John McCain lines up big-name fundraisers in California

SF Examiner ^ | 2/28/07 | Michael R. Blood - ap

[NormsRevenge]

LOS ANGELES - With intense competition under way for California political dollars, John McCain's campaign announced Wednesday it had enlisted dozens of fundraisers in the state to help him bankroll his 2008 White House run.

The list includes names both familiar and obscure. The senator previously announced a national fundraising team that includes Californians Donald Bren, chairman of The Irvine Co. and Univision chief A. Jerrold Perenchio.

His 70-member state finance team includes J. Gary Shansby, chairman of TSG Consumer Partners private equity group, Orange County investor George Argyros, a former ambassador to Spain appointed by President Bush, and Marty Wilson, a member of Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's inner circle of political advisers and fundraisers.

"With their support, I intend to have a meaningful discussion with voters about the important choices that need to be made in order to strengthen the future of our country," McCain said in a statement.

The expected crush of early presidential primaries in 2008 has set off a fundraising sprint for candidates from both parties in California, long a font of campaign dollars.

Democrat Barack Obama raised $1.3 million at a star-studded fundraiser on Feb. 20. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a Republican, is holding a "Los Angeles Kick Off" on March 27 at the Brentwood home of developer Rick Caruso.

With supporters like Bren and Perenchio, McCain locked up some of the most prominent political rainmakers in the state. Perenchio, for example, has given Schwarzenegger and his various campaign committees more than $2 million.

Bren is affiliated with the New Majority, a centrist political action committee that has raised millions for moderate Republicans, including Schwarzenegger.

But it's not a coup - in a state as large as California, there are many fundraisers left for rival candidates like Romney and former New York Mayor Rudy Giulaini.

The list also displays geographic diversity, giving McCain a pipeline to support in areas traditionally rich in GOP dollars - the Silicon Valley, Orange County and the Central Valley.

"It's a diverse and powerful group of wealthy and influential Republicans," said GOP analyst Allan Hoffenblum, who is not connected with a campaign.

[Jet Jaguar]

Why does he even bother.

Honestly, is there anyone here, who actually supports him?

[Norman Bates]

The McCain List.
Common sense conservatism



The Official McCain Platform: Human Dignity & the Sanctity of Life
McCain: News & Endorsements

[alice_in_bubbaland]

To heck with John McCain! I just wish he would switch parties and get it over with.

[Norman Bates]

Thanks for the article, Norm!

[proxy_user]

Well, some guys are like that. John Connelly was one. Raised a ton of money, but no voters are interested.

[msnimje]

I don't think people who have been watching the effect McCain has had on Republicans getting legislation passed and judges confirmed still support him.

[GitmoSailor]

I lost money at Lincoln Thrift in AZ.I remember the Keating Five!!!....I also remember the smoke taxes!!!!....RINO!!!!

[NormsRevenge]

Some Biggies in the New Majority and RMSP still like him,, they'll be there until aRnie sticks the dagger between the ribs and endorses Rudy.

[EagleUSA]

....people who have been watching the effect McCain has had on Republicans getting legislation passed and judges confirmed still support him.
------
A chameleon that plays both sides of the aisle, has no trouble thwarting the Constitution, and stabs his own party in the back when it is politically convenient.

No Thanks.

[xcamel]

little kids with orange milk boxes at halloween
MCCAINICEF

[JZoback]

Until McCain - Feingold CFR is gone, McCain will NEVER EVER get my vote

[Norman Bates]

Is that the same piece of legislation signed by President George W. Bush?

[SomeCallMeTim]

Republicans I would vote for:

Romney
Gulianni
Gingrich
Unknown Conservative Republican..

"Republicans" I will NEVER vote for:

John McCain

Nuff said... He's wasting his own time and other people's money.

[Halgr]

He's shot himself in the foot too many times....pity he's gonna soak up money that other more qualified candidtates deserve....Duncan Hunter

[zbigreddogz]

Did you vote for Bush? Because he signed it.

[don-o]

Norman Bates (The McCain List -- Freepmail me to get on!)

I'm getting a mental image of the Maytag repairman here.

[msnimje]

Is that the same piece of legislation signed by President George W. Bush?

That makes it okay?

[tubebender]

I'm not interested in McCainiac even if he has the endorsement of Sir David Geffen...snort!!!

[msnimje]

Some Biggies in the New Majority and RMSP still like him...

So does Lindsey Graham, Susan Collins, Olympia Snow and the clowns at "Its my Party Too"

[JZoback]

Bush thought the SCOTUS would rule against it................his mistake.........but he did not give birth to it, McCain did

[rodomila]

HEY Norman Bates. You should start a new group Psychos for the Psycho McCain. HA HA ROFL

[Norman Bates]

Did Romney do any better with this in MA, or Giuliani in NYC? Whatever one may say, at least McCain is on record as having supported Roberts and Alito with his votes.

[Norman Bates]

I doubt that. And that would be foolish to ever do. NEVER, NEVER sign expecting it to go away. If he disagreed he should have - and would have - vetoed it.

[JZoback]

Strawman.....................

Too easy

[areafiftyone]

Put me on the McCain list please. I'm on every list so far and want to know about every candidate. Thank you.

