Political Consultant
Mark McKinnon
Interview
Coming soon!
Notes from Evan Smith
"Political strategist Mark McKinnon is best known for his switch from working with Democratic candidates to Republican George W. Bush. McKinnon, who advised the president on television ads during his election campaign, is considered a part of the president's inner-circle.
McKinnon has worn a lot of hats in his career. At onetime he wrote songs for for Kris Kristofferson. Even more unusual in the fiercely partisan world of national politics, he is a lifelong Democrat.
In 1997, McKinnon met then Gov. Bush at dinner and changed his mind about the politician. He says that he liked him and that's why he decided to cross-parties and work for his gubernatorial reelection campaign.
McKinnon's first foray into the world of politics was his decision to run for Editor of the Daily Texan, while he was a student at the University of Texas at Austin. He went on to work on several Democratic political campaigns.
He was a spokesman for Gov. Mark White and went on to work on the campaign of former Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer. He turned down several opportunities to work for Bill Clinton, first when he was Governor of Arkansas and then again when he was president." - Evan Smith, Texas Monthly Talks, Broadcast 10.9.03
