McCain pulls in big donations, smaller crowds
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/09/15/art.mccainfla.ap.jpg caption="McCain and Palin attended separate fundraisers Monday."]MIAMI, Florida (CNN) - Republican presidential candidate John McCain told a private audience Monday night that "no matter what you see in the polls," he and Sarah Palin are underdogs.
It's a tough race, as you know. We got a strong head wind, and we've got a lot of work to do," the White House hopeful said at a fundraiser in Miami. "And no matter what you see in the polls recently, Governor Palin and I are the underdogs."
"We're the underdogs," he repeated. "That's where we like to be. That's the best place to be in this race. So we're going to be working hard and campaigning every single day."
The GOP candidate was addressing a crowd of donors at a Miami hotel. In his introduction, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist said McCain has brought in $26.2 million to date from Floridians, $5.1 million Monday night alone.
McCain may be pulling in big money – but his crowds seem to be fading since he and Palin split up on the campaign trail.
The Arizona senator’s campaign drew about 3,000 people to a "Road to Victory" rally Monday morning featuring the senator and his wife Cindy – nowhere near the number needed to fill the 15,000-seat Veterans Memorial Arena.
Large sections of chairs were left unfilled. Stacks of signs clearly intended to be distributed to a larger crowd could be seen on a number of seat cushions - hand-painted campaign signs ready to go with phrases such as "We (heart) Todd" (as in, Todd Palin), "Moms 4 Palin," and others with more standard McCain fare.
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Now, did McCain except public financing?
What is he doing with all this money?
Can someone stop McCain / Rove from destroying Social Security!!
LMAO! Did you hear that? The bubble has burst!
Lies and inflated figures. Cannot trust them with the truth.
John McCain is not exciting. It's his best attribute.
Yeah, you know who McBush is going to represent in the whitehouse: a "small crowd" of real rich people. He'll give them fat tax cuts too. Is guy serious about changing washington?
Obama-Biden 08!
Yea.... WHo did not see that happing? I'm suprised that did not tie them into a knot and make then do nothing with out her. She the only reason that anyone is comming out. Remember the last year lounge act McCain.
Jacksonville Florida here...McSame's visit wasn't a big draw for 99% of us. I guess he needs Gov Palin at his hip to attract much attention!
Jacksonville is hurting like every other place in America...ordinary folks expecting more than what McCain is offering. Sure he raised money – big donors now see what Palin has done for their base – given them a false hope that folks will buy the nasty, untrue attacks. We won't....not those of us with a brain in our head....No way, No how, No McCain, No Palin....go blow smoke up the pants of your extreme right wing base!
He hasn't pulled in large numbers all year. So? He is still doing very very well.
Gov Palin draws large crowds Sen McCain doesn't.
I figured this was how it was. She is more popular. Have we not heard this over and over again for 2+ weeks.
Not sure what is newsworthy about this. CNN did a news story this weekend about the different size crowds and the they would do more appearances together to take advantage of Gov Palins popularity.
I am sure you can find the story if you look.
The big money I can see would be newsworthy but smaller crowds??
Be careful Senator McShame, the Mayor of Moosetown is stealing your spotlight; almost like a "celebrity!"
RICH WHITE FOLK = REPUBLICANS
ALL OTHER REPUBLICANS = DOORKNOBS
All of McCain's friends and supporters are in jail!
That's why he can't put arses in seats!!
But he will surely lie and say five trillion people were there!
What a pathetic candidate!
ENOUGH
OBAMA/BIDEN
Yeah, without "Caribou Barbie" McCain is just, well, boring.
(I stole "Caribou Barbie" from another blogger–it's just too good!)
So, McCain can't draw without Palin. Where is the hype and momentum?
NO WAY! NO HOW! NO MCCAIN! NO PALIN!
I thought McCain was limited to public financing?
Right ' Country club first'...
"Obama didn't mean Governor Palin when he said lipstick on a pig....but I'm John McCain and I still approve that message"
People are onto that clown, lying through his fake teeth
You Are Not An Under Dog . . . Just A Dog. . . With Fleas!
No comment, No time to waste.
John McCain, we believe in you ! You ve been thru tougher things than this campaign before. After all, this is just a bunch of babblers and losers. Not real stuff. Go get 'em John !
Another untruth ~ there is no underdog when the race is a dead heat!
I get a kick out of all the left wing extremist kooks that hate women. No wonder the Democratic party is a on the way out.
Oh crap! Palin was supposed to look pretty and draw in the crowds. What the hell happened?
Well, Miss Alaska turned out to be just a one night stand!
John McCain is far from a “dog”, if it wasn’t for American heroes such as John McCain you would lack the ability to write such a comment.
And to all you Sen. Obama fans, what exactly has he done for America? And further more, how can the self proclaimed “politician of change” justify his choice for VP? Sen. Biden, a man who has been in the senate longer than John McCain?