Sean McCaffrey

Sean McCaffrey, the Washington D.C.-based political strategist recently hired by state GOP Chairman Randy Pullen as the Arizona Republican Party’s executive director, says the overall mood of the Arizona electorate is Republican.
One of his goals is to take back legislative and congressional seats lost in November.
McCaffrey, who is leaving Wilson Research Strategies in D.C. to take the Arizona post, will manage a party divided over conservative and moderate philosophies, personalities and presidential candidates. Also, some critics of Pullen say they are withholding financial support until they see whom he hires and how he structures management of the party.
McCaffrey was asked what he thinks he can do to heal the wounds within the state party.
“Name a national or state party that doesn’t have schisms one way or the other,” he said. “We unify behind strong leaders, strong issues and strong ideals, and that’s exactly what’s going to happen in Arizona. I think at the national level the electorate in ’08 is going to be unified behind a new Republican White House.”
Pullen has pledged to remain neutral in the GOP contest for president, although he has been an outspoken opponent of Sen. John McCain.
“I think I like our eventual Republican nominee,” McCaffrey said.
He says the Democrat candidates “are not necessarily electable.” Democrats, he said, “haven’t had an original idea in decades.”
McCaffrey said he will be interviewing candidates for other positions at headquarters. “We’re going to keep things smaller for now,” he said, adding that he will hire political operatives later. He said he hopes to be on the job next month.
What the Dems are up to
Meanwhile, state Democrats are said to be close to announcing their new executive director.
David Waid served as executive director until this election last month as state party chairman. Waid was elected to the Democratic National Committee’s Executive Committee at its winter meeting earlier this month in D.C. He will represent Democrats from 13 states.