
NEW YORK (CNN) - Warren Tompkins, the hard-hitting South Carolina Republican consultant who worked against John McCain during the state’s vicious primary battle in 2000, is now toiling in North Carolina alongside McCain’s campaign on behalf of the Republican National Committee, according to sources.
Tompkins has been working in the state for two weeks, participating in conference calls and traveling up from South Carolina for meetings, said one southern GOP operative.
A McCain campaign official said that Tompkins is volunteering for the campaign, doing so through the RNC, but that he has only been in the state for “a few days.”
The presidential race in North Carolina has tightened in recent weeks, and CNN has moved the reliably red state into the “toss-up” category. The state’s down-ballot Republican candidates - Senator Elizabeth Dole and gubernatorial candidate Pat McCrory - are also in tough races.
“He is working for the RNC, so therefore coordinating with all the campaigns,” the operative said of Tompkins. “It’s the final few weeks of a campaign and you need people with experience, and frankly there are not many people in the southeast with near the experience that he has.”
Tompkins, known for hardball tactics, has long been accused of orchestrating a smear campaign against McCain in 2000, but he has never been formally linked to any of the attacks carried out against the Arizona senator. The Columbia-based strategist was a senior adviser to Mitt Romney’s primary campaign in South Carolina last year.
The McCain official said Tompkins was just one of many Republicans coming on board to help the McCain campaign in its final weeks.
“We’re deploying hundreds of political operatives to the battleground states,” the official said.


Thank God Obama is very intelligent male and do right way for USA country... I believe Obama loves all world.. Even the world love him unlike Cain.. I see no one loves Cain while he did not travel different countries..What is wrong?? He seems scare overseas I mean he can't go to Germany or Russia to solution problem... Obama knows how to solution problem than judgement.. Judgement is too dangerous but they need to sit and discuss solution problem than hurt or riots... Think Twice Obama is doing right choice... I pray Obama winning the White House... I knew everyone loves RALLY for OBAMA.. It is his first black president of USA... I pray he will be achieve with world people peace... I love Obama so much in my hearts
Who cares.....McCain has been irrelevant in the run for presidency about a month now.
"Obama is going to spend your money for you"
Give me a break! That sounds like the same rhetoric that Repubs have been saying about Dem candidates for years... 'oh, they're going to take my hard earned money and give hand outs to crack heads and welfare momma's in the hood'...
Hasn't it registered that no one wants to hear those ole' played out cliches except old played out Repubs....
I'm even willing to bet that you're probably someone who would benefit under Obama's tax plan.... but... yeah, go ahead and support McCain, silly.
McCain has made a mockery of his entire campaign. All this does is let the American people know that he is not in charge of his campaign and if he is not in charge. How can he run this country?
To democrat if you make over $250, 000 yes with Obama you will have some change in your pocket.
McCain has sold his soul for the election. Is Warren Tompkins the same guy that McCain said will get a "special place in hell" after the SC primary in 2000?
i'm from s.c., i swear it i wish this state go blue. these idiots like linsey grahm can't complete a sentance without sounding so bibical also this is a bible thumping religion country where the runner up miss s.c. answers wrongly after a simple question...sounds fimilar..ya betcha sinister sarah palin...GOD HELP US ALL IF THESE IDIOTS GOES INTO THE WHITE HOUSE!!!!
OBAMA-BIDEN 08 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Uhm. So.
democrat – read these posts here in favor of Obama. Do you think we're stupid and uninformed? Honestly. I suggest you go to the web sites of each candidate, check out their plans, and educate yourself. Unless, of course, you're perfectly content spreading lies.
Obama/Biden '08
Jeff ,ask your dad about Gordon Liddy and Charles Keating. Senator
McCain is throwing bricks and hiding his hands. Dave sees it,
but your dad doesn't.
I can't stop talking and laughing about MCcain/Palin. They are both pitiful.
McSame and Failin, you are toast.
me and ten of my friends voted today,,it felt great and awesome that we gonna pay deaf ears to the smear tactics upfront...Go vote now
No values, no morals, no ethics, no dignity. That's McCain & Palin. Doesn't sound even Republican anymore.
Tell me, oh ardent McCain Palin supporters – do you actually read and research before you post on these pages, or do you just follow the party line, read both candidates plans, and draw intelligent, well tought out conclusions....
Or do you just listen to what the RNC spouts out, or what the RNC tells Palin to say, or what they direct McCain to say....because I suspect the last is the case and you're a mindless drone than just like Obama supporters that only take things as they're said....
(and this is coming from an Obama supporter)
I have news for the RNC, John McCain and Sarah Palin – the voter turn out in this country is going to be unprecedented and the "under 30" crowd is going to carry Obama to the white house – they're tired of the old ways....
get ready for 2 more weeks of smears from the mccain camp.
Nothing like adding more venom to an already NASTY campaign!
@ XAVIER...... you are right, McCain is being judged by what he has become: someone who will say and do anything to be elected. The man is angry, sarcastic, mean and divisive.
Haven't we had EIGHT long years of DIVISIVE politics? Remember when the war with Iraq started? Anyone who dared to question the reason (which turned out to be LIES) for attack a sovereign country, would be labeled a ........traitor or un-American!
When we start to question each other's patriotism, or values we start down a slippery slope that is dangerous!
When Palin said yesterday "that she likes visiting 'pro-America' parts of the country" .......THE REST OF US, NEED TO ASK:
WHAT PARTS OF OUR NATION, PALIN, DO YOU CONSIDER UN-AMERICAN???????????????????????????????????????
THIS FROM A WOMAN WHOSE OWN HUSBAND WAS A MEMBER OF THE ALASKA INDEPENDENT PARTY WHO HAS WORKED FOR YEARS TO SUCEED FROM............ THE.........UNITED..........STATES.......OF AMERICA! (SORRY FOR YELLING FOLKS, I AM FED UP WITH GOP LIES AND HATE)
COME ON CNN.........PLEASE BE THE VOICE OF..........REASON!
John S. McCain is increasingly determined to employ Bush campaign staff and tactics so if there's still any doubt in any voter's mind that McCain is running for a Bush third term i wonder what more proof they're waiting to see
McBush '08
"Hey remember those guys who pretty much slandered me back in 2000? They were pretty good. Let's hire them." You've gone pretty low John McCain.
Barbara – 65 yr old white woman ... Thanks for the information! Another good source is John Dean's book "Conservatives without Conscience." It was a real eye opener.
John McCain is a fool.
He held his nose and jumped into the cesspool.
McCain voted for the socialist bailout and runs around with Liddy the Terrorist.
Is he affiliated with David Dukes by any chance?
McCain sold his ...soul... for the candidacy