Marlene Elwell Leaves McCain Kampaign: Marlene Elwell, the leading social konservative on the McCain presidential team has parted ways with the kampaign. The loss is a blow to the McCain kampaign that needs to reach out to social konservatives in Iowa and South Carolina. If her leaving wasn't bad enough, the timing is absolutely terrible. McCain is on day two of his official presidential announcement tour and the last thing the kampaign needed is a story like this. Elwell made he name in politics in 1988 with the Pat Robertson kampaign, and has strong ties with the leading social konservative organizers in Iowa. Leaving one kampaign for another isn't new for her either. In 1996 Elwell left the Buchanan kampaign for Bob Dole's kampaign early on. It will be interesting to see where she lands. There is no doubt in my mind that she will end up on another kampaign soon. I’m sure the Romney folks have already called, but maybe she is holding off for someone like Fred Thompson. Whoever wants her services better have deep pockets, FEC reports show that she brought in 25K in Feb 07 on the McCain kampaign.

Labels: John_McCain, Rudy_Giuliani