Black Resigns To Join McCain's Campaign

Legendary Washington hand Charlie Black, a senior adviser to Sen. John McCain,has resigned from his public affairs / lobbying firm in order to join McCain on the trail full-time.

Black, currently the chairman of BKSH Worldwide (a subsidiary of Burson-Marsteller -- Mark Penn's Burson Marsteller), has not worked full-time for a presidential campaign since 1992, when he served as a principle spokesperson for Pres. George W. Bush's re-election efforts.

The resignation takes effect Monday. Black has close ties to virtually every wing of the Republican Party and has been a key link between the campaign and the White House.

(For a closer look at McCain's ties to lobbyists, check Mike Scherer's article in Time.)

Comments

Will that be the only Black on the McCain campaign?

Posted by D | March 27, 2008 1:28 PM

Paid or unpaid leave of absence? Makes a big difference.

Posted by john m | March 27, 2008 1:34 PM

If it is a paid leave of absence, and it is not drawing on things like vacations, "sick" leave, etc. then would that constitute an illegal corporate campaign contribution?

Chelsea Clinton is apparently on full pay and benefits with the hedge fund she allegedly works for.

The Clinton Campaign refuse to clarify whether Chelsea is being paid by the hedge fund and thus, is indirectly benefiting from a corporate donation.

Posted by D | March 27, 2008 1:39 PM

1992, when he served as a principle spokesperson for Pres. George W. Bush's re-election efforts

I think that's a typo.

Posted by Daniel Koffler | March 27, 2008 1:53 PM

Another day, another lobbyist for McCain

Posted by Mark | March 27, 2008 2:16 PM

Marc writes: "[Charlie] Black has close ties to virtually every wing of the Republican Party and has been a key link between the campaign and the White House."

The real question is, does Black have close ties to Mark Penn, the CEO of his parent company? How often do Black and Penn communicate, directly or through their surrogates? Are Black and Penn coordinating their respective candidates for the greater benifit of Burson-Marsteller and their clients?

Posted by cadmus | March 27, 2008 4:23 PM

Hooray! McCain is attracting Blacks. This
will sure help in November.

Posted by hombre | March 27, 2008 4:48 PM

The way I read this the word is "resigned", not a leave. Now I assume he can be rehired, but it looks like he has severed his ties.

Might be a hint to the swine who is getting paid a full time salary running Burston Marsteller while he is raking in millions ruining (sorry, meant "running") Hillary's campaign (that would be Mark Penn.)

Don't agree with Black about almost anything except that over the years he has been a true class act.
(And yes, "principle" is a typo.)

Posted by Pennyweight | March 28, 2008 8:11 PM