July 13, 2007
Posted: July 13th, 2007 10:38 AM ET

A source tells CNN mores staffers will depart McCain’s campaign next week.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – CNN has learned more staff members from Sen. John McCain’s struggling presidential bid are expected to depart the campaign by Monday, the latest in a string of setbacks for the Arizona Republican’s once surefire candidacy.

A source tells CNN’s Candy Crowley at least one senior staffer is among those who plan to call it quits by early next week.

The news comes days after McCain’s top two strategists were forced out following bleak second quarter fundraising numbers and excessive spending that left the campaign with a paltry $2 million cash on hand and $1.75 million in debt.

The campaign must officially report its financial status to the Federal Elections Commission by this Sunday.

On Thursday, two senior Iowa strategists also announced they were leaving the campaign. One of those departing, Ed Failor Jr. told CNN he still has a “great deal of respect for the senator.”

Meanwhile, news also surfaced Thursday that Florida State Rep. Bob Allen, a state co-chairman for McCain, was arrested for allegedly soliciting sex acts. Allen denies the charges and told CNN affiliate WFTV the incident was "a very big misunderstanding."

McCain gets back on the campaign trail Friday, slated to visit the early-voting state of New Hampshire.

– CNN’s Candy Crowley contributed to this report

  • TIME.com: Behind McCain's Campaign Chaos
  • Filed under: John McCain • Second quarter fundraising


    BL, Nashville   July 15th, 2007 4:53 pm ET

    It's sad to listen to the comments of so many pundits who pretend to be knowledgeable, but come across as partisan, uneducated hate mongers.

    John McCain has served his country admirably and has done so in a largely bi-partisan way. Pushing the immigration bill was an unpopular move, but he did it out of principle. He is more informed on the ramifications of this bill than most of you "send 'em back where they came from" crowd. His time was in 2000, now it has passed...cut the guy some slack.

    Curt, Bartlett,IL   July 14th, 2007 10:11 am ET

    Mr. McCain just doesn't get it. And he wants to be president? When does two wrongs make a right?

    Shawn, Suprise, AZ   July 13th, 2007 8:07 pm ET

    I think Sen. McCain chances of ever being elected to any office outside of the state of AZ ended when you turned away John Kerry. We he turned his back on his country for party politics he lost his independent support.

    Bob, San Francisco, CA   July 13th, 2007 7:09 pm ET

    Talk about fair-weather supporters!

    richard   July 13th, 2007 4:07 pm ET

    John McCain lost as many if not more potential votes and contributions to his campaign for his refusal to hear and respond to the will and wishes of vast majority of Americans concerning granting amnesty to illegals, as to the posture on Iraq.

    jack jett, bible belt texas   July 13th, 2007 1:41 pm ET

    When asked about HIV, McCain said he wasn't sure where he stood on that issue and asked one of his advisors to check the files for his thoughts on the subject. He is in the early stages of alzhiemers and should be give Aricept as soon as possible.

    Now his campaign manager, who is married with kids, is offering men 20 bucks so he can perform oral sex on them. Closet cases like this guy are the ones that are bringing HIV into the heterosexual community. They do not use protection as they are in a hurry to get the deed done and get back to their wives.....

    McCain is an old grouch. He is mean and mean spirited.

    Good riddance to bad rubbish.

    riley, Omaha, NE   July 13th, 2007 1:39 pm ET

    it's too bad that the wheels are coming off his campaign like this. it will be interesting to see how long he stays in the campaign....and whether or not he drops out????

    Mary Morlan, Houston, TX   July 13th, 2007 1:35 pm ET

    Waiting for Ghouliani to crash and burn....

    Jon, Albuquerque, NM   July 13th, 2007 12:42 pm ET

    Whatever principles Mccain once had are gone, they drowned in the pool of his presidential ambitions. It's kinda sad to watch, but he did it to himself. I mean for a guy who has seen the hell of war he didn't seem to be to hesitant about jumping into he cauldron that is Iraq without thinking. Besides, I think it's time for a new generation of leaders anyway...

    Chad - Omaha, NE   July 13th, 2007 12:19 pm ET

    I don't agree with that last comment at all. While I don't agree with him on many issues, I have the utmost respect for Senator McCain, and he is one of a few Republican candidates that I would consider voting for. Saying he is a man of few principles is just not true.

    Dan Burnes, San Diego, CA   July 13th, 2007 11:59 am ET

    It would be unfortunate if John McCain drops out. He is by far the most honorable person in the race with the best core values. He has single handedly brought some sense of crediblilty to government with his persistent push for campaign finance reform, reduction of pork barrel spending, fighting the tobacco lobby and many other special interest. Americans have too short of a attention span and don't seem to grasp the big picture. I was always been against the war, but if your stupid enough to get into it you better win it. Sonny your an idiot... McCain is last guy to vote for torture, he has fought to prevent torture.

    sonny hagendorf scarsdale ny   July 13th, 2007 11:28 am ET

    Is it surprising that McCain's is imploding? He's not quite the "straight talk" guy he makes himself to be. Shopping in the markets of Bagdad (with a gazillion troops protecting him out of camera range) and then telling us that all is well? Voting for torture? A man with few principles and big ambition. Nice to see him not only fail, but go down in flames. He deserves it.

    Greg , ashburn VA   July 13th, 2007 11:01 am ET

    so when does mccain make the quit offical?

    KCforObama.me.com   July 13th, 2007 10:58 am ET

    Hear that...?

    It just hit the fan.

    Smitty -- Lansing, MI   July 13th, 2007 10:56 am ET

    I think it's time to call it quits. Sen. McCain is an honorable man who wants to do the right thing. But the American people have had enough of Iraq. It is a civil war now and it is best to let the Iraqi's fight it and bring our soldiers home.

    Comments have been closed for this article

    subscribe RSS Icon
    About The Ticker

    The latest political news from CNN's Best Political Team, with campaign coverage, 24-7. Sign up for our twice daily Ticker emails. Got a news tip or feedback? For complete political coverage, bookmark CNNPolitics.com.

    CNN=Politics Screensaver

    CNN=Politics ScreensaverTap into the power of The Situation Room. Download this powerful new tool that keeps you posted on the latest political news from the campaign trail.
    Download (4.1 MB, PC only)

    twitter
    hambypCNN: @AP_Ken_Thomas excellent duane spencer reference. let's try to work in lee scruggs, too, before the season ends.
    Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:14:50 -0800
    @wolfblitzercnn: Shocking - what's happening in Baghdad. Five terror attacks. More than 100 killed and 400 injured amid fears the violence will increase.
    Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:08:29 -0800
    hambypCNN: Kaine vs. Steele on Situation Room today in 6P hour.
    Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:55:02 -0800
    @edhenrycnn: My colleague Dan Lothian and I show what's it's like on the road with the President - http://bit.ly/7XSU53 #cnn
    Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:09:21 -0800
    hambypCNN: Big game for the Hoyas tonight against Butler @ 7PM. @moelleithee, @mikemadden and @karentravers will be watching, and you should too.
    Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:04:26 -0800
    Categories
    Powered by WordPress.com VIP