(CNN) - John McCain’s chief media adviser said Tuesday he is stepping down rather than campaign against Barack Obama.
Mark McKinnon said last year that he would leave McCain’s campaign after the primary season if the Arizona senator were to run against Obama.
The Illinois senator is not the Democratic nominee, but he has accumulated a significant lead in the number of delegates required to claim the nomination.
In a 2007 interview with Cox News, McKinnon said he would vote for McCain, but "I just don't want to work against an Obama candidacy." He added that if Obama were to reach the White House, it "would send a great message to the country and the world."
The McCain campaign says McKinnon will remain a “major supporter” of the McCain’s presidential bid.
From CNN Politics
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McCain should also step down and vote for OBAMA / AL GORE 2008
Wow. I am stunned. Is that...a real person...? Who is this guy?
Wow, just shows that obama can unite the united states and the world. Even McCains advisers know obama is the best candidate to bring back the united states to the people. Republicans and Democrats unite and elect Obama for the needed change we need in America and in the world.
Honest guy in DC, good for him!
Ahh, integrity–so exotic in media clouded with Clintonia-FerraRovian emissions yet so pleasing.
And this ladies and gentlemen is what we call LOYALTY. Would anyone make sure BILL RICHARDSON get the memo.
Thanks,
Ana
Antioch, CA
Can we get some more details on this?? This is nuts! And I'm an Obama supporter!!
Wow!
WOW...
A man with principles.... how refreshing...
There are still some honest republican.
How refreshing.
I love this Man, this is what I call a TRUE American, now the obama bashing begin ..
Obama 08
Wow....
Democrat '08
This is a riot why is everyone so afraid of Obuma. This guy is so shallow as a Presidential nominee.
Another rat jumps ship
WOW...........I AM REALLY IMPRESSED......Obama really has the abilty to move ppls hearts......He really has my vote.
This action speaks VOLUMES!
wow
i love obama more each day
everyone seems to understand he is the hope of america
all of you who say nasty things about this man are crazy
i love you more each day
God bless you and your wonderful family,Mr President
haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
A Daniel has come to judgement!
THIS GUY IS VERRRRRRRRRRRY SMART !!!! Wish more people would see things in the way this guy does. A true Visionary !!!
Obama will repair this country's respect and image around the world almost over night !!! Creating more allies and friends throughout the World. More Help to solve all of the serious issues that face this country and world.
I am not bit bashful to say that we can't have a big drinker as a nominee. Hillary takes shots of whiskey on the road and drinks beers.
She has seriusly compromised herself as a candidate with her drinking . I wish she would retire now!!
Please come over; you have done that which is honourable..that is what the Clintons did not want; 'to send a message to the world'...the world will be a better place to live if BO gets to The White House.
hahahahahaha!!!funny!
Unbelieveable integrity from Mark McKinnon.
OBAMA CAN UNITE THIS COUNTRY!
Obama/ Nunn in 2008!
Thats right.. jump up on Board the Obama Train, Mr. McKinnon...
Oh, I'm sorry... we don't seem to have enough room. Add another car for "Former McCain Supporters!" "Attach it to the Former hillary supporters on the left but make sure former rivals is last... its kinda heavy.
Go Hillary. What a beating Obamus got today. I think Mark should stay with McLame since Hillary should be the nominee
Yeah, an honest guy in DC, that's impressive!!!!
makes me respect hillary even more can't be scary.
McKinnon does not want his name on the attack that will be launched on Obama during the general election. That tells you how nasty this is going to be.
I don't call it honest; I call it self-preservation.
When Gore and Kerry ran, the Democrats never experienced this big rift in the party.
Either, racism is stiil high in this nation OR
Why is it that the Clintons always screw up whatever they touch? By the time Bill left office, this nation was equally divided– RED and BLUE
Why can't people let Obama close this big gap in this nation? This man is both BLACK and WHITE, got it!!!
He's clearly not from West Virginia or Kentucky
That is stunning. It sends a clear message to Clinton and her electability. By the way her argument nationally got blown out of the water today. She is now behind in every demographic including white women.
Yes We Can
Obama '08 '12
NO MORE WARS !
this is SHOCKING, but mckinnon is making the right choice. he's gonna get reamed for this, but i admire his bravery and for taking a personal stand over doing what's right for his career.
even mccain's staff doesnt believe he's the best choice for president! mccain has lost more of his staff/lobbyists since the beginning, when you repsect and believe in your boss you dont bail on him. this should tell you something folks, a person who knows him WELL cant support mccain and has done something this shocking! WOW!!!
obama 08!!!!!!!!!
What the??? The action hasn't even started! LOL!!! Hmmmm, I gotta admit, I like his honesty but overall, no action hasn't taken place......
Great! This just goes to show that Obama really can rally the entire American country around him and make this world a better place.
Now that we've won the nomination, lets get to the white house!
Go Obama 2008!
Hillary is not a complainer. Hillary's supporters are complaning.
The Obama supporters in many blogs are very nasty to the Hillary and her supporters and her constituency. This is not the way to win people.
