The Sedona Five: McCain's Inner Circle

WASHINGTON — Arizona Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign team is headed by two aides who've been with him a long time, two with recent history in Bush campaigns and one who has been involved with GOP presidential candidates since Ronald Reagan's unsuccessful 1976 bid.

It's a quintet sometimes known as the "Sedona Five" for their meetings at McCain's Arizona vacation cabin.

In addition to the top five advisers, the McCain campaign also is getting input from several former top Bush aides, including Karl Rove and Dan Bartlett.

Rove said in a Saturday e-mail that his role in the McCain campaign is "donor."

But top adviser Mark McKinnon said Rove and Bartlett are involved.

"Nothing formal, but both (are) offering advice," McKinnon said.

Rick Davis, 50, campaign manager

Partner in Arlington, Va.-based lobbying firm of Davis, Manafort and Freedman, whose clients have included Verizon, SBC and other telecommunications companies; lottery company GTech; and Fruit of the Loom. Longtime McCain friend and adviser. Was campaign manager in 2000 McCain presidential campaign. Returned to that post last July after McCain's staff shakeup. Deputy manager of Bob Dole's 1996 presidential campaign. Served as an aide to President Reagan.

Mark Salter, 53, senior adviser

Longtime McCain aide who first signed on in 1989 as a legislative assistant and became an administrative assistant in McCain's Senate office in 1993. Co-author of McCain's five books, including "Faith of My Fathers" and "Worth the Fighting For." Chores include speechwriting, and knows almost as much as McCain does about McCain's life.

Charles Black, 60, senior adviser

Longtime Washington lobbyist and adviser/guru to GOP presidential candidates. First campaign was Reagan's 1976 race. Chairman of BKSH & Associates, a lobbying firm whose Web site reminds potential clients, "Those who do not define themselves are defined by others – most often by their opponents." BKSH also boasts of a bipartisan team, including former top operatives from GOP presidential candidates George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, Bob Dole and Ronald Reagan, and Democratic presidential candidates John Kerry, Al Gore and Bill Clinton. Firm has offices in Washington, London, Brussels and Berlin. Company says clients include "Fortune 100 companies, multinationals, small and mid-sized companies, trade and industry associations, foreign governments, state governments and municipalities." The foreign clients have included Colombia, Haiti, Greece, and the Iraqi National Congress. The domestic client list has included Dunkin' Donuts, Blackwater USA, General Electric, General Motors, Lockheed Martin, ATT and the National Automobile Dealers Association.

Steve Schmidt, 37, senior adviser

Now a partner in Mercury Public Affairs, in charge of the company's California operations. Was campaign manager for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's 2006 re-election campaign. Prior to that, served in Bush White House as deputy assistant to the president and counselor to the vice president. Tasks included handling communications strategy for Supreme Court nominees John Roberts and Samuel Alito. Did a month in Baghdad to assess media relations in the war zone. A top strategist in Bush's 2004 re-election campaign. Worked as communications director for the National Republican Congressional Committee during the 2002 elections. Company Web site says, "Described as a 'damage-control master,' Mr. Schmidt has served on dozens of campaigns at the national, state and local levels."

Mark McKinnon, 52, media adviser

Vice chairman of Austin-based Public Strategies Inc. Handled advertising for George W. Bush's two presidential races after performing similar chores for Bush's Texas 1998 gubernatorial campaign. Worked for Democrat Ann Richards' 1990 Texas gubernatorial campaign. Signed on with McCain last year. Says he would continue to support McCain, but not work for him, if Barack Obama is the Democratic nominee.