McCain aide takes over day-to-day campaign duties
By LIZ SIDOTI
Associated Press
July 3, 2008
Page 2 of 2
Schmidt was involved in McCain's presidential campaign from the start, but took on a more prominent role after the campaign nearly imploded one year ago after fundraising troubles and the staff shake-up.
He was a near constant presence on the campaign trail during McCain's comeback, which resulted in his winning enough delegates to capture the GOP nomination. In recent weeks, Schmidt worked out of headquarters as he assumed additional duties.
Schmidt, 38, presided over California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's successful re-election bid two years ago, a campaign in which the governor moved steadily to the political middle after governing as a conservative. Schmidt helped him overcome a deficit in the polls.
He also was a top aide in Bush's re-election campaign in 2004 and worked for Vice President Dick Cheney in the White House. He ran the confirmation of Justice Samuel Alito, and played a leading role in the confirmation of Chief Justice John Roberts.
The Democratic Party issued a statement saying: "It's no surprise that John McCain would put a Bush-Cheney veteran in charge of his campaign since he's been promising a third Bush term and relying on money raised by President Bush and his friends."
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