GOP strategist Mike Murphy chooses NBC over rejoining McCain camp

Mike Murphy, the garrulous Republican political strategist who helped Sen. John McCain dump the Karl Rove-led George W. Bush candidacy on its butt in the 2000 New Hampshire primary, is joining NBC News in an expanded role as political pundit.

In the past 48 hours Murphy, who remains a close confidante of the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has been the subject of much speculation in the East Coast press.

The New York Times' columnist Bill Kristol indicated Monday that Murphy would soon join the rebuilt McCain campaign team with newcomers Steve Schmidt and Mike DuHaime. Not everyone in the McCain camp would be joyful over Murphy's addition.

But just now, Murphy told The Times' Dan Morain, that ain't gonna happen. Instead, Murphy said he intended to head to NBC News where he will expand his role as a political pundit and commentator on this year's dramatic unfolding general election campaign.

He'll appear on the  network's "Nightly News" and "Meet the Press" as well as on several of NBC’s cable shows.

“I don’t intend to join the campaign,” Murphy said, adding that further details would be announced in coming days.

Murphy was McCain’s top strategist in his 2000 campaign, which faded in South Carolina after the dramatic 19-point upset of the Texas governor in the Granite State.

In conversations, McCain has made clear that he remains fond of Murphy. Murphy was also top campaign strategist to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and to former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in his 2002 gubernatorial contest.

His lasting friendship with both McCain and Romney caused the 46-year-old Murphy to sit out this election cycle's Republican primary contests.

In addition to his punditry for NBC, Murphy heads an influential lobby-consulting firm, Navigators, with offices in Washington, Sacramento and elsewhere. He also is involved in Hollywood projects.

--Andrew Malcolm

Photo credit: Getty Images

Comments

[VJ Machiavelli]

I guess Fox was all filled up with the losing campaign consultants, and staff.

VJ Machiavelli
http://www.vjmachiavelli.blogspot.com
ps Obama = Chamberlian = victory for terrorists = Keeping our shoes on forever.

[Geoffrey Baum]

Mike Murphy is one of the top strategists in the business today. We'll be fortunate to hear his insights on NBC News and elsewhere.

[Harry]

Guess he didn't want to jump onto the Titanic mid-iceberg.

[Ethan Q]

Aren't there any INDEPENDENT political thinkers out there?

It seems a BLATANT conflict of interest to have lobbyists with ties to a campaign on the nightly news commenting about the campaigns.

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO OBJECTIVITY IN THE MEDIA?

Shame, shame, shame on NBC.

It's disgusting to listen to CNN, FOX, and now NBC for their blatant partisanism. How can there not be gridlock in Washington if we can't keep it out of the newsroom???

[Sara]

McCain has admitted he is weak on economic knowledge and understanding. His voting record in Congress show that is true. He needs a real economist versus a Marxist spinner to develop his economic plan and to educate the poor guy about capitalism and economics.

McCain is lucky for one reason: His opponent is an openly racist radial no matter how much he tries to spin to the center during the election. His record is clear - the MOST liberal Senator in the Senate. His racism is clear - in his own books on tape in his own voice.

No matter McCain's faults in the ignorance of blowing with the winds of limo liberal fads, without an anchor in knowledge; he is not a rookey and he is not a racist nor is he a committed Marxist.

[Andrew]

Man, look at that guy's forehead. You could ski down that thing.

[renee]

Another blow for McCain.

[Jason]

When McCain loses this campaign, his biggest regret will be not bringing on Mike Murphy. Love him or hate him, Murphy is the only guy that can save the McCain campaign at this point.