April 10, 2008
Posted: 09:02 PM ET

From ,

(CNN) — John McCain’s campaign is using reports of a new multi-million dollar group targeting his candidacy to raise money for the Arizona senator’s own presidential bid.

In an e-mail sent to supporters of the presumptive Republican nominee Thursday, Campaign Manager Rick Davis said George Soros and “his group of billionaire left-wing Democrats” were planning to spend $40 million dollars on a national television campaign targeting McCain.

“Folks, that is why we need your help and we need it now. We need to be able to answer whatever smear campaigns the liberal left throws at us. Please help as we combat this base demagoguery with a donation of $50, $100, $250 or even $1000 today,” wrote Davis.

Political consultant and Clinton supporter Paul Begala – one of the organizers of Progressive Media USA, whose existence was revealed in a Politico report hours earlier – said that attacks on McCain would be part of the agenda for the well-financed group, though not its sole mission.

"I am not saying we won't talk about John McCain — but the primary purpose is issues, it's progressive coordination, and it’s going to last long past any particular election cycle," said Begala.

Begala is a contributing political analyst for CNN.

Progressive Media USA is supported by Soros and some of the other Democratic benefactors who had backed the Campaign to Defend America, which launched an anti-McCain spot – “McSame” – last month. It will be headed by David Brock, author of the book “Free Ride: John McCain and the Media.”

Filed under: John McCain


willis, Texas   April 10th, 2008 9:49 pm ET

No one has bothered to give Obama credit for developing the stragegy of using the Internet to fuel campaign coffers! It seem that both Hill-Billy and McCan't are using it to their advantage.

Teresa (NC)   April 10th, 2008 9:57 pm ET

I'm sure the smear campaigns will not be solely targeting McCain. Once again, the Billary's playing with their rich friend's money to get their way.

Wow   April 10th, 2008 9:58 pm ET

How many polls will we be subjected to? Everyone - and I mean EVERYONE has a poll. Did we not witness at least one poll this election season not match the outcome of one of the primaries? We need a monthly poll cap - fast.

David-Paul Niner   April 10th, 2008 9:59 pm ET

Please help as we combat this base demagoguery with a donation of $50, $100, $250 or even $1000 today.

Normally I wouldn't donate, but no one told me about all the base demagoguery.

McCain=Anger Issues=Bad News for America   April 10th, 2008 10:01 pm ET

I am afraid of McCain's emotional rollercoaster reputation. While I admire him for his service and I like that he doesn't have a record of being a conservative Republican, I am afraid that his POW time has really messed him up permanently. I also am not that big a fan of his wife, Cindy, whose family is worth mega mega millions.

While McCain might be a military vet, I wouldn't trust him with my dog.

unions are not stupid   April 10th, 2008 10:02 pm ET

This is so funny that the send out a email to there supporters lying about this campaign this campaign is the very same one that helped get bush into office until they figured out what a village idiot he is then they chose to get on the right tract with real progress not tired old dogma from the extreme right! I don't care either way thought because his money raising will be dismal at best! republicans at least 30% of them the conservative base are not supporting him!!!!! and further more the people of that party do not contribute not the common folks just the lobbyist.Why you ask because the people of that party are not motivated they do not believe in there candidate and most think no matter what they will just be taken advantage of yet again!

Bob, Lyons Oregon,   April 10th, 2008 10:05 pm ET

John McCain = Bush 3rd term, same old, same old,

Christi in Canada   April 10th, 2008 10:21 pm ET

I'd rather be a left liberal who cares about the plight of the average person than a right wingnut warmonger who wants to spend our tax dollars to fund the war machine!

North Carolina   April 10th, 2008 10:32 pm ET

Willis, Texas, don't you know Al Gore invented the internet? All dems are free to use it at will. And Howard Dean beat Obama by a number of years in using the internet. to raise funds. It's a lot more likely that you're new to politics than any of the candidates are new to the internet.

Patriot   April 10th, 2008 10:34 pm ET

Christi stay in Canada. your comments reflect your mentality. I pay more in taxes than you make in a year. The dollars going to our military to keep America and Canada Free from attacks are well spent.
Freedom is not free. McCain, his son, and my son a United States Marine are the ones you and your canadian friends owe your freedom too. So stay in Canada and welcome the other left wing nuts from the Democratic party that threaten to leave after the election.

McCain will win in November. Because Americans love this Country and are willing to die for it.

Ilona Proud Canadian   April 10th, 2008 10:37 pm ET

Please Sen. Obama supporters,

This does not sound very good. Read between the lines. Sen. McCain is not their only target. This billionaire group is aiming straight as an arrow for Sen. Obama, so please donate as much as you possible can to Sen. Obama's campaign. Keep following this situation.

Good luck!!!!

tom, Boston   April 10th, 2008 10:39 pm ET

pro-Insane Mccain Neo-con / corpocon / corporate media propaganda machine is on overdrive. spin and lie all day every day.

GARY   April 10th, 2008 10:46 pm ET

And now I know why I have always felt that CNN WAS BIASED.

