Think Progress

Citing desire for closed press, McCain cancels low-selling fundraising event.

The McCain campaign has scaled back two fundraisers this week involving President Bush, claiming a policy of “closed press” for fundraising events:

The Arizona event, which was to be at the Phoenix Convention Center, was the first time Bush was to have appeared with McCain since their White House meeting in March.

A McCain aide said: “The McCain campaign has a policy that fundraising events are closed press. In keeping with that policy, the campaign requested the event be moved to a private home.”

Press concerns may have nothing to do with it. On Friday, the Phoenix Business Journal reported that the “event was not selling enough tickets to fill the Convention Center space, and that there were concerns about more anti-war protesters showing up outside the venue than attending the fundraiser inside.”



75 Responses to “Citing desire for closed press, McCain cancels low-selling fundraising event.”

  1. Marie says:

    Spin, spin, spin.
    When tickets weren’t selling; when protestors threatened to outnumber the attendees; when Bush feared embarrassment — THAT’s what prompted the changes in venue.

    Bush=albatross on an already drowning McCain.


  2. Nevar says:

    Last week they said they were still going to hold the event, at a “private home”; guess that fell through also.

    Maybe they should try holding a Taser party…


  3. COProgressive says:

    Empty seats don’t portray a strong campaign. Empty seats in a Senator’s home town portray a losing campaign. The bush has been found out even by the Republican loyalists to be a anchor around the party.

    It’s gonna suck to be a Republican in ‘08!


  4. MCMetal says:

    A Tupperware party is capable of drawing more attendees ; it couldn’t have happened to a more deserving group ……….


  5. Zooey says:

    OMFG, that is so funny.

    That’s what you get when the press is your “base,” and you don’t invite them to the party. :-D


  6. McWars says:

    There’s a further guarantee that anyone non-democratic will get his ass kicked, and his name is Bob Barr.

    Buhbye, McKook.


  7. Witch1 says:

    Good Morning Lady Z and all…..I would of been the first to post a ROFLMAO but spit coffee all over my screen and had to clean it up…..Guess bush/mcnuts and craig will have to meet in a stall at the air port instead of someone’s home….You all have a good day….Blessings


  8. Chocolate Jesus says:

    ah..so mccain finally figured out that bush is the festering herpes sore on the peenis that is the republican party


  9. DieNowForPeace says:

    You mean they couldn’t even cover the room rental fee on the convention center which would leave ZERO money for “fund raising” and put the whole event in the red.

    Sounds like typical Repuke fundamentals, I’m surprised they didn’t “go ahead” with it.



  10. upside99 says:

    Was that to have cost a 1000 bucks a head including a pic taken with Dubya………..

    And 2000 bucks to NOT have the picture taken?


  11. katy says:

    it’s that ‘policy of “closed press”’ that is most disturbing…

    who and what are they hiding?


  12. MCMetal says:

    This from Crooks & Liars :

    “Tickets for the star-studded show ranged from $1,000 to $25,000 for VIP treatment, all of which would have gone to help McCain’s campaign and other Republican Party organs.”

    What would be worth $25 grand among this goofball conglomeration ? Being taught how to ignore Congressional subpoenas and a separate tutorial on announcing “executive privilege” ?


  13. scytherius says:

    Now this is much more telling than polls. As it stands now . . . McCain is utterly toast even if the Dems run a goat.


  14. Crusty Old Bastard says:

    It sure gets lonely under that bus. If the rethugs worry about the turnout at one of their own ass-kissing parties they should think about the turnout at the Dem’s ass-kicking parties in November.


  15. Leftside Annie says:

    Hmmm. How about this idea for a fundraiser..?

    The McCain campaign could charge $100 bucks a head for people to come in and throw rotten tomatoes at both he and Bush.

    Dayum, that sucker would sell out in a hot second! :o)

    I’d be first in line!


  16. barrelhse says:

    It’s OK, just LIE about it . No one will notice.


  17. KEVKEV IN APACHE JUNCTION says:

    Hey I was just over at

    http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Calendar/Detail.aspx?guid=d30f1de5-2b29-48f4-941e-594b96efade0

    and they are still selling tickets!

