He is going to have a hard time since the far-right conservatives are wary of him. The dems have support because they represent a change from the irresponsible incompetence and bloind ideology of George W. Bush. McCain’s biggest problem is that he has wrapped himself in George W’s policies and represents a third term of George W.

Since the country is opposed to the war and its cost (both in human beings and money), McCain has a uphill battle there. Additionally, he has admitted that he knows nothing about the economy and his only contribution is to veto “pork barrel” spending, which is not always a bridge to nowhere, sometimes it is vital highway or other infrastructure improvements.

The Republicans have no solutions to offer.

He can’t compete with that. He’s backing a disaster of a war, decrying hope, and doing it with an empty wallet. The recipe for failure.

HE CAN’T and if the REP. base wanted him to , they would be donating to him instead of the DEM’s

The only way he could compet is with the full support of his party, and he will not get it.

Jack he could offer pardons to all the republicans indicted in the abramoff influence peddling scandel in return for their support

Now he knows how the Democrats felt during the last two elections.

He cant but it wouldn`t have mattered anyway.With $145 million he was not going to be the next persident of the United States..

I believe the political climate in our country has become so polarized and divisive that McCain will raise a lot of money from those same people who are now denouncing him as ‘not conservative enough.’

The right wing talk shows and news networks will help McCain raise money, not so much to support his candidacy, but to show continued solidarity against anything Democrat.

Other than to develope a stronger grass roots following and finding more indepth deep pocketed well rounded high roller backers, he will have a hard time.

Jack;

To win the general election McCain needs only to pick off a couple of blue states while retaining the usual red ones, OR keeping OH and FLA. He can easily do this by allowing the republican smear tactics to affect the votes of the 10 to 15% of voters who swing back and forth and decide elections. It won’t be that expensive for a man who will have the full financial backing of the RNC, and the Dem nominee is perfect for the smear campaign.

So far, most donations are from party regulars; the general election is a different thng - it concentrates on voters who are not party loyalists, and they will decide the outcome.

He can borrow the money from Cindy.

Virginia

Fairtfax, VA

The only way John McCain can keep up would be to divorce his current wife and marry Bay Buchannan. That might convince some of the conservative NeoCons he is of the right stuff. Additionally, he could pass legislation that hunting Liberals would be allowed during the first two weeks of October. This would satisfy the Cheney faction of the Republican party and keep the NRA in the fold. If that is not enough then I would recommend he sell his organs to revive “He, who is quoted the most, the Gipper himself.”

Isn’t this the reason John McCain wants to drag Sen. Obama and/or Sen. Clinton into public financing of their campaigns? While John McCain may think he the heir presumptive to King George’s throne, the people of this Nation have had enough of the Republicans Reign of Terror & they will not donate money to John McCain & his 100 Years of War.
Patricia
Palmdale, Ca.

If all of the wealthy Republicans that backed Bush would put their money in the McCain pot the man would have no financial problems. Now it is a party divided. It all depends on how much the super rich want to maintain control of power. If McCain goes along with the power brokers and makes deals his financial woes will be over.

He can’t.

The only way that McCain will have an advantage, or at least a more level playing field is if both candidates agree to a publicly financed campaign. Since Obama has his own personal money tree, he would be a fool to agree to this. Sure, he’d lose some brownie points and be accused of going back on his word, but he’d win, and isn’t that what it’s all about?

Jack,
He can’t!! but thoose special interests are eager to contribute!!! he have some of their workers in his campaign!!!

Yes. W will just pull the money out of the U.S. Treasury and hand it to McCain as long as McCain continues to walk lock-step in W’s policies and supports a 100-year war in Iraq. This will be done by an executive signing order, promptly followed by a pardon for all involved for past, present, and future crimes. If not, McCain better start passing a bigger hat now.

Jack, let’s not forget that John McCain has pulled off some amazing feats without any money in the past. He went from being bankrupt last summer to becoming the Republican nominee today. Just last week, his campaign took in 2 million dollars overnight after the New York Times article. McCain is definitely a fighter.

He can’t, so here’s a novel idea: Retire….. Oh yeah, we learned from yesterday blog that’s not an option any more in the USA (except without money!). The most he can hope for, especially at his age is Universal Health Care, which he doesn’t even have a plan for! Better stick to that campaign trail after all. Maybe he can solicit some funds from a few female lobbyists, I hear they owe him a couple favors. Or maybe he can persuade his buddy, George W. to push that gas price to $5 and pocket the extra dollar $1, thereby leaving no candidate left behind.

The republicans will be able to compete when push comes to shove because although money means alot not everyone is going to vote for the democrats. Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone would get equal airtime and publishing rites free and the american people could take all that money raised and do something else with it like help struggling americans in this crazy economy.. One day we will all wake up and this will all make sense. The reason theres so much money out there is because the democrats are engaged and excited about these two historic candidates and we havent seen this since the flower power days.This is the way to sell democracy in the world not by the gun. Roxanne Spring Valley New York

Jack, in my humble opinion, I think the Republican’s are watching the democratic candidates throw money, at each other, to win the nomination. McCain is secure, in his position, as the republican candidate. The republicans will raise money, after the conventions, when they know who the democratic candidare will be. There’s pleanty, of time.

