McCain to open up fundraisers to press

Posted: Saturday, June 07, 2008 9:30 AM by Chuck Todd

From NBC's Kelly O'Donnell
NBC News has learned that McCain advisors expect to have a new policy on fundraiser coverage as early as next week.

The campaign expects to include a print pool with no still or video coverage inside fundraisers where McCain appears and makes remarks.

While asserting it has been the most transparent and accessible campaign, McCain said at a news availability May 28th in Beverly Hills that he would not open fundraisers for press coverage because those donors who host and attend have requested the events remain closed. McCain also declared that he does not say anything different among donors in private than he says at public events. At that same May 28th availability, McCain then made a reference to Obama's controversial fundraiser comment about Pennsylvania voters clinging to guns and faith out of bitterness. McCain asserted that he would not make that kind of comment to his donors.

Like the release of medical records and Mrs. McCain's tax return summary, this is an effort to neutralize issues democrats could use against McCain.

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Comments

Welcome to Bush Term part 3. Protect your financial backers at all costs even at the expense of a transparent campaign.

Obama Nation (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 9:40 AM)

What a liar and a hypocrite! If he calls his wife the "C" word in public, do we really think he has any qualms about saying other nasty things behind closed doors? Please, give me a break. He claims to be SO transparent, well, he IS, I can see right through him!

Lisa, IA (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 9:44 AM)

Just more secrecy from "Bush Hugger" McCain. He's just more of the same old tired repugnant ones' garbage and he will not be any different from the tyrants in power now in the White House. His recent affirmation of saying illegal wiretaps are just fine with him tells us all we need to know about this blowhard maverick, that he's no maverick just another conservative lunatic fringer.

Time to send this lying panderer into political retirement, where all Reagan foot soldiers belong. We can't afford 4 more years of "NeoNazi" Bush policies and lack of leadership.

Go Obama 08/12!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 9:47 AM)

Wouldn't it behoove you to mention Obama announced the very same thing a week ago and that McCain is only catching up ?

Benjamin (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 9:48 AM)

You have got to be effing kidding me! Is this man going to running his own race or shadowing every mood that Obama makes. First the slogan, then the website, now this????When is it going to end. My only hope is that some of his supporters and leaning supporters are able to see forest from the trees. I see now that it absolutely will be FOLLOW THE LEADER WE CAN'T BELIEVE IN.

OBAMA - CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN

NC WOMAN FOR OBAMA - CHARLOTTE, NC (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 9:54 AM)

Hard to believe McBush doesn't say anything different at private fund raisers. He contradicts himself and flips and flops on virtually every issue from taxes to torture on a daily basis. Those fund raisers are private with no photos or videos for a reason: Lobbyists. The Charlie Blacks of the world working for every nickle and dime foreign country willing to pass out any amount of cash to McCain. How much did EADS Airbus contribute to secure the USAF tanker replacement over Boeing? Until recently, Airbus's chief lobbyist was a staff member on McCain's staff. What a coincidence. Working for America, "my friends". These fundraisers are nothing more than the wealthiest of the 25% of the electorate still supporting GW Bush and his disastrous policies. They know McCain will continue those same policies if elected. He's running on the Bush ticket. He is Bush, no daylight whatsoever between the two.

R.Merrell (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 9:55 AM)

Good, more opportunities for his gaffes(incompetence)to be reported. I would like to remind people that the number of years on a job does not equal competence. In fact, "years of experiece" can signal the need to retire! I've seen it first hand and so have many of you.

The current republican white house has proven to have lied and misled the American people about the war in Iraq. How can any logical person vote for McCain when he wants to continue an unjustifed/illegal military operation? That fact by itself is reason to say NO.

Is the state of our union better or worse with republican leadership? It is far "worse" and no republican should be elected to office this election.

Obama 08

The economy has been trashed by republican mismanagement (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 9:59 AM)

Another cunning move from McCain 's camp. It is not going to work. He is copying the ideas from Democrats.

Modi (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 10:08 AM)

That's actually a really good idea. McCain seems to go off every once in a while and say something amazing stupid. Maybe the media will actually start covering his flips, flops, and down right lies. I doubt it, it's similar to the build up to the war, oh now we asked questions, well sorta. Please reporting does not exist anymore. It actually takes some thinking to do reporting not just posting youtube videos and calling it news.

tina, ar (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 10:21 AM)

http://twocanpete.blogspot.com/
Clearly, the powers that be would not want us to know who they be.

twocanpete (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 10:37 AM)

It is interesting that he did this only AFTER he had fundraisers with Bush. He sure didn't want the press to report on THAT!

Can't fool all the people (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 10:42 AM)

No video,no photo - but he's transparent? Are X-rays allowed?

