Mike Murphy, Longtime McCain Adviser, To Join MSNBC As Political Commentator

New York Times:

Mike Murphy, Senator John McCain's longtime adviser and friend who had been rumored to be joining the McCain campaign as a chief strategist, said Tuesday that he would not be doing so.

In an interview, Mr. Murphy said that the flurry of speculation about a return to Mr. McCain's circle -- at a time when the McCain camp was showing new signs of internal strife -- was endangering the candidacy of his friend and that he wanted to put an end to it. "I'm not expecting to join his campaign," he said of Mr. McCain, the likely Republican presidential nominee. "I'm going to kill and end all this stuff."

Mr. Murphy added: "I think this staff speculation is not helpful to the campaign. I don't want to be controversial, and I don't want to be distracting from the senator's message."

Mr. Murphy, Mr. McCain's strategist in the 2000 presidential race, is going to take a position as a commentator on MSNBC.

The McCain campaign declined to comment.

Read the whole story: New York Times

Comments

[RobinSeattle]

11:42 AM on 07/10/2008

Murphy is human vermin.

But here's something else: all of these political operatives infiltrating the media kinda threatens its journalistic integrity (well, okay, that has already been compromised in other ways, but I digress), doesn't it? We should be getting reportage from disinterested (and that actually means "objective" and not "uninterested," as it is often misused) observers, but instead, you see one political hack after another taking up space in the electronic news food chain. Not exactly nutritional for keeping our democracy thriving.

[leftintheoven]

08:57 AM on 07/10/2008

I don't agree with Murphy but I actually like him. He presents things positively and has a sense of humor. I would rather have him on TV than in the Straight to War Express.

[murphysgirl]

01:13 AM on 07/10/2008

I've seen Murphy on Meet the Press a few times. Believe it or not, the guy is pretty fair. He's actually said some pretty good things about Obama. He's not your average Republican talking head, and he would surely be a great contrast to Pat Buchanan!!

[Exit]

10:00 PM on 07/09/2008

He will be working for McCain. Just in the disguise of being a TV commentator like Karl Rove.

[nellie]

08:15 PM on 07/09/2008

As if MSNBC commentators didn't already have enough barbecue sauce all over their faces.

[mistlesuede]

07:11 PM on 07/09/2008

I actually think Murphy is a decent guy for a Republican. I have seen him many times be humorous and honest at the GOP's expense. He's not afraid to point out what they do wrong and what Democrats do right. He would actuallly be a good addition to MSNBC. Maybe he could drown out that obnoxious Tucker Carlson as a guest, or even takeover for Scarborough. Morning Irish Coffe instead of Joe sounds good to me!
His not joining the Grampy McSame camp tells you just how good of a person he is. He probably will have a hard time defending the "new and improved" McSame, you know the Double Talk Express.

[dac253]

05:38 AM on 07/10/2008

Yeah! I think Murph is cool too.

Glad to see I'm not the only PoHuffer that thinks so.

[haleywins]

04:15 PM on 07/09/2008

Get the Pepto, MSNBC is turning into Faux News.

[OhComeOnNow]

05:16 PM on 07/09/2008

Haley, you beat me to it.

Pepto sales should soar - maybe I should buy some stock in Proctor and Gamble.

Keith is the only non-repug on that network.

[greginwva]

08:24 AM on 07/10/2008

me too, dont like it at all.We saw how well turning "journalist" helped Joes sense of fair and balanced.Its amazing Obama is still up 2 points in the gallop with the decked stacked in the media and McCain hitting him from one side and us hitting him from the other.

[thepoliticalcat]

03:25 PM on 07/09/2008

Well, isn't that special? So Mr. Murphy will be appearing on the MSM touting his "friend" and former employer and no one will issue any disclaimers about how his job is to be McCaincient's media mole. If McCaincient wins this election, America's goose is truly cooked.

[demfriend]

02:08 PM on 07/09/2008

Oh NOOOOO! another of this idiotic ilk who has the place on TV to sell his "vision" of Mac! I guess it's Keith O only now as I doubt he will have this jerk on. If he does an email from thousand might change his mind about it.

[GolfingDevil05]

01:40 PM on 07/09/2008

Though he's been a Republican hack his entire career, I actually don't mind seeing this for a couple of reasons. First, Mike Murphy has been good as a guest on Meet the Press, and for the most part he's been a fair observer while on that show.

Secondly, what does this say about McCain's current campaign, if one of his closest and long-time advisors turns down the chance to be a part of it?

[VOTER]

01:16 PM on 07/09/2008

So there is still only ONE reason to turn on MSNBC, Keith O!

[Wildcatdiva]

02:41 PM on 07/09/2008

EXACTLY!

[xargaw]

10:59 AM on 07/10/2008

Actually, I think Abrams has been pretty fair too.