But the spirit of campaign financing law (whether you're in the public system or not) is that there is a limit to the amount you can give to a campaign. So that way rich folk don't gain too much sway over our political process.

When it's reported that McCain is managing to get $70,000 from individual donors, that obviously flies in the face of laws he supported.

Stop pretending to be dense.

While not illegal, they violate the spirit of campaign finance law.

The [McCain] campaign gathered most of the money using an unprecedented system that allows it to collect checks as large as $70,000 from an individual by parsing the money between the campaign, the national party and state committees in four states. That fund raised $41.2 million in the three-month period.

Another thing to consider is that next week Obama will go abroad. If the trip goes without major snags or embarrassments, Obama could shoot ahead by 10 points with ease and stay there. He could relieve doubts about foreign policy and show how much he improves America's image abroad.

Reading might be fundamental but comprehension of the facts of what you read might be even more so.

He's a liberal Democrat, no doubt about it. I'm less worried about him given some of his latest policy statements and meanwhile with the GOP, it has no choice but to support McCain and hope that enough voters are repelled not only by Obama(?) but by the Democrats and at the prospect of a hugely Democratic Congress that they will vote for McCain or even a potted plant rather than for Obama. Much may hinge on who is selected as McCain's Vice President — will it be a real conservative and Republican (much different than McCain) or another dud or Dem Lite-style choice?

“Playing not to loose instead of trying to win.”

The GOP really would be for so many the lesser-of-two-evils choice this year, not an attractive (positive) alternative in any way.

And now Chris is accusing McCain of cheating?

Perhaps Cindy McCain could just lend the campaign a billion dollars and all will be well.

Sen. John McCain raised $62.3 million for his presidential bid in the second quarter in conjunction with the Republican National Committee, according to campaign-finance reports filed Tuesday night. The campaign gathered most of the money using an unprecedented system that allows it to collect checks as large as $70,000 from an individual by parsing the money between the campaign, the national party and state committees in four states. That fund raised $41.2 million in the three-month period.

So can we now retire the bullsh** about how Obama betrayed public financing?

When I look at the count I see that strong democrat, weak democrat vs strong republican, weak republican the numbers are:

Obama 246.
McCain 193

Those in play are barely dem 74 which are constantly given to Obama to make it LOOK like he is trouncing McCain. Barely McCain 11. So their are more votes Obama can lose then McCain could lose. 14 votes are TIED.

McCain needs just 77 votes to get 270. Their are 96 in play. Not to mention Michigan which is weak Democrat. This race is far from over.

There is a long time till November and the GOP is starting to take heart that there is a chance they could actually win this thing or at least make sure its not a blood bath. That is why the checks are beginning to show up for McCain. Because many of us are starting to see that once in the lead, just as he did with Hillary he is doing in the General now what he did against Hillary.

Playing not to loose instead of trying to win.

I have talked to a huge number of people over the last month. Its what I do. I have found that all those who were angry over the GOP are starting to realize that Obama does not represent change(according to them) and they are breaking out their once reluctant check books because Obama(to them) is nothing more then a fancy speech giver that once he is shown to have to think on his feet is not nearly so non polarizing.

However its a feeling I get from talking to people that both support and dont support McCain. Even the ones supporting Obama seem to be doing so in the idea that its a vote against GOP'ers and NOT for Barak Obama. These are the ones who are starting to have second doubts.

I am one. I was going to support Bob Barr because I figured the GOP was a lost cause this year but now Im starting to not be so sure. A vote for Obama or Barr because the GOP needs to be punished could have long term implications for decades. The GOP'ers that I talk to are starting to understand this. That is why Obama who should be up 25 is only up a few points.

The real question, then, is what do the candidates do with that money? Bush 2004 spent the money not just on TV but on building grassroots GOTV efforts and organizing. Obama has done just that and more. But McCain has not – mostly because his party is unenthusiastic.

Secondly the first date is over with Barak Obama and he turned out to be a boring date.