Jim, Santa Cruz (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 10:43 AM)

Where is his honesty? Given his lobbyist history and pattern of affairs, many admitted to even, and dumping his poor first wife after she stood by him raising their 3 children while he was a POW, only to see him return home and start cheating on her with several women after she gained weight and was injured in a car accident. He then starts an affair with a 23 yr old while still married. This was Cindy McCain. Most of us middle aged women are not particularly fond of someone going after a trophy wife, while still matrried to a first wife, who's family beer fortune and connections helped him seek office and kept her from any jail time after forging prescriptions from Doctors working for her children's charities. When the lastest lobbyist/affair info came up in Feb. all he had to say to the media was that he would not discuss it again. And they said fine. Given his past history...I have to wonder. If such info arose about any other candidate the media would bring up the past.

what about trophy wives?, glenside, PA (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 10:55 AM)

well i guess since they know there numbers are going to be lower then obamas they have to treat it by releasing their numbers on friday night preferably.

Want to Contribute
Who created the smear e-mails?
Lets Unite, Lets Change the country
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Electoral Maps for the general election
McCain's speech reviews

http://sensico.wordpress.com/

tool (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 10:56 AM)

How can it be called transparency when McCain only allowed reporters to view his medical records for only four hours? And his wife didn't disclose all of her taxes returns in a manner which all the other candidates did.

And McCain is only showing transparency of his fundraising due in part of the pressure imposed by Obama's anouncing that the democratic party won't accept PAC money anymore.

McCain will say and do anything to get elected. He was against wiretapping and now he's for it. I don't believe this man is a so-called "maverick" and the media should call him on it!.

Richard, Chicago (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 10:57 AM)

I'd keep video cameras well away, too.

Andrew Shuttleworth, Portland, Me. (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 10:59 AM)

It seems clear that John McCain doesn't want to say anything to his donors that would sound or look bad in a sound bite. Why wouldn't his donors want to be known? Are they ashamed of supporting him? And why should one take his word that what he says to donors is just what he says to anyone else? Remember the comment made to him about Hillary? "How do we beat the..:" Maybe he is afraid that his donors would come across in a negative light.

formerly of NY (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 11:06 AM)

A pool print media reporter?

Not quite the same thing is it?

What a joke.

James, Wichita, KS (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 11:15 AM)

This: "While asserting it has been the most transparent and accessible campaign, McCain said at a news availability May 28th in Beverly Hills that he would not open fundraisers for press coverage because those donors who host and attend have requested the events remain closed."
- IS SUCH BULL!! Yeah, because the media would obviously recognize these lobbyist, and oil/mega corps courting him. So McBush adds old rhetoric to get the attention off his fundraising. Yeah right, nice try.

I just placed an order of T-shirts on the Obama website, and actually got this before I could pay.
Read on:
Legal Compliance:
• I am a United States citizen or a lawfully-admitted permanent resident.
I am at least 16 years old.
This contribution is not made from the general treasury funds of a corporation, labor organization or national bank.
This contribution is not made from the funds of a political action committee.
This contribution is not made from the treasury of an entity or person who is a federal contractor.
This contribution is not made from the funds of an individual registered as a federal lobbyist or a foreign agent, or an entity that is a federally registered lobbying firm or foreign agent.
The funds I am donating are not being provided to me by another person or entity for the purpose of making this contribution.
*
Check if all the above statements are true and accurate

OBAMA 08!!

JM, TAMPA, FL (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 11:17 AM)

Well I am glad to hear that he won't be making any off the wall comments, such as "Bomb bomb bomb, bomb Iran."

Nick, Portland, OR (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 11:19 AM)

With our open policies on campaging, all fund raising should be open to the press and the public. Even if the people giving don't want to be know.

Garmel from Oregon (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 11:22 AM)

McCain and his cohorts must really think the American people are stupid to fall for his excuse of not open fundraisers. If one is that gullible to buy this bull, then it’s time to get your head examined. Obviously the reason is because the media will recognized the big corps running this country.

Go to the Obama website and donate to help the DNC cause, and you will literally get this before your mullah gets accepted. NOW this is what I feel IS RIGHT.
Legal Compliance:
• I am a United States citizen or a lawfully-admitted permanent resident.
I am at least 16 years old.
This contribution is not made from the general treasury funds of a corporation, labor organization or national bank.
This contribution is not made from the funds of a political action committee.
This contribution is not made from the treasury of an entity or person who is a federal contractor.
This contribution is not made from the funds of an individual registered as a federal lobbyist or a foreign agent, or an entity that is a federally registered lobbying firm or foreign agent.
The funds I am donating are not being provided to me by another person or entity for the purpose of making this contribution.
*
Check if all the above statements are true and accurate

Obama 08!

