a limited way in the general election campaign through "things that don't involve direct engagement with Obama."
LOL! Like what- pushing some money his way to keep him alive for the election night kill?
Newsweek also reported that Susan Nelson, McCain's finance director, drew $15,000 a month from Loeffler's lobbying operation after she left the firm to join the campaign. Federal law bars outside payments to campaign staffers.
Has she and Loeffler been indicted yet?
I don’t recall the exact details, but I think McKinnon said he wouldn’t work for Obama because he has too many disgreements with him on things like the Middle East. But that he couldn’t bring himself to work against him, either, since it would be depriving America of the chance to elect a black president. Too bad Obama isn’t Mexican. If he was, Juan Hernandez would quit the McCain campaign.
McCain’s really surrounded himself with some winners, hasn’t he?
What kind of presidential candidate would abide a PC infected moron like McKinnon?
I think that means that McKinnon will not work on any “Negative” ads against Obama.
It was McKinnon’s office that had the Rat mole that stole tapes a while back.
He should be radioactive to any GOP candidate.
New policy, if you cannot hide you are k street bought and owned, you need to go hide.
Lay low until the election is over and we’ll slide you in the back door after the inauguration.
Bump.
BTT
BTT
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.