Uh…borrow money from the Democrats?

The only way John McCain can comoete financially is to force to Democratic nominee into federal matching funds. Barack Obama is out performing the previous campaign financing jugernaut George W. Bush.

Simple he can’t regardless of what Mccain say’s he will need swiftboater and whatever other thrid party help he can get to make the republican attack sail smooth

Jack Mccain is a fighter he came back in the beginning of the campaign to prove the news media wrong. But when he goes on the road defending George Bush’s policy in Iraq and his trickle down theory in economics, I cannot see how he can get compete with the democratic money raising. No is willing to throw away money on the campaign that supports keeping troops in Iraq in for years with no end in sight.

The answer is: He can’t. Ordinary Americans are voting with their pocketbooks for something different from what we have been putting up with the past 7 years. For the first time in my life I gave money to a political campagn and I consider it money well spent.

He has Bush behind him what else does he need?

He could hire Tom Cruise to pull a Mission-Impossible on the Obama headquarters.

Jack,
He can borrow from the Obama Camp.

Brian

How about John McCain trying energizing people to want to support his campaign. His campaign is like the walking dead.

I think it is ridiculous, bordering on obscene, the amount of money that is spent on a job that pays less than a half million dollars. And I’ve noticed that everyone screams against the line item veto till they get in the White House, then they sing a different tune. Everyone should be given a set amount of money they can spend on campaigning and not a cent more. At the end we’d know who can follow a budget and who makes the right decisions on how that money is spent. In the long wrong, the President has less power than the Congress, so if blame needs to be laid at anyone’s door, lay it at those huge doors leading to Congress

Sandi
Jefferson, SC

Jack,
Wow I bet this is the first time in years that John McCain has felt poor! If you ask me it sure looks like money will win this election and thats a sad sad fact.

Brett
Big Rapids, Michigan

I’m not a frog and you’re not a bunny, so let’s not jump ahead, Jack.
I view McCain’s lower primary fundraising in the same light I view the lower voter turnout on the GOP side in recent primaries. The Republicans have their candidate. There’s not much reason for people to donate to McCain’s campaign at the moment, with the nomination all but official and the general election months away. The Democrats, however, are locked in a very tight primary race with the motivation to donate still high.
The disparity between McCain’s coffers and those of either Senator Clinton or Senator Obama are striking and a potential cause for concern. But let’s wait and compare donations to the campaigns in August before we start writing anybody off.

Jack,
Public financing. He has to find a way to not honor his contract until there is a clear democratic nominee. Then when he faces Obama he has to turn it back around and call Obama out again, telling him to honor his commitment.

Jack, that’s easy…Michael Bloomberg as his running mate.

He will not be able to compete. By the way the closest race that will occur this year is between the democrats. The November election will be a blow out without question. No republican can get elected this year and probably not for 8 more years after the past 7 years.

Quit!

Huckabee’s unwillingness to step aside is only costing the GOP money. Once McCain stands alone at the podium for the Republicans, then I think you’ll see some more money coming in. But the base needs to get off their backsides now if they want to be competitive in the fall.

Hey Jack, maybe that’s why he just labeled himself a “conservative-liberal.” His plan is to hit both sides for money.

You never know, do ya?

McCain is going to have to get back in contact with himself. He is going to have to trust himself and the American voters. He is going to have to be what he is, and do what he ought to do the and decide the way he is going to do it. He has to discover himself again and what he stands for, and trust it. Do not be fooled into believing that because the Democrats have more money that they are necessarily smart. He is going to have to think like a wise man but communicate in the language of the people. And finally………good luck.

He can cross over and pick Hillary Clinton as a running mate an be entitiled to some of the Democratic funds. Barack doesn’t need her so all McCain has to do is call, anytime, even 3 am. She’ll answer, she’s ready.

Jack;
Do you really think McCain will have any difficulty raising money? Exxon-Mobile alone has just pocketed 40 Billion dollars in PROFITS (more than $130 from every man woman and child in the US) after covering all costs and getting their US Government welfare payments. Do you think for a moment they will not happily and quickly cover all McCain can spend with their multiple PACs? McCain’s only problem will be how to spend all the cash the PACs will shower on his campaign. The oil companies are getting a huge bargain. The full benefit of our wasting more than a trillion dollars and 4 thousand military lives to give them access to the oil fields in Iraq. They will assure McCain has all the cash he find a way to spend and give him a rubber stamp House and Senate to assure the continued record mega profits. While we fools in the public continue to believe there is a “security” threat to the US. The only threat we face is the massive give aways to the millionaires: tax cuts, corporate welfare, abolishing all safety and environmental protections, etc. etc.! Every tax dollar paid by us making less than $100,000. goes to private mercenaries, the war profiteers.

By hiring Carl Rove …

He needs to pick a running mate that will boost his conservative appearance to the party. With the right VP selection McCain will start bringing in the big donors and raising the needed funds for the general election. If not, strike up the band and cue the fat lady!

If McCain is disqualified, Huckabee has shown that he can gt along on shoesting funding.

Jack, McCain has to move ten miles to the right. After all, that’s where the money is that drives the Republican party - oil, energy, big business, insurance, banking, etc.