[Norman Bates]

No. It means that if you want to attach blame be sure to distribute its fair share to all responsible.

[Norman Bates]

Done and... done! Thanks :-)

[Norman Bates]

It's not taken yet. Go ahead and start it. I already have my group.

[JZoback]

So you agree with Bush it is good law ?

[areafiftyone]

Thanks. I appreciate it.

[Repeal The 17th]

Maybe he should run as a democrat ... better chances, I think.

[msnimje]

Did Romney do any better with this in MA, or Giuliani in NYC?

Seeings how they are not responsible for helping the President and the Republicans get things through the Senate the question makes no sense. As for judges, there are dozens of good men and women who never got on the bench thanks for McCain and his gangsters.

Also, what do Romney and Rudy, or anybody else for that matter, have to do with John McCain's problems Repblicans?

[msnimje]

Whatever one may say, at least McCain is on record as having supported Roberts and Alito with his votes.

By the way, Robert Byrd voted for Roberts and Alito also.

[Norman Bates]

Congress does have the power to regulate elections. That said, I don't really have a strong stance on this law (yet). I'm just not sure about it.

[Norman Bates]

Good for him. Does that fact alone make Roberts, Alito, or McCain less worthy of trust?

[zbigreddogz]

How is it a strawman?

[Carry_Okie]

Why does he even bother.

To help Giuliani suck up the money for the conservative alternative.

[Norman Bates]

Put differently: How effective was Mitt Romney in MA advancing GOP legislation and judges, and Rudy Giuliani in NYC advancing GOP judges? They ought to be measured by the same stick handed out to measure McCain. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

I'm not so sure those good men and women how easily if at all would've gotten through to the bench with a Dem filibuster looming that McCain broke momentum for. Sometimes compromise can help, even if you can't advance everything you want.

[moonman]

"Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a Republican, is holding a "Los Angeles Kick Off" on March 27 at the Brentwood home of developer Rick Caruso."

Brentwood ... isn't that upscale residential subdivision the killing grounds for O.J. Simpson?

[ParaVet93]

It looks pretty grim for McCain now that the media is no longer hyping him so shamelessly as they did in 2000. As the anti-Bush candidate, he was showered with positive press usually only reserved for Democrats. Without the mindless adulation of the left wing morons in the media, he will never catch up to Rudy and Mitt in popularity.

[msnimje]

No. It means that if you want to attach blame be sure to distribute its fair share to all responsible.

All your arguments in favor of McCain's bad deeds are that "others do it too."

McCain and McCain alone is responsible for thinking up, drafting and pushing his assault on free speech.

McCain is responsible for formulating the Gang of 14 which alone made it possible for the Dems to keep conservatives off the appellate benches in this country when we desperately need them.

McCain is responsible for his creation and support of the Terrorist Bill of rights.

McCain is responsible for putting his name on and sponsoring the McCain - Kennedy Illegal alien amnesty bill.

McCain is responsible for his involvement with the moderate "Its my party too" group trying to force the party to the social left.

McCain is responsible for his traveling to California to support the PRO-ABORTION Marilyn Brewer over the Pro-Life John Campbell.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Is that the same piece of legislation signed by President George W. Bush?

He wouldn't have signed it had McCain not co-sponsored it.

[operation clinton cleanup]

Why does he even bother.

I fear we may end up with another Bob Dole on the ticket in 2008....

[Norman Bates]

McCain and McCain alone is responsible for thinking up, drafting and pushing his assault on free speech.

McCain-Feingold. Do I need to say more? Yeah, President Bush signed it. Heck, he practically campaigned for it! Tell me, since we are now on the topic of "Republican sins," how do you feel about President Bush supporting liberals Joe Schwartz and Arlen Specter, and Rick Santorum supporting the latter, with clearly superior dyed-in-the-wool conservatives waiting in the wings? Three words: McCain Derangement Syndrome.

[wouldntbprudent]

Can't he just go away?

[Norman Bates]

Well, if you're saying President Bush wouldn't have signed McCain-Feingold if McCain hadn't co-sponsored it, of course that's logically correct. But if you're saying that he wouldn't have signed a virtually identical piece of legislation if McCain weren't simply a co-sponsor, then that can never be known. It doesn't mean that President Bush doesn't support campaign finance reform. In fact, clearly he does.

[wouldntbprudent]

Well, some guys are like that. John Connelly was one. Raised a ton of money, but no voters are interested.

That's an interesting point. I was on another thread today about "electability." Some there seemed to think that anyone was electable if we would all only give money (1 million people giving $100 each was mentioned), and so on and so on.

My view was that some people are simply "unelectable" and nothing can cure that. Not money. Not name recognition. Not endorsements. There are intangibles and tangibles involved here.

I am surprised that McCain is still going for it. He looks like toast to me.

I actually took comfort in your reminder that money ain't everything. I do not want the Insane One to even make it out of the block.

[wouldntbprudent]

"It's My Party Too"?

Is that like "It's My Party and I'll Cry if I Want To"?

Apologies to Leslie Gore.

[wouldntbprudent]

Gawd, I hadn't heard or thought of Lindsey Graham for a long while.

Thanks a lot, pal! ((ughhhhh)) ;)