Fired McCain Campaign Aides Sound Off
In interviews in February, Elwell and Haynes expressed obvious enthusiasm for McCain, particularly over his decades-long record opposing abortion rights. "I'm going to be telling McCain's story to Christian conservatives so they get to know the real McCain, not the way they represent him in the media," Elwell said in February. Elwell had interviewed with presidential hopefuls Mitt Romney, Sam Brownback, and Duncan Hunter before accepting the job with the McCain campaign.
Both former McCain aides stressed that they still had respect for the Arizonasenator, saying it was his top staff who seemed to take a cynical view of religious outreach. "I have a great deal of respect for John McCain and what he has done for the country," says Elwell. "He's given his whole life to his country, first through service in the military, by being a prisoner of war, and then giving back with public service."
After failing to get in touch with McCain's top staffers after she was dismissed from the campaign in April, Elwell received a call from McCain himself last week. The senator told Elwell he would look into her grievances and get back to her.
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