ABC News is reporting a Republican political operative considered part of the McCain campaign’s so-called “kitchen cabinet” oversaw a National Rifle Association lobbying campaign that allegedly hired a spy to infiltrate gun control groups. James Jay Baker served as executive director of the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action in the late 1990s when it allegedly hired Mary Lou Sapone to pose as a gun control activist and funnel information back to the NRA. Baker, who is still registered as a lobbyist for the NRA, is now managing director of the Washington-based lobbying firm, Ogilvy Government Relations. Baker serves on McCain’s Sportsman Committee and is a high-level volunteer and political donor.