IT HAS ACTUALLY GOT A NAME…….PAUL BEGALA

Sarah Smith   April 10th, 2008 10:47 pm ET

If McCain doesn't look like he's about to die of cancer, I don't know WHO does!

Those who support him are ??? short sighted?

Mary   April 10th, 2008 10:50 pm ET

Just need a place to get in, so I'm using this blog.
PA. we are depending on you to come through for Hillary. We must stop this Obama train now before we get a President that doesn't know the first thing he is supposed to do. If we want a democrat it must be Hillary Clinton.

I was watching Dobbs, Kerry and McCain talking to Gen. Petraeus. McCain made his point of view. I was disgusted when Dobbs and Kerry spoke. They were trying so hard to sound informed and I could have tolerated that except they have been so smug with the American citizen about endorsing Obama, knowing full well he isn't informed or ready in any way to be President, but that doesn't matter, they couldn't bring themselves to endorse a woman, a woman who is ready to be President. The old boys have let America down and we will elect a McCain for President. That is what our democrat senator have done to us.

rachel   April 10th, 2008 10:51 pm ET

Please do, anyways I think everything you stand for can be summed up in about 4 seconds. The time you showed your typical white granny in your ad. Obama man your gonna need hillary's supporters to win the white house so you better start reaching out to them, and Michelle asking people to get her more white people is not the way.

Sean   April 10th, 2008 10:56 pm ET

North Carolina: I believe what was meant was that Obama is the first candidate to truly make use of the internet. Over 1 million contributors. Half of the contributions are under $50. Think about that… $50 million in one month, at an average of $50 per donation. No other candidate in the history of this great country has been able to fundraise like that. Traditional politicians rely on heavy donors, and with that, heavy promises. Obama's "heavy donors" are the million-plus people who truly believe in him.

Cunningham - Conservative   April 10th, 2008 11:08 pm ET

McCain will never win, he's running for bush's third term. he wants to continue to the war in Iraq, he wants to go to war with Iran. This could only make things worse for us. It could possibly trigger a world war. For McCain a world war is digestable because his family's net worth is more than $100 million and he's old too, so he doesn't care about the future generations. I doubt that he will win the support of conservatives in the general election. Obama is far better, and he's the best candidate out of the three remaining.

Geez...   April 10th, 2008 11:09 pm ET

Why do we have to have smear campaigns in elections? Why can't people just get the facts on the issues and cast their vote? I am so turned off by the name calling and distortion of the truth. I thought we were supposed to make informed decisions.

Grif   April 10th, 2008 11:11 pm ET

Sorrowful Soros? Where might John borrow? The stuff that he needs, to clear out the weeds. That you leave in you're Wake, for the whole Countries sake.
He's the 'Man of the Moment', and he can do without, people like you that is no doubt.
This John MCCain, has everything to gain…. Go John…. Go

John from Las Vegas   April 10th, 2008 11:11 pm ET

Good luck with that…McCain won't be able to buy the presidency with all the (our) money in China.

Give it up John…you're just too old.

OBAMA '08

Peter Paul   April 10th, 2008 11:12 pm ET

To Patri-idiot:
Commenting about how much money you have over someone that you don't know makes you real smart huh?

I can see rich people in this country comfortable with there life style because everydays folks like myself have to pay the price of your arrogance and ignorance.
Speak for yourself pal, the war in Iraq is wrong period.

You think you are safer today because of a "Warmogerer like McInsane" please spare the average Joe and you go fight in the war if you think it is so important, instead of driving around in your stuck sports car.

Bring Them On   April 10th, 2008 11:15 pm ET

Listen all don't worry Barack will have a trillion dollars if he needs it we are not worried about money this time around.

Chris in Va.   April 10th, 2008 11:19 pm ET

Good luck John, you'll need it. You think Republicans will pry open their wallets to donate? Sure they talk a good fight, but when it's time to put their money where their mouth is the room becomes silent. You can gauge the amount of funds you have raised so far (or the lack there of) to your future support by these cheapskates.

Chris Crew   April 10th, 2008 11:21 pm ET

Wow, the authors of the Swiftboat Ads used against Kerry, the most deceptive political attack ads in American History, are now claiming that they need to be worried about the far left's attack ads? please…

They left has no need to lie about McCain. McCain really is in favor of continuing the War in Iraq indefinitely, he does not want universal health care, he voted against making Martin Luther King Jr. Day a Federal Holiday, and thats just the start. There is no need to lie about McCain.

The lies have already started from the right. They are claiming Obama is Islamic and in cahoots with Bin Laden. These are lies — the right's main political tactic. Rather than just attack his policies, they are going to make up a bunch of crazy lies like they did with the swiftboat ads and play it over and over again on every channel.

Luckily most Americans have woken up to this reality and won't buy it this time. Obama is going to crush McCain by a larger margin than has been seen in a generation.

The O   April 10th, 2008 11:21 pm ET

To all MCain supporters:

ask your selves this question:

Has your lives been better in the last 8 years and if so how has it.

If not do you want 4 more years of the bush policies.

And are you an American first or a Republican first.

