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Black leaves K Street for McCain |
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By Kevin Bogardus and Sam Youngman
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Posted: 03/28/08 05:50 PM [ET] |
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Top Washington lobbyist Charlie Black is leaving his firm to join Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) presidential campaign. Black, chairman of BKSH & Associates, told The Hill his resignation would be effective Monday, March 31. He will join McCain's campaign on a full-time basis starting Tuesday. “McCain asked me to play a pretty significant role in the campaign," said Black, whose clients have included JP Morgan and Lockheed Martin, according to Senate records. Black said he was resigning because he does not want his attention divided while he's "worrying about November 4th.” Democrats have criticized McCain, who has fostered an image as a reformer, for his ties to lobbyists such as Black. McCain’s campaign manager, Rick Davis, and his national finance chairman, former Rep. Tom Loeffler (R-Texas), have also lobbied. Black is an experienced GOP operative and strategist. The North Carolina native was a senior advisor to Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush and has also worked with the Republican National Committee. Black has been advising the Arizonan Republican throughout his presidential run and has served as a campaign surrogate at times. |
