The Washington Post profiles McCain's de facto campaign manager today. Steve Schmidt is generally held responsible for the campaign's new sense of discipline and purpose, as well as its negative turn. But here's what stood out to me:
Schmidt's sister, his only sibling, is gay, and he has made it clear that he is appalled by the party's hostile attitudes toward gay rights. He urged Schwarzenegger last year to sign the California gay marriage bill, which the governor vetoed.
Unlike some on the left, I like to give most of my political enemies the benefit of the doubt, believing that their support for misguided or downright inhumane policies is based on an honest belief that their worldview is fundamentally good. Which means I think most of the Christian right is terrifically wrong, but I can understand why they think they're right. But I have no sympathy for someone like Schmidt, a paid political operative who is doing everything he can -- and quite well -- to elect a candidate whose personal positions and party are dedicated to the idea that his own sister is less than human and undeserving of fundamental rights. There's a certain point where you have to stand for principle in politics -- Mark McKinnon understood this -- and it's a shame that Schmidt, who considers himself a "moderate" and dislikes his reputation as a Karl Rove protege, is willing to sacrifice his principals and his family for his career.
Here's one other quote from the piece, on why this will be Schmidt's last campaign:
"The Internet has created a wave of venom that is very disturbing," hesays of the e-mails and calls he receives. "People who run thesecampaigns have become targets very directly. Who needs it?
Given the output of the McCain's campaign's press operation, pot kettle black. And while it may be nice to lurk in the shadows as a political operative, Schmidt's work directly impacts the political agenda of this country, and folks have every reason to confront him about his decisions.
--Tim Fernholz
