McCain ‘08 Death Watch: Top staffers out
John McCain’s campaign manager and chief strategist are gone from their leadership roles, according to two officials with knowledge of the staff changes.
One official said Terry Nelson resigned as campaign manager for the Republican presidential candidate and John Weaver stepped down from his post of chief strategist on Tuesday. But another official said Nelson was fired.
The officials spoke on the condition of anonimity because the shake-up has not been made public.
The Corner has the staffers’ statements. Are they headed for Fred?
***
From US News & WR’s Washington Whispers: “Before he falls out of the top tier of GOP White House hopefuls, chief advisers to Sen. John McCain are urging him to quit his day job and become a full-time presidential candidate. “Just resign,” one says he told McCain. “Show you’re all in.”
Yes, resign from the Senate, Sen. McCain. No objections here.
***
Flashback: McCain Dead Pool predictions.
See what others have said
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Trackbacks
- Suitably Flip
- Hot Air » Blog Archive » Bombshell: McCain’s campaign manager, chief strategist “resign”; Update: Chief of staff out too?
- Sonoran Alliance » McCain near 4th in IL.
- McCain's Campaign Manager, Chief Strategist "Resign" : The American Pundit
- Don Surber » Blog Archive » Question
- Captain's Quarters
- McCain’s Top People Out at Conservative Times--Republican GOP news source.
- Campaign Manager, Top Staffer Leave McCain Campaign » The American Mind
- Bill's Bites
- Key personnel leaving McCain’s sinking ship « Seeing Red AZ
- Republicans remain active « Seeing Red AZ
- How many other shoes are there to drop? « Seeing Red AZ
- Secular Blasphemy
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Can’t wait to hear the local talk radio reaction here in Phoenix about this, gonna be spicy.
The immigration bill fiasco was the nail in the coffin for the McCain campaign. He was a fool and apparently is more of a Democrat than a Republican.
Sorry skipper,
But you blew it on the ’shamnesty’ bill.
How many conservatives saw this coming a mile off. McCain was never the front runner the MSM tried to make him out to be. For me it was the vote against the Bush tax cuts that started my dislike. His snuggling up to Ted Kennedy and Russ Feingold was just the nail in the coffin. Bi-partisanship only works when both parties are presenting something worth voting on.
McCain, was always a RINO in my book, even when he was running against GWB in 2000. I believed he was a RINO.
Then, after his failure at the bid for President, he became infused with retribution towards the base in such a manner that was more defining of his true self than anything before. To say the ‘Shamnesty’ was the nail in the coffin when for me it was the shoveling of the dirt…
RINO indeed.
Let McSlain’s fate be a lesson to all those who supported Amnesty. Look Close Smel Martinez.
This is just getting embarrassing . If it wasn’t for shamnesty I might even feel bad for him.
But shamnesty = traitor . now and forever . go away john..
good riddance to another dem in a republican toga..,
Finally. I wonder how long it’ll be before he is whining to the MSM how he was really just misunderstood by conservatives.
John, we heard what you said, saw what you did, forced you to listen to our carefully considered opinion, and ultimately concluded that you don’t represent our values. Now go get a houseboat and head off to Lake Havasu for many long years of R&R.
I am very disappointed in McCain, but it isn’t quite so visceral. His strategist misread public opinion on so many issues, that it wouldn’t suprise me, if McCain fired him for his incompetence. Regardless, the senator could show some class, and bow out of politics altogether. He is probably too indebted,to,too many for that.
Prepare yourselves for a series of articles in the MSM with the theme “Whaddid I do?” Being quick on the up-take has never been one of John-boy’s strengths.
So long.
Forget public opinion. Stop trying to read the wind and stand, instead, on conservative principles. “It works every time it’s tried.”
But…But…But…
…those 12-20 million illegal aliens aren’t donating to McCain’s campaign?
Unpossible!!
On July 10th, 2007 at 12:38 pm, st_james said:
Forget public opinion. Stop trying to read the wind and stand, instead, on conservative principles. “It works every time it’s tried.”
Did not the public have an opinion on finance reform? Did not the public have an opinion on amnesty? These public opinions were based on conservative principles that were not being adhered to.
