McCain adviser Black back to lobbying

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By Jeffrey H. Birnbaum

Charles R. Black Jr., a top adviser to presidential candidate John McCain, is returning to his former profession: lobbying.

Mr. Black will go back to his former lobbying firm, BKSH and Associates, and will resume his old title of chairman. The firm, a subsidiary of WPP Group, announced the rehiring of Mr. Black to its employees on Friday.

"I'm happy to work with good friends and with clients whom I like and respect," Mr. Black said in an interview.

Earlier this year during the Republican primary contests, Mr. Black both advised Sen. McCain and also continued to work for his lobbying clients. He acknowledged making lobbying telephone calls from Mr. McCain's Straight Talk Express bus.

But when McCain later prohibited lobbyists from working on his staff, Mr. Black resigned from BKSH to work full time for the campaign.

Mr. Black's clients at the firm had included a long list of blue chip corporations, including AT&T, Alcoa, JPMorgan and U.S. Airways. BKSH is considered one of Washington's most influential lobbying companies.