Jim
Prosperity SC

Jack, McCain is a Bush protege! Who wants to donate to a Bush like candidate?

Once the dust settles after the conventions, all the tax break recipients fearing the lose of their perks and bible thumpers fearing gay marriage will cough up cash to keep the show on the road. They can wag their tongues now all they want, but they’ll sing a different tune when it comes down to the wire. Republicans are notorious hypocrites at election time.

I wish to amend my first post on this question it is short sighted to think the republicans indicted in the abromoff scandel would or could match the money the democrats are raising. McCain could also raise money from the Saudis by threatning to pull out their rent-an- army so the shiias can take over Iraq and become partners with Iran. He could offer to go to Russia and Gaze into Mr. Putins eyes and declare him a good guy if the moneys right. or he could crawl on his hands and knees to radio land and kiss the ring of el Rushbo.

Doesn’t Matter, Republicans can’t win with the War and the Economy Tanking!

Simply put they have not got a hope in hell, unless they cry wolf or fix the machines once again. But it is going to some hard with a few extra million waiting in line on election night in November,

McCain might be able to compete in the general election IF he can bait the Democrates into only using federal funding. hopefully the Democrates will tell him to take a hike just like the Republicans would do if THEY had the edge.

listening to the Republican whine is down right funny.

McCain can compete because he has all those radical right wing radio nut cases screaming their lungs out. All of them will continue to blame all the disastrous situations in this country on all Democrats going back to Carter. They will praise Bush incessantly and since McCain has hooked his star to the Bush administration, he can win. You can’t buy the non-stop right wing media blitz that will happen as soon as the Democratic nominee is announced – and McCain won’t have to.

He has to hope for a miracle like Huckabee is apparently still doing. But I doubt either miracle will “come to light.”

527 groups will spring up like crazy to try to keep either Obama or Clinton from the Whitehouse. There’s a lot of racism, bigotry, intolerance and hatred still alive in America and between the conventions and November we’re going to see the worst that the PACs can dish out.

Don’t worry McCain will have plenty $’s. Big oil, NRA will show up in the Swift Boat.

The only thing McCain can do is to get as many nationally broadcasted debates as possible against the democrat nominee, especially if it’s Obama.
If it’s left up to campaign rallies and ads with minimal debates, he simply cannot compete.

Bucks County, PA

The Democrats (thanks to previous candidates like Howard Dean) have mastered the art of grass-roots fundraising, especially using the Internet. Barak Obama has been the biggest beneficiary of this. And that is the future of campaign financing (unless we are all shocked and Congress actually enacted campaign finance reform that was actually rational). The Republicans are still living in the dark ages, either hitting up the wealthy and corporations (gee, do you think in return for something?), or pouring their own millions into their fledgling campaigns like Romney did. McCain has a very serious problem. As former Federal Election Commission chairman Bradley Smith said recently “McCain has been such a stickler for years in calling out everybody who does exactly what he has done - saying that they are corrupt, they are finding loopholes, making end runs around the law, that the FEC is not aggressively enforcing the law.” The fact is that the McCain-Feingold campaign finance act may come back to bite him in his wrinkly little behind.

If he says that any reference to how or why the war started in the first place is a thing of the past and we must look forward, why is he supporting Bush’s past failing policies? He should take his own advice and start looking forward, but it would be too little too late and as such he should prolly donate his funds to the dems. He could get twice as much as the dems and he will still lose.

Jack
As we get closer to November the big GOP dollars will come out of the woodwork. All those voters that are not ready for an African American or a women will throw some of their cash to big Johns campaign.

Option 1: He needs to pressure Obama to stick to his word abotu Public Financing. This is not likely, seeing as how Obama is a liar, speech thief, and unoriginal (idea thief). Obama cannot be trusted, so he will definitely outspend McCain.

McCain needs to pressure Clinton to “sign-on” for Public Financing. Otherwise, he again will be outspent.

Option 2: Pick a Vice Presidential Candidate who is rich (see Mayor Bloomberg, Warren Buffet, or Bill Gates) and hope Obama does not pick the ultrarich Oprah Winfrey as VP).

Then, there is option three: Become media friendly like Obama. Suck up all of the news airtime, get the easy questions in debates, and generalize everything you say. Then people will flock to you like a rockstar.

Otherwise, McCain, who I support over Obama, but not Clinton, Good Luck.

The spend-the-most canidate theory is even more reliable than the tallest candidate theory when handicapping elections. Obama wins by either of these measures. Come to think of it, the last time a shorter candidate won was 1976, Jimmy Carter over Gerald Ford. The last two elections don;t count since the actual winner was never determined. But I digress. McCain can not win if that dynamic holds up. He has to convince the rich and powerful Republican base that he is viable. They have been wielding money as an electoral bludgeon for a dozen years, but they won’t commit if they don;t think McCain can win and that he will do exactly what they want him to do if elected.

He will just get some help from the war mongers in the pentegon.

Jack,

It won’t make any difference how much money he collects. The voters are so sick of the Bush administration that it is not possible for a Republican to win the White House this year.

One big difference is that our nomination is wrapped. Why give money now? The other big difference is that our candidate actually plans to keep his pledge to take federal matching funds, unlike Obama who is working mightly to find a graceful way to worm out of it. It may be smarter to give to a 529. We’ll kick in when the time comes. Don’t worry about us.

