(CNN) – The end of the month marks the close of the latest campaign fundraising period – and as the deadline looms, presidential candidates are offering some major face time in a bid to boost their cash haul.
Sen. John McCain announced Tuesday that a lucky donor will have the chance to join him on his campaign bus as it makes his “Service to America” tour next week.
“As a token of my appreciation for your financial support, you will be entered to win this seat aboard the Straight Talk Express if you make a contribution before midnight on March 31st,” McCain wrote in an e-mail to donors.
The Arizona senator was not alone in trying to take advantage of the upcoming reporting deadline. Sen. Barack Obama sent an e-mail to supporters Monday that encouraged them to donate by March 31 in order to be one of four supporters who will be picked to have dinner with the Illinois senator, who held a similar “Dinner with Barack” fund-raising effort last summer.
Sen. Hillary Clinton held a fund-raising sweepstakes last fall that offered donors the chance to have a private lunch with the New York senator and her husband, former President Bill Clinton.
McCain lagged far behind Sens. Clinton and Obama in fund-raising during the month of February, according to reports filed with the FEC. Obama raised $55 million last month, Clinton raised nearly $35 million and McCain raised $11 million.
–CNN’s Abbi Tatton and Martina Stewart
From CNN Politics
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MR. MILLIONAIRE MITT ROMNEY TO RUN ADS SIMILAR TO THE
SMEAR ADS LIKE SWIFT BOAT VOTERS FOR TRUTH. I KNEW
MCCAIN COULD N'T KEEP HIS BIG MOUTH SHUT TOO LONG.
THEREFORE, HE CAN SAY HE DON'T KNOW WHO OR WHERE
THESE NASTY ADS AGAINST THE DEMOCRATS COME FROM.
THE GROUP FUNDED BY MILLIONAIRES, WITH MITT ROMNEY
IN CHARGE IS CALLED "FREEDOM'S WATCH" IS THIS A FORM
OF COMMUNISM. THE LIES WILL TRICK YOU INTO YOUR VOTE
FOR PRES.
Hillary or McCain , NoBama
Hillary or McCain, NoBama
AND ???????????? STRAIGHT TALK EXPRESS ??????????
DOES MC CAIN LOOK LIKE A STRAIGHT TALKER TO YOU???
HOW ABOUT MITT ROMNEY????????
Obama gets the blue ribbon for being able to waste the most money. He can't beat Hillary in any states that matter despite outspending her 2 to 1 and while questions of patriotism surround him, he decides to go on a vacation outside of this country, probably with campaign donations, no doubt.
McCain couldn't pay me to ride on the "straight-talk" express. The only candidate I would ever give money to is Ron Paul.
I'm proud to donate to Senator Barack Obama in order to help his campaign to become the leader of our nation. I have consistently donated each week that I could for him. While a dinner with him would be a privilege, I need nothing more than to know I am helping this honorable, great man in his bid to lead our country.
I am a 67 year old, white christian female voter in the great state of Michigan.
I think it would be nice to have lunch with Bill and Hillery!
MC Cain don't know how to get money from people that don't
really like him. Hurry !!!!!!!! there is a deadline to buy a seat before
March 31. 2008.!!!!! Real soon.!!!! Hurry or you will miss being taken
for a fool!!!!! It's is always names like "Service to America" or
"Straight Talk Express". Makes you feel "patriotic" to give your money to McCain. .
Watch for this trick, Democrats or Republicans that can't stand lying to
the people anymore.
OBAMA/EDWARDS 2008
I'd be careful if I were You!! Obama.
You may become the meal, Obama. Come November..
Barackudas, have no chance against the "Great White"....
Joining a candidate on their tour?! That's cool and Im all over it
I would not trust Senater Clintons invitation for dinner even if I won. She is having visions of being under fire. These flashbacks scare me. She really did handle the truth recklessly. Now she is keeping the race card going. Hillary is dividing our party. We need a legion of superdelegates right now. I need my super delegates and I need them now!
Steve
hey og drop a bush line stay focus on destroying america McCAIN BUSH A like Republicans suck . CLiNTON 08
I just bought my ticket. Thank you very much. Now why don't you investigate where the money for Obama and Clinton is coming from.
Their constituents are the poor. The last time I checked the poor don't have money to contribute to political campaigns. At least McCain's support comes from working people like me that do have some money to spend. and actually pay taxes.
Sorry Senator Obama.
I don't send funds to people who support and defend pastors who promote racism and hatred towards white americans, america and the victims of 911.
I am walking away from you....and the group you choose to defend!
Sadly.....you didn't have the common sense to do the same.
i bet you i better join mccain or obama but not the clintons.clintons are liars of great deal.she lied about bosnia,she doesnt want to give out her tax returns .clintons are liars that they cant see white house dooor no more.Did ANYBODY LISTEN THE WAY SHE LIED AND SCANDALS IN YOUTUBE? PLEASE IF NOT GO TO YOUTUBE AND TYPE "CLINTON THE MOVIE" THEN YOU WILL SEE THE REAL SCANDLOUS .
I CANT VOTE FOR CLINTONS NEVER,IF OBAMA CANT WIN I WILL GO MCCAIN.
OBAMAAAAA 08
So where is all of Obama's money coming from? Is anyone else concerned about this...and any comments about Wright are fair game you think the Republicans are not going to bring this up?
Well Barack is on vacation, if he isn't taking "down time" he is relaxing on the beach.
Hardly ever does his senate duties.
Wonder when if he gets his work ethic from his mentor Wright?
Looks like the next bush critter to me!l
What a waste of time BO! All you need to do is go to your personal bank, the Oprah bank. If you need money ask her and you'll get what you need. She is determined to make you the Democratic candidate and she can afford to buy the office for you.
Not Obama '08
McCain misspoke. Hillary lied and got caught. Misspeaking implies a a wrong word or two in substitution. Detailed entire descriptions told before the nation is NOT misspeaking. It is outright lie. Clintonite lie.
McCain misspoke saying "Al-Qaeda" instead of "Extremists" and he immediately was corrected. Hillary lied and got caught. Misspeaking implies a a wrong word or two in substitution. Detailed entire descriptions told before the nation is NOT misspeaking. It is outright lie. Clintonite lie.