    Phoenix Finance Reception
    What: Phoenix Finance Reception
    When: May 27, 2008 5:30 p.m.
    Where: Phoenix Convention Center
    West Building
    Phoenix, AZ
    John McCain returns home to Arizona for a finance reception at the Phoenix Convention Center West Building on Tuesday, May 27 at 5:30 p.m.
    Tickets for a VIP Reception are $25,000 per couple (contribute or raise) and tickets for a General Reception are $1,000 per person.
    Please click here to purchase a ticket online today !
    For further information, or to purchase tickets for this event, please contact Andrea Tyler Evans at 602-448-5959 or by email .

    Hey Cindy! Quit stealing the Percocet and Vicodin and update the Website!


  18. GSD says:

    Sinking like a McAnchor.

    -GSD


  19. Nevar says:

    “Hey Cindy! Quit stealing the Percocet and Vicodin and update the Website!
    May 26th, 2008 at 12:09 pm Add Karma Recommend (1) |”

    LOL, good find, KevKev, thanks!

    Maybe she’s all hungover from the barbeque…


  20. jb says:

    Obama had 75,000 supporters show up in Portland to hear him speak.


  21. Wayne says:

    On Friday, the Phoenix Business Journal reported that the “event was not selling enough tickets to fill the Convention Center space, and that there were concerns about more anti-war protesters showing up outside the venue than attending the fundraiser inside.”

    Hahahahahahahahahaha
    **breathe**breathe**
    Hahahahahahahahahaha


  22. MCMetal says:

    jb Says:
    ——————————————————————————–

    Obama had 75,000 supporters show up in Portland to hear him speak.

    May 26th, 2008 at 12:15 pm

    But , to be fair , they also weren’t charging $1,000 to $25,000 a ticket ; not that the GOP/McSame/Chimpy are worth it , anyway (obviously).

    They aren’t worth that amount in Monopoly money ………..


  23. Leftside Annie says:

    Jb – there were 80,000, actually. ;o)


  24. conniptionfit says:

    Seriously, what explains the discrepancy between this kind of rejection of McCain, and the nat’l polls that say that McCain is running neck and neck with either of the Dems in the general election?


  25. jb says:

    In the end it is one vote per person regardless of how much money one has or has given. Obama in a landslide.


  26. MCMetal says:

    conniptionfit Says:
    ——————————————————————————–

    Seriously, what explains the discrepancy between this kind of rejection of McCain, and the nat’l polls that say that McCain is running neck and neck with either of the Dems in the general election?

    May 26th, 2008 at 12:21 pm

    Those national polls , are anything but that ; calling a few hundred people in particular areas of a land mass that is 3,717,813 square miles is hardly even remotely accurate……….


  27. jb says:

    conniptionfit Says:

    Seriously, what explains the discrepancy between this kind of rejection of McCain, and the nat’l polls that say that McCain is running neck and neck with either of the Dems in the general election?
    May 26th, 2008 at 12:21 pm Add Karma Recommend (0) | Report Abuse

    I think that should read mcCain running redneck and neck.


  28. MCMetal says:

    Citing desire for closed press, McCain cancels low-selling fundraisng event.

    Which makes no sense whatsoever , seeing as how the MSM has been pretty much closed for the last 7+ years anyway…………


  29. Keith H. says:

    Soon, bush will have to pay the people to show up while McBBQ hands out the free burnt ribs.


  30. Freedom Rebel says:

    Obama is so much smarter than McCain, in so many obvious ways. He is kicking his asss 10-to 1 on campaign contributions online. So that he doesn’t have to waste time with big fundraisers. Obama is maximizing the internet, the beauty is John McCain did not discover the internet til 2000. He still doesn’t get what a useful tool it is, in saving valuable time and effort.

    Just another valuable reason to vote for a Democrat. Save time and money and work on the important issues.


  31. Bobwurst says:

    MCMetal Says:
    jb Says:

    Obama had 75,000 supporters show up in Portland to hear him speak.
    May 26th, 2008 at 12:15 pm

    But , to be fair , they also weren’t charging $1,000 to $25,000 a ticket

    True, but I’m sure that the rally in Portland generated more cash than mcbush’s tupperware party will.


