July 3, 2008 Top aide takes control of McCain campaign Play video

(Alison King, NECN) - There has been a big shake-up in the McCain campaign. A top aide has taken over day-to-day control John McCain's campaign operations.

Many republicans feel it is just in the nick of time.

John McCain’s trip to Columbia and Mexico this week has not been without criticism for spending time outside the US during troubling economic times back home.

Others are concerned McCain has yet to form a strong message to take through to the general election.

Enter 37 year old Steve Schmidt, the new campaign hire in charge of McCain’s day to day operations -- he is at the center of McCain’s second campaign shake up this year.

Schmidt managed California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s re-election and is a veteran of president bush's 2004 campaign where he ran the war room and specialized in opposition research.

Democratic political analyst George Bacharach says Schmidt’s connection with rove and the Bush administration is not going to help John McCain.

Schmidt's influence on the campaign is already being felt. Following the fourth of July, McCain will begin a tour of key battleground states talking job programs and offering solutions to some of the nation's biggest economic concerns.

NECN’s Alison King reports.