Reply #4: NYT/AP: McCain Taps Former Bush Political Director

[DeepModem Mom]

McCain Taps Former Bush Political Director
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: March 18, 2006


WASHINGTON (AP) -- With an eye toward the 2008 presidential campaign, GOP Sen. John McCain of Arizona has hired one of President Bush's top re-election advisers to help run his political action committee.

Terry Nelson, political director of the Bush-Cheney campaign in 2004, will be senior adviser to Straight Talk America, according to several official familiar with the hiring. They spoke on condition of anonymity so as not to pre-empt an announcement by McCain's committee.

McCain is using the PAC to raise money and organize his travel on behalf of Republicans running in November's midterm elections.

The PAC is also a launching pad for what most Republicans consider to be a likely presidential race by McCain. Nelson's hiring puts him in position to play a major role should McCain seek the White House again....

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McCain is courting Bush's supporters, major fundraisers and advisers. Mark McKinnon, the president's chief media strategist, has signaled his willingness to help McCain unless Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice or Florida Gov. Jeb Bush gets in the race....


http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-McCain-Bush-Aide.html?ex=1143349200&en=5c2fb04ad90c3b8a&ei=5070&emc=eta1