McCain raises $15 million
posted at 7:40 pm on April 7, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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It may not quite equate to Hillary Clinton’s fundraising total and it’s not close to Barack Obama’s $40 million, but John McCain has begun to quietly work his way into the big leagues. He raised $15 million in March, which would have qualified as a breakout quarter in 2007 for any of the Republicans running for President. What has GOP donors opening their wallets? Democrats:
In March, officials said he raised about $15M, his best month since early 2007 and well above his $2M-per-month pace in late 2007. The final number is still being tallied.
$11m came from a spurt in the campaign’s high-dollar fundraising. $4m was raised through direct mail and Internet efforts.
A campaign spokesperson did not respond to an e-mail seeking comment.
The campaign is on track to meet its internal budget goal of about $57M through the start of the Republican convention and an additional $20M for a legal compliance fund.
McCain plans on accepting the federal matching funds that limit his campaign to $85 million in the general election. However, he still has time to raise money for the rest of the primary and demonstrate his organization skills. That came into serious question last summer, when his campaign bottomed out and most people wrote off McCain. He staged an incredible comeback, surprising most observers as well as his GOP competitors.
But why did McCain find success this late in the campaign? Scare tactics, but not from McCain:
Oh, there is another reason why business community types in flyover country are now warming to McCain, says my source.
“The economic policies of Obama and Clinton scare the [stuffing] out of people.”
With Obama talking about raising the capital-gains taxes to almost double their current rate and Clinton insisting that she will end free-trade agreements that allow for better export conditions for American goods, small wonder. The high-tax, expanded-spending plans of both Democratic candidates have many wondering whether they understand the dynamics of economies that have begun to struggle. Investors do not take extended risks when government cuts the potential reward, which means that fewer businesses will open or expand. And since the transformation of the American electorate into a wide investor class means capital-gains rates affect retirement accounts, most will find themselves negatively impacted by the policies of both Democratic candidates.
McCain, frankly, looks like a far better investment.
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Well, he’s not getting it from me. LOL
ihasurnominashun on April 7, 2008 at 7:46 PM
I hung up the phone on one of his fundraisers this past Saturday. I’ll be saving my money this election season.
Zorro on April 7, 2008 at 7:46 PM
Agreed, nevertheless, I’m still “on hold” for the moment.
Lockstein13 on April 7, 2008 at 7:47 PM
They’re all insane.
Valiant on April 7, 2008 at 7:48 PM
Pardon my lack of knowledge on this, but does the federal matching program limit the RNC’s spending on ads and activities that, er, may benefit McCain?
amerpundit on April 7, 2008 at 7:48 PM
I may give a buck or two, but I’m gonna wait and see how he handles Mr. Obama over the summer.
SouthernGent on April 7, 2008 at 7:53 PM
I don’t get it still…all you peeps who still refuse to vote for McCain, or donate…Who else are you going to vote for? Stay home? Eh…
JetBoy on April 7, 2008 at 7:53 PM
Look it is either Vote for McCain and keep SOMETHING in the Whitehouse or complete lose to Hillary or Obamessiah!
Come on people… it isn’t the fact, as Ed puts it:
McCain is probably going to be our “only” choice. Stop whining, get off your butts, donate a dang dollar, and get over the fact the candidate you want isn’t running anymore. Hell I had to get over it!
upinak on April 7, 2008 at 7:56 PM
Of course money well spent,Honesty,Integrity,Honour,Patriot,
war hero,many many years of service to his country!
And you would think,this will be a cake walk!
But the otherside refuses to see or believe in McCain,
so lets get Mccain moveing while the Libs are bogged
down, Its called Momemtem!
Get going on the truth of Obama’s ideas to the point that
a fifth grader says,I’ve seen the facts on Obama,if I
could vote,its McCain all the way baby!
canopfor on April 7, 2008 at 7:57 PM
WOW, 15 whole million, and is quietly working for more. Quite as a mouse, doesn’t want anybody to know he is there. McCain still thinks the drive by media will help him out once they get done with Hillary.
You have to be about 50 or older to remember who the great Democrat president Jimmy Carter was and what 20% interest rates can do to capitalism. Time for a refresh.
tarpon on April 7, 2008 at 8:04 PM
I’m still waiting to see about donating to “XXX for Veep — and the cranky RINO at the top of the ticket”.
cthulhu on April 7, 2008 at 8:04 PM
I send money to the RNC. I presume they will be using that money to actively support all the candidates. That’s enough.
Oh yea, I will vote R too.