I found it really interesting that some republicans in Texas that were interviewed on CNN are voting for Hillary (probably because they feel there’s no need to vote for McCain who’s on the verge of the republican nomination) because she can be beaten by McCain. In general, this is a low, dispical tactic but if Hillary wins the nomination, I don’t think McCain will need to beat her on funds. She’s going to end up losing the election.

Well Jack…It’s simple..He can’t …………But who cares.

Although, I admit that conservatives are demonstrating a financial distance of tough love from Senators McCains campaign, they will come to bear with him down the road as the reality of Democrats become more egotistical in gaining the White House.

If this fails to happen for him, then unfortunately, Networks like CNN and so forth may become compassionately hard pressed to continue to air his campaign for free. It then would be interesting to see his now campaign becomes the welfare campaign of the 21st century.

It will be amazing to witness with symbolic significance the McCain welfare express surpassing the now powerful democratic machine. After all the man was down once or twice and polished off his opponents. This may be laughable now, but you never know.

Thanks Jack!

Jack he could sell his soul to the devil …….oh wait i think he already did

Bernie from Sarasota, FL

Jay Rockefeller is endorcing Obama!?

As I recall it was David Rockefeller who founded the Trilateral Commission; the “Commission” causing most of the problems in this country. Obama being backed by a Rockefeller? Shame on him!

McCain should talk about how the Democrats get their campaign financing through the Democratic Leadership Council, the business side of the Democratic party. They’re indebted to special interests just like the Republicans. (I’m still hoping Bloomberg will run).

With very little time it is my female 62 year old hope we vote in Ohio for the calm reasoned decision making ability of Obama.

He shouldn’t have to. You’ve all but discounted Clinton, and Obama agreed to public financing, didn’t he?

War, War, War and more War… Hammer it home, and pray no one asks where the money will come from.

I do not think that it matters how much money the republicans are raising, Jack. The inteligent republicans are whispering their support for Obama.

The Republicans have no need to raise money at this point…don’t worry the machine will kick in a cpl of months Jack…you will see $$$$ coming in from everywhere…..get your $$$ ready by May 1 is the word on Republican Avenue! By then all the $25 democrat supporters will be worn out and battle weary, then the big cowboy hat gets passed around Dallas and Houston at McCains fundraising BBQ

McCain needs to stick with pressing for public funding. That is the only way he will have a chance as far as money is concerned. I don’t think McCain has a chance at winning the white house….. his party is not even totally behind him.His policies don’t work.

John McCain will have to become the “NEW” Willie Sutton to match the democrats ability to raise funds.

He doesn’t have to the election is McCain’s to lose. Clinton and Obama have to be perfect there can be no doubt in america’s minds about either candidate.

Sadly, winning in politics is about who can get the most money, Mitt Romney being the exception. Anyone who follows this stuff he doubts that McCain will win and that is why he cannot raise the money. He will loose and is not an inspiring candidate. The next president will be a Democrat and nothing is going to stop that.

Jack, McCain can’t compete if his voters don’t believe enough in him to contribute. “You only really believe that which activates you.” It seems that Obama’s and Clinton’s contributors do believe in them, while McCain’s do not believe in him.

But that brings up another question: McCain seems to be accusing Obama of supposedly backing out of a promise to accept public financing, but isn’t McCain also trying to back out of public financing?
Barry
Cordova, Tennessee

Here’s a question for you Jack if the economy is so bad where do the poor democrats get the money to give to the party;

Obama wins and he is forced to do campaign financing

He can tell his lobbist buddies that if they don’t kick in some money that we’ll not push their projects or services they want. That should reap him enough money to buy the White House. Something simular to what Bush, Chaney and and their band of thieves did.

He can’t compete, but he never could anyways….

The Democratic Super Delegate should realize they’re letting the only cadidate left to possibly win the White House slip through their fingers… it’s Clinton not Obama! Obama supporters are right now soooo living a great big Rock Concert but reality will set in after losing the country in November and then they try to figure out “what’d we do wrong?” Obama will never be president…. deal with it people!!

Easy Jack, all he has to do is start telling the truth consistantly, stop pandering to special interest in order to get votes, and campaign on the principles & ideas that are best for the Nation rather than corporations who want free money no matter who gets hurt and also don’t want to pay tax on it.

That’s a simple one. Just tap Exon Mobil for a little $$$$$$$ CASH or wait for his oil stock monthly dividend check…

Red Adair , Tar n Feathers , Texas

OK-We are getting extra cash from the government in May because we are broke with high credit card debt, unstable mortgages, and piles of bills for life basics…And we are encouraged to donate hundreds of dollars, millions adding up to political candidates and their campaigns-what is weird with this–during a recession? Hey, they’ll have book deals when it is over-we won’t!

We don’t yet know how much of that 85 million the Democrats raised is legal donations now do we. So far in this campaign the media has exposed several illegal donations and I expect many more will come to light before the General election. Once McCain gets his grand total required number of delegates the donations will flow into his campaign. America is not voting for the candidate with the most money anyway. They are voting for the best qualified candidate for the job of president. Personally I don’t care if the qualified candidate is a pauper. In fact I would prefer it.

