Newsweek: How McCain Is Skirting His Own Spending Caps

Newsweek:

Republicans, it seems, are finally showing McCain the money.

Last week, we wrote that despite the vast disparity between John McCain's and Barack Obama's overall fundraising total this cycle--$120 million to $287 million at last count--the Republican stands a surprisingly good chance of keeping up with his rival in the general election. One reason was the RNC. When you combine McCain's individual war chest with his party's bankroll, it turns out the Republican nominee has about $90 million currently burning a hole in his pocket, while Obama and the DNC weigh in at a relatively paltry $47 million, or half as much. And even though McCain has agreed to an $84.1 spending limit by accepting public funds--a decision he likes to portray as a principled stand against the corrupting influence of money on politics--at least double that sum will be dropped on his behalf before Election Day thanks to loopholes in the law that allow outside groups to effectively skirt such limits with largely unregulated "soft money" contributions.

Read the whole story: Newsweek

Comments

[Insideout143]

What Obama said....

As always, Obama reads the GOP tactics correctly.

[IowaKid]

Oh does this mean Obama is the underdog that McSame claims to be?????????????

[Sixtwo]

Can all that Repub money buy the TRUST of the American people which has been completely eroded? Can all that money buy credibility? Can all that money buy morality? Can all that money buy restoration of relatiionships with our foreign neighbors? Can all that money buy a level playing field for ALL Americans? Can all that money buy " real straight talk:?

[NoBo08]

Probably

[okayigive]

Yet again Sen. Obama shows foresight and good judgment. He was aware of the loophole lurking in the Mccain -Feingold Bill and was able to judge the true character, honesty, and integrity of Mcc by having the opportunity to work along side him in the Senate and review his record and stance on issues from a legal point of view and personal values. He was also able to get a preview of how the reps. like to operate during the primaries. I salute you Sen. Obama for doing your homework and looking beyond surface appearances. Now only if the rest can do their homework and look beyond and ignore the sound-bites and distractions in the guise of facts, your job Sen. Obama will be that much easier to deal with issues.

[robodweeb]

Is it true that in addition to his government salary McClone gets a government disability payment, a military pension, government paid health care and Social Security?

[LaFeminazi]

No way, that would go against the whole GOP concept of independance from the State.


;)

[LeeBurl]

He receives $58,353 in disability pay. He is classified as 100% disabled.

http://articles.latimes.com/2008/apr/22/nation/na-pension22

[MissingAmerica]

There ya go! If any of us are on disability and decide to take a full-time job, no matter what it is, our disability stops. We must protect his income by not electing him! Problem solved!

[LaFeminazi]

I always loved the concept of

'Campaign Finance Reform'

Brought to you by your local candidate, its no wonder its full of holes.

[LaFeminazi]

Business as usual in the politics of corruption.

The GOP just have a wider stance.

[DRaymond]

This is overlooked in all this faux outrage about Obama and public money.

By denying public money all of the funds can flow through his campaign and he can be responsible for the message There won't have to be a lot of 527s making a mockery of his goal of running a new kind of politics.

McCain can not only get the free public money but still an unlimited quantity of money can be spent to get him elected by the 527s, who can, and no doubt will, run the worst sort of swiftboating ads to which McCain can say 'I am not responsible for them" (nudge, nudge, wink, wink).

[trollsbwild]

Spot on. "Soft" money from the elite for the GOP vs. the rest of us giving Obama what we can. The GE is shaping up to be the ultimate class war.

[k6007]

Even more reason to REMEMBER ALWAYS, which class the MSM is in!

[alaintex]

And the only thing you seem to overlook is that the BaRockStar made a pledge and broke it.

Now he can raise unlimited money for his sweet message AND he can still have an unlimited quantity of money spent to get him elected by the 527s, who can, and no doubt will, run the worst sort of swiftboating ads to which 0bamma can say 'I am not responsible for them" (nudge, nudge, wink, wink).

