McMaster has over $1 million in 2010 war chest

Attorney General raised over a quarter million in first quarter of this year

COLUMBIA, S.C. South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster will report having over one million dollars in the bank for his 2010 campaign when quarterly disclosure forms are filed this week, his campaign announced today.

“We are very pleased to report the campaign has over one million dollars in the bank and received over a quarter of a million dollars in contributions during the first three months of this year,” said Columbia businessman Bill Stern, a leader on McMaster’s campaign finance team.

According to the preliminary figures, the disclosure will report that McMaster raised over $287,000 during the first quarter of this year (January 1-March 31, 2009). That amount will bring total funds raised to over $1.2 million for the 2010 election cycle, with over $1,024,000 cash on hand.

The full campaign disclosure will be available on the state ethics commission web site later this week at: www.ethics.sc.gov

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.

Playing with the Presidential Race

A section devoted to the presidential election on YouTube sounds like a good idea. However, there are only two candidates listed: Barack Obama and John McCain.

Here are the rest of the candidates.

Chuck Baldwin, Constitution Party Web site
Bob Barr, Libertarian Party Web site
Cynthia McKinney Green Party Web site
Ralph Nader, Independent Web site

Please consider every candidate's stance on ALL the issues.

Also, contact YouTube, ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and let them know you want complete coverage of the election – and that there are more than two parties in this country.

Don't let big corporate media take your right to know or to make this choice for you. For democracy to work, citizens must be informed.

If you want to share your thoughts with the News and Press or with the Darlington County community, post comments here or send us an email.