McCain's brain trust has wealth of Washington experience

WASHINGTON — Presumptive GOP presidential nominee John McCain, a self-styled maverick who is counting on that image to help get him to the Oval Office, depends heavily on top-tier advisers with long Washington experience.

The organizational chart has been a work in progress as McCain's campaign morphed from early front-runner to floundering to victory in the Republican primaries.

Some advisers — including former Rep. Tom Loeffler of Texas — were forced out as a result of McCain's rule against putting lobbyists in top slots.

Others have faded for other reasons, including Mark McKinnon of Austin, who went from top media adviser to sideline consultant when he decided he did not want to work against presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama.

That leaves McCain with an expanded cast of key advisers, broadened out a bit from a quintet once known as "Sedona Five" for their meetings at the senator's Arizona home.

The team includes aides who've been with him a long time, several with recent history in Bush campaigns, and one who has been involved with GOP presidential candidates since Ronald Reagan's unsuccessful 1976 bid.

Here's the team, for now, trying to shape McCain into a November winner in a year that looks challenging for all Republicans:

Rick Davis, campaign manager

Partner in the Arlington, Va.-based lobby firm of Davis, Manafort and Freedman, whose clients have included Verizon, SBC and other telecommunications companies, lottery company GTech and Fruit of the Loom. Longtime McCain friend and adviser. Was campaign manager in 2000 McCain presidential campaign. Returned to that post last July after McCain's staff shake-up. Deputy manager of Bob Dole's 1996 presidential campaign. Served as aide to President Reagan.

Mark Salter, senior adviser

Longtime McCain aide who first signed on in 1989 as a legislative assistant and became administrative assistant in McCain's Senate office in 1993. Co-author of McCain's five books, including "Faith of My Fathers" and "Worth the Fighting For." Chores include speech writing, and knows almost as much as McCain does about McCain's life.

Charles Black, senior adviser

Longtime Washington lobbyist and adviser/guru to GOP presidential candidates. First campaign was Reagan's 1976 race. Until May 1 — when he quit to work full-time for McCain — Black was chairman of BKSH & Associates, a lobbying firm whose Web site reminds potential clients that "those who do not define themselves are defined by others — most often by their opponents."

BKSH also boasts a bipartisan team, including former top operatives from GOP presidential candidates George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, Bob Dole and Ronald Reagan, and Democratic presidential candidates John Kerry, Al Gore and Bill Clinton.

Firm has offices in Washington, London, Brussels and Berlin. Company says clients include "Fortune 100 companies, multinationals, small and mid-sized companies, trade and industry associations, foreign governments, state governments and municipalities." The foreign governments conclude of have included Colombia, Blackwater USA, General Electric, General Motors, Haiti, Greece, the Iraqi National Congress organized to oppose Saddam Hussein, Lockheed Martin, Dunkin' Donuts, AT&T and National Automobile Dealers Association.

Black, among the most veteran of Washington insiders, drew criticism last week when he told Fortune magazine that a foreign attack on the U.S. "would be a big advantage" for McCain. The candidate said he "strenuously" disagrees with Black and called the comment "inappropriate," and Black later said he regretted making it.

Steve Schmidt, senior adviser

Now a partner in Mercury Public Affairs, in charge of the company's California operations. Was campaign manager for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's 2006 re-election campaign. Prior to that, served in Bush White House as deputy assistant to the president and counselor to the vice president. Tasks included handling communications strategy for Supreme Court nominees John Roberts and Samuel Alito. Did a month in Baghdad to assess media relations in the war zone.

A top strategist in Bush's 2004 re-election campaign. Worked as communications director for the National Republican Congressional Committee during the 2002 elections. Company Web site says, "Described as a 'damage-control master,' Mr. Schmidt has served on dozens of campaigns at the national, state and local levels."

Phil Gramm, chief economic adviser

The McCain-Gramm friendship blossomed during Gramm's unsuccessful bid for the GOP presidential nomination in 1996. The former Texas senator is among closest of McCain advisers, traveling with him at times and attending strategy sessions in Arizona. Took heat recently for offering economic advice while also serving as vice chairman for UBS Investment Bank, his day job since leaving the Senate.

Randy Scheunemann, national security and foreign policy adviser

McCain's top man for security and international issues. Formerly served as national security adviser to then-Sen. Trent Lott and as Iraq adviser for then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld in 2001. Served as president of Committee for the Liberation of Iraq, a conservative group that advocated for ouster of Saddam Hussein. Also was top adviser in McCain's unsuccessful campaign for 2000 GOP presidential nomination and served as senior adviser to Bob Dole's unsuccessful 1996 presidential bid.

After the 2000 campaign, Scheunemann started Orion Strategies, a Washington-based firm that represented a variety of clients.

Douglas Holtz-Eakin, senior policy adviser

Another veteran Washington hand, Holtz-Eakin is a respected economist and former director of the Congressional Budget Office, a post that made him one of the federal government's top number-crunchers. Later did 18-month tour of duty as chief economist for President Bush's Council of Economic Advisers. Previously served as senior staff economist for President George H.W. Bush.

Nicole Wallace, senior adviser on message

Served as communications director for Bush's 2004 re-election campaign and worked in the White House. Signed on with McCain campaign in May. Left post as political analyst for CBS when she joined the McCain team. During current president's first term, Wallace was in charge of regional media coverage. Prior to that, she was press secretary for then-Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida and served as communications director for the Florida State Technology Office.

Ken Herman's e-mail address is kherman@coxnews.com