HawaiiLwyr on April 7, 2008 at 8:09 PM
My tax refund got deposited today. I think i’ll donate some of it to mccain to make sure I keep my tax rate the same – or lower – for a few more years.
lorien1973 on April 7, 2008 at 8:10 PM
Very Off Topic, but I have to comment on this: Yesterday I took my soon-to-be 20 year old daughter to a Padres-Dodgers game here in San Diego (her birthday wish). A long standing Padre tradition here is to fill an entire section (or more) with uniformed Navy or Marines for a Sunday afternoon game. In between innings, the PA blared out the US Marine Corps Hymn. Virtually the entire stadium stood and clapped in unison, then, at the end, erupted into the largest cheer of the day in saluting our brave Marines. Not bad for Californians, eh?
Patrick S on April 7, 2008 at 8:11 PM
WOW, 15 whole million, and is quietly working for more. Quite as a mouse, doesn’t want anybody to know he is there. McCain still thinks the drive by media will help him out once they get done with Hillary.
You have to be about 50 or older to remember who the great Democrat president Jimmy Carter was and what 20% interest rates can do to capitalism. Time for a refresh.
tarpon on April 7, 2008 at 8:04 PM
BINGO!!! You hit the nail right on the head about the Dinosaur Media. And to think I should donate to this clown because he believes in AMNESTY for Illegal Aliens and Enemy Combatants should get rights, Due Process, in American courts, on American soil? Where are my Boooooooosh Pesos??
STAY HOME ‘08
DfDeportation on April 7, 2008 at 8:13 PM
Be assured, I will vote this November. Not for president, but for congress and all the local issues and state reps. No matter who wins the White House this winter, it will be a liberal and I’m through holding my sizable Lebanese nose, squinting my eyes and voting for someone I do not support.
Zorro on April 7, 2008 at 8:16 PM
Yeah, great conservative value there.
All the McCain-deranged who choose to “stay home” should be very quiet for the net 4-8 years. No votie, no complainy.
JetBoy on April 7, 2008 at 8:16 PM
I’d rather contribute to a 527 to attack Obama and Wright, than directly to McCain
jp on April 7, 2008 at 8:17 PM
Here’s a tip for winning an election:
Don’t refer to the 95% of the continental US as “flyover country”.
Nessuno on April 7, 2008 at 8:20 PM
Well, it’s your prerogative to choose to vote for Prez or not…at least you’re voting. But still…do y’all really want to risk getting a President Hillary or Obama, just because you don’t like McCain?
I love this country too much to just let that happen…
JetBoy on April 7, 2008 at 8:23 PM
My response to McCain’s e-mail asking for money:
Seven Percent Solution on April 7, 2008 at 8:28 PM
JetBoy on April 7, 2008 at 8:23 PM
Vote Nader!
VolMagic on April 7, 2008 at 8:33 PM
fixed
jp on April 7, 2008 at 8:41 PM
Not trying to be pushy but if anyone is inclined to donate:
http://armyaunt.johnmccain.com/
;)
ArmyAunt on April 7, 2008 at 8:41 PM
Looks like there’s lots of “cut ones nose off to spite ones face” practitioners out there putting principles ahead of reality by exercising the stay home ‘08 option, how noble!
It must be nice not to be burdened with responsibilities like a job, a house, children, tax bills or any concern for the future of this country, things which keep the rest of us un-principled morons sufficiently distracted to grasp the nuance reasoning behind helping Obama become the next POTUS!
dmann on April 7, 2008 at 8:46 PM
Thanks, that’s even a scarier thought. But all too real. And no, VolMagic, heh…no Nader! Unless his campaign car is a Corvair.
JetBoy on April 7, 2008 at 8:56 PM
Unrelated, but it looks as if a Chinese Search Engine (that’s actually beating Google in China–go figure) has endorsed Barack Obama.
Via TechCrunch:
With jobs already being outsourced, this is not a good thing for Obama.
Darnell Clayton on April 7, 2008 at 9:00 PM
McCain has POed conservatives a few times in his history.
Before I donate any money to his campaign, he has to “appease me”.
As it stands today, the only reason I would vote for McCain is because of possible Supreme Court nominations, and the WOT.
Having Juan Hernandez as his unpaid political adviser is a deal breaker for me.
Frankly “I learned my lesson” McCain still has not learned his lesson.
The election is still far enough away, that he can regain my trust.
But he has got to do that first.
F15Mech on April 7, 2008 at 9:05 PM
All the McCain-deranged who choose to “stay home” should be very quiet for the net 4-8 years. No votie, no complainy.
