The Douglas presidential endorsement

So why did Jim Douglas endorse John McCain’s presidential campaign?

For several reasons, we are told.

The first is that Douglas genuinely likes McCain, the Arizona Republican with an independent streak that has alienated him from some in his party.

The second is that Douglas got to know Huckabee and Romney through their joint membership in the Republican Governor’s Association (Romney spent a couple of years heading up the RGA) – and, well, Douglas just likes McCain more.

The third is that the two politicos share a key operative: Jim Barnett, a former Douglas aide who now works as McCain’s New Hampshire director. (It's also worth noting that a couple of staffers from the Richard Tarrant U.S. Senate campaign are working for McCain in New Hampshire.)

On Tuesday, one day after Douglas stumped for McCain in the Granite State, Barnett will try to help secure a New Hampshire win for the Arizona senator.