There is no doubt that much of the success of Governor Schwarzenegger’s re-election triumph last November can be laid at the feet of Steve Schmidt and Katie Levinson. Schmidt was famously tapped by the Governor to come out from D.C. to take the reigns as Manager of his campaign. Steve came from the reknowned Bush communications team, bringing with him, among others, Katie Levinson (Katie was actually named Arnold’s “MVP” by this website for her role in the re-elect).
With the Governor’s campaign all done – a triumph for Schmidt, Levinson and many others – those responsible for shepparding the GOP Governor to a landslide victory in a year that was terrible for Republicans nationally – are in high demand.
It was not unexpected when, a few weeks ago, it was announced that Schmidt had signed on as a Senior Advisor to the Presidential campaign of Arizona Senator John McCain. A number of significant Bush players have jumped onboard with the maverick Senator’s effort, including as campaign manager, Terry Nelson. Schmidt and Nelson are friends. Billionairre Irvine Company owner Donald Bren is McCain’s highest profile California. supporter on the financial side of things.
Now Katie Levinson has taken on a similar role with the Presidential campaign of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. We understand that Katie’s first challenge will be to help Giuliani set up a top-flight communications operation, something she certainly has some experience doing.
We caught up with the new advisor to Giuliani who is clearly very excited about her new challenge. We asked her for a comment: “I am honored by the opportunity to work for the Mayor and join his stellar team.”
Most prominent in taking a lead role for Giuliani up to this point from California has been former 2002 GOP Gubernatorial nominee Bill Simon, Jr.
I couldn’t resist asking Katie to comment on her going with Giuliani as her close friend and former boss, Steve Schmidt, going with McCain…
Katie had this to say, “I have every confidence Steve Schmidt and I will remain close friends and I continue to have the utmost respect and admiration for him. He is truly a genius at what he does and California is lucky to have him as a full time resident.”. I guess the only question that remains is whether the third major GOP Presidential contender, Massachusett’s Mitt Romney, will be grabbing up a senior player from Team Arnold. I wonder if Arnold’s Deputy Campaign Manager Mindy Tucker Fletcher would take his call…?