The Republicans will have no trouble raising money once their latest VOODOO Economic Policies start to click.

DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY!!
McCain needs to open the gate ..and go out to pasture.. due to the fact he is old, slow and rigid! … He has no chance to beat the Dems…due to his association with Bush’s Policies..!!
Also ..we are not fighting a war in Iraq! ..Its a police action !!..Our forces are .. fighting Street Fighters.. who are not organized as an army!!
Bush made the war story up…to scare the average american citizen into support!! ….What a sad disaster for our country!
Disgusted US ARMY Vet!!

i really dont think he has been doing much fund raising. but he does need to get started thats for sure. i think he will get large donations when it gets down to it.

Funding is an indication of how people think about you. Apparently people do not think much of him as president.
If W. were running again, he would have to cash in his trust fund because no one would give him a penny.

Easy…. people like me who have given to Clinton will give to McCain if Obama gets the nom.

The Repubs haven’t even got warmed up yet. Why people think they are just going to roll over and give the WH to the Dems is beyond me.

Jack, I really enjoy listening to your comments each day. You are the only one who really speaks the truth. Please do not give the “so called
conservative radio Hosts” any more publicity.

McCain cannot compete no matter what he does. He is an arrogant warmonger who will continue the tax cuts for the wealthy, allow 20 million illegal aliens to drain our social welfare system and fill our jails and continue the totally failed policies of the Bush administration. If we don’t make a major change in direction this country is going down the drain.

What kind of people have we become as a nation? We as a people can raise multiples of millions of dollars monthly for an election, yet we let others go ill, poorly educated, without food, mental health services, and globally those who are terrorized, abused in the name of politics, power, and governments..The USA and the world deserves reckoning if we continue to exist like this…

Jack, keep in mind that we are still in the primary phase and it appears McCain will be “The Man” for the Republicans. Have no doubt, the corporate fascists will open their fat wallets to prevent a popular Democrat from being elected. McCain is an authenic American hero, but he has tied himself to war criminals, Bush and Cheney. Experience, Americans look at what is in the White House now and ask, big deal experience, give us honesty and truthfulness and common sense. Bush is ignorant, arrogant and incompetent and as it stands now, McCain would be simply Bush-3!

Well, Jack, he could kiss up to the extremists of the party, including the rabid talk show hosts. Personally I think that would be political suicide, but would probably improve his funds up until he loses the election.

Maybe Lieberman can lend him some money.

Jack, in the last debate, the question was asked of Obama if he would live by his promise to restrict spending to public funds. Tho he hedged somewhat, he did agree to discuss options with the Republican nominee. This would diminish speculation of who “owns” the candidates. The American public should hold Obama and McCain to this approach. May the best man win. (sorry Hillary, it will be Barack, dear).

Don’t worry. Charles Keating, the so called friend of Mccain, the man who masterminded the savings and loan losses will kick in money, after all, he cost the american taxpayers over 3 billion to bail them out of trouble. Maybe the Bush brother that got 200 million will give some up. Whatever, he can’t raise enough to win any. Who wants another Bush copycat in the white house.

McCain needs to call in some markers jack… Valero Oil , Exon Mobil, Standard Oil of California, SONY, MICROSOFT, WAL-MART, GM, FORD, CHRYSLER, you get my drift…? he ain’t gonna do it by passing the hat round the Oval Office… or Crawford Ranch…

Bobby Womack , Southern California

The only way Mccain can compete is by reaching out to big corporations and lunatic fringe of Religious right. I long for the day when candidates on picked on their merits and not who could raise the most money.

The only fair way for the candidates to compete is with equal funding for the campaign. It will be a test for Obama: can he give up all of that money in order to run a fair campaign, on the issues, against John McCain?

I don’t think the question would even arise if the Democrats select Hillary Clinton since she will use whatever means she can to win. Of course, the conservative Republicans hate her so much that they may well come up with the money for McCain.

Twentynine Palms, CA

If McCain is lucky, Hillary Clinton will win in Texas or Ohio. All she has to do is show the Right just the slightest hint of winning the Democratic Nomination and donations will start flooding into the McCain Campaign. The Republicans will unite and fund a campaign against Clinton……either Clinton for that matter.

Unless lives up to his promise to use matching government funds for the general election, McCain is in trouble.

John McCain needs a sub - prime LOAN… too bad he waited so long we are fresh out… ha ha ha ha …. he’s too old and too slow anyway.

Alan Greenspan , Federal Reserve , NYC

Jack,

Republicans have succeeded by raising funds from big business and special interests. These people are not stupid. They see the writing on the wall and they are waiting to see if their lackeys stand any chance of being elected before they throw good money (i.e. profits) at them.

We all know the rats are the first off every sinking ship. John McCain seems to just be finding that out now.

Robert

McCain should refuse the wacko religious vote (as Obama did) and get back the Catholic support.

The Republicans are hoarding their money for immediate travel to flee all the lawsuits they’ll face, could be their buying up exotic islands where they can bury their heads in the tropical sands.
Many are not going tio run and will be vacating their senate seats, leaving with all the money from past campaigns, will they give some to McCain? Actually no!

