McCain Relies on a Tight-Knit Circle of Confidants to Guide His Campaign
Known for being impulsive, the Republican nominee has encouraged a free-wheeling spirit on his team
A career in government followed, with Swindle establishing himself as a particularly staunch free-market conservative railing against the federal bureaucracy. His actions went well beyond the typical belt-tightening advocated by Reagan Republicans. Working for the Agriculture Department, he earned a reputation for turning down farmers' loan requests. In his next job, with the Commerce Department, he refused to fund projects that even whiffed of pork, famously holding up a proposed $12 million shopping and entertainment center in Texas. (After semiretiring in the early 1990s, Swindle agreed to serve as campaign director of Ross Perot's presidential bid in 1992.)
Since their days in captivity, McCain and Swindle have remained close. In 1998, McCain recommended him for a spot on the Federal Trade Commission, which regulates proposed mergers —and today Swindle is a kind of character reference about McCain's POW days. In the South Carolina primary this year, when McCain found himself dogged by character attacks similar to those he encountered eight years ago, Swindle was there to back him up, appearing in a campaign spot.
At 71, he may not be interested in a big appointment, but he is an obvious choice for secretary of veterans affairs.
With Jay Tolson, Thomas Omestad, and Kent Garber
Reader Comments
His advisors are Bushies
His foreign policy advisors, as listed on his website, are cause for concern to any who believe the Bush administratiion had botched Iraq. His foreign policy coordinator, Randy Scheunemann, headed a group called Project for the New American Century. It called for the US to invade Iraq, install a friendly government, and build big military bases there so we could control access to oil. This was a year before 9/11. When 9/11 happened Bush followed their script in planning the war. Not surprising, as Cheney and Rumsfeld had both been part of PNAC. McCain has 8 or 9 people from PNAC advising him on foreign policy. Scary.
And This is Surprising Why?
I don't get the intention of this article, which Past President or Presidential Candidate ever - did not have a "Tight-Knit Circle of Confidants to Guide His Campaign" ???
Again.... the purpose of this article was ???
advertisement
