Expect to see more of this as the Arizona Senator's campaign implodes.

The downsizing of Senator McCain's presidential campaign is coming at an opportune time for Fred Thompson, the former Tennessee senator who is likely to jump into the race officially any day now and seeking to build a campaign staff in the early primary states.

Struggling with a shortage of cash, Mr. McCain's campaign announced last week that it was laying off dozens of staff members, including about half of his paid team in Iowa and New Hampshire.

While there is no evidence of an outright pillaging of Mr. McCain's departed aides, Republican sources in those states say Mr. Thompson's emerging campaign is the likeliest landing spot. Aside from Mr. Thompson's obvious need for staff — assuming he enters the race — the two are closely aligned ideologically, and Mr. Thompson even endorsed Mr. McCain when he sought the White House in 2000.

This really shouldn't be much of a surprise to anyone. Of the major candidates, Mitt Romney has the best organization in place, and has done a superb job of staffing his campaign. he just doesn't need many additional people at this time.

The differences between Rudy Giuliani and John McCain are stark enough that most McCain staffers wouldn't fit in at this early stage of the race.

And the other candidates in the race are operating with small staffs until and unless they can get some traction in this race.

But Fred Thompson is starting a brand new organization, and appeals to much of the same base that John McCain does It doesn't come as any surprise to me, therefore, that the logical home for some of these operatives is the Thompson campaign. Some may end up elsewhere, but expect most of the early departures from McCain to end up with the former Tennessee senator.

Posted by: Greg at 06:39 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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