It’s difficult to justify spending when there’s no guarantee that you’ll get any return on your investment. The Democrats want spending to benefit the people by propping up social programs that can only help our struggling economy while paring down our bloated budget by getting out of Iraq…McCain and the Republicans want to continue funding a bottomless war while ignoring our domestic fiscal problems and our relations abroad. McCain’s plan does not bode well for our future.

He can’t.

Maybe John McCain will realize he doesn’t have a shot, at least I hope he realizes that. I guess he’s had trouble raising money not only because he seems to be the long lost member of the Bush family, but also because he probably goes to bed before 5pm. The elderly need their sleep.

I’d suggest that John McCain cozy up with Oprah when doing his fundraising

Dear Jack:

Maybe he should just bow out gracefully and give his money to a worthy cause — like Barack Obama.

Ted in PHoenicia, New York .

John McCain needs to start a “Movement”. Republicans are backing him, but are not very excited about him. They figure they have no choice. He needs to add some FIRE to his campaign…If his rallys are really as boring as they look on TV, he’s going to have a problem.

Are you kidding? There is not shortage of big bucks in either the Democrat or Republican warchest in the race for the White House. Before this thing is over, over 1000 million dollars will be spent by both major party candidates to lease the White House for four years. These are public servants?

McCain views has been so misconstrued I can’t see how any Republican, Independent, or Democrat could vote for him.

A man with integrity would not allow Totalitarism mindset endorsement of Hagee, and then want OBAMA to denounce Farakhan.

It seems hypocritical. The only way I see McCain winning in November is if the OBAMA or Clinton run on the same ticket.

Congratulations! This is the dumbest question so far. With GHW Bush’s endorsement of McCain, he (GHW) can solicit tens of millions of dollars in donations from his pals in Saudi Arabia. DUH!

Hi Jack,

This is an easy question to answer. McCain CAN’T compete with the Democrats this go round. The writing is ON THE WALL. The Democrats are going to take over THE OVAL OFFICE and I for one and happy that this will happen!

I am an American, active voter, living in Fairy Glen, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Susan Swanson

For most of my life, the GOP has out spent the Democrats by a huge margin. McCain through his legislation has taken the power of money out of the hands of corporations and put in the hands of the people.
This may silence the right wing noise machine once and for all.

2 words…He can’t!

Richard
Dallas, TX

Easy, Barack keeps his word and stays only with public funding, or is this a preview of things to come. It would seem the only thing Obama has changed is his Mind.

The question, as well as those numbers are slightly skewed. McCain has practically locked up the nomination. Conservative donors will fund his campaign in time but the the money really won’t start rolling into his coffers until the general election. The Democrats on the other hand are still in the midst of an extremely tight race. Dem voters are still split so they feel the need to donate to their candidate of choice to try to push them over the top.

The only way McCain can compete with the Democrats is to be a different person with a different philosophy.

Jim, Craig, CO

He can’t, not unless he can talk somebody into an awful lot of debates. Sort of makes McCain look like a third-party candidate.

Woodbury, MN

He can’t compete. He can raise $12 billion, but it doesn’t change his message. He can just push the same message more. We don’t need more from him. His stance is clear. He has wrapped himself in Bush policies and that will be his ultimate downfall. We know the Bush policies. We don’t need Sen. McCain to re-state them.

IT’S SIMPLE, HE CANT !!!

Jack when McCain needs the money he will just call the lobbyist he knows and he will get big bucks from CEO’s and corporations. And if Hillary would disclose her tax’s you might see some of the same names on her list.

The reason Mccain will have a hard time competing has little to do with the lack of fundraising and more to do with the fact that he is going to be bad for America. If McCain were to win, it would be as though Bush had another term, and that is the last thing this country needs. People are contributing to Obama and Clinton because they will get us out of the war, and America cannot afford to be in this war any longer. It is no wonder we are in a recession. With a 19% approval rating, anyone similar to Bush will have a hard time getting support.

The same way he countered Mitt Romney and others in the GOP who outspent him 4 to 1.

Your question should have stated, Barrack Obama’s millions in contributions cannot buy the experience he lacks.

McCain can start preparing for defeat as the Bush Swift Boat will be blown out of the water by Americans tired of 8 years of total disaster.
Sad when Bush does not even know the projected price of gas…guess he is really in touch……..Da Turn the lights on

The people are rising against a corrupt system that favors the few over the many and lines pockets of disingenious lobbyists, politicians of both parties, and gready corporate hacks. The marginalized people are now rising up to have their voices heard and will wipe out the likes of Hillary Clinton and John McCain who pander to the politics of fear and harassment.

Jack-
Simply put he can not. There is not possible way for McCain to compete with little to no money to the reach the people of America. The GOP will have to dig deep, looking for pennies in the sofa, or by stealing little kids piggy banks to catch up.

Norfolk, Va

i don’t trust mccain, and i believe there is a reason why gas has jumped up in the last few days, we all know that 12 million is not going to cut the cake, so voters should keep an wide eye on where the money is going to come from as he moves on to the fall.

Theron
Arlington, Tx.

Not to worry about the money Jack - McCain won’t need it when the right wing evangelicals begin to pray for him.

