Grab and Keel

You may remember that Barack Obama had opted out of the public finance system in July-August. Pundits speculated at the time he would need around 55 million a month to complete the race. Then he made some nicey nice about asking donors to 527’s to contribute to his campaign instead. Hah! Lately MoveOn has spent it’s time OPPOSING McCain, rather than supporting Obama. The SEIU just reported on Sept 10th, they spent around $255,000, in Missouri and Kansas canvassing for Obama. They reported another $365,000 canvassing in Iowa. (Local 199.)

The next monthly reporting is due on the 20th, so we won’t know how Obama did for direct campaign fund raising for August until then.

In the mean time, you may recall, On August 21st John McCain was granted unanimously, a request to withdraw by the FEC, from the Presidential Primary Matching payment program.

However, The FEC reported on Sept 8th, John McCain was certified for acceptance into the public finance system for the General Election Campaign.

For Immediate Release

September 8, 2008

FEC Certifies Funds for McCain General Election Campaign

[WASHINGTON – The Federal Election Commission Friday approved payment of $84.1 million in federal funds for the general election campaign of John McCain and Sarah Palin.] 

http://www.fec.gov/press/press2008/20080908cert.shtml

McCain’s team looks pretty smart here, only two  months to go and they don’t have to spend the time fund raising. Obama might try to argue that old PAC chestnut, but are 527’s and 501’s really so different? It will be all about public perception of the ads.

Open secrets took note of where of money was collected in the heartland by McCain, prior to the convention. (This would be Primary money)

The GOP Takes the Heartland’s Pulse

Published by Lindsay Renick Mayer on September 4, 2008 10:55 AM

[Republicans descended on the Midwest for their convention this week, promoting John McCain’s credentials, introducing vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and hoping to win the support of the region’s voters come November. If money determined the winner in each state, McCain would take Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Kansas, North Dakota, Nebraska and South Dakota. He wouldn’t, however, manage to win Minnesota, which hosted the Republican National Convention this week, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois or Missouri.]

http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2008/09/the-gop-takes-the-heartlands-p.html.

In light of the fact that CNN reports Missouri is currently favoring McCain 48% to Obama 44%, I’d say this is yet more evidence that Obama is in deep doo doo.

No wonder Barack is calling Bill.

I Own My Vote, Just Say No Deal, Puma Pac, the Denver Group