JM, Tampa, FL (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 11:32 AM)

The Republicans have money sources no one even dreamed exists. Fundraisers are a cover.

Steve (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 11:32 AM)

he wont open it up to the press because most are lobbyist...think were stupid......i want to hear more about the economy and why the do nothing senate and congress seem to be more about whats best for the party and which one is going to get a feather in there cap while the American people get it where the sun dont shine....You may think were all gullable but not so.....Vote for republicans who rely on the fear factor or the democrats who seem to still be looking for there tale....forced to vote for change...

Russell Wells, Maine (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 11:58 AM)

Three very obvious reasons for this policy:(1) He can't continue to say he isn't supported by lobbyists if cameras show otherwise. (2) His campaign people are taking a page from his mentor Bush to not allow coverage that will show his ineptness with the language and his contributors' control of him (3) He really has a lot to hide including the names and the promises he'll be making to these contributors. This man is transparently incompetent and this must be hidden as much as possible.

Ted, Oregon (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 12:06 PM)

That's one small step for McCain, and even a smaller step for reform.

Joe Don, Topeka, KS (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 12:09 PM)

Really, people....this is not going to be an election. It's going to be John McCain's retirement party!

James Finn, Clyde, Ohio (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 12:42 PM)

bush/cheney/rove/mccant will continue the next 4 years just like the last 8, screw America and laugh all they way to the bank and back to sit on their throne while everyday Americans are jobless, homeless and no medical care.

thats a fact jack (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 1:00 PM)

Wow the General just started and there are so many personal attacks on McCain.
Obama might preach a new type of politics but his supporters on this board sure are all old style mud throwers.

GDI in Michigan (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 1:04 PM)

Won't be enough for Senator McCain. The WORLD is looking at this race, anything he does behind closed doors will be considered missteps, misleading, misrepresentation or elite in nature.

Mighty Blogger, Seattle, Wash (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 2:00 PM)

I am disappointed that Hillary Clinton won't be the next president but I am more disappointed that she endorsed Barack Hussein Obama. The Democratic party is huge disappointment with Barack Hussein Obama (BHO. BHO is a disaster for America! His has no experience and display a very plastic personality & character plus a flip flopers also! His decision to have all these far left radicals as his friends, the jihadist Moslems, the dictators, the anti semitics (btw you can't put Hagee in this equation if you study his church carefully), anti-Americans, etc etc. Obama-Oprah a.k.a HRH Oprah is OhOh! Ops! Hope his fans would see that one day and I hope that day is not going to be too long. MCCAIN is the only qualified candidate now and deserve our presidency trust because it's not simply about power and a "historic" choice. No. It's about America and its children and it is about who best to PROTECT - PROVIDE - lead - govern - and execute the "trust of the United States of America".

rabia dallethsar (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 2:34 PM)

Smart move for the next President of The United States. Anyone with common sense can see why you do not allow the flaky,liberal, and just plain weird in as they will turn and twist and lie about everything to promote Obama Mohammed. Vote John McCain the normal candidate.

Larry (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 2:57 PM)

Listen 4 hours looking at 1300 pages of medical records is not open and trasparent, 1 page of some type of income is not tax returns...please these are the same acts the government always does. It's similar to the supposed gas tax holiday. Political pandering without any truth to it.

tina, ar (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 4:05 PM)

From What About Trophy Wives: Where is his honesty? Given his lobbyist history and pattern of affairs, many admitted to even, and dumping his poor first wife after she stood by him raising their 3 children while he was a POW, only to see him return home and start cheating on her with several women after she gained weight and was injured in a car accident. He then starts an affair with a 23 yr old while still married. This was Cindy McCain.
------------------------------------
Get a clue. Two of those first three children you refer to were his first wife's by a previous marriage. He met Cindy McCain when he was separated for two years to her. The first wife was understanding about the divorce and is not bitter; to this day she supports him. McCain has stated several times he behaved badly. Can any of us say how we would act after five years in captivity, two in solitary? I couldn't guarantee I'd act rationally either.