  32. conniptionfit says:

    So, are all those supposed Mccain voters in the nat’l polls simply Republicans who assert that they’re going to vote for the guy with the R behind his name, regardless of who he is- and regardless of how much they loathe him? They apparently won’t waste their good money on him. Will they bother to come out and vote for Mccain in november? Will they bother to roust their friends out to vote for someone they don’t believe in, and won’t support with cash?


  33. Paul W says:

    It’s interesting how this ardent Bush supporter and third-Bush-term hopeful can’t afford to actually be seen with Bush.

    http://progressiveworldreview.com


  34. Doc Rock says:

    Do folks get their prepaids back?


  35. Bilbo Hussein Baggins says:

    They moved it from a Convention center to a private home. Wow, sales must have been really bad for that event. And this is in Arizona, McCain’s home state. This does not bode well for the Republicans.


  36. Nevar says:

    Doc Rock Says:

    Do folks get their prepaids back?
    May 26th, 2008 at 12:35 pm Add Karma Recommend (1) |

    I’m guessing it will be about as easy as getting an insurance company to pay up.
    They’ll come up with some rationale to keep it, so that he’s elected, promising they’ll get it back as a “tax rebate”.


  37. Bilbo Hussein Baggins says:

    conniptionfit Says:
    Seriously, what explains the discrepancy between this kind of rejection of McCain, and the nat’l polls that say that McCain is running neck and neck with either of the Dems in the general election?
    May 26th, 2008 at 12:21 pm Add Karma Recommend (0) | Report Abuse

    Those polls mean absolutely nothing. First they are skewed because McCain is still viewed as a “maverick” by many Republicans and Independents. When the Democrats introduce them to the real John McCain (panderer extrodinaire) that will all change. And then there are the polls themselves. They poll “likely voters” meaning people who have been registered for a while and have voted in the past. So the polls are missing all the newly registered voters, most of whom are Obama supporters. And finally, polls can’t factor in the fact that Democrats are outvoting Republicans 2, 3 and sometimes 4 to 1. That is going to make a huge difference on election day.


  38. cavjam says:

    In keeping with that policy, the campaign requested the event be moved to a private home.

    Why does the party scene from The Graduate pop into mind. All vapid white people, each with a drink in their hands – “I want to say one word to you. Just one word. Plastics.”


  39. Scottsdalian says:

    A McCain aide said: “The McCain campaign has a policy that fundraising events are closed press. In keeping with that policy, the campaign requested the event be moved to a private home.”

    Ummm…..if that’s your policy, why did you book the Convention Center in the first place?????


  40. Badger says:

    what explains the discrepancy between this kind of rejection of McCain, and the nat’l polls …?

    I think most Americans are Not paying attention. Peter Hart, the pollster, was on C-span this morning. Unlike most people who read pollitical blogs, most voters have hardly any Idea who Barack Obama is, and what he stands for.

    When all you know about Obama, is Rev. Jeremiah Wright…and all you know About McCain is Maverick War Hero..you get the uninformed poll results that we are now seeing.

    Anyone who has seen the “Real McCain” videos, where Sen. McCains contradictory statements are juxtaposed…. with devastating results,will know how vulnerable Sen McCain is, once voters start paying attention.

    And once voters actually listen to Sen. Obama, as he addresses the voters as grown ups…I’m thinking the polls will change rather quickly.


  41. conniptionfit says:

    Thank you, Bilbo, that was my next question. Has anyone found any media discussion about the Republican numbers coming out to vote in their primaries vs. the numbers of Dems who are turning out? I would assume that once McCain reached the requisite number of delegates for the nomination, the turnout in further Republican primaries would be somewhat depressed. Does anybody know where to find those numbers for the primaries held before McCain got won enough delegates?


  42. MCMetal says:

    Bobwurst Says:
    ——————————————————————————–

    MCMetal Says:
    jb Says:

    Obama had 75,000 supporters show up in Portland to hear him speak.
    May 26th, 2008 at 12:15 pm

    But , to be fair , they also weren’t charging $1,000 to $25,000 a ticket

    True, but I’m sure that the rally in Portland generated more cash than mcbush’s tupperware party will.

