DuHaime returns to Jersey roots - even if it's in Minneapolis

Mike DuHaime at today's breakfast.: Politicker photo

MINNEAPOLIS - State Sen. Bill Baroni (R-Mercer) and McCain Campaign Political Director Mike DuHaime grew up together in the Republican Party, working for then-Congressman Bob Franks.

Referring to their paths onward as time passed, "One of them made good, and the other became a state senator," Baroni joked to the delegation at this morning’s breakfast.

Among those smiling faces in the audience was none other than the 32-year old DuHaime, paying his respects to his home crowd in this distant Midwestern city. The former campaign manager of Rudy Giuliani officially joined Team McCain in early July and now works out of Arlington, Va. In a testament to his skills, he is now McCain's National Political Director, one of the top slots in the campaign.

"In any case, it was an easy transition - I’m speaking for myself - to go from supporting Giuliani to McCain," said George Gilmore, the Ocean County GOP Chairman.

It was easy for DuHaime, too.

"I was campaign manager for the Rudy Giuliani campaign, so the bottom line is I take all the blame," he said. "We had a good chance to win in New Hampshire, but we could not ultimately overcome John McCain’s popularity there."

Aside from the hourly status of Hurricane Gustav, much of the talk among the delegates this morning concerned McCain’s vice presidential choice: Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. Several key speakers, including U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-Hamilton), believe she puts New Jersey in play.

The question posed to DuHaime was how does the governor of a state with little ethnic diversity compared to the densely populated New Jersey, make Palin a relevant choice to those who identify with an East Coast melting pot culture.

"I think people will look at her life story and identify with the maverick in her, and her fierce independent streak," DuHaime told PolitickerNJ.com. "Folks are going to like her. She’s the most popular governor in America."