SNEAK PEEK: McKinnon Lays Down His Sword

McCain adviser says that attacking Obama will backfire

ByABC News
February 13, 2008, 7:52 PM

February 13, 2008— -- A top adviser to John McCain said Wednesday that he will not work for McCain in the general election if Barack Obama is the Democratic nominee.

"I would simply be uncomfortable being in a campaign that would be inevitably attacking Barack Obama," said McCain adviser Mark McKinnon in an interview with NPR's "All Things Considered." "I think it would be uncomfortable for me, and I think it would be bad for the McCain campaign."

McKinnon, who was a Democrat before serving as President Bush's ad maker in 2000 and 2004, said that he plans to be behind McCain "100 percent" no matter who the Democratic nominee is.

He explained, however, that if the Democrats nominate Obama, his support for McCain will have to come "from the sidelines."

While saying that he does not agree with Obama on every issue, McKinnon gushed about the Democratic frontrunner.

"I met Barack Obama, I read his book, I like him a great deal," said McKinnon. "I disagree with him on very fundamental issues. But I think, as I said, I think it would a great race for the country."

Audio of McKinnon's interview with NPR's Michele Norris is available here.

Will McKinnon's comments make it harder for McCain to tout Obama's National Journal rating as "the most liberal senator" of 2007?

Can McCain bring up Obama's support for raising Social Security taxes?

How about Obama's one-time pledge not to play "chicken with the troops"?

What about his support for driver's licenses for illegal immigrants?

Is any of this fair game?

Or would it only be "bad for the McCain campaign"?

As they say in television, only time will tell.

On the campaign trail. . .

JOHN MCCAIN

-- 11:00 am ET: Attends rally with voters, South Burlington, VT

-- 11:45 am ET: Holds media availability, South Burlington, VT

-- 1:30 pm ET: Attends rally with voters, Warwick, RI

-- 2:15 pm ET: Holds media availability, Warwick, RI

MIKE HUCKABEE

-- 12:00 pm ET: Attends rally with voters, Madison, WI

-- 1:00 pm ET: Holds media availability, Madison, WI

-- 3:00 pm ET: Attends rally with voters, La Crosse, WI

-- 4:00 pm ET: Holds media availability, La Crosse, WI

-- 6:00 pm ET: Attends rally with voters, Rothschild, WI

-- 7:00 pm ET: Holds media availability, Rothschild, WI

-- 9:00 pm ET: Attends rally with voters, Green Bay, WI

-- 10:00 pm ET: Holds media availability, Green Bay, WI

As for the Democrats. . .

HILLARY CLINTON

-- Attends event in Youngstown, OH

-- 6:00 pm ET: Attends rally with John Glenn and Governor Ted Strickland, Columbus, OH

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