STEVE SCHMIDT

Steve Schmidt said he became disillusioned with Republican John McCain and believed he was "completely unfit to be president."

Steve Schmidt — a top aide on McCain's 2008 presidential campaign — said he lied on the Senator's behalf to discredit a New York Times article.

"She's a quitter and a buffoon who has no business ever holding a position of public trust, ever," Schmidt said of the former Alaska governor.

At the moment the late Sen. John McCain green-lit Sarah Palin as his presidential running mate in 2008, he told top advisers: "F--- it. Let’s do it."The intrigue: McCain balled up a fist and shook it as if rolling dice, N.Y. Times political reporter Jeremy W. Peters reveals in his forthcoming book, "Insurgency: How Republicans Lost Their Party and Got Everything They Ever Wanted."Get market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free.The conversation in August 2008 — which to

Trump could run in 2024, and experts say he wouldn't need Twitter or Facebook's platforms to win - he already has his "loyal soldiers" on his side.

BG Causes runs the federal political activities of Bryson Gillette, the consulting firm Burton founded last year, the former Obama spokesman told CNBC. He also provided details on the Black voter outreach effort that was at least partially funded by the Lincoln Project. The relationship between Burton's firm and the Lincoln Project had not been reported. BG stands for Bryson Gillette and the limited liability company's address in California matches that of the original firm, Burton said. A 15-second ad paid for by Black Vote PA appears at the bottom of the webpage.

But in the end, only seven of 50 Senate Republicans voted to convict Trump in his historic second impeachment trial on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)NEW YORK – The Republican Party still belongs to Donald Trump. But in the end, only seven of 50 Senate Republicans voted to convict Trump in his historic second impeachment trial on Saturday. Indeed, in Trump's Republican Party, there are very few willing to cross him if they harbor future political ambitions. “The authoritarian side of the Republican Party is the dominant side,” he said.

But in the end, only seven of 50 Senate Republicans voted to convict Trump in his historic second impeachment trial on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)NEW YORK – The Republican Party still belongs to Donald Trump. But in the end, only seven of 50 Senate Republicans voted to convict Trump in his historic second impeachment trial on Saturday. Indeed, in Trump's Republican Party, there are very few willing to cross him if they harbor future political ambitions. “The authoritarian side of the Republican Party is the dominant side,” he said.

Steve Schmidt, one of the high-profile co-founders of The Lincoln Project, announced on Friday that he is resigning from the group's board. "Presently, the Lincoln Project board is made up of four middle-aged white men. I am resigning my seat on the Lincoln Project board to make room for the appointment of a female board member as the first step to reform and professionalize the Lincoln Project," Schmidt said in a statement posted to Twitter on Friday evening. The Lincoln Project drew widespread attention for its viral ads attacking President Trump leading up to the 2020 election. Schmidt also apologized to Lincoln Project co-founder Jennifer Horn, who is no longer with the organization.

Steve Schmidt, one of the high-profile co-founders of The Lincoln Project, announced on Friday that he is resigning from the group's board. "Presently, the Lincoln Project board is made up of four middle-aged white men. I am resigning my seat on the Lincoln Project board to make room for the appointment of a female board member as the first step to reform and professionalize the Lincoln Project," Schmidt said in a statement posted to Twitter on Friday evening. The Lincoln Project drew widespread attention for its viral ads attacking President Trump leading up to the 2020 election. Schmidt also apologized to Lincoln Project co-founder Jennifer Horn, who is no longer with the organization.

The Lincoln Project, a pugnacious campaign by conservative strategists known for its broadsides against former President Trump, was plunged into disarray on Friday. He added he was stepping away so the Lincoln Project could appoint a woman to his leadership role. Project members sought to distance themselves from Weaver, saying in a statement they were “shocked and sickened” by his actions. Much of the money was directed to entities owned by Lincoln Project principals to produce ads targeting Trump and his allies. Appearing on the show “Real Time with Bill Maher” on Friday, Schmidt defended his work and said the Lincoln Project operated just like other outside political groups.

