John McCain Looks Harder at Public Financing
Is Sen. John McCain thinking about running his presidential campaign using public financing?
McCain has hinted in the past he would like to do so as long as his Democratic opponent did as well -- as a Senator he has been a proponent of public financing. But earlier this month, McCain took the first step on his own, filing papers with the Federal Election Commission to create a separate account that would enable the public money -- about $84 million for a presidential campaign -- to go further.
McCain spokeswoman Jill Hazelbaker, however, told Politico.com that creating the new account is not a move toward public financing. "This is a procedural move," she said, intended "to give the campaign as many options as possible."
While his Democratic opponents have been setting fundraising records, McCain has had only modest success with his own efforts. Using public funds has two advantages: he could focus on campaigning rather than trying to raise money; and the public relations advantage for him with voters, particularly independents, who would like the presidential race not turn into a mad dash for cash.
The disadvantage, of course, will be that his Democratic opponent won't use public financing -- mostly likely because of the relative ease with which Democrats have raised money this election cycle. That's why the McCain camp is calling the opening of the FEC account a "contingency."
6:50 AM ET | 03-21-2008 | permalink
