Free Republic

Top strategist quits, fears re-election of Deval Patrick Treasurer Tim Cahill’s floundering gubernatorial bid suffered another huge blow last night when his top strategist quit, saying the independent candidate’s slim hopes are only hurting Republican Charlie Baker’s chances. “We have to deal with reality as it is and not the way it ought to be,” said John Weaver, a national GOP powerbroker who quit Cahill’s campaign last night. “I would prefer Tim Cahill be the next governor. That’s not going to happen.” Weaver, who helped orchestrate U.S. Sen. John McCain’s 2000 presidential bid, told the Herald the move was “not...

From the man who brought you John McCain. And before you ask, yes, he was indeed one of the Republican “insiders” who contributed to that National Journal poll declaring her future dead in the water. The Republican strategist who helped Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman prepare for a possible presidential run says the Republican party is in for a devastating defeat if its guiding lights are Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh and Dick Cheney. “If it’s 2012 and our party is defined by Palin and Limbaugh and Cheney, then we’re headed for a blowout,” says strategist John Weaver, who advised Huntsman and...