The Lincoln Project was launched in November 2019 as a super PAC that allowed its leaders to raise and spend unlimited sums of money. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)NEW YORK – Veteran Republican strategist Steve Schmidt, one of the faces of the so-called Never Trump movement, announced Friday that he has resigned from the board of the Lincoln Project. “I am resigning my seat on the Lincoln Project board to make room for the appointment of a female board member as the first step to reform and professionalize the Lincoln Project,” Schmidt wrote. Schmidt's statement came less than an hour after an attorney for former Lincoln Project official Jennifer Horn sent a note to the Lincoln Project counsel informing them that they should preserve documents and communications in anticipation of litigation. Ad“I am not the daily manager of the Lincoln Project, but I am the senior leader.

In this Jan. 20, 2016 file photo, John Weaver is shown on a campaign bus in Bow, N.H. The Lincoln Project was launched in November 2019 as a super PAC that allowed its leaders to raise and spend unlimited sums of money. Several of the people close to the group's donors declined to be named because they were concerned about retribution by Lincoln Project leaders and their allies. The Lincoln Project said Thursday that it is "retaining a best-in-class outside professional to review Mr. Weaver's tenure with the organization and to establish both accountability and best practices going forward for The Lincoln Project." The Lincoln Project did not respond to CNBC's follow-up requests for comment.

In this Jan. 20, 2016 file photo, John Weaver is shown on a campaign bus in Bow, N.H. The Lincoln Project was launched in November 2019 as a super PAC that allowed its leaders to raise and spend unlimited sums of money. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)NEW YORK – The Lincoln Project, one of the best-known and best-funded organizations in the so-called Never Trump movement, announced plans late Thursday to launch an external investigation to review the tenure of a co-founder accused of sexual harassment. The revelations raised questions about the Lincoln Project’s statement last month that it was “shocked” when accusations surfaced publicly this year. Lincoln Project co-founder Steve Schmidt insisted Wednesday night that he and the rest of the group’s leadership were not aware of any internal allegations of wrongdoing involving Weaver.

In this Jan. 20, 2016 file photo, John Weaver is shown on a campaign bus in Bow, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)WASHINGTON – Last June, the Lincoln Project was on a high. Of the $90 million Lincoln Project has raised, more than $50 million has gone to firms controlled by the group's leaders. Others used the money earned during their time with Lincoln Project to refinance homes, or purchase a new one. AdAt least two Lincoln Project employees were targeted last year, including an intern who was finishing law school, and a communications staffer.

The votes also suggest that Washington Republicans are unable, or unwilling, to purge far-right radicals from their party, despite some GOP leaders' best wishes. And whether Washington Republicans like it or not, those who think like Greene make up a significant portion of the party's base. AdGiddy Democrats celebrated the obvious perils of their rivals' political dilemma, particularly after all but 11 House Republicans voted to defend Greene's committee assignments on Thursday. AdBut it was the House Republicans' refusal to distance themselves from Greene that threatened to haunt the party for the foreseeable future. Republican strategist and former White House aide Ari Fleischer was among the optimists.

FILE - In this Jan. 6, 2021 file image from video, Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., speaks at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. At least four additional companies that have donated to Hawley have announced they are suspending campaign contributions. And the allegation itself is corrosive and dangerous.”Other than Trump himself, no politician has suffered the fallout as has Hawley. Hallmark Cards, based in Kansas City, earlier this week asked Hawley and Republican Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas to return employee campaign donations. Hawley, in his 739-word essay, said those involved in the Capitol attack must be punished, saying, “Mob violence is always wrong.”“But democratic debate is not mob violence,” Hawley wrote.