PLEASE make the right choice

OBAMA 08
or
DEM 08

Patriot   April 10th, 2008 11:26 pm ET

A one world agenda is what Soros and his kind are pushing for. This is why we need John McCain, An American as our next president.
There will be many such organizations running underground campaigns to undermine the election. Most of them are left wing organizations such as Moveon.org.

Hopefully the American Public will not be swayed by these negative campaigns.

Unite for America. Vote for McCain in November.

PA voters give Hillary a chance so we can have two good choices in November.

Walt, Belton,TX   April 10th, 2008 11:35 pm ET

It is unfortunate that CNN employs and supports folks who's goal is a socialized America. That's the extreme radical left wing folks! If it looks like a turd, smells like a turd, then George Soros is nearby.

JerryZ   April 10th, 2008 11:43 pm ET

If people stand and support this guy, then you love war and the economy that we have. And then to top it off, Bush and McCain are talking a lot about Iran. Might be in there before November.
Do you people notice all the repeated mistakes he makes? Check out the recent hearings. He was constantly twirling his pen. When he stop, you will notice his hands shaking. Start of Parkinson's. Happened to Reagan and then his last term Alzheimer set in.
Hope he comes out and tell the truth about his health. Doubt he will. Hope the symptoms gets more noticeable before election. Memory lost is starting to show.

Richard, FL   April 10th, 2008 11:55 pm ET

Patriot, don't pick on Canada. Bush supporters thoughtlessly claim that he has protected us from a second attack on his watch, but EVERYONE knows he hasn't secured our borders. So maybe we need to give Canada credit for keeping terrorists out or else they'd freely walk into our country.

Marie in California   April 11th, 2008 12:02 am ET

When anything has the name "George Soros" attached to it I want to slowly, slowly back away from it…..in much the same way as I would from a skunk stamping its feet with its tail up and his backside pointing toward me.

George Soros is evil.

universala   April 11th, 2008 12:12 am ET

Obama and his team have been smearlng Hillary all along…..and then thy cry poor me.

Now they are going to target McCaine….big surpirse

Obama is going to whine and cry poor me and blame McCain for everything he can, while continuing to push the race issue.

James Monroe, Wiggins, Mississippi   April 11th, 2008 12:13 am ET

McCain third Bush term? Not on your life. Obama Jimmie Carter Second term. Bank on it!! Double digit inflation, 17 % interest on home loans, America held hostage by sone Iranian school boys, America laughed and sneered at as a spineless weakling, Mile long gas lines, Record taxes on working people. Yep!! Barack (Jimmie Carter, Jr. ) Obama. Just what we need.

James Monroe, Wiggins, Mississippi   April 11th, 2008 12:15 am ET

Barack Obama, a Jimmie Carter second term!! 17 % Home Mortgages, double digit inflation, held hostage by Iranian thugs, just what we need.

Ennis, LA   April 11th, 2008 12:17 am ET

Nobody wants to give him money because they know he's
distrustful and too trigger happy to be Commander-in-Chief.
Moreover, why should he not undergo the same amount of
scrutiny John Kerry got? Let's see what he's been hiding
all these years.

kathleen retired Professional w/woman for obama   April 11th, 2008 12:24 am ET

Actually, this sounds they are raising early money to attack Obama.
Oh, my God, are they going to be attack bulldogs and ruin Obama
chances to win the General Election. WE already know Hillary is not
going there. This sounds like the Veterans for Truth Swift Boat
smear ads against Obama are coming. I think Hillary is in this with
McCain. Could that be true in American Politics? The are ruthless ads.

Lorenzo   April 11th, 2008 12:39 am ET

Go Yoda!!!!!!!! May the force be with you or is it the war!!!!

Jill   April 11th, 2008 12:54 am ET

I don't think they should do anything first. Let the GOP take the first swing, which they will–and then fight back.

Obama 08

Fazio   April 11th, 2008 1:01 am ET

McCain = Bush

It looks like another round of the politics of fear is going to be launched by the GOP.

Hopefully America will have learned something from the sleaze of the past seven years and will be able to see through all of the fearmongering of the Republicans.

Mark, B'ham., Al.   April 11th, 2008 1:31 am ET

The liberal left billionairs target is McCain, why would they target Obama? He is more liberal than Hillary so they would be morre apt to support him than Hillary since their true goal is a European Style Socialist Society while they hide their billions of dollars overseas in banks so they do nor pay taxes in America. If any taxes need to be increased we should do it by ckosing the loophole that lets individuals like the Kennedy;s and Soros hide their money from the IRS.

Mariposa4Life   April 11th, 2008 1:44 am ET

I thought McCain was going to take public financing to support his campaign and was ridiculing Obama (even though he's not the nominee) for not committing to it? What's up with the fundraising McCain?

Sounds like more double talk from the double talk express!

Mariposa4Life   April 11th, 2008 1:45 am ET

I thought McCain was going to take public financing to support his campaign and was ridiculing Obama (even though he's not the nominee) for not committing to it? What's up with the fundraising letter McCain?

Sounds like more double talk from the double talk express!

N.C. with common sense   April 11th, 2008 1:53 am ET

Who in their right mind after all we have been through with this current administration could possibly consider voting for John McCain? I mean let's get real here people.

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