Good for Mc, He is a brave and honest man. I appreciate what he has done. I understand his logic and maybe he will come over to the right side (Democratic) and leave the negative, ugly, liers alone. McCain is just like Bush one of the Biggest liers and war hogs mongers there is. McCain will lose this one.
Haneefah
this is unbelieveable~
Obama should become the President of the United World of the Earth! McCain should drop out of the race and all other candidates should quit so Obama would win a landslide. Then, we Americans should tell the world, there should be only one country in the world. All other countries should choose become parts of the only earthly country on this planet. There would be no war, only peace! What a wonderful world!
i love this country how much i can ! its will b great if obama become a president usa god please ppls help me and make me more pround of this country ? please vote for obama plz ?
I commend you sir! That was a very noble gesture...
This has nothing to do with integrity. It has everything to do with cowardice, the same cowardice that will be shown by the remaining superdelegates who should be - but are not - now caucusing and deciding to throw ALL of their votes to the only candidate who can successfully HEAD the Democratic ticket in 2008: Hillary Clinton!
Clinton-Obama '08
PAID OFF!
Now this is what our country needs, United Democrats and Republicans working together for ONE country. That is what Obama represents...... this is why many politicians who have been "loyal" to Clinton, McCain and other beliefs are supporting Obama- because he truly embodies what America needs. If a McCain top adviser is willing to stop supporting McCain and not work against McCain, why can't Hillary supporters do the same for their OWN party?? Top Clinton financial investors are going to be supporting Obama when Clinton steps down, including top Clinton supporter James Carville.
It's time for Republicans, Democrats, Independents, white, black, women, men, young, old, straight, gay, religious or not to support the only candidate who is for the People, the American People.
I bet Mark McKinnon will end up endorsing Obama.
The Obama Generation Has Spoken '08
I guess he doesn't want to run a racist campaign. Good for you, McKinnon. (He's also probably lobbying for Cuba, Iran, and North Korea too.)
This is highly impressive... I am quite happy that even McCain's own Advisors know that having Barack Obama in the white house means once again this country can be seen as the greatest country in the world...and mean it....
I am quite impressed...and quite thankful.
WOW... this person has done something remarkable....
that's what im talking about!!!
let's go democrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OBAMA 08!!!!!!!!!!!
that is deep. god bless you man!
That was truth-telling to the 3rd degree. Kudo's for caring about the direction of his country.
Thanks sir!
The biggest piece of crap in the world is again going to be the democratic candidate. Outside of Bill Clinton the Democrats have culled their candate from the bottom of the barrel. OBAMA IS GOING TO RUIN THE PARTY AND HE IS WELL ON HIS WAY TO DO THAT. THOSE DEMOCRATS THAT DESERT TO THE REPUBLICANS WILL NEVER COME BACK. Their imput into the republicans will change that party and the democrats will be sitting their butts on the sideline for years and year to come. I don't know which in their brains are...but it's not in their heads.
I never type in caps, BUT THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES. All Democrats should be proud! Let's do this!
I have thought this from the beginning that "sexism" has been allowed but "racism" has been fought/reported/and screamed about throughout this race! Someone in another article on this issue commented "when has Obama been sexist?", my response would be when he called several women "sweetie" which is so demeaning! If someone said "boy" to him it would be ALL over the place as racist and NO apology would be enough to shut everyone up!!!
That is just a simple example. It is a simple representation of how people see the wrongs against women and blacks differently. Just read the comments from the ignorant followers of Obama to see that sexism is there!
Oh, and I am a man.
Hillary supporters leave and go to Obama...now McCain supporters leave and go to Obama!
This is Awesome!! And I looked him up (before the HRC folks try to say it)...he is a White Man!!
Obama O-8!!
Some of us hope that the Clintons will work harder to UNITE the democratic party as they have worked to highlight the weaknesses of the party. Why do the Clintons always 'screw up" just about anything that they touch!
That guy is a tool. He's stepping down from the campaign, but is still for McCain. Meanwhile he likes Obama. Give me a break. I wouldn't trust this guy for a second if I was McCain....or Obama.
all i really need to say is this country is divided by race. united we conquer, divided.... and ps, the gender discussion is over, white men (for the most part) vote in line with white women.
how can clinton asked for all votes to be counted when she's already accepting and making a victory speech with only 61% of votes only counted so far. practice what you preach hillary-for once in your life.
you make me sick hillary.
Ain't God good....This is amazing; and no doubt took a lot of courage.
Democrats, Republicans, Independents...
United for Barack Obama as President of the United States of America.
For the People, by the People 2008
THAT IS WHAT YOU CALL RESPECT!
AMERICA IS IN NEED OF GOOD CHANGE!
FORGET THE PAST ... ITS CALLED HISTORY
LOOK FOR THE FUTURE
BARACK OBAMA
The guy is a mercenary who doesn't want to be on the losing side. That is not integrity; it is opportunism. Although he says Obama will be great for the country and the world, he will vote McCain?
The GOP sees a storm coming and they're jumping ship, desperately seeking higher ground....but they don't know where it is!
Cry "Treason!" and unleash the executioners!
McKinnon –
A human over there after all. Wish he was running Clinton's campaign.