The unbreakable wall of Republican support that encouraged and enabled Donald Trump's norm-shattering presidency cracked on Wednesday. But even some of those who opposed impeachment condemned Trump's behavior and blamed him for sparking the insurrection. “The president bears responsibility for Wednesday's attack on Congress by mob rioters,” said House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., while warning that a second Trump impeachment would further divide America. A more consequential vote awaits later this month in the Senate, where Trump's party is hardly rallying to his side. But the House impeachment showed how challenging the coming months will be for the GOP.

Working from their homes across the country, the Lincoln Project team likes nautical analogies. Today, more than 60,000 Americans have died from a deadly virus Donald Trump ignored. Among them, the president, who unleashed a tweetstorm at 12:46 a.m., calling the Lincoln Project "losers." Trump on tarmac at Joint Base Andrews --5/5/2020Reporter: Mr. President, do you want to make any comment about this Lincoln Project ad? Last month, the Lincoln Project got their staff tested for COVID and moved them from around the country into temporary headquarters in Utah.

What the Lincoln Project does speak for is a feeling for some that the Republican Party has betrayed its longtime members. Lincoln Project co-founder Steve Schmidt was a senior campaign strategist and top adviser to McCain during his 2008 campaign. Bush, feels Trump has set in motion a dark aspect of the Republican Party that had been lurking for years. If Bernie Sanders had become the Democratic presidential nominee, would the Lincoln Project be doing what it is today? To watch Lesley Stahl's 60 Minutes report on the Lincoln Project, click here.

Schmidt and seven co-founders launched the Lincoln Project last December in hopes of reaching out to other Republicans they believed were also unhappy with President Trump. "None of us will ever work in Republican politics again," Schmidt tells Stahl. The Lincoln Project made a name for itself with its numerous attack ads, released almost every day on social media. People do hate negative ads, but negative ads work," he says. Stahl spoke to the Lincoln Project in their first group television interview.

White House chief of staff Mark Meadows was also in the room, but not pictured, according to the White House. (Tia Dufour/The White House via AP)WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump’s long-hidden tax returns leaked out. And even the first lady was captured on tape expressing disdain for having to decorate the White House for Christmas. Pence attended a Sept. 26 White House event where Trump announced his Supreme Court pick. Still, Zelizer said it would be premature to count Trump out, with a full month to go until Election Day.

Trump's reelection team, battered on all sides, now enters the final month of the campaign grappling with deficits in the polls, a shortage of cash and a candidate who is at least temporarily sidelined. Both heads of Trump’s political apparatus — campaign manager Bill Stepien and Republican National Committee head Ronna McDaniel — tested positive for COVID-19 this week. We have a month to go,” senior campaign adviser Jason Miller said Sunday on NBC's “Meet the Press." “He’s losing, and the debate was a disaster, and the campaign is imploding,” said Republican strategist Steve Schmidt, a vocal Trump critic. Still, Zelizer said it would be premature to count Trump out, with a full month to go until Election Day.

FILE - In this Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, file photo President Donald Trump walks from Marine One to the White House in Washington as he returns from Minnesota. The Republican president has trailed Democratic challenger Joe Biden in polls for most of the year. Trumps approval ratings barely budge, consistently ranking him as among the weakest first-term presidents in living history. And for five consecutive months, no more than roughly 3 in 10 voters have believed the nation is moving in the right direction. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

The Republican president has trailed Democratic challenger Joe Biden in polls for most of the year. The Republican president has trailed Democratic challenger Joe Biden in polls for most of the year. Schmidt, co-founder of the anti-Trump Lincoln Project, is no stranger to final-weeks political drama, having led John McCain’s presidential campaign in 2008. “You have an American president threatening political instability ... and at the same time making wild accusations and spreading conspiracy theories about the legitimacy of an American election,” Schmidt said. Amid legal and health concerns, it's difficult for pollsters and campaigns to predict how many voters will ultimately cast ballots.