Buh-BYE.
So now those buttons should say “Rudy Romney” with a red circle and slash .
I can’t believe I ran as a McCain delegate to the GOP convention in 2000.
Let’s not be complacent about 2008. We have a LOT of work to do as bloggers and campaign volunteers if we are going to be Hillary.
Huckabee to 1st tier now?
Anyone see him on H&C last night? He was GOOD.
The Senator is a true hero in my book, and I’ll never forget his stint in Hanoi. But Senator, you’ve drifted from your party’s base so far that no one wants to support you any more. Richard Nixon always said in the primary you run to the right…
Best Wishes though, but you’ll never be President.
Try Mexico, Jonny. If you can make it past the Tijuana drug-dealers alive, Mexicans are probably falling over each-other to vote for you. And take Jorge too. You should have no trouble winning Mexicans votes. Ooppssss Mexicans don’t need amnesty in Mexico and so, don’t need you or Jorge. Too bad
AMEN!
And the rest can believe it, when he ony won his last election by CROSSOVER DIM VOTES, while the Arizona GOP CAUCUS was unanimously CENSURING him.
He was a leader of obstruction against Conservative and GOP moves all through the 90’s - and vindictive as anyone I’ve seen in my whole life.
Oh, wouldn’t THAT be the most wonderful icing on the cake?
His entire candidacy would be worth it for THAT little gumdrop!
rerepub said:
Aaaaahhh, don’t wanna be Hillary, want to beat the crap out of the witch.
GO! DUNCAN HUNTER! YEA FOR DUNCAN HUNTER!
MM and all of you just don’t know what to do with an authentic American hero who has the right position on every issue except the Iraq war. That inlcudes on immigration and torture.
It is easy for those who never left their air conditioned offices and think acting snippy topeople who disagree with them as “heroic” to criticize McCain who spend so many years in the Hanoi Hilton.
I don’t believe McCain was ever a serious Republican candidate. How long will it take him to announce his intent to run as an independent?
McCain/Clinton or Clinton/McCain would be a dream come true.
A loose cannon is about the best description I have for McCain. I see no way at this point for him to resurrect his campaign, and he will fall further and further away regardless of the media. He may even be damaged goods in his own state and face a Republican challenge. McCain was a war hero - some have proven to be quite adept, like Eisenhour, and others have proven to be just war heros, like Grant.
Fred! picking up McCain staffers is one thing, but he shouldn’t and won’t be picking up Weaver and Terry.
Fred!’s team is likely already on board.
John, thank you for your service. But your time has past! Enjoy retirement.
And, while you’re at it, why not invite the illegal mexicans who will be mowing your lawn in for lunch sometime?
He doesn’t have the right position, that’s why the right doesn’t support him anymore.
As for his heroism, no one would deny him that, but it is irrelevant if he no longer represents his constituents. That’s how our system works, you know. Or maybe you don’t.
He messed with the bull and got the horns!!!!!
!Don McCain, adios, Y hasta la vista.
A I saw posted somewhere before: Newt & Fred, enough said
The-senator-from-AZ was a hero but not by choice. At least Benedict Arnold was truley a great hero and here’s where NacAss equalled him, both became traitors.
The man stopped judicial appointments, stiffled free speech, killed SS reform and allowed taxation to increase.
I am glad the clown is gone. Next trent lott, gramesty, spector etc…
Allow me to say a few words at this wake to honor a man who gave a helluva lot more to this country than any of us.
I never would have voted for him for President. But that doesn’t mean you can’t admire him. John McCain is a difficult man to like. He’s prickly. He has a quick temper. But when I knew him back in the 80’s when he was a Congressman, he was one of the most generous people on the Hill. He treated everyone - staff, lobbyists, cafeteria workers - with respect. His staff was very devoted - a clear sign that he inspired loyalty in his people.
And why not? The compelling personal story of his capture, torture, and imprisonment can never be overlooked. It made him a very serious man who took the words honor and duty to heart. His positions on issues that we disagreed with - campaign finance and immigration - were not the result of political calculation or pandering to an interest group. He truly believed he was doing the right thing for America.
