Here's Your 2008 McCain Presidential Team
The Washington Post this morning confirms that Terry Nelson is Sen. John McCain's campaign manager.
Brian Jones, currently the RNC's communications director, will serve as communications director. Several of Jones's current colleagues are expected to join McCain's press team in more junior roles.
"Terry Nelson's management skills and political acumen built the historic Bush-Cheney 04 turnout machine brick by brick," RNC chairman Ken Mehlman told us in an e-mail. And "Brian Jones has fantastic judgment, the respect of the press, good management skills, creativity, and a commitment to excellence."
We'll add that Michael Dennehy, who ran New Hampshire for McCain in '00, will serve as national political director. Rick Davis, McCain's manager in '00, will serve as campaign CEO with an emphasis on policy and fundraising management. Mark Salter, McCain's alter ego and Senate chief of staff, will serve as counselor, helping McCain craft his speeches and working with the communications team. And John Weaver, the architect of all of this, will serve as chief strategist.
Rounding out the upper echelon: Lance Tarrance Jr. will serve as a senior strategist and research director. Bill McInturff will serve as the chief pollster. Mark McKinnon will serve as chief media strategist and coordinate the work of admakers. Former Sen. Phil Gramm and ex-USTR Robert Zoellick will help McCain devise domestic and international policy. Ex-FEC chairman Trevor Potter will be McCain's general counsel. Carla Eudy, his long-time finance guru, will take a lead role in that department.
Two governors: Jon Huntsman Jr. of Utah and Tim Pawlenty of MN will play major roles.
Prominent Republicans who have agreed to consult and advise the operation include a prominent California operative Gerald Parsky, Nevada's Sig Rogich, McCain '00 adviser Greg Stevens.
One McCain adviser estimates that they've received about 40 resumes for every open campaign position. [MARC AMBINDER]
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