Desperate McCain Seeks $3 Million Loan

John McCain is ready to finally take out that loan for his hopeless campaign, even though it goes against his past opinions on anything like that. He wants $3 million to fund advertising in early election states, and a handout from the bank to keep up with the other candidates. He has already been relying on independently organized advertising in early states. He is rising in some polls somehow, but that momentum he thinks he has is obviously not translating into enthusiasm or cash. This is obviously a last ditch effort to curve Ron Paul's huge rise in New Hampshire, which will be the end of Mr. WMD McCain's campaign if he doesn't win.

McCain wrote a strict 2002 campaign finance law and has criticized independent advertising in the past. His aides said they had no knowledge of or involvement in any outside efforts.

Reed is not new to independent advertising efforts during presidential campaigns. He was the media strategist who co-produced a series of ads in 2004 by the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, who questioned Democratic nominee John Kerry's service in Vietnam. McCain, at the time, condemned those ads.

The new group, a 501(c)4 nonprofit corporation under IRS regulations, is not required to disclose its donors, unlike political campaign and political action committees the Federal Election Commission covers.

Reed would not disclose donor identities. Asked if they were McCain supporters, he said, "Some are, maybe even all at this point."

He said the group is designed to promote a strong national security, limits in spending and vigorous anti-terrorism efforts while identifying leaders who best reflect the group's positions.

"Right now Senator McCain seems to be the closest to the group's views," Reed said. Others, he said, include South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham and Arizona Rep. John Shadegg; both appear in the first ad and both have endorsed McCain.

A disclaimer at the bottom of the group's Web site states: "As a qualified nonprofit organization, Foundation for a Secure and Prosperous America may on occasion use some of its funds for political purposes such as supporting or opposing persons who happen to be candidates."

Said McCain spokeswoman Jill Hazelbaker: "The McCain campaign does not coordinate with any outside groups that are making or planning to make independent expenditures in the presidential election."