Bush adviser gives money to 3 Democrats

AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN ^ | 05/08/02 | Gary Susswein

[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

[linn37]

to back Kirk would make you a total moron,I guess the rumors are really true !!!! McKinnon is a democrat. Having said that I think he should have refrained from supporting the OTHER side while working for Dubya.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

McKinnon's consulting firm was hired by the Bush election team,they did research, gave advice on debates and acted as liason in media matters.He wrote a book about his experiences on the trail with Bush-called "The Whole Enchilada"- a light read,he was very complimentary to Bush and laughingly ridicules Gore.He is obviously very fond of GW, I remember seeing him defending GW on various talk shows during the election season.His professional association with the Bush team, ended after the election, but I am sure that he stays in touch with GW, socially.He seems like a good guy and my only complaint, was that he did not run a tight ship, vis a vis office security.

[linn37]

yeah but the dufus is giving money to elect Kirk

[truthkeeper]

Oh yes, the mole guy. Somehow I'm not surprised.

But why Bush ever hired him is beyond me. Are loyal, conservative media people really THAT hard to come by?

[Common Tator]

How about loyal to a philosophy and your own party?

You realize McKinnon, the man who handled Bush's 2000 campaign, is a Democrat and has been all his life.

McKinnon's own party is the Democratic Party. According to your logic the Democrats should fire him for helping elect Republcan Bush to both the Governorship and the Presidency. No one ever accused McKinnnon of being a Repblican but you.

Bush got to know McKinnon when he was in business and they became friends. McKinnon did Bush's governorship races. Bush may be the only Republican candidate for which he has ever worked. He has gotten lots of Democrats Elected.

[Common Tator]

Are loyal, conservative media people really THAT hard to come by?

You don't hire for loyalty or even party affiliation... politicians hire someone to get them elected.

That is why Helms, Lott and Clinton all used Dick Morris. Dick has a great record of getting his guy elected. That is why Clinton hired a guy who had worked for Lott and Helms. To do any good at all, a candidate has to get elected.

Guys who only think like Republicans are not much help in trying to think like a Democrata. If you want someone who can anticipate what a Democrat will do and how to counter it. If you want someone that knows what a Democrats worse nightmare is,and how to create it, a Democrat can be very helpful in those endevors.

[Sonny M]

They did prosecute somone, it was a woman, I forget her name, but Bush had his own doubts never the less, and she was very low level in the company (like a cleaning lady or something).

[Sonny M]

If you believe in the team concept, explain to me why Sanchez who is running as a dem in texas donated over $250, 000 bucks to Bush's campaign?

[Digger]

Why is this a big deal. Why wouldn't he have a Rat doing this. What Republican would in a few months in office: sign a big school bill & not have vouchers, sign this stupid farm bill, give food stamps to illegals, not close the boarder, extend unemployment, not fight for Judge Pickering, not campaign for conservatives, impose tariffs on steel, put federalization of these stupid airport gestapos. Wow, now that's a conservative, huh???

[D-fendr]

Typical Austin paper's exaggeration trying to make something out of nothing as a dig at the President for the amusement of its liberal readership:

McKinnon… before becoming one of Bush's most trusted advisers.

Yes, I think that was Mark advising Bush on the Middle East.

Sheesh, the guy was mainly hired to do tv spots during the last year of the campaign.

[white trash redneck]

People who believe otherwise are very naive.

Hmmm. So call me naive.

:-(

[timydnuc]

We have so much on our plate here. I could care a deposited a fecal load less whether some idiot supports the President or not............I DO! That make more sense to me. The entire artical is an attack on GW! Demented liberals are like a mad dog cornered, the best thing to do is shoot them and put them out of their misery.

[jgoode]

I agree we do have "so much on our plate". I am one of the President's biggest fans. The reason I posted this is because I never trusted this McKinnon dude to begin with. That opinion 'festered' when I went to a book signing of Begala's book with Carville, at Barnes and Noble in Austin, back in December; and sat through a Q&A with Begala and a room full of liberal idiot's and there stood Mark McKinnon just "yuckin it up" listening to Begala spout his outright lies. It was nauseating.

[tututango]

LOL! Is that it?

When I opened this thread, I expected the article to be about Karen Hughes or something. This is non-news.

[Zathras]

Hey, this is the Bozo who got Bush's practice debate video taped and handed to the DNC.

Remember the pants!

[jgoode]

"LOL! Is that it?"

Well hell; you're easily amused! I stated the reason I posted it in my reply #33.
Sorry it did not live up to "tututango's expectation's.

But then when I posted it I wasn't asking myself; "I wonder what "tututango"
would think of this?"

[tututango]

"I wonder what "tututango" would think of this?"

Thanks! I'm glad that you took me into consideration!!