He was dead wrong in our opinion. But how can you call someone a “traitor” after this man has given his all to the country in his youth and served it in Congress by staying true to his own concepts of honor and duty? Shallow criticism indeed.
Did he fall in love with the idea that he was a “maverick” and that he cultivated that image in the press? I actually think the last two years when the Presidential bug bit him again (he decided after 2000 that he wouldn’t run again) that he did indeed start playing up this image in some ways. I think he probably thought it was the best way to attract Democratic voters - proving that he could buck the right on some issues.
But on the big issues of the war and immigration reform, he played it straight. That is, he followed what he truly believed was the right thing to do. We can certainly criticize his judgment. But I think we should stop short of impugning his motives.
People always qualify any criticism of Senator McCain with “He is a hero for his service in Vietnam, he was a POW”. Well lets look at that. Being a failure as a fighter pilot and getting yourself shot down does NOT make you a hero. It makes you a failure and a POW. Then breaking under the torture administered to you by a signature of “The Geneva Conventions” and signing war crimes confessions, also does not make you a hero. It makes you a traitor and a failure as a Soldier in the US Military.
we won’t even mention his attack on the first amendment.
Soon to be gone from the Presidential campaign… Bye John
Please put another word or two between “McCain” and “death”. Shrug!
How about “campaign”?
“Shallow criticism ” ,That’s deep. Speaking for myself I was not criticizing him when I used the word traitor . Mine was an outright accusation.
Giving 20 million illegals the right to stay here and continue to abuse our laws and the citizens who have made this country what it is today. Ignorance is no excuse . Just try it in a courtroom sometime.
Do not include me in the statement that he has done more for this country that any of “us ” . My working 7 days a week year after year is no less important to what makes this country great than holding a public office.
Living in the past is a very difficult way to live .
One RINO down, too many more to go…
Oh BS. He was doing one of the most dangerous jobs on earth, for his country, against the densest anti-aircraft defenses in the history of warfare.
You might as well say ever soldier who has ever been killed in combat for this nation is a failure.
Well said Rick. While we disagree with many of McCain’s stances, he is a patriotic American and deserves our respect.
I just wonder if other Republicans “get” why McCain’s in a death spiral: amnesty. The base is in a foul mood over this and if candidates don’t address it in a satisfactory way, they’ll stay home in Nov. ‘08 and give the White House to Hillary.
In the skies over Viet Nam, McCain had to eject from his crippled A-4 Skyhawk. Fortunately, he survived captivity, something I am sure Jane Fonda is disappointed about. His campaign is over, his time in the Senate is over, hoping a rival runs for his office in the State of Arizona. He’s time has come to eject out of his crippled Presidential “Scooter”. But citizen McCain is not going to give up, won’t concede admission to his mistakes. He’ll simply order his Navy ship to maneuver, as Paul Shanklin jokes in one of his CDs, “”Quick, Left!! 270!!”.
Rio
Semper Fi!
Actually, I would call his survival a MIRACLE.!!! North Viet Nam was the heaviest defended area in the world at that time. Thanks to the “Rules of Engagement”.
Rio
Semper Fi!
Rick Moran - have you read the story of Benedict Arnold?
McCain’s past behavior cannot begin to cover current conduct.
I suggest that George Washington and the early adminstrators of our nation would do a great deal more than CALL him a traitor, at this point.
I refer to McCain Feingold, and this SHAMNESTY bill, and the anti-torture bill he slapped our soldiers with, at the very least, if not a great deal more this creature has done to America.
Samuel Butler - Authority intoxicates, And makes mere sots of magistrates; The fumes of it invade the brain, And make men giddy, proud and vain.
Henry Clay - An oppressed people are authorized, whenever they can, to rise and break their fetters.
Patrick Henry - Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined…. O sir, we should have fine times, indeed, if to punish tyrants, it were only sufficient to assemble the people!
Clarence S. Darrow - Liberty is the most jealous and exacting mistress that can beguile the brain and soul of man. From him who will not give her all, she will have nothing. She knows that his pretended love serves but to betray. But when once the fierce heat of her quenchless, lustrous eyes have burned into the victim’s heart, he will know no other smile but hers.