McCain Adviser Confirms He Would Not Work against Obama in General Election

WASHINGTON — Political media maven Mark McKinnon, a Bush campaign veteran now advising GOP Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign, said Thursday he would quit the McCain campaign if the Arizona senator winds up in a general election race against Democratic Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois.

In an interview with Cox Newspapers' Washington bureau, McKinnon said he'd vote for McCain over Obama, but "I just don't want to work against an Obama candidacy" and that a President Obama "would send a great message to the country and the world."

McKinnon, who worked only for Democratic candidates before signing on with Bush in 1997, on Thursday confirmed a Newsweek report that he notified the McCain campaign around January about his decision not to work against Obama.

A McCain campaign official, who declined to be identified, responded to McKinnon's comments by saying, "Mark's a McCain guy."

Q: Why do you believe John McCain is the right person to lead the United States at this crucial point in the nation's history?

McKinnon: I believe John McCain is best suited to be president today because in these very dangerous times, he has the most experience on matters of national defense and has the stiffest backbone in terms of supporting unpopular issues like the Iraq surge strategy and immigration reform. McCain is a maverick and doesn't always toe the party line - stem cell research, campaign finance reform, global warming - which I like, but of course (that) creates challenges for him in primary elections.

Q: What does McCain have to do to convince voters that his strategy in Iraq will lead to a satisfactory outcome?

McKinnon: Because of his own military experience, McCain is a very credible voice on Iraq and I believe voters trust him on issues of national defense.

Q: Are you committed to working for and supporting McCain no matter who the Democratic nominee is?

McKinnon: If the Democratic nominee is Barack Obama, I will not work in the general election. I will, however, still support and vote for John McCain. I just don't want to work against an Obama candidacy. I think a McCain vs. Obama race would be a great choice for the country.

Q: Have you decided to back Sen. Obama if he is the Democratic nominee?

McKinnon: Not if John McCain is the nominee. (McKinnon said it is "too hypothetical" to say whether he would vote for Obama over a GOP nominee other than McCain.)

Q: What is it about Obama that attracts you?

McKinnon: I don't think Barack Obama needs the mirror of politics to reflect who he is. I think he has a deep character and good judgment. I also think he's wrong on some fundamental issues. But I believe he is honest and independent and if he were elected, I think it would send a great message to the country and the world. (McKinnon said Obama is "wrong on Iraq and pulling out troops too early.")

Q: How does Obama's race affect his chances of becoming president?

McKinnon: I think Obama's race could actually make it more likely he could be president. I think Americans would vote for an African-American in a heartbeat. Had Colin Powell run, I think he would have been president.

Q: If President Bush were eligible for a third term would you vote for him?

McKinnon: There's a reason why presidents are limited to two terms. But my support for President Bush has never flagged. And if he could run again, I'd support him.

Q: Please identify some issue or policy areas in which you differ from the president.

McKinnon: I made it my policy from the beginning that I would keep my disagreements with the president private.

Q: Eight years after then-Gov. Bush formally kicked off his presidential campaign, are you surprised at how unpopular he has become?

McKinnon: I'm not surprised that this or any other president is unpopular in the middle of a war.

Q: How will history treat President Bush?

McKinnon: I think history will judge President Bush much better than he is judged today.