[HowietheScreamer]

He NEVER made an unconditional pledge. The ONLY people pissed about this issue are REPUBES who thought they had another patsy to play against. Too bad little repube, you have a REAL opponant for a change.

Too bad, I almost feel sorry for you whiners. Almost. You are going to get pounded this year. Up and down the ticket, repubes are going to get their A$$es handed to them.

[BigFootJesus]

Link to the pledge please. IMHO Obama is using repub tactics against them. Good for him, it is about time we learn from the "pros".

[robodweeb]

For an example of those 527s doing that, look to the Republicans in North Carolina.

They've been there, done that.

[okayigive]

Let's get something straight, Sen. Obama said he would discuss that option and would commit if they could come to a concensus. However, it became apparent during the primaries that Sen. Mcc could not control the 527's or any other group when negative ads were being ran against him in NC and other states.

On another point since you are sooooo concerned with Sen. Obama being ethical about a so-called pledge; why not check out Sen. Mcc and his illegal scam to receive money during the primaries when his campaign was broke to use as collateral for a bank loan. Wait there is more, then he so conveniently recinded on a legal contract, not mere words/pledge as you call it, and said he no longer would accept PUBLIC FINANCING without the approval of the FEC. Technically, he is still collecting money illegally because there has been no ruling from FEC. His actions are illegal and punishable by fines imprisonment. This so-called holier than thou candidate that many try to portry as being ethical is the biggest scam artist that knows every loophole in every bill that carries his name!!! So please come off your high horse.

[KBAR]

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1215330897449&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Jul 8, 2008 14:25 | Updated Jul 8, 2008 14:38
Iran: Death penalty for 'online crimes'

A message to HufPo?

[robodweeb]

I'll be sure not to move to Iran.

However in McClone land they haul you off for free speech.

[KBAR]

Where did they take you?

[booksnmore4you]

I am shocked! SHOCKED!!! I thought Maccy C was for honor, integrity, fairness.

Wait a minute....

[k6007]

OK people, put your money, where your mouth is. Let all that can, double their contributi­ons...YES WE CAN!

[robodweeb]

McClone should show his support for NAFTA by passing out Mexican tomatoes at his town halls.

At least to those he doesn't have hauled off by the police.

[ThunderclapNewman]

Those not arrested will be given salmonella from the tomatoes.

[RedEyes]

Aren't you a news junkie? It's the jalepenos, mang.

[SEQUOIABISON]

This has always been the republican strategy, to try and humiliate Obama into accepting public financing then have McCains billionaire friends swiftboat him to death with lies and innuendos.

[ThunderclapNewman]

Bingo.

How nice that O is too smart to fall into the trap they laid for him.

[bitterinsc]

Just says to me that O was a step ahead of these losers in refusing public funding. How could he possibly sidestep the crock of s*** they are and will be throwing his way on $85 million?

[Titonwan]

Ron Paul commando's are still infiltrating the GOP ranks and I hope for total confusion at the Convention. The MSM basically murdered Dr. Paul's campaign, even though he thrashed the rest of the candidates in the primaries in campaign fundraising raising more money except for Barack Obama. I wish Ron was still in the running as it would force Obama to stick more to his original statements of running on principles. It would still be tough as Ron is the gold standard on principles. Obama could pick up a few tips from Paul. I don't like the whole pro-life thing and free markets are not working, but at least Paul is consistent. That matters a lot to people- consistency. John Oldey McAncient probably won't make it to November as he's in terrible shape (Ron Paul pedals 12 or 14 miles every day on his bike). OUTLIVE JOHN, PAUL! KEEP BREATHING! JOHN! NOT SO MUCH!

[ThunderclapNewman]

If McAncient dropped in his tracks today, Dr. Paul would still be at the absolute bottom of the list for replacement nominees.

[RedEyes]

With good reason too. The guy accepts money and support from white supremecists and racists. Plus, he's short and funny looking. Not presidential material.