    May 26th, 2008 at 12:33 pm

    And the horseshit GOP tries to paint Obama as an “elitist”.

    What’s more in line with elitist behavior ; charging $1,000 to $25,000 a pop , or $10 and up for whatever anyone can individually afford ?


  43. MCMetal says:

    conniptionfit Says:
    ——————————————————————————–

    So, are all those supposed Mccain voters in the nat’l polls simply Republicans who assert that they’re going to vote for the guy with the R behind his name, regardless of who he is- and regardless of how much they loathe him? They apparently won’t waste their good money on him. Will they bother to come out and vote for Mccain in november? Will they bother to roust their friends out to vote for someone they don’t believe in, and won’t support with cash?

    May 26th, 2008 at 12:34 pm

    I am only guessing here , but if you can get the same result without having to dish out big bucks , wouldn’t that be the way to go ?

    It isn’t as if the GOP is riding a huge wave of popularity anyway………….


  44. upside99 says:

    Where are all our favorite trolls today? Must all be at Johnny Boy’s BBQ.


  45. Exit Stage Left says:

    Oh how I love it. From a convention center to some dork’s living room. McRibs couldn’t fill a convention center with a promise of all-you-can-eat baby backs :)~


  46. Exit Stage Left says:

    MCMetal Says:
    A Tupperware party is capable of drawing more attendees

    That is hilarious :)~


  47. MCMetal says:

    upside99 Says:
    ——————————————————————————–

    Where are all our favorite trolls today? Must all be at Johnny Boy’s BBQ.

    May 26th, 2008 at 1:01 pm

    As if any of those chumps could afford a ticket that costs anywhere from $1,000 to $25,000 a pop ?

    Shit ……..Be more believeable if any one of them claimed they were Elvis.


  48. Exit Stage Left says:

    McRibs could use the tupperware for the leftover mashed potatoes Bucky says are in his drawers :)~


  49. Exit Stage Left says:

    Leftside Annie Says:
    Hmmm. How about this idea for a fundraiser..?
    The McCain campaign could charge $100 bucks a head for people to come in and throw rotten tomatoes at both he and Bush.

    A truly inspired idea Annie…Sign me up for 200 dollars worth :)~


  50. MCMetal says:

    McTupperwareParty is on CNN now , speaking in Albuquerque , NM ; no offense , but what in the hell does New Mexico and that city have to do with Memorial Day ?

    Did I miss the great battle of Albuquerque one day in history class when I cut ?


  51. hussein toasterhead says:

    katy Says:

    it’s that ‘policy of “closed press”’ that is most disturbing…

    who and what are they hiding?
    May 26th, 2008 at 11:43 am

    Hiding? Nah, I don’t think they’re hiding anything. The campaign knows that the press only shows up to Bush/McCain events for the free food.


  52. MCMetal says:

    BTW

    McBBQ just spoke it and I’m kind of curious ; what is it with the garbage GOP and their collective mumble-mouthed inability to pronounce WASHINGTON as opposed to spouting “Warshington” ?

    It’s only about wars when you clowns run the country ………


  53. Exit Stage Left says:

    Doc Rock Says:
    Do folks get their prepaids back?

    Perhaps some McMailOrder ribs in lieu of a refund :)~


  54. Badger says:

    From Frank Rich April 27th:

    …in Pennsylvania, 27 percent of Republican primary voters didn’t just tell pollsters they would defect from their party’s standard-bearer; they went to the polls, gas prices be damned, to vote against Mr. McCain. Though ignored by every channel I surfed, there actually was a G.O.P. primary on Tuesday, open ONLY to registered Republicans. And while it was superfluous in determining that party’s nominee, 220,000 Pennsylvania Republicans (out of their total turnout of 807,000) were moved to cast ballots for Mike Huckabee or, more numerously, Ron Paul. That’s more voters than the margin (215,000) that separated Hillary Clinton and Mr. Obama.


  55. DaTruth says:

    By now, the war criminal IDIOT and 9/11 accomplice is nothing but a tough stain that not even bleach can remove. Too much blood, asbestos and burnt jet fuel wrapped in lies and deceit!