Obama is a gifted politician those who have eyes are seeing it when I mean eyes not just eyes it is more than that. Thanks for your loyalty. Obama will be the next president.
LOL,
Funniest story posted on this ticker so far !!!
Mc Cain should be afraid as well !!!
Obama 08-2012
He added that if Obama were to reach the White House, it "would send a great message to the country and the world."
What does that mean? But I don't blame him us democrats behind Obama are a formidable force!
THIS IS A TESTAMENT OF THE REGARD EVEN THE
OPPOSITION HAS FOR SENATOR OBAMA.
wow! it's so refreshing...... this is what we need, 'integrity' and 'honesty'...... we do need this sort of example every once in a while in order to teach the younger generations of "integrity" and "honesty"..... if we can do that, the future of america can only be a great success
Mark McKinnon just doesn't want to break the news to John McCain
that he will vote for Senator Obama.
There are still a few good men.
How ignorant is that.
Ah... yeah... I'll vote for you... but I don't want to campaign for you because it might help you win.
Huh? Politics can get more confusing. YAAA!
Cheap gas anyone?
Anna – NEWS FLASH! He's not a superdelegate, sweetie.
It is refreshing to hear from someone who can see the historical significance of a Barack Obama presidency. Not only is he a tremendous leader with extraordinary vision, but he is also the personification of a tumultuous history of race in America come full circle.
Yes He can and Obama will unite this country and will win the white House. Thank you Mr Mark McKinnon for your exemplary integrity, Whites, African American's Latino's, Asians, young, Old, Rich, Poor, Men, Women will all unite all across the Country and carry Obama to the White House
Obama 2008
DEMS UNITE!!!!!!!!
USA UNITE!!!!!!!!!
OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THERE IS A MAN THAT PUTS COUNTRY FIRST.
Barack Obama will be the next President of the United States and everyone knows it.
Wow! As much as people try to fight it Obama is such a great positive man of character! I am truly impressed with his campaign!!
OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT!!
ONE million dollars for U and U and U Oh yes how far can two hundred go ? All the way to the White House? Not if the voters have a say!!!!
Anna: You are an !d!ot, you obviously did NOT read the article. He said Mark STOPPED being loyal to McCain in order to not work against Obama. That means Mark is not Loyal to McCain despite being a top McCain advisor....... just like Richardson was NOT loyal to Clinton despite being a long friend and having political ties.
This is not about betrayal, this is about politicians having loyalty to the American people by endorsing/supporting Obama.
O-BA-MA 08
Dana! Give us some more details on this story!
I am really crying behind this post. Thank you.
CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN THIS SITUATION TO ME? WHO IS THIS GUY AND WHAT DOES HE KNOW THAT WE DON'T KNOW?
In a word...Amazing.
Obviously Clinton AND Mc Cains ppl know what the scoop is if they are defecting to Barack's team...better organizing/ managing funds..loyal workers( I think 1 or 2 got fired or quit) bigger campaign turnouts, not having lobbyist hanging around..no upcoming hidden courtcases,no missing tax returns just to name a few....I guess the writing is on the wall............
WOW! Very impressive.
This is really interesting - and refreshing to see a person involved in politics do such a thing. I hope more details are told about this.
COUNTRY BEFORE ALL OTHERS.
THAT IS HOW AMERICA BECAME THE
LAND OF OF THE BRAVE & THE FREE.
One Million, Two Million three Million 4! How many Millions will it take for Bo,
McKinnon understands what's at stake. Obama will be a great leader for our future!!
JOIN THE MOVEMENT!!
There MUST be a reason why this guy has got , not just us, but the entire world excited!! We are the greatest country in the world!
We must keep looking forward, not back!
Obama!
People, please google Mark McKinnon and read about him. This is very honorable.
The best part is he stated this earlier on and is not jumping ship for the hell of it.
Obama 08'
so he probably stepped down b/c he doesn't want to be part of the muckraking bonanza McCain's going to bring if Obama wins the Democratic bid.
YES!!!
You really have to admire someone like this. He had his reasons for stating what he did back in 2007 and he stuck to his words. That's what's called integrity considering all the right-wing nut jobs out there like Limbaugh, Coulter, etc... are going to lambast him left and right. And most likely this will affect his future with relation to working in politics, at least on the Republican side...
And to all those who bring up "loyalty"... sorry, but look at what blind, unquestioning loyalty has brought us for the past 7 years... I'd rather want people that can think freely and make decisions rather than people that make decisions based on "loyalty."
How refreshing! He's welcome to join the Obama camp any time... as long as he's not a spy.
So, can anyone enlighten me about how folks in KY and WV think? I'm honestly baffled and need answers...
Someone, please help me out!
Obama/Clinton 08
TRUE AMERICAN
TRUE AMERICAN
TRUE AMERICAN MARK MCKINNON
Now the press better be all over this because it is big news.
Splendid
This makes perfectly clear sense.. This guy don't want to stand against a man that will create history.
I strongly believe that american people, especially well educated ones had been sick and tired watching policies that ruin USA's name worldwide.. True american people should support change that is proposed by Obama. I believe not only American, even other nations worldwide yearning for peaceful and better world supports Obama to be the next president of USA.