McCain banks more than $4 million at Chicago fundraiser
Used to dismissing polls that showed him trailing in the presidential race, Republican nominee John McCain had to switch gears Monday night, now that a USA Today/Gallup Poll shows him leading Democrat Barack Obama by four points among registered voters and 10 points among likely voters.
"We don't pay any attention to polls," when they show him behind, McCain said. "Now we're up in the polls, 5 points up in Gallup. So those polls are always exactly right ... right on the mark, totally accurate. It's funny how life is with polls."
(AP)
That drew laughs and cheers from donors at Chicago's Hilton & Towers Hotel. The fund-raiser was expected to bring in $4.5 million for Republicans to spend primarily in the swing states of Michigan, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
McCain gave much of the credit for his surge to his vice-presidential nominee, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
"She's a remarkable person ... I'm very pleased Sarah is on the ticket," McCain said. "The America people want change in Washington, and they want the right kind of change. They are glad that someone like Gov. Sarah Palin has taken on her party and the special interests in Alaska. I have stood up against my party when I had to. And Sen. Obama has never once stood up to his party. You know that very well in the state of Illinois."
Many of these donors -- some of whom shelled out $2,500 or more for a VIP dinner and photo with McCain, said they were disappointed Palin did not make it Monday, but they'd be willing to open up their checkbooks again if she comes to town -- at least their wives would, several attendees said.
"I think if they bring her back, separate from him, they would open up their checkbooks again," said State Sen. Dan Rutherford of Pontiac.
Noting the amount of his 16-minute speech McCain devoted to Palin, Rutherford said. "He obviously sees a strong suit so he played to it."
Even if McCain doesn't have much chance of winning Illinois, he can keep stopping back here for supplies, said Republican businessman Ron Gidwitz.
"That's about all they can get out of Illinois -- we write checks. We're good at it. Illinoisans are very generous," Gidwitz said. "In 2004, George Bush raised $4 million and we've made more than that tonight."