The tactics used against McCain by Bush and his allies in South Carolina left a deep scar on both McCain and his wife Cindy....
Eight years later, with a tough fight of his own, McCain has turned to one of the same men. Asked if the McCain campaign would have a comment about hiring one of the South Carolina strategists the senator and his 2000 campaign team once held responsible for smears against him, McCain 2008 spokesman Brian Rogers emailed, "No."
McCain Hires GOP Operative Who Helped Smear Him in South Carolina in 2000
September 01, 2008 8:46 PM
Former officials of Sen. John McCain's 2000 campaign expressed shock and disbelief Monday to learn than the GOP presidential nominee had hired South Carolina political consultant Tucker Eskew.
Eskew, along with Warren Tompkins and Neal Rhodes, were key members of then-Gov. George W. Bush's South Carolina team during the 2000 primaries. McCain and his team long held Bush, Tompkins, Rhodes and Eskew responsible for the various smears against McCain and his family in the Palmetto state during that contentious contest.
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An exaltation of tuckers
Tucker Eskew, Tucker Bounds, Tucker Carlson... What is this obsession with Tuckers and why are they all right-wingers? The obvious moral is, never name your kid Tucker. They can't dress themselves and you can't trust them.
Somewhat more seriously: There may be two reasons for bringing Eskew in. First, his tactics seemed to work. Second, you keep your friends close and your enemies closer. All right, three reasons, based on some P6 logic: It's also irrational and the Dems would never suspect that he'd be brought in.
Republicans never suspected
Republicans never suspected it.
I find it pretty remarkable. If I were McCain, I might call the boy in for an interview so I can kick his ass behind closed doors.
"What is this obsession with
"What is this obsession with Tuckers and why are they all right-wingers?"
This is just a WASP cultural practice to bestow on their children given names that are generally considered surnames. This practice is more commonly used in naming daughters. Look, for example, at the CNN newscaster Campbell Brown. Campbell is probably her mother's surname or the surname of one of her grandmothers.
Palin's Role
The intent was to groom Palin to do everything she could to smear and malign Obama.
Of course. That's what Eskew
Of course. That's what Eskew does.