  56. Nevar says:

    “Did I miss the great battle of Albuquerque one day in history class when I cut ?”
    May 26th, 2008 at 1:08 pm Add Karma Recommend (1) |

    Ahem.
    Obama is in Las Cruces today with Gov. Bill Richardson, who has a good shot of becoming Secretary of State at least, if not VP.

    McCain is tagging at Obama’s heels around the country these days, trying to raise funds now that we know exactly how much beer money he actually has, and that ol’ whats-her-name is nearly out of sight behind them both.
    Albquerque is convenient for McCain, and prospective donors, because of all the defense, defense contractor, and oil money there is in the neighborhood.
    ABQ is a rather hoppin’ little place, in a lot of ways.
    Good and bad…
    I’m in the mountains either north, south, east or west of Albuquerque, depending on your perspective.
    There are lots of progressively plodding people around here pestering the powers that be.

    (I still gave you the attaboy)
    :)


  57. Nevar says:

    Oh, and to answer the question “What does New Mexico to do with Memorial Day”… New Mexico has a very high veteran’s population, Memorial Day is a very important holiday here.

    The military is a large employer in the state, due in large part to the overall poverty level, and the proximity of the defense industry national laboratories.

    Many veterans from other regions also end up here, a large part of that being a warm, dry climate that can make it easier to deal with disabilities. Which many have. Every time I go to Albuquerque I see the disabled vets with their scars, their prosthesis, and their wheelchairs.


  58. Oval12345678 aka James K. Sayre says:

    McCain’s campaign is bombing, bombing, bombing (McCain)…

    National polls? Mostly run by Republican corporations, to try to narrow the gap between GOP losers and Democratic winners enough to soften us up for another electronic election theft as in 2004, when seven million Kerry votes were electronically flipped into Bush votes Election Night.


  59. Exit Stage Left says:

    Nevar Says:
    ABQ is a rather hoppin’ little place, in a lot of ways.

    McRibs is there because he keeps getting ABQ and BBQ mixed up :)~


  60. Wayne A. Schneider says:

    katy Says:

    it’s that ‘policy of “closed press”’ that is most disturbing…

    who and what are they hiding?

    May 26th, 2008 at 11:43 am

    And why close it to the press when any contributions made will have to be publicly disclosed anyway?

    Semi-related, but possibly O/T: Where did we get this insane idea that a public official should be able to receive advice on policy in private? The argument is put forth that if the advice people give is made public, they would be reluctant to give that advice. I ask you – What kind of advice would they be giving that they would not want to be made public? I can only think that the advice must not be in the public interest, otherwise we should have every right in the world to know what they are being told. And if public officials are being advised to do things that are not in the public interest, don’t we have the right to know that to? Sorry to go O/T like that, but the idea of hiding a fund raiser in someone’s house to avoid public scrutiny has “ethical questions” written all over it.


  61. Exit Stage Left says:

    Ethics and Republicans are antithetical concepts.


  62. Badger says:

    I think the press is being excluded from Bush-McCain fundraisers, in order to limit the damage: namely Bush and McCain in the same photo.


  63. Leftside Annie says:

    *putting ExitSL down for $200 bucks*

    Anyone else? ;o)

    The glaring contradiction in this story for me is the disconnect between McGoodOlBoy’s supposed kissyface relationship with the press – and his alleged desire for an event “closed to the press”….

    So, which is it?


  64. 5th Estate says:

    A couple of weeks ago, WITHOUT Bush, McCain moved a campaign stop/photo-op in NJ from Sandy Hook (population 1100 with a Coast Guard base) to somewhere indoors in Jersey City apparently due to the onset of inclement weather.
    That Area of NJ is pretty danred Republican, wheras as Jersey City is VERY Deomcrat.
    Despite the help from the MSM McCain doesn’t seem to appeal to anyone other than the 27% Republican hard-core and even they aren’t devoted, apparently.


  65. leftcoast says:

    McCain canceled fundraisers in Portland and Seattle last August. He claimed he had to go vote in Washington that time (vote? that’s a first). The reality is that the numbers didn’t look good for a favorable turnout.


  66. JMOHR says:

    There really should be concern about McCain running neck to neck with Obama at this point.

