July 05, 2006

McCain Hires Ex-Sanford Aide In SC

Chris Allen, a former personal aide to Gov. Mark Sanford, has signed on to work as a full-time field director for Sen. John McCain's Straight Talk America.

Allen begins his job on Monday. His hiring was confirmed by a McCain adviser.

A friend describes Allen as "Sanford's former right hand man" who knows "every nook and cranny" in the state.

Allen’s move strengthens McCain’s ties to Sanford, who endorsed McCain’s ’00 bid in the state. (A side note: Sanford’s campaign manager, Jason Miller, was once Sen. George Allen’s (R-VA) campaign manager.)

McCain's main consultant in SC is Richard Quinn.

Last week, MA Gov. Mitt Romney's CommPAC hired ex-RGA staffer Nick Breeding.

The South Carolina Republican Party is historically fractious and increasingly factional, with conservatives challenging centrists in the legislature and the legislature's leaders frontally confronting Sanford. The '08 candidates want to plant their flag in as many corners as possible. [REID WILSON and MARC AMBINDER]

Posted at 02:00 PM

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