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Rivals set up head-to-head fundraisers |
Mary Kate Johnson resigned from her position as finance director. Jim McCray left his post as deputy finance director.
Elizabeth Verrill, McCain’s former Southeastern finance director, has also reduced her role significantly. Jake Suski,
McCain’s Western finance director, has left the campaign entirely. Jay Zeidman, who handled the program of young professionals supporting McCain, has also left.
Former Sen. Phil Gramm (R-Texas), who is helping McCain raise money, said the departure of staff would not hamper the
money chase significantly.
“People don’t give to fundraising staff, they give to candidates, and the one strength McCain has is he has very committed support, especially among financial donors.”
Juleanna Glover, a member of the host committee for McCain’s Monday event, said she expected solid showings for both McCain and Thompson.
She added, however, that McCain supporters are more committed to their candidate.
“Everyone at the McCain fundraiser will be able to say with a completely straight face that they think John McCain will make an excellent president of the United States,” she said. “Your typical attendee at a Thompson event is going to be a curiosity seeker. McCain is a known quantity. The typical attendee [at his event] is going to be a security-minded, solid conservative.”
Kirk Blalock, a partner at Fierce, Isakowitz & Blalock, one of the main organizers for McCain’s event on Monday, said the simultaneous scheduling of the two fundraising events was accidental. He also said that while Washington insiders have drawn dire conclusions about McCain’s viability from the campaign shakeup, supporters in important primary states remain enthusiastic.
“In Iowa, South Carolina and New Hampshire people are enthusiastic and excited about his campaign,” he said. “I think the buzz in Washington is off pace with the buzz outside of Washington.”
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