Guess he is going to have to call in a bunch of bucks from all those rich oil people whoi need to have a republican in the white house I think they are called special interest money bags, the ones he hates. lets see if winning means as much as principles.

The press seems to be second guessing every single move McCain makes. Not without good reason, but he seems to have a pretty clear idea of how he wants to campaign. Until the dems nominate a candidate, it seems problematic to speculate as to how McCain is going to run a successful campaign. That being said, however, I get the sense that McCain is trying to be a straight shooter, coming as he is. To me he seems to be relying on the idea that if you want a conservative, you’re going to have to go with him, and though you may not like him, you still know exactly what you’re going to get.

Congratulations! This is the dumbest question so far. With GHW Bush’s endorsement of McCain, he (GHW) can solicit tens of millions of dollars in donations from his pals in Saudi Arabia. DUH!

Ask politely for a V.P. nod? Okay, off-the-subject… picture this, Jack. The Whitehouse, 3 a.m., the phone is ringing off-the-hook… Hillary and Bill are ignoring it until… “Dammit, Hill… it’s your turn to answer it!”

Whats all this about money? Listen, this would be a nightmare for the Republicans, if the Democrats raised 82 million voters, to thier 12 million voters. The fresh air is the fact money doesnt elect people, if theres any inclination to that, just look at Hillary Clinton. Let the American voters choose who they want, without ‘movement’ money.

The only way that McCain can compete is if Obama keeps his pledge to use federal funding in the general election.

If Hillary is the nominee, then she is not bound by any such pledge and can bludgeon the Republicans with the same tool (money) that the Republicans have wielded so often against the underfunded Democrats.

If Obama is the nominee, then he will have to stand by his pledge to accept Federal Funding or allow McCain to excuriate him for breaking his word.

The democratic race has energized the voting population,. Most democrats and many republicans are tired of the same old same old. They are contributing to the Democratic party in record numbers. I am an independdent voter and I just voted early in the Democratic primary.

Well, it’s quite simple you know. Senator Mccain would have to revitalize his Republican base as both Senator’s Clinton and Obama are doing with the Democratic base. Yet when you look out at the voter turn out in these states, you see a truely extraordinary thing happening. The Republican’s base pales in comparison to the Democratic base.

It’s rather simple really. When the time comes, the Republicans will start giving to the McCain campaign. They aren’t raising as much right now simply because the money is not needed; they already have their candidate. If it were still a close race on the Republican side, more money would be raised for all the candidates involved. The Democrats are raising so much more right now because they have something to fight for; their race isn’t over.

John McCain will have to put on his nearly ready to cry face and voice, as well as put more fear into the voters and, hopefully, get the weak-minded and war-loving idiots to vote for him.

Barbara,
Saginaw, MI

Well Jack, my view on this is as follows:
Everyone is calling the Ohio and Texas primaries Clinton’s last stand. With this in mind for her, and the fact that she’s an extreme liberal, spending money for her campaign now definitely won’t be a problem for her. Obama has no choice but to counter with his larger bank roll. They will surely spend themselves into the ground, the Dems; Hillary trying to cling to the race and Obama trying to push her over the edge. McCain could just sit by and spend a few million here, a few million there, and come out on top in the General Election. Who knows, this could turn out to be an advantage. That is, if McCain can bluff well enough and the Dems can’t play poker.
Have a great day, Jack.

If Obama is the nominee, and if McCain can get him to stick to his word and use public financing, then McCain will do the same. Then the playing field will be level. But this won’t fly well for Obama, because when the Republican Attack Machine starts bringing him down, and he doesn’t have the money to buy his way out, he’s not going to know what hit him, and he’ll be flapping in the breeze like a wind sock in a hurricane.

McCain can’t compete at all. If he continues to think that he is going to be president, he will eventually be linked with Huckabee as the ones who wouldn’t go away.
Doris
Ojai, California

Jack,

You want to talk about the Democrats raising tons of money. After the Exxons and Haliburtons of the world open their pocketbooks it will take tons of the $20 donations to keep up, Republicans get the funds from big business they need. Always have and always will. Get real Jack. You already knew this.

Charlie

McCain’s only shot to compete in this race is to continue to criticize Obama if he backs out of his previous commitment to use only public funding. Otherwise, it’s gonna be a whitewash and Obama will win the presidency in a landslide. Now let’s just cross our fingers and hope that happens.

I am reminded of an episode of MASH when Hawkeye Pierce turned to Frank and said, “You don’t have to tell us the obvious, obvious, Frank, the merely obvious will do.” How can McCain get by with raising less than have of the contributions sent in to Hillary and Obama?” Obviously, McCain is not competing with another candidate at this time. When the general campaign begins, McCain will light up the board with campaign contributions.

If this campaign has shown us anything it is that money counts just about as much as the election in Alaska. Remember that everyone counted McCain out before for the exact same reason. Even the candidates with the large bankroll can lose.

Cut off Hillery’s arm and she would not be able to talk. It looks lke she has to pump the words out.

What a question. Carl, Rush, Sean and other right-wing radio and television talking heads. There are openings to make money!

it’s impossible for him to raise that kind of money because the republican base and the conservative blue collar workers that could have supported him are broke from the economical travesty we are facing. So let it be a short campaign for Mc Cain we have taken the congress the senate and it’s time we take back the presedency.

