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Tim Griffin's proximity attracts lots of attention Wednesday, May 28, 2008 By David J. Sanders That Tim Griffin's proximity to a presidential campaign attracts a lot of attention is no surprise. Over his career, the Arkansas native and Republican political operative has proven to be a hot commodity. Last week, Bob Novak reported that the controversial former U.S. attorney/military officer/public affairs specialist was moving back to the Republican National Committee to head up its opposition research shop, the same position he held four years ago. It didn't take long for news to travel: Karl Rove's (so-called) protege - a title that draws the ire of most Democrats - was headed back to Washington to orchestrate and oversee Barack Obama's demise. (I can't imagine what Griffin would have been called if he'd worked for Rove at the White House for an entire year) For some, his imminent return was yet another tie linking John McCain to the Bush administration. The story and his mythology grew on the Internet as one popular left-wing blogger cited an unnamed Republican source who claimed Griffin was "instrumental" in the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth's attacks against John Kerry in 2004, which is something Griffin says isn't true. But that wasn't the only thing that needed correcting. On Monday, Griffin said he was not going back to the RNC, and that he had not talked to anyone in the GOP's leadership structure or with the McCain campaign about reprising his old roll. After leaving the U.S. attorney's office last year ? a job which preceded stints at the White House, in Kentucky, Iraq and a previous stop in Arkansas - Griffin and his wife, who was expecting their first child at the time, eschewed the Vortex's pull and decided to put down roots in Little Rock. He set up the Little Rock office for Mercury Public Affairs, the New York City-based firm where he worked as general counsel and managing director. In addition to his new duties, he also served as an advisor to former-Sen. Fred Thompson's presidential race. But, after a short stint with Mercury, he decided to launch Griffin Public Affairs and the Griffin Law Firm. Going out on his own would not only give him the opportunity to grow a business and legal practice, but it would lighten his travel schedule, which had been extensive with Mercury, and keep him closer to his wife, new daughter and the large Greek Revival-style house they're building a couple of houses down from the family's current residence in the Heights neighborhood. So what exactly fueled the news that he would soon be making a triumphant return to the RNC? Griffin had considered a potential contract between his new company and the RNC for a possible part-time communications consulting job, which would have had him working as a senior advisor. But a deal was never inked, and it wasn't due to Griffin's lack of enthusiasm for John McCain. He has plenty. The difficulty came from Griffin not having enough hours in the day to serve both his corporate clients and as a top-level political consultant. In defense of Washington's chattering classes, with so much not going well for the Republicans, it's conceivable the RNC would want Griffin back: The last time he was there, the GOP's presidential candidate was re-elected. But, instead, he is staying closer to home. So Obamaphiles, take a deep breath. Griffin isn't moving to Washington to take out your savior, but, rest assured, there'll be someone as capable (although probably not as interesting) in charge of executing Obama's undoing. ------- David Sanders writes twice weekly for the Arkansas News Bureau in Little Rock and is a host of the Arkansas Education Television Network's "Unconventional Wisdom." His e-mail address is DavidJSanders@aol.com. |
