Man, is this ever an interesting month for campaign memos. First Mike Henry’s missive about Hillary skipping Iowa and now this little bombshell from McCain adviser Mark McKinnon (hat tip: Political Wire).
The casual reader might wonder why strategists put their names on documents that, if made public, could eventually hurt them or their client’s standing. Reasons vary, but ultimately internal memos should have something to do with the candidate winning.
Speculation abounds John Mercurio at Hotline is a leading proponent) that Henry’s memo was leaked on purpose to lower expectations, but let’s assume that it was in fact a legitimate memorandum. Henry might have been tasked with the responsibility in the campaign or he might have long been the main proponent and was the victim of an internal fight over strategy.
But McKinnon’s memo is something all together different. He basically gave notice that he won’t help his client win if he faces a certain opponent.
McKinnon wrote that while he opposed Obama’s policies, especially on Iraq, he felt that the Illinois senator–as an African-American politician–has a unique potential to change the country. Therefore, McKinnon argued, he wanted no part in any efforts to tear down Obama’s candidacy.
Say what you will about Henry’s memo damaging Clinton, at least it advocated for a way to win the Iowa Caucus. McKinnon is laying down a marker that says “I won’t help if you run against him.” That essentially tells donors that one of McCain’s top advisers isn’t 100% on board with his campaign. It also signals to independents (and reporters) that Obama is a guy who crosses party lines.
True or not, that’s not a strategist’s job. It’s to help your client win. Henry’s name to paper makes sense; McKinnon’s does not.
It seems like McKinnon is one of those who seek commity above all else. Obama can bring the country together because he’s willing to administer a little medicine to every constituent group instead of just making promises. It’s “this is what you must do to help yourself and then this is how we can help you with your problem.”
He does it with car company CEOs and grandmas living in the projects. What’s more and this is key, most respond positively to it. This country has a lot of problems that need fixing. But the solutions have to benefit the whole not just the main beneficiaries. After years of Republicans only addressing the “plight of the rich” this is a guy who wants to put the interests of the majority above the privileged few.
Also notice how some misread him and his books and claim he’s too bipartisan, not tough enough. In reality he’s more than willing to mix it up with opposing politicians, (ask McCain) he just does it without attempting to alienate that politician’s supporters too. I think it’s because he thinks those voters can be his voters. I like that kind of confidence and ambition. Apparently so does McKinnon.