Insiders with the John McCain campaign say that the person most responsible for the candidate’s stronger performance in recent weeks is probably Schmidt. His title is senior adviser, but Schmidt, bald and built like a fullback, blends in with the security detail. Every time McCain is on the trail between now and Election Day, Schmidt — who’s also worked for George W. Bush and Arnold Schwarzenegger — will be at his side, wrangling with reporters and keeping the candidate on message.
