McCain press staff quits

Posted: Monday, July 16, 2007 9:57 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Republicans

From NBC’s Domenico Montanaro

As was expected after the McCain campaign’s shakeup last week, McCain’s three top press aides have all resigned. Per the Atlantic’s Marc Ambinder, “The departure of Brian Jones, the communications director, Danny Diaz, his deputy, and Matt David, a spokesman, had been widely anticipated since last week's resignation of campaign manager Terry Nelson. All three were Nelson's protégés and worked closely with departed strategist John Weaver.”

"This is not an acrimonious departure. We're doing everything we can to keep the transition smooth,” Jones told Ambinder, who writes the three “did, in fact, share a farewell drink with the senator.”

Jill Hazelbaker will likely take over as national communications director.

***UPDATE***First Read has confirmed all of the above.

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Comments

McCain doesn't matter anymore!!

Ollie frenchburg ky (Sent Monday, July 16, 2007 10:49 AM)

Republican's don't elect gadflies and McCain's falling on his sword supporting "W's" Iraq and Immigration agenda's is no act of Republican faith and loyalty. McCain fell out of step with the American public long; stick a fork in the man, he's done!

Mark Golembiowski, Chicago, IL (Sent Monday, July 16, 2007 11:05 AM)

Bottom line, McCain is a WRITE OFF!

H P Boston (Sent Monday, July 16, 2007 11:06 AM)

Ollie frenchburg ky, I agree ollie, I wish they would have gotten into some of the more important aspects of his campaign before he became a has been though, I hate to think we will never know how much his hair cuts cost him

MK,MO (Sent Monday, July 16, 2007 11:15 AM)

"Jones told Ambinder, who writes the three “did, in fact, share a farewell drink with the senator.”" One last slug of Kool aid for the road....losers..

The Edge, Macon, GA (Sent Monday, July 16, 2007 11:30 AM)

It ain't no mystery...McCain is history...and a very bad lesson at that.

Marty in Kansas City. (Sent Monday, July 16, 2007 11:41 AM)

I'm no huge fan of McCain, but I'd take him over Rudy any day. Some of the things he gets slammed for aren't really fair. Gang of 14? Well we got to great Supreme Court judges out of that one. Anyway still way too early for all this crap.

Dave, Tn (Sent Monday, July 16, 2007 11:49 AM)

The strange thing is he is still adhering to the Bush logic on the war...blaming liberals and trying to hold steadfast. I think he is a true believer now.

CJ (Sent Monday, July 16, 2007 11:49 AM)

Mk a good comb-over costs big money. Cutting all that hair on Edwards is easy to the thin locks only on one side of a bald head. Comb-overs are the worst form of desiet. At least be honest with yourself. You either have hair or not. Never trust a politician that is a comb-over.

Alan in Phx (Sent Monday, July 16, 2007 11:50 AM)

How much did those farewell drinks cost and was it charged to the campaign?

Russell in Maryland (Sent Monday, July 16, 2007 11:52 AM)

If you don't like the messages, fire the messengers.

nuanced (Sent Monday, July 16, 2007 11:53 AM)

MK,MO. Yea its sad. Who knows maybe McCain's hair cuts were only $300.00. That would have made him a much better president. Do you think Hillary does her on hair at home?

Ollie frenchburg ky (Sent Monday, July 16, 2007 12:28 PM)

Bye bye Johnny. I voted for you in 2000, but wouldn't repeat that mistake again.

Frank, Maryland (Sent Monday, July 16, 2007 12:42 PM)

No more Rudy McRomney? Does that mean it's Rudy RonRomney now?

Cash on hand (net of debt):
Rudy Guiliani $18,326,220
Romney $3,176,535
Ron Paul $2,354,855
McCain $1,567,009

Tancredo $ 583,451
Brownback $ 460,236
Huckabee $ 406,125
Hunter $ 212,926
T. Thompson ($ 5,787)
Gilmore ($ 67,163)*

*dropped out of race

Source: Second quarter FEC reports 6/30/07
http://query.nictusa.com/pres/2007/Q2/

Philip Blumel, West Palm Beach, Fla. (Sent Monday, July 16, 2007 12:47 PM)

MSNBC survey.. Gut check America (What matters to you most) They must be getting flooded with concerns about the high cost of haircuts instead of gas.

Ollie frenchburg ky (Sent Monday, July 16, 2007 12:55 PM)

His stand on Iraq toasted him.

Sherri, Charleston WV (Sent Monday, July 16, 2007 1:29 PM)

Not quite, Sherri. The GOP base loves the war; they hate "amnesty" for illegals. That's what hurt (and is still hurting) McCain the most.

http://www.political-buzz.com/

mp (Sent Monday, July 16, 2007 2:45 PM)

I agree, mp, the immigration bill hurt him more. Perhaps even more damaging, a fair chunk of the GOP seems never to have really warmed up to McCain. I guess its the maverick tag - I've heard a lot of party members say they just don't trust him. Even back in 2000, his run was fueled by independents and those who simply wanted an alternative to Bush.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Monday, July 16, 2007 3:07 PM)

I will be glad to see this clown GONE! Supposed to be a "fiscal conservative" but blew all his campaign money in the first few months. The biggest cheerleader out there for this disastrous war costing American lives and billions upon billions of taxpayer dollars. Probably wants to start another war! Wants to keep the tax cuts for the wealthy, but wants to give millions of slave laborers amnesty. Who do you think is gonna pay for it all? Veterans (Yes, he will turn his back on veterans!)social security, medicaid, medicare, the elderly, the disabled, the disadvantaged and of course above all-the middle class!

Steve Althouse Jonesboro IN (Sent Monday, July 16, 2007 4:02 PM)

Yeah...McCain was gone a long time ago...with some it was his challenge of Bush in 2000 (and trashing the religious conservatives). With others it was campaign finance. With me it was his cozying up to Bush during the 2004 election. Now, of course, he's added the immigration issue. He's made more enemies than friends. It's never been his support of the war, at least not in the primaries...they all support the war. With all of the alternatives running, I don't see him gaining any traction. I suspect the staff issues are more monetary...he just can't afford to pay them any longer.

Al, KS (Sent Monday, July 16, 2007 4:46 PM)

I don't know how honest this man is....I listen to him and don't hear anything about his frist family..didn't he have children with his first wife...where are they to support him???I would like to hear them support him and why...

Sandra Philbrick (Sent Monday, July 16, 2007 10:14 PM)

It is unfortunate that McCain's unraveling represents a Humpty Dumpty moment. It would have been funny if one did not think of what this means to the man himself. But as they say "all the kings horses and all the kings men cannot put Humpty together again."
McCain misread his political "stars".

I was hoping to see him as a strong contender in the race. But as his circle gets smaller, and fewer dollars gets to his account that looks less likely to happen. This is a tragic fall, indeed, but could he rise again? Those who fall can rise again!!
www.vernasmith.blogspot.com

Vee, Albany,New York (Sent Tuesday, July 17, 2007 2:00 AM)

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