JetBoy on April 7, 2008 at 8:16 PM
Not at all!!! I won’t be supporting any of the two major candidates. I will vote for other local offices and measures however. As long as taxes are continually levied from my paycheck, I will complain to my hearts content…Obama and “Z-Visa” will have their records and values on display for everyone to see! I have a big heart, too!!! It can be a bitch….sometimes.
DfDeportation on April 7, 2008 at 9:06 PM
There, better.
Squid Shark on April 7, 2008 at 9:12 PM
Whah, Whah.
Sounds like someone needs a nap. Baby want a bottle?
Squid Shark on April 7, 2008 at 9:14 PM
“Conservatives” and I use the term lightly, who Stay Home in ‘08 will finally loose all credibility when the Dems run us into the ground and we are attacked again.
I will do everything in my power to remind people who we have to blame for the condition we are in.
Squid Shark on April 7, 2008 at 9:16 PM
So you’re willing to not vote for the guy who won’t raise taxes, possibly letting the guy/gal who will raise taxes…get into office. Sorry, but that just doesn’t make sense. If you don’t vote for POTUS, you can’t complain when your taxes go up.
Well, I hope somehow McCain will gain your trust between now and November…but what else can he do, to do that?
As for Juan Hernandez, don’t put too much into him volunteering for the campaign. I can’t stand the guy, and personally wish he would just go away. But what is he really doing? It’s not like he’ll be a member of a McCain cabinet…
JetBoy on April 7, 2008 at 9:18 PM
Please be nice.
JetBoy on April 7, 2008 at 9:21 PM
La Raza and MECHA members apparently not only have deep pockets but are also quite generous.
SuperCool on April 7, 2008 at 9:23 PM
Sorry Jet, sometimes I lose my patience with these people who are willing to flush our nation down the toilet because they didnt get their way.
My apologies.
Squid Shark on April 7, 2008 at 9:24 PM
I’ll vote for McCain, but he won’t get a dime until he dumps Hernandez.
ctmom on April 7, 2008 at 9:24 PM
Yeah I am sure Cesar Chavez would be all about McCain *rolls eyes*
Squid Shark on April 7, 2008 at 9:25 PM
Have you written him a letter about it, I have. If enough people write it just might get through.
Squid Shark on April 7, 2008 at 9:27 PM
No worries…the rest of the conservatives will slowly come around, especially when the Dem nominee is set, and the mud starts flying from the Dem war room.
Seems the biggest stumbling block for some conservatives re: McCain is the so-called “amnesty”…but I ask, what IS amnesty? And what’s the alternative?
As I see it, McCain has already made it clear that he’ll build the fence, and secure the border. That has to be done before anything else.
More importantly, McCain won’t raise taxes, will continue to fight the WoT, is dedicated to success in Iraq…can either of the Dems say that?
I have all the faith in the world that McCain will not only be a good POTUS, but a great one.
JetBoy on April 7, 2008 at 9:33 PM
That is the problem..
I have to now question McCain’s integrity for keeping him on his unpaid staff.
F15Mech on April 7, 2008 at 9:46 PM
Those who don’t support McCain, are the same mentality that voted for Perot…and look what that got us.
Sometimes the best offense is a good defense…keep the other team from scoring.
right2bright on April 7, 2008 at 9:52 PM
Excellent point.
Only problem is that McCain has not yet allowed conservatives to his team.
F15Mech on April 7, 2008 at 9:57 PM
Two interesting remarks above, one from tarpon and one from the article itself:
.
1. “McCain still thinks the drive by media will help him out once they get done with Hillary.”.
.
2. “Oh, there is another reason why business community types in flyover country are now warming to McCain, says my source. The economic policies of Obama and Clinton scare the [****] out of people.”
.
Regarding number one, I hope McCain doesn’t harbor any such naive beliefs about the bulk of the MSM. They and the Democratic Party, the base of neo-Liberal fascism in America, are a large part of America’s worst problems and no part of their solution.
.
Regarding number two, Hussein Obama and Rodham Clinton’s economic policies aren’t the worst news about either candidate. Their Leftist collectivist disdain of America, their personal ethics and morals, more precisely their lack thereof, show neither fit for any public office above town Dog Catcher, much less US Senator…much less President of the United States.
DavePa on April 7, 2008 at 10:03 PM
Jetboy, right2bright
All McCain has to do is distance himself from people like Juan Hernandez. That will give him a big bump among conservatives.
When I say distance, I mean things like I learned my lesson and open boarders my not be such a good idea.
F15Mech on April 7, 2008 at 10:07 PM
Phil Grahm, Sam Brownback and Jack Kemp arent conservatives?
Geez the bar is awful high.
Squid Shark on April 7, 2008 at 10:08 PM
Did you mean Sen Switchback?
F15Mech on April 7, 2008 at 10:19 PM
BTW I rest my case
F15Mech on April 7, 2008 at 10:19 PM
OK one out of three. I personally dont care for him after the earmark vote (where several “true conservatives” couldnt ween themselves off earmarks I might add).
Squid Shark on April 7, 2008 at 10:21 PM
You nail one out of three and you rest your case?
Some debating skills.
I rest my case because it is time for bed.
Squid Shark on April 7, 2008 at 10:22 PM
Last I checked McCain played a part in the bill that caused Sen. Switchback to earn his name.
F15Mech on April 7, 2008 at 10:27 PM
I am thinking I am 2 four 4 :)
F15Mech on April 7, 2008 at 10:32 PM
F15Mech, I’ve always respected your opinion around here. And I do know where you’re coming from, but there’s a big misconception going on about McCain and open borders. And so-called “amnesty”.
McCain is not for open borders. He says he’ll build the fence. He’ll secure the border. But again, it’s not going to do much good if it is built, as many, many illegals usually come here legally at first, with work visas and such, and they simply over stay.
That, and again…there’s already funding there to build a fence NOW. It’s not being built. And no POTUS will have the absolute authority to build it anyway. Shame, but no one…Dem, or GOP, is going to really get tough on it.
I just don’t see why so many pin the illegal problem on John McCain.
JetBoy on April 7, 2008 at 10:32 PM
2 out of 4 rather
F15Mech on April 7, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Well, I’ve already kicked in a little something for Bob Barr. And assuming he runs, I’ll vote for him. No, he can’t win. But your guy can’t win either. And at least with Barr, I’ll be voting for ideas I believe in.
paul006 on April 7, 2008 at 10:40 PM
Bob Barr…gimme a break. And McCain isn’t just “my guy”…he’s our guy. Where do you get that he “can’t win”? I know, polls-shmolls, but every poll I’ve seen so far (yeah, it’s early yet) shows McCain beating either Dem. So yeah, he most certainly CAN win.
But he’ll need your help…and the rest of the conservatives who for some reason don’t see what the rest of us conservatives do…a man with the experience, character, and yes, a little “maverick”…to truly lead this nation as a “shining city on a hill”.
JetBoy on April 7, 2008 at 10:48 PM
One more thing, JetBoy. I don’t buy this:
You think McCain won’t raise our taxes? Feh. Our taxes are going up regardless of who becomes president. This country is facing a fiscal crisis that threatens to bankrupt us. By 2017, entitlement spending alone will necessitate a tax increase equal to 25% of payroll. We have big bills to pay, including the bill for the war. Tax increases — huge ones — are inevitable.
As you say, McCain’s a “maverick.” And he’s going to have big Democratic majorities to work with. Don’t read his lips, because he will raise your taxes.
paul006 on April 7, 2008 at 10:53 PM
JetBoy,
Unlike Squid Shark you and I can actually debate about this.
Please explain McCain’s policy and how I may have misconceived that he is for open boarders.
F15Mech on April 7, 2008 at 11:21 PM
So if you’re in a restaurant and someone offers you a dead rat, or a dead cat, which do you eat? I don’t think I’ll have either thank you. I don’t have a candidate; open borders and global warming legislation from all three..what’s the difference?
So my party gets hijacked and my values get flushed in the name of expediency and I can either go along and pretend that’s ok, or I can go **ck myself and shut up? The hell you say. I will scream myself hoarse every damn time McCain screws up; and I will roundly curse those of you who supported him. In the unlikely event anything positive happens when he’s President, I will be gracious, because even a broken clock can be right every now and then. But no, I won’t be quiet. I wasn’t quiet when Clinton was elected, even though a fair amount of the country loved that sack of monkey cr*P. I don’t lay down for anyone. You guys want party unity? Get a candidate who didn’t spend 8 years p*ssing on issues we believe in.
You believe that? What do you think ‘doing something about global warming’ means? Recycling newspapers? He’s going to tax the f*ck out of us, in the name of Algore science. As someone who’s watched his business get disembowled because of oil prices, I can only watch in horror as all three candidates promise to kill my livelihood the rest of the way with that asinine hoax.
As opposed to those who’ll abandon every principle in order to win. Yay! Our liberal has an ‘R’ next to his name! Yay. Woo Woo! Get down off your high horse Sunny Jim and try stabling him where the sun doesn’t shine. Your candidate sucks and you know it. You can’t even use a decent scare tactic on people to vote for Mccain because he shares most of the same beliefs of his opponents. Go yodel your BS elsewhere, cheerleader.
austinnelly on April 8, 2008 at 12:29 AM
We’ll vote, just not for any Dem. That includes McCain.
Because, unlike some sell-outs, we have principles.
HYTEAndy on April 8, 2008 at 12:39 AM
Quite frankly, I think McCain’s not a great investment due to his lousy upside and would rather invest in something sounder such as bid contracts on In-trade for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays win the AL Pennant.
In all seriousness, I sent off a combined $30 in donations to 4 candidates through my Slatecard. There are plenty of other candidates to back other than McCain.
adamsweb on April 8, 2008 at 2:52 AM
2 reasons to vote for McCain: pro-life, anti-pork.
Not even heavy-lifting type of thinking.
You “true-conservatives” are freaking nuts.
McCain is going the distance.
silverfox on April 8, 2008 at 7:13 AM
It’s hard to say who I find more loathsome: McCain or his fervent supporters.
I might still pull the lever for him, but it will definitely be IN SPITE OF all of the above. And he’s going to have to show me something I can believe in.
S. Weasel on April 8, 2008 at 7:42 AM
I gave money to McCain. As far as I am concerned any socalled conservative or Republican that lets someone like Obama or Hillary win without even putting up a fight…is a moron, an idiot, a spiteful and spoiled child.
As for not voting until the border is secure, what does that even mean? All of it? How about Alaska? I mean really, I think that is just something to bitch about. That is all it is.
Terrye on April 8, 2008 at 8:18 AM
See what I mean?
S. Weasel on April 8, 2008 at 9:12 AM
“As for not voting until the border is secure, what does that even mean? All of it?”
It means nothing.
You can come to this country on a tourist visa and overstay it. Happens all of the time.
What, are we going to end tourism too? Put a border fence across Canada?
There is nothing more useless on this earth than a border fence. Complete waste of money.
NoDonkey on April 8, 2008 at 9:23 AM
As for Juan Hernandez, don’t put too much into him volunteering for the campaign. I can’t stand the guy, and personally wish he would just go away. But what is he really doing? It’s not like he’ll be a member of a McCain cabinet…
Hernandez may not be in the cabinet, but the fact that he’s part of the campaign says a lot about the kind of people McCain surrounds himself with- some of whom will end up in his cabinet.
cs89 on April 8, 2008 at 2:09 PM
BTW, McCain will get many votes, but I don’t think enough to win. He certainly will not be able to match the ad budget of Hillary or Obama in the general. A lot is simply because, given only this choice, many will grudgingly vote for him but will not give him their hard-earned money. It’s even harder to write that check to someone you’re not excited about than it is to pull the lever.
I really do hope McCain wins in Nov. If he doesn’t, however, maybe we will actually get a conservative candidate in 2012.
cs89 on April 8, 2008 at 2:11 PM
I’ve already given two C-spots to the McCain campaign. I hope he’ll use his money wisely–he would be a much better President than Obama, but he doesn’t have Obama’s gift of gab, and I hope that he’s ready to hit Obama hard, not only on his foreign-policy weakness, but also on the outrageous cost of his far-left proposals, and how the required tax increases would tank the economy. Also, Obama has also voted (in the Illinois Senate) to allow infanticide, which is bound to scare quite a few voters, so McCain shouldn’t hesitate to show how radical Obama is, since the media will not.
Like some others on this board, I don’t believe that McCain is the best candidate for conservatives, but with likely losses in the Senate, and the Pelosicrats in the House, McCain can do conservatives a big favor with his veto pen, if we give him one.
Steve Z on April 8, 2008 at 3:52 PM
Who said we could not debate about it. You “rest your case” with one statement and then say I wont debate?
We can disagree on amnesty, we all agree on border enforcement.
Squid Shark on April 8, 2008 at 6:38 PM
Could be the part where he says he is not for open borders.
Squid Shark on April 8, 2008 at 6:39 PM
Tell that to those who will be first put into harms way when another anti military socialist takes the white house.
We dont have the luxury of four years.
Also tell that to we center-righties who carried water for you all these years.
Squid Shark on April 8, 2008 at 6:41 PM
In your case….
Squid Shark on April 8, 2008 at 6:42 PM
You know what your principles mean to the vast majority of Republicans who put your guy into the WH the last 8 years?
….
Squid Shark on April 8, 2008 at 6:45 PM
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