Can the John McCain campaign compete with the Obama money train?

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It has been well noted how much money Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton have raised throughout their campaigns. It has also been well noted how much John McCain has not. According to Politico.com, Obama has raised $275 million since the beginning of the campaign season in October 2007 to April of this year. One could also add the fact that Obama will more than likely tap into presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton donations once she suspends her campaign. McCain has raised $100 million between October and April. These facts pretty much show that McCain is does not have the fundraising ability that Obama possess. Will this have an impact on the election?

A few days ago, John McCain challenged Barack Obama to a town hall meeting every week until the Democratic National Convention (about 10 town hall meetings in total). Although this will allow voters to compare the two candidates and their ideals, this just seems like a way to get more publicity for McCain. Will this have an impact on the election?

I personally think that McCain has a long road ahead of him in the campaign donations race. If he can continue to raise funds like he did in May ($21.5 million), he might have a decent shot. Then again the Obama run away money train is a force to be reckoned with and has little chance of slowing down.

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Member of the Progressive U Alumni Association

John McCain does not need a lot of money because he is the master of free publicity.

He has a tried and true formula. He stabs his own political party in the back and the liberal media rewards him for this behavior by giving him lots of free TV face time. And since they approve of his new positions they even say positive things about him.

engkatiemarie's picture
Volunteer for the Progressive U Alumni Association

*snicker*

McCain is one of the most liberal "Republicans" around. I wouldn't be surprised if he got caught in bed with Pelosi (literally or figuratively).

I'd say money is McCain's biggest problem. There are those in his party who are still not satisfied with him (example: I'm getting negative vibes from jackbenimble up there), but I for one support him. Of course, as a moderate, I suppose that's not saying much.

McCain needs to have a chat with Mike Huckabee about fundraising. There is no doubt that Huck was the "poorest" candidate this past primary season, yet he was the candidate who finished second. It's not necessarily about raising a lot of money, but rather spending it well. For instance, Obama outspent Clinton 3 bucks to 1 in Pennsylvania, yet he lost that primary by double digits (percentage wise).

I read an article in The Philadelphia Inquirer (I think that's where it was) written by Karl Rove. Rove criticized McCain in it for basically not bragging about himself enough. When people describe McCain as a war hero, they're not kidding. He spent five years as a POW in Vietnam, and refused to leave his men behind even when given the option to get out. Rove's article concluded that if McCain learns to talk about himself and his past (his EXPERIENCE), he should be able to get the money flowing again.

McCain's sort of a miracle candidate. There was a time last summer when his major campaign staffers walked out on him, and he languished near the bottom of national polls. Yet he came back, and came back very strongly. McCain may not have money, but he seems to have luck on his side.

orochigenocide's picture
cosmic wrote:

It's not necessarily about raising a lot of money, but rather spending it well.

Right. I think the main purpose of the campaign money is for advertisements. Name recognition is a big factor in this campaign. Plus, the media will have a field day if one of them says of does something that calls for reproach. THAT can definitely ruin their reputation in a really nasty way. Look at what happened to Howard Dean. So, you could say it's more about maintaining a positive image since most voters will choose a candidate based on appearances (that is if they haven't done their research on the candidates).

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"Live Free and Starve" by Chitra Divakaruni
Re: "Live Free and Starve" ("The Chance for Freedom: Priceless")

cherry1779's picture

with 527s how can mcCain deal with this. Also is it far that no one questioned obamas money.

Published Author and Poet
Teacher Education Student.

ediblewoman's picture
Volunteer for the Progressive U Alumni Association

It seems it might not be questionable.

Here are some answers from people who do question:
http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/summary.php?id=N00009638

http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/donordems.php?cycle=2008

http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/sectorall.php?cycle=2008

The site to which I just referred you breaks the funding down by industry sector donations per candidate and gives a handy bar graph showing where they stand on money from lobbyists. In all of those categories, McCain leads Obama by a landslide. The only category in which Obama leads is INDIVIDUAL donations from INDIVIDUAL donors like me. That's where he gets the majority of his funding. And 45% of his funds are from donors who gave less than $200. That means a HUGE number of people are donating.

http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman

cherry1779's picture

It is the issue ads. Mcain with that moveon.org ad with the mother and baby is attacking him on the issues. TO me that is same as financing the campaign.
Published Author and Poet
Teacher Education Student.

restinpeace's picture
Member of the Progressive U Alumni Association

Rest in peace
yourfuneralguy
http://www.lowercostfuneral.com/rbrianblog
of the tongue will cost one of them the election.

ediblewoman's picture
Volunteer for the Progressive U Alumni Association

McCain will have his say. The Republicans have PLENTY of money for that sort of thing, but why would they spend it when Clinton was doing all that work for them? Wait a month or so...you'll see.

And is this the first election to which you've paid attention? This is what people do. Some of the independent groups on both sides get really nasty.

http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman

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