Jack,

The Democrats are raising far more money and spending it before the real race ever begins. It’s a case of draining the well too soon. After all the money is spent fighting each other, will apathy set in again allowing Republicans to win the big race? It’s kind of like the turtle and the hare. It’s not how you start, but how you finish. It took over 250 million dollars to get past a man that dropped trow in the White House? What a waste.

Jack,
I have to think that some of the money pouring into both democratic campaigns right now is coming from republicans. They figure by throwing support at the democratic candidate that is least likely to win against McCain they can help to cherry pick the weakest opponent. If I were a republican why would I send money to McCain? Mathematically speaking he has already won. Once the democratic nominee has been chosen you’ll see plenty of “big business” money flowing into McCain’s campaign.

-Sean

McCain doesn’t need the money right now. He’ll get plenty when “Big Bidness” realizes he is the lesser of two evils. There will be plenty of soft money for the fear and smear the Republicans will use on Barack Obama. Mark WDM, IA

McCain can compete on the cheap by doing what Republicans always do ……negative, inflammatory commercials. It is much less expensive to throw together negative claptrap than it is to do a thoughtful, positive and explanatory piece.

Tom

The millions of dollars these politicians have raised is going to be spent on more ads and etc, while people are losing their jobs, some of our children and families are hungary, the education system in this country is lacking, the infrastructure is decaying and we are “fiddling while “Rome” burns……………

About the only chance McCain has of raising more money than the Democrats is to take the 101 Airborne and invade Fort Knox.

Ray Kinserlow
Lubbock

Sure? they raised $85M.

Clinton and Obama definitely need that kind of money to fight each other.

McCain has his nomination wrapped up. Neither Obama nor Hillary do. Republicans will come out and raise money once McCain’s opponent has truly entered the ring. It isn’t fair to combine the two Democratic candidates’ funds, either, since it’s doubtful that those raising money for whomever loses will contribute so much to the competitor, if at all.

Regardless of these factors, it is clear that Obama has support that could very well crush McCain, if indeed they’re the nominees. I imagine McCain supporters will loosen their wallets up considerably to help fight, but I can’t see him inspiring so many people to contribute so generously.

First time voter from Medina, Ohio.

It’s not simply about the money, Jack; McCain obviously fared pretty well against Romney’s millions. The difference in policies — not funds — will determine the ultimate victor in November.

They will do the same
A. Lie
B. Imply tht the other person is un American
C. Let someone else do the dirty work and act innocent
D. Do things like what they are doing with the Obamam name thing — saying it is the middle name but there are a lot of racist names or words that if said in the right way, context, and right people are not racist but if not are.

You’ve got it all wrong. At this point in the presidential race its not what you can raise but what you need to raise. Obama/Clinton are in an intense, high profile race. Dems will use all their ammo just to get the nomination.

McCain’s campaign doesnt need moeny right now. He has virtually locked up the nomination. Cash will come in for him after the conventions.

BTW, I would have sworn that “3am call” ad was for McCain. And does Hillary really look like that at 3am?

Joe

He can’t and he wont. It’s not only the overwhelming donations coming in for the Democrats, but also votes. In just about every primary and every caucus Obama recieves more votes then all the Republicans put together. This election is the Democracts to lose.

Jack, I hope the irony isn’t lost in this story.

Republicans attract the big money support and the Democrats attract the common man, the working class if you will.

Yet month after month the Democrats seem to be attracting this ground swell of financial support from the very people who are being afftected the most by this economic mess created over the last 7 years.

Bush has done more than run the country in to the ground. He’s actually made the US population BLUE in the face with palpable disgust.

The first letter the new Democratic President of the United States should sign is the thank you to Bush for energizing what is historically an apathetic political blue base.

Here’s the really big scoop, Jack…..if twice as many Democrats show up to vote in the general election as do the Republicans, all the money in the world will not change the ultimate outcome. I really don’t believe advertising buys the presidency; the only people cleaning up are the advertisers; 30-second spots are ridiculous and not enough can be said to sway anybody. I base my opinions by watching the debates and I would rather see all the networks air debates so people can really see and hear what the candidates have to say about important topics.

Jack,
I would also like to see the networks quit favoring Obama and no longer doing much for Mike Huckabee on the Republican side…..hello, the primaries are not over yet so quit picking the candidates. I have talked to other people who feel the same way.

Why Jack, did’nt you know/ The RNC will raise huge amounts of money from coporate sources to counterbalance Obama’s grassroots movement. This is why Obama would be a fool to accept public financing for the general election. By the way, since McCain is apparently in the process of violating his pledge to use public financing in the primaries, he obviously has no credibiliy left to demand public financing from Obama.

Money may buy the ads, but it doesn’t mean you’ll get the votes. McCain only needs to worry what is said during the debates that will happen later this year against Clinton or Obama. When they see the difference between the two, McCain will win outright. Votes count, not cash.

Jack

Mabey he can convince the top 1 % to give him some of their tax cut money.

Ken Brownstown Mi.

Candidates need to quit with the advertisement spam — which is more akin to brainwashing — with these simp