January 7, 2009

ConservativeHQ.com Breaking News:
McCain forms new PAC to promote his "Republican Ideals"
By CHQ Staff

On Wednesday afternoon, Senator and former presidential hopeful, John McCain, announced the creation of his new grