He is a paid lobbyist for the country of Georgia and was 2008 presidential candidate John McCain's foreign policy aide.
[6] The firm has lobbied on behalf of the Open Society Policy Center, the Caspian Alliance, Lockheed Martin, BP, and the National Rifle Association of America, among foreign governments such as Latvia, Taiwan, Croatia, and Macedonia.
That same day, McCain issued a public statement condemning Russia and expressing strong support for the Georgian position.
Scheunemann remained with Orion Strategies until May 15, when the McCain campaign imposed an anti-lobbyist policy and he was required to separate himself from the company.
[11] In mid-July 2008, The Sunday Times linked Scheunemann to Stephen Payne, a lobbyist covertly filmed as he discussed a lobbying contract and offered to arrange meetings with Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and others, and recommended donations to the George W. Bush Presidential Library.
[12] In late October 2008, Politico regarded Scheunemann as a potential pick as the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs if John McCain defeats Democratic candidate Barack Obama.