One Republican directly connected to today's events said that Mark Salter, McCain's long-time chief of staff and co-author of his five books, had also left the campaign payroll.
But Salter will remain as an adviser.
"Outside of my family, on this planet, there is no one more important to me than John McCain," he said in a brief interview. "I will continue to help in any way I can."

They are just three of thousand that have split from McCain. Sen. McCain should retire and collect his checks. He doesn't have a chance of winning the election.
Posted by Jim Wallace | July 10, 2007 11:36 AM