A dumped first wife who supports McCain (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 4:26 PM)

mccain hides his records and fundraisers,Obama hides his corrupt friends and preachers and his where his millions come from.

half a vote from MI (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 7:03 PM)

i wouldnt vote for obum ba if we dont have a president he is anti christ the bible talks about in my opinion.one good thing about young people is they get older every day waqke up yungins VOTE MC CAIN

CARL BALL CLARKSON .KY. (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 7:10 PM)

I think some people are'nt recogonizing that admiration for his heroics does not equate appropiateness for POTUS. In fact, he is diminishing himself by being so totally in over his head. I am breathless at his obvious lack of awareness to our reality. But what terrifies me are people who CAN'T or WILLNOT see this. I swear, I am SO sick of our ELECTED insulting our intelligence. They treat us like pawns in the game of life- disposable. They give us misleading and out and out false information- in other words, set us up to lose. Some people say they just don't know enough about Obama. This absolutely cracks me up! Look at what we DO know about McCain. Im much more willing to give someone a chance than EMBRACE proven LIARS. And it just occurred to me that a POW hero should be DISQUALIFIED for POTUS because its impossible to know how objective he can really believe. He cant even know that. When someone undergoes the unimaginable mental and physical injustices it HAS to scars. The worst are the invisible ones. I want to honor him as a hero, not be disillusioned by him.

Kiki, PA (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 7:10 PM)

And let the "ignorance" of America continue............We have always expected it of the REPUBLICANS; AKA: MCBUSH, PART 3.

No McBush In Cali (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 9:12 PM)

it is funny that only after criticism will mccain open up for the media. he knows full well that up till now his fundraisers have been full of lobbyists and now that he has their money he will open up for the press and feign like he is pure. he is as corrupt as they come and i can't wait for the press to start calling him on this stuff. how much have we talked about his lobbyists that are running his campaign? keith is the only one i have heard mention this. i am tired of you treating this guy with kids gloves while you run weeks of a "pastor problem" for obama, when the guy is not even obama's pastor. give me a break!

tim, miami, florida (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 9:18 PM)

He's in trouble and don't even now it. I guess he will be getting donation from Myamar.

Heres my donation. (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 10:59 PM)

When is someone going to make a video of all this man's lies,gaffes, and flip flops. The Maverick is a big joke!!!!!

LaVerne E Brison (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 11:32 PM)

When is someone going to make a video of all this man's lies,gaffes, and flip flops. The Maverick is a big joke!!!!! Straight talk express means lost your bearings express.

LaVerne E Brison (Sent Saturday, June 07, 2008 11:34 PM)

Everyone should spread "the real john mccain" because while anything that happens about Obama or Clinton on the internet makes MSM news, none of the opposition to John Bush McCain has been widely reported on. TheRealMcCain.com or search that on youtube. Hillary and Barack supporters, we can't let this man who is advised by KARL ROVE get into the White House

Jermaine Berwick, PA (Sent Sunday, June 08, 2008 12:25 AM)

is there a reason that everyone of my posts do not get posted? i have posted at least twenty times and have never been put up. if you are going to waste peoples time, at least tell them that.

tim, miami, florida (Sent Sunday, June 08, 2008 6:54 AM)

Little men and big egos.... understandably McCain is angry... his daddy was a great Vietnam admiral... he was a reckless, faltering son who kept crashing planes and then went through years of capture where he sold his integrity by starring in propaganda films for the Vietnamese.... Daddy was very disappointed and it took years of cover up over the documents of his film career, which also meant keeping our poor American heroes in POW camps and poor American moms with no information on their MIAs because of the need to hide away McCains less than admiral war record...... We now call him a hero... but he knows he is no such thing... just a lot of blustering blood thirsting... don't know the details of the enemy even... just give him a big bunch of guns.....God help America... and God bless us with a safe Diplomatic president.... Obama for American safety.

Origood (Sent Sunday, June 08, 2008 8:09 AM)

When you get behind closed doors and the lights are turned down way low it's amazing the amount of dirty little shenanigans the Rupublican elite will get into.
Beware ol' puddy face.

Anne, NH (Sent Sunday, June 08, 2008 8:41 AM)

tranparent... like the fundraiser he held with Bush? I wonder if that transparency includes any additional fundraisers Bush or Cheney have for McIdiot?

I'm really starting to feel the same way about this clown as Bush. Everytime I see him on TV, my stomach turns. How much crap can the republican party shovel down peoples throat before they realize it? Absolutely incredible.

The dude can't talk about anything without referring to Iraq... whether the topic is a local mom and pop shop, or a kid blowing a bubble with his gum.

ya know (Sent Sunday, June 08, 2008 10:05 AM)

What the hell is a print pool?

Bob Hoffman, Lincoln City, Or (Sent Sunday, June 08, 2008 10:52 AM)

When does McSame release his mental health records as they are seperate from medical issues??? I want to know about his rants and tempermant!

Cherie KC MO (Sent Sunday, June 08, 2008 11:35 AM)

Oh my gosh! I found a picture of McCain on Puppet Universe, it is a Pinocchio Marionette, it fits him so perfect, his stiff actions, his lying and flip floping around, so very cool, cheap too!!!

Jules,Tacoma, WA (Sent Sunday, June 08, 2008 4:17 PM)

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