McCain's Idea of Doing All He Can? Sending an Email

Asked about the North Carolina Republican Party's racially divisive ad on the Today Show this morning, John McCain said "I have done everything that I can to repudiate and to see that this kind of campaigning does not continue." [Today Show, 4/25/08]   So far, McCain's idea of doing "everything I can" includes just one thing: sending the state party chair an email.

"Sending an email will not end the war or provide relief for American families who are struggling to make ends meet," said Democratic National Committee Communications Director Karen Finney.  "If doing everything he can is sending an email, how can we trust John McCain to do everything he can to tackle the challenges America is facing.  Here's some straight talk: instead of sending emails Senator McCain could take real action to show he's serious by firing the state party chair from her position with the Republican National Convention and kicking the Republican party leaders who helped fund this ad off his campaign steering committees."

McCain Supporters Help Fund North Carolina Ad

Several Prominent McCain Supporters Including the Former Chair of the Party and the Current RNC Committeeperson Have Given Thousands to the North Carolina Republican Party.

In March 2007, Former North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Ferrell Blount and Former Charlotte Mayor Richard Vinroot Joined the McCain North Carolina Steering Committee. A March 2007 McCain press release noted, "Blount and Vinroot will serve as state steering committee members for Senator McCain's presidential campaign in North Carolina. Ferrell Blount served as the North Carolina Republican Party's chairman for over three years. Prior to serving as chairman, Blount also represented the Tar Heel State as national committeeman where he chaired the Republican National Committee's (RNC) Resolutions Committee, as well as the RNC Committee on Call for the 2004 National Republican Convention. Richard Vinroot has an impressive record of public service, most notably serving as the Mayor of Charlotte from 1991 to 1995." [McCain Press Release, 3/8/07]

• Blount Has Contributed Over $22,000 to the North Carolina Republican Executive Committee Including $1,000 in 2008. Blount has contributed $22,562 to the North Carolina Republican Executive Committee. [Political Moneyline, FEC Filings]
• Vinroot Contributed $500 to the North Carolina Republican Executive Committee in February 2008. [Political Moneyline, FEC Filings]
• Blount Gave $2,300 to McCain in March 2007. [Political Moneyline, FEC Filings]
• Vinroot Contributed $1,000 to McCain's Campaign in March 2007. [Political Moneyline, FEC Filings]

State Chair a Member of the Republican National Convention's Arrangement Committee.   "Linda Daves was elected Chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party in December of 2006 after being elected Vice Chairman of the Party in May 1999-2005. Prior to serving the North Carolina Republican Party, she served in several positions in the Mecklenburg County Republican Party including serving four years as Chairman after two years as Vice Chairman. Chairman Daves is also a Committee on Arrangements Member, 2008 Republican National Convention.' [NC GOP website, accessed 4/24/08: http://www.ncgop.org/leadership/ncgop.asp]

McCain Supporter, Linda Shaw, an Officer of the North Carolina Republican Party, Is a McCain Supporter and Donated Over $1,300 to the North Carolina Republican Executive Committee.  Linda Shaw, the RNC Committeeperson for North Carolina, has contributed $1,324 to the North Carolina Republican Executive Committee including $250 in October 2007. [McCain for President website, Accessed: 4/23/08; Political Moneyline, FEC Filings]

McCain Supporter Senator Burr Has Given Almost $15,000 to the North Carolina Republican Party. Burr gave $14,570 to the North Carolina Republican Executive Committee in 2004. [McCain for President website, Accessed: 4/23/08; Political Moneyline, FEC Filings]