A "skip Iowa" strategy is perhaps more likely this morning due to new changes in Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s Iowa campaign.
Two more McCain staffers in Iowa have resigned, effective today. McCain’s Iowa press secretary is leaving, as is Marlys Popma, McCain’s "Iowa Coalitions Director." Popma is a well-known organizer within Iowa’s Christian conservative movement.
Two sources tell Radio Iowa that leaves just five paid McCain staffers in Iowa.
Former Iowa Republican Party chairman Chuck Larson, Junior, told Radio Iowa this past weekend that he is still "standing with" McCain. McCain himself has said repeatedly that he intends to campaign here "often" for support in Iowa’s Caucuses, but as you may recall, McCain is not competing in the August Straw Poll in Ames.
Last Thursday, two other key McCain advisors in Iowa tendered their resignations, citing the exits of McCain’s top two national campaign officials as the primary reason. This morning, the top three people in McCain’s national press shop resigned.