    1. We can argue that the polls are just skewed, however, polling has become pretty sophisticated to reject out of hand. It needs to be an issue of concern. This is especially true because of Clinton’s potential to drag the contest to the convention.

    2. McCain is not receiving serious scrutiny by the press. This will continue until the Democratic nominee is conclusively chosen. The press will continue their love affair with McCain until forced to cover a real contest. Even then, it will be tough to get fair and balanced coverage. (E.g. Gore and Kerry)

    3. Obama has taken a lot of hits from Clinton. Clinton is really trying to make the case that Obama is just unelectable. Her use of the 3:00 am ad went beyond the pale. Her frequent statements saying that McCain is qualified to be C in C while the jury is out on Obama causes further damage. We all know that McCain will trot all of these ads out during the campaign. Hell, just look at what he said when Obama commented on McCain’s failure to vote on the Webb GI Bill.

    4. The continued primary hassle can very well create a riff in the party. Clinton keeps bashing people for telling her to drop out. (None in the party have publicly done so.) This has primarily come from the press. However, Clinton wants to make it sound like the party is sexist. Struggling through to the convention with these kinds of attacks will require substantial healing. That time may not be available after the convention.

    We need to be very concerned about McCain’s strength in the polls if the Democrats are to win the election. Obama had led in the polls for a considerable time as did Clinton. The primary fights are reducing them both. Obama because of Clinton’s attacks and Clinton because of her falling image because of her attacks.

    This our election to lose. There is too much at stake for McCain win because the Democrats once again prove that they can not get it together for an election.


  67. COProgressive says:

    MCMetal Says:
    But , to be fair , they also weren’t charging $1,000 to $25,000 a ticket ; not that the GOP/McSame/Chimpy are worth it , anyway (obviously).

    They aren’t worth that amount in Monopoly money ………..

    Two things about that, first, the 80,000 weren’t the “More money then Brains” type McInsane was looking to fleece, and B) the 80,000 will VOTE FOR OBAMA!


  68. Marie says:

    “..the campaign requested the event be moved to a private home.”
    LOL — McLame and Bush-the-dumb are now competing with the local home-party saleslady.


  69. SP Biloxi says:

    LOL! Well, I guess the BS Express made the wrong U-Turn again. The excuse of McCain’s fundraising event snafu?: maybe the people didn’t get their stimulus checks in time to buy a ticket. What a bummer. ;-)


  70. republicanSScareme says:

    It’s amazing that anyone is willing to be seen with those clowns, much less give them money.


  71. Crusty Old Bastard says:

    There are two old adages and one question to be considered when judging the validity of any poll.

    Adage: Figures don’t lie but liars will figure.
    Adage: Never ask a question to which you do not know the answer.
    Question: Have you ever been asked to contribute to a poll?


  72. BloggerRadio.com says:

    ‘Closed Press’=ELITISM; EXCLUSIVITY; Government by and for the RICH; Afraid of the light-of-day!

    For government for and by WE-THE-PEOPLE vote for Barack Obama!!!


  73. DieNowForPeace says:

    Had McDisdain offered his geriatric bbq, maybe?


  74. kathy says:

    Clinton has taken Kentucky and Obama is right there in Oregon.
    The Democratic race for nomination is still very much alive – and most likely to be decided by superdelegates – as CNN points out clearly

    http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/20/primary.wrap/index.html

    If you’re tired of waiting around for those super delegates to make a decision already, go to LobbyDelegates.com and push them to support Clinton or Obama

    If you haven’t done so yet, please write a message to each of your state’s superdelegates at http://www.lobbydelegates.com

    Obama Supporters:

    Sending a note to current Obama supporters lets them know it’s appreciated, sending a note to current Clinton supporters can hopefully sway them to change their vote to Obama, and sending a note to the uncommitted folks will hopefully sway them to vote for Obama. It’s that easy…

    Clinton Supporters too …. !

    It takes a moment, but what’s a few minutes now worth to get Clinton in office?! Those are really worth !

    Sending a note to current Clinton supporters lets them know it’s appreciated, sending a note to current Obama supporters can hopefully sway them to change their vote to Clinton, and sending a note to the uncommitted folks will hopefully sway them to vote for Clinton. It’s that easy…



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