Wherever D.C.-area Republicans gather, you hear the question: “Where’s Murphy?”

A 7-3-08 post was entitled "The "Bullet" Steve Schmidt, a protoge of the "Architect" Karl Rove, veteran of Bush's campaign, & a top aide to Cheney, takes over McCain's campaign."

William Kristol, a friend of Mike Murphy, predicts in The New York Times that further changes in the McCain staff are around the corner.

Kristol says he understands McCain will "have Schmidt, a good operative and tactician, take over day-to-day operations at headquarters, while bringing Murphy on both to travel with McCain and as chief strategist."

Murphy is a G.O.P. strategist who masterminded John McCain’s 2000 primary race against George Bush, helping McCain come close to pulling off an amazing upset, and later served as chief strategist for Mitt Romney’s successful Massachusetts governor run in 2002.