Posted on 05/08/2002 10:58:26 AM PDT by jgoode
Bush adviser gives money to 3 Democrats 'These guys are friends of mine,' Mark McKinnon By Gary Susswein
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Wednesday, May 8, 2002
The Austin political consultant who helped George W. Bush become president won't be backing Bush's guy for Texas' open U.S. Senate seat this year.
Or for lieutenant governor.
Or for Texas attorney general.
"These guys are friends of mine," Bush adviser Mark McKinnon, whose company Maverick Media helped Bush craft his campaign message in 2000, said of the three Democrats he's backing.
"If there's one thing this administration would understand, it's personal friendship and loyalty," he said. "This isn't about politics; it's about blood."
McKinnon and his wife have given $4,000 to Democratic Senate candidate Ron Kirk. They've also contributed about $5,000 to both John Sharp, the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, and Kirk Watson, the Democrat running for attorney general.
McKinnon began his career working for Democrats, including Kirk, before becoming one of Bush's most trusted advisers.
"Ron asked me repeatedly to do his campaign (this year)," McKinnon said. "I made it clear that because of my role with the president, I couldn't help him professionally, but I told him he could count on my support."
McKinnon said he told presidential adviser Karl Rove about his contributions and does not think they will affect his relationship with the White House.
"They know me. They expect that from me," he said.
Republican Senate nominee John Cornyn's campaign held out hope Tuesday that McKinnon was supporting Kirk for the primaries only and would back Cornyn and "Team Bush" in November, when the GOP hopes to retake control of the Senate.
But McKinnon said he's not about to give money to Cornyn as well as Kirk.
"I always thought that double dipping was the coward's way out," he said.
gsusswein@statesman.com; 445-3654
I understand that Bush stresses loyalty, but this does not sound anything like loyalty to me. Bush should fire the SOB.
I think he only worked for Bush in the 2000 campaign.
I wonder if any of Al Gore's cleaning ladies gave money to the GOP?
NO EMAIL STILL!
Politics is like baseball. Players play for a team. Fans root for a team. Fans stay loyal to 'their team' for long periods of time. Sometimes that period of loyalty is a lifetime. Players sign to play for the team that pays them the most. They want to play baseball. They are attracted to the team most likely to win. And if they are not good enough to chose, as a free agent they will play for any team that will have them.
It is the same in polics. Did I mention Pat Buchanan?
Policical players only play for one team an election. If another political team offers them more they will sign with the new team for the next election. They want to play on a winning team. The actual team is secondary.
Thus Dick Morris worked for Jesse Helms and Bill Clinton. He did his very best to elect both. Just as a pitcher pitching for the Yankees this year will do his best to help the Yankees win this year. If he is playing for Cleveland next year he will do all he can next year to defeat the Yankees.
Polictics has players and fans ... just like baseball.
What's going on with our President? I'm getting discouraged; but still have faith in him though.
You're right. This is a non-story. The guy and his company were hired by the Bush campaign for some media work. The Austin-Statesman is trying to make it sound like something different. It was strictly a business deal.
Sheeesh somebody needs to get a grip.
Dan
He must be fired.
Dan
Hopefully, the last 3 weeks of decisions are part of a big scheme that will ultimately plant the country firmly to the right - not straddle the middle with the possibility of falling to the left.
I fear that by being inclusive and partisan - we are weaning ourselves away from kicking some democrat a$$.
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