Guests for the first presidential debate take their seats, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020, at Case Western University and Cleveland Clinic, in Cleveland, Ohio. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Over and over, Trump tried to control the conversation, interrupting Biden and repeatedly talking over the moderator, Chris Wallace of Fox News. The president tried to deflect tough lines of questioning — whether on his taxes or the pandemic — to deliver broadsides against Biden. Give me a name,” Trump said, before Biden mentioned the far right, violent group known as the Proud Boys. Trump then pointedly did not condemn the group, instead saying, “Proud Boys, stand back, stand by. Trump snarled a response, declaring that “I'll tell you Joe, you could never have done the job that we did.

Preparations take place for the first Presidential debate in the Sheila and Eric Samson Pavilion, Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, in Cleveland. The first debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential candidate, former Vice President Joe Biden is scheduled to take place Tuesday, Sept. 29. The health emergency has upended the usual trappings of a presidential campaign, lending heightened importance to the debate. “If Biden is unable to indict Trump for all that he has done, (that) would be profound failure. Despite the upheaval, the presidential race has remained largely unchanged since Biden seized control of the Democratic field in March.

FILE - In this Dec. 14, 2019 file photo, Democrat Jaime Harrison, who is seeking to challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, speaks to Democrats gathered at the Spratt Issues Conference in Greenville, S.C. U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham has been outraised for the first time by his Harrison, Democratic challenger, in a record-breaking quarterly period that sets up a multimillion-dollar grudge match leading into the general election. Harrison announced late Wednesday, April 14, 2020, that he took in $7.36 million in the first three months of 2020, a figure his campaign said brought his total, overall fundraising to nearly $15 million. (AP Photo/Meg Kinnard, File)

It also dwarfs the $10 million figure Harrison previously told The Associated Press he thought necessary to win. Harrison and the groups backing him argue that Graham, a Trump critic turned close ally, is too easily influenced by the president. Trump's popularity in South Carolina is a significant challenge for the groups working against Graham. His group has paid for jarring ads portraying Graham as a “parasite.”“You voted for Lindsey Graham before, but this is really the first race where you get to vote for Lindsey Graham where you know, really, who he is," Schmidt said during a recent meeting with AP reporters. “South Carolina Republicans always show up at game time,” Moore said.

FILE - In this June 20, 2020, file photo President Donald Trump arrives on stage to speak at a campaign rally at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla. Trump is privately reassuring Republicans anxious about his deficits to Democrat Joe Biden, noting there are three months until Election Day and reminding them of the late-breaking events that propelled his 2016 comeback. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

And they warned that time is running out: The first state to hold early voting, the vital battleground of North Carolina, begins the process Sept. 4. Trump campaign officials said the focus in August will be on states where more than half of the ballots will be cast before Election Day. The digital countdown clock on the wall may say 90-some days, but we all know the calendar is condensed with early voting, said campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh. Still, the Trump campaign has been wavering for weeks. They also downplayed the chances of losing reliably Republican states, though Trump did make a campaign stop in Texas last week.

President Donald Trump, center, walk toward the stage while supporters cheer during his campaign rally at BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla., Saturday, June 20, 2020. (Ian Maule/Tulsa World via AP)OAKLAND, Calif. Did teens, TikTok users and Korean pop music fans troll the president of the United States? Reached by telephone Sunday, Schmidt called the rally an unmitigated disaster days after Trump campaign chairman Brad Parscale tweeted that more than a million people requested tickets for the rally through Trumps campaign website. Reporters who wrote gleefully about TikTok and K-Pop fans without contacting the campaign for comment behaved unprofessionally and were willing dupes to the charade." No matter who signs up or if they go to a rally, Trump gets data to train retargeting on Facebook.

And now Lafayette Square. Trump had briefly been forced to take shelter in the emergency White House bunker and flames had risen from St. Johns Church across from the executive mansion. Lafayette Square was ordered to be cleared. The White House quickly produced a slick ad celebrating the triumph. Some observers believe Trump may be able to cast aside Lafayette Square too.