McCain to fundraise for key 2008 supporter

By Reid Wilson
Posted: 02/26/09 04:59 PM [ET]

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is hitting the fundraising circuit to return the favor to a local Republican who proved a key supporter in the 2008 primaries.

McCain and many of his top advisers will throw a fundraising reception on behalf of Henry McMaster, the South Carolina attorney general who backed McCain during his run for president in 2008.The event's host committee includes McCain loyalists like one-time senior advisors Charlie Black, former campaign manager Rick Davis and former Republican National Committee deputy chairman Frank Donatelli. McCain will make an appearance, a spokeswoman confirmed.

McMaster was one of the few politicians who supported McCain in the Palmetto State last year. The attorney general was along for the ride when McCain edged out ex-Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and ex-Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney to win the primary.

McMaster was the state party chairman in 2000 and did not endorse a candidate for president amidst that year's brutal primary battle that caused a years-long rift between President Bush, who won, and McCain, who placed second.

"Sen. McCain supports Attorney General McMaster. He was a huge supporter in South Carolina," said McCain spokeswoman Brooke Buchanan.

McMaster is exploring a run for governor as Gov. Mark Sanford (R) is term-limited in 2010. He may have to face Rep. Gresham Barrett and Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer in the GOP primary, though none of the three have made their bids official.

McMaster sent the invitation out on stationary that features the South Carolina seal, a common practice, according to Palmetto political watchers, though one that raises eyebrows nonetheless. The South Carolina Ethics Commission told The Hill there is nothing untoward about using the state seal.

Statement from Independent Candidates

Statement from Independent Presidential Candidate Ralph Nader and Libertarian Presidential Candidate Bob Barr on McCain's Call to Delay Debates:

The fact that a candidate can call for changing the date of the debate only two days before it is scheduled indicates how easy it would be for the candidates to also call for the inclusion of the leading third party and independent candidates, which would bring fresh ideas to the table on how our country can truly tackle this heavy challenge.

Richest Members of Congress

# 36. Rep. John Spratt (D-S.C.) $7.50 million

Spratt’s minimum net worth soared in 2007 as the value of an 800-acre swath of pasture land in Fort Mill, S.C., moved into the $5 million to $25 million range.

The increase over its previous minimum $1 million listing swells the Democrat’s fortunes by $4 million, the largest factor in his 141 percent increase.

Spratt’s other assets include investments in Bank of America Corp. valued at $500,000 to $1 million and York Bancshares at $1 million to $5 million.

His real estate holdings include a D.C. rental unit and properties in South Carolina, with a combined value of at least $850,000.

Spratt carries $480,000 in debt, a combination of mortgage debt, credit cards and promissory notes.

#13. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) $19.64 million

McCain’s true value is impossible to estimate because most of the major assets are listed in the name of his wife or children, thereby requiring far less detailed disclosure. Other news outlets have suggested that Cindy McCain’s net worth may exceed $100 million, but there is no documentation to prove that figure.

McCain’s disclosure form lists 12 items with values of “over $1 million” that are owned by his wife and children. In 2007, the family liquidated a trust set up by Cindy McCain’s late mother that had a reported value in 2006 of more than $2.5 million. The proceeds were then distributed to three other trusts, which show a minimum value of $1.4 million. Cindy McCain also liquidated a blind trust in 2007, selling millions of dollars worth of stock, and the reported value of the stock she owns through Hensley & Co. — her family’s beer distributorship — dropped more than $4 million in value last year.

The only assets McCain claims as his own are a checking account with a balance of $15,000 to $50,000, a money market fund worth less than $15,000 and several book deals.

SOURCE: See the top 50 richest members of Congress at Roll Call

Tax Proposals Effect

From the Washington Post, here is a chart of how John McCain and Barack Obama's tax policies would change what you pay Uncle Sam.

If you make more than $160,973 per year, McCain's tax plan is better for you.
If you are part of the other 70% of Americans who make less than $160,000 per year, Obama's tax plan would benefit you more.