Politico's Vogel: "McCain qualifies for public funds"

On Tuesday, August 28, The Politico’s Kenneth P. Vogel published an article in which he noted that Senator McCain’s campaign had successfully applied for public matching funds. Since it is an issue of paramount importance to the campaign, here is the text. Campaignia will offer some analysis in subsequent posts.

McCain qualifies for public funds

John McCain on Tuesday became the first 2008 presidential candidate to be
found eligible to receive taxpayer dollars for the primary election.

McCain’s application and qualification for the funds are likely to be interpreted by opponents as a sign of desperation, even though it does not lock him into the public financing system.
The Arizona senator has lagged behind the Republican front-runners in the polls and in fundraising. Participating in the public financing system would allow him to get an infusion of loans by borrowing against the promise of taxpayer dollars.

But the system is a trade-off, since it would also cap at about $50 million the amount of cash his campaign can spend during the primary – a limitation that would go into effect immediately.

The leading contenders for the nomination will likely quickly eclipse that level of spending, potentially putting McCain at a distinct disadvantage in early states.
McCain spent $21.9 million in the first six months of the year, according to a report he filed in July with the FEC. It showed he brought in $24.8 million, and racked up $1.8 million in debt. The matching public funds would be provided starting in January, but McCain, once considered the leading candidate for the GOP presidential nomination, could use the FEC certificate promising the funds as collateral for loans.
The maximum amount a candidate could receive is currently estimated to be about $21 million.

You can read the full text of the original article here. You can contact Campaignia at publisher@campaignia.org.

Politico's Vogel: "McCain qualifies for public funds" - updated version

The Politico’s Kenneth Vogel has an updated version of his story on Senator McCain’s qualification for public funds. Here’s the text:

McCain qualifies for public funds
By: Kenneth P. Vogel
August 28, 2007 05:49 PM EST

John McCain on Tuesday became the first 2008 presidential candidate to
qualify for taxpayer dollars for the primary election. McCain’s application and qualification for the funds is likely to be interpreted by opponents as a desperate move, even though it does not lock him into the public financing system. Jill Hazelbaker, a spokeswoman for McCain, said: “This isn’t a sign of desperation — it’s a sign of prudence and should be interpreted as such.”

McCain has lagged behind the Republican front-runners in the polls and in fundraising. Participating in the public financing system would allow him in the coming months to get an infusion of loans by borrowing against the promise of taxpayer dollars.

But the system is a trade-off, since it would also cap at about $50 million the amount of cash his campaign can spend during the primary — a limitation that would go into
effect immediately. The leading contenders for the nomination will likely quickly eclipse that level of spending, potentially putting McCain at a distinct disadvantage in early states.

McCain, a senator from Arizona once considered the leading candidate for the GOP presidential nomination, spent $22 million in the first six months of the year, according to a report he filed in July with the Federal Election Commission. It showed he brought in $25 million, and racked up $2 million in debt.

Compare that to the GOP field leaders: Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani since January has raised $33 million and spent $17 million. And this year, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney spent $31 million and raised $35 million from supporters , though he has also loaned his campaign $9 million.

The matching public funds would be provided starting in January, but McCain could use the FEC certificate promising the funds as collateral for loans before then.
Even if the campaign opted not to borrow against the funds, a source close to the campaign predicted the Jan. 1 start of the matching funds would be “just when it will be most useful to him in early primaries.”

“It looks increasingly unlikely that most other Republican candidates will raise significantly more than McCain by then,” the source said. “So having these funds available at a crucial time gives McCain an important option. Whether he decides to use that option depends on his other fundraising for the rest of the year.” The maximum amount a candidate could receive is currently estimated to be about $21 million. McCain spokeswoman Hazelbaker also pointed out that last week former commerce secretary and top fundraiser Robert Mosbacher joined the campaign as general co-chairman, which she called “evidence of the fact that we continue to attract well-respected leaders to assist in our effort.”

McCain applied to receive the funds Aug. 10, and the FEC announced Tuesday that he qualified. In order to qualify for the program, candidates must raise $100,000 by collecting $5,000 in 20 different states in amounts no greater than $250 from any individual contributor.

You can read the full text of the original article here. You can contact Campaignia at publisher@campaignia.org.

On Thursday, John Marelius of the San Diego Union-Tribune's Newsblog feature had the following to say, about the fundraising e-mail sent out by the official campaign under Cindy McCain's signature:

Sign John McCain's birthday card (oh, and send
money)

This isn't the hokiest online fundraising gimmick of the 2008 presidential campaign season. That honor goes to John Edwards' mother hawking her pecan pie recipe in exchange for a $6.10 donation to her son's campaign in honor of the candidate's June 10 birthday. Republican John McCain's wife, Cindy, is emailing around an electronic birthday card that people can sign and return before the Arizona senator's 71st birthday next Wednesday.

"Birthdays are always special occasions in the McCain family," she writes. "Even during this grueling, historic campaign, we can't lose sight of what's really important. I know my husband won't." And what's really important? Well, money for starters.

"I hope you'll consider commemorating his birthday with a special gift of $142 -- just $2 for each year as a friendly reminder of his birthday?" she says. Of course,
anybody wanting to wish McCain a really special birthday is free to send in the
maximum allowable contribution of $2,300. But no pecan pie.

Posted by John Marelius August 24, 2007 11:02
AM


You can read the full text of the original article here. You can contact Campaignia at publisher@campaignia.org.

NY Daily News: "McCain - never too old to raise cash."

Here is the New York Daily News's Celeste Katz, on the fundraising e-mail under Cindy McCain's signature, encouraging donations based on Senator McCain's birthday on August 29:

McCain - never too old to raise cash

Saturday, August 25th, 2007

John McCain, the oldest of the major candidates in the presidential race, is seeking to turn his age to his advantage as his 71st birthday approaches.

"We've put together an electronic birthday card for John's birthday on August 29th. I hope you'll be able to sign it and, if you wish, write my husband a short personal note," his wife Cindy McCain wrote in a blast e-mail to McCain backers.

"As a special way of letting him know you're still on the McCain Team I'm asking you to make a special contribution of $142, or even $71 - one dollar per year - to commemorate this event."

While McCain has faced questions about his age and his health during the 2008 campaign, spokeswoman Crystal Benton says it's not an issue for the Arizona senator.
"This election is about experience, and Sen. McCain is the most experienced candidate on either side to lead the country from Day One," she said.

The oldest candidate in the race - Democratic former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel, 77 - doesn't think McCain's age is an issue. "What should be a factor is the candidate's judgment," said Gravel spokesman Alex Colvin, who said the real problem is "the fact that [McCain] ... continues to believe a military presence in Iraq is justified."

Celeste Katz

You can read the full text of the original article here. You can contact Campaignia at publisher@campaignia.org.

Text of birthday fundraising e-mail from Thursday, 8/23, under Cindy McCain's signature

Here is the complete text of the fundraising e-mail that the campaign issued under Cindy McCain's signature, per Senator McCain's birthday on August 29. It was sent out on Thursday, August 23, at 12:44 PM.

Dear (recipient's first name),

Could you do something special for my husband?

It may not seem like much, but it will mean a lot to John. I really hope you can take a minute today and help me out. During this tough Presidential campaign, I like to do what I can to let John know he has got a lot of people pulling for him.

We've put together an electronic birthday card for you to sign and, if you wish, write my husband a short personal note. I'm
planning a small party for him and I'd like to give him your warm birthday wishes. I know he'd love to hear from you.

You see, he's always talking about how blessed he is to
have so many dedicated supporters across the country who are so deeply committed to his Presidential campaign. And if you know anything about John McCain, you know his unwavering loyalty to our nation, to our men and women in uniform, to his friends and family, and to his conservative principles.

He appreciates your loyalty during this important
election, and that's why I can't wait to give him your card on his birthday.

So please take a moment right now to sign it and write your own personal message to him.

And if you can, I hope you'll consider commemorating his birthday with a special gift of $142 - just $2 for
each year as a friendly reminder of his birthday!

I can't think of a better way for you to help share in
this special event than to pass along some supportive words and, in the process,
help out his Presidential campaign.

Birthdays are always special occasions in the McCain
family. Even during this grueling, historic campaign, we can't lose sight of what's really important. I know my husband won't.

John and I have children just starting their careers; one recent college graduate, one at the Naval Academy, one in the Marine Corps, and one still in high school. That's why John is so committed to America's future.

And while there are moments when I wish he wasn't so busy, and under the spotlight so much, we both make sure our children understand that public service is a McCain family tradition, and sometimes it's not going to be easy. He runs for office because he feels it's his duty to give back to our nation, which has been so good to him.

And during his time in public life, he has always worked hard to do what is right for America. He could take an easier path that might win him a few more votes or friendly newspaper headlines, but that's not him. Because he cares more about our nation's future than about what his political opponents say. That's just one of the reasons why I love him so much, and I suspect it's why you have been so loyal to him.

So please, as one of his closest supporters, take just
a moment to sign the electronic birthday card
and let him know you're still on the McCain Team by making a special contribution of $142, or even $71 - one dollar per year to commemorate this event.

Thanks again for helping my husband. He won't let us down.

Cindy McCain

P.S. On behalf of the entire McCain family - Doug, Andrew, Sidney, Meghan, Jack, Jim and Bridget, I hope you can add your own special touch to help make this birthday extra special. I know my husband would really appreciate it. Please make sure to sign the birthday card today so we
can give it to him on August 29th - his birthday. And if you can, please include
a special birthday gift of $142 or $71 to McCain for President.

Many thanks -

Cindy McCain

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Washington Times' "Dinan on the Republicans" on Cindy McCain's e-mail per McCain's birthday

The Washington Times' "Dinan on the Republicans" had this analysis of the fundraising e-mail sent out under Cindy McCain's signature on Thursday, August 23:

Remember those birthday checks from grandma?

Well, Cindy McCain, Sen. John McCain's wife, sent out an e-mail fundraising pitch today asking the Republican presidential candidate's supporters to pony up $142 -- $2 for each year in honor of the senator's 71st birthday.

The birthday e-mail never mentions McCain's actual birthdate until the very end -- it's Aug. 29 -- but does stress how committed McCain is to his campaign and to his principles.

"Birthdays are always special occasions in the McCain
family," his wife writes. "Even during this grueling, historic campaign, we can't lose sight of what's really important. I know my husband won't."

Judging by her e-mail, the most important thing is money. She asks three times for donations, which she said would be "a special birthday gift" for the man whose lackluster fundraising in the first two quarters of this year has helped knock his campaign out of front-runner status.

McCain isn't the only one to tap his birthday. Former
Sen. John Edwards held a $15-a-plate fundraiser in honor of his 54th birthday in June, while Sen. Barack Obama's supporters were encouraged to donate $46 for his
46th, celebrated Aug. 4.

Still, McCain retains a built-in advantage over the rest of the field: as the oldest candidate, he stands to gain the most, dollar for dollar, from donors willing to match his birthday.

Posted on August 23, 2007 1:34 PM

You can read the full text of the original article here. You can contact Campaignia at publisher@campaignia.org.