MSNBC attributed McCain's lowered fundraising expectations to “dislike of fundraising”
Written by Brian Levy
Published
Again advancing the image of Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) as a different kind of presidential candidate, on-screen text during the March 28 edition of MSNBC News Live read: “How Will McCain's Dislike of Fundraising Affect His Campaign?” By contrast, additional text shown during the segment emphasized other candidates' fundraising success -- “Mitt Romney Raised $6.5 Million in One Day,” “Rudy Giuliani Has Held 57 Fundraisers So Far,” “Edwards Campaign Received Half a Million in Last 5 Days” -- leaving the impression that McCain uniquely happens to “dislike” fundraising.
Notwithstanding the on-screen text, none of the participants in the discussion -- MSNBC host Chris Jansing, Democratic strategist Morris Reid, and Republican strategist Brad Blakeman -- suggested that McCain had a “dislike of fundraising.”
The Associated Press reported on March 25 that McCain said he enjoys campaigning “more than [he] enjoy[s] raising money,” but also noted that “McCain is lowering fundraising expectations” and that McCain's campaign “said he has about 40 [fundraisers] scheduled before the start of May.”
From the 2 p.m. ET hour March 28 edition of MSNBC News Live:
JANSING: With only days to go before the first money deadline for campaign fundraising coming up on March 31, the presidential hopefuls are ramping up their event schedules, but already Senator John McCain says his campaign might not meet its fundraising goals.
McCAIN [video clip]: I haven't downplayed it. I've just had reality -- because it's my fault. I haven't done a very good job at it. I'm not very good at it, and I hope to get better.
JANSING: Here now with some analysis, Democratic strategist Morris Reid and Republican strategist Brad Blakeman. Now, Senator McCain says, as you just heard, he's not very good at fundraising. Morris, do you think that's the problem or could it be something else?