Mark McKinnon Is Republican-of-the-Week

Another in our series demonstrating The Vigil's dedication to bipartisanship.

Mark McKinnon started out in political life as a Democratic media adviser. He was on Michael Dukakis' team in the 1988 presidential campaign. After that, he went back to Texas, returned to corporate work, raised a family and evolved into a 'pro-government' Republican.

He met George Bush, and liked him, worked for him, and helped elect him Governor and later, President. Since 1984 he's been John McCain's advisor. Before McKinnon signed on for the McCain '08 campaign, he wrote

... a confidential communication ... to the McCain campaign when I came abroad, and I don’t really want to say much more than that, except to say that under any circumstances, depending on who the nominee is, I will be supporting 100 percent John McCain.

Question: But I just want to clarify... that you wouldn’t work in the general election, you’d be supporting him on the sidelines?

McKinnon:

I will be supporting from the sidelines.

Question:Why... sit this out if you have such strong feelings for John McCain, if Barack Obama is the opponent. What is it you’re concerned about?

McKinnon:

I met Barack Obama, I read his book, I like him a great deal. I disagree with him on very fundamental issues. But I think, as I said, I think it would a great race for the country, and I would simply be uncomfortable being in a campaign that would be inevitably attacking Barack Obama. I think it would be uncomfortable for me, and I think it would be bad for the McCain campaign.

This Republican knows that the up-coming campaign will be vicious. I find it strangely encouraging that this Obamacan, who is also a McCainiac, has higher standards of decency than one of the two major Democratic candidates.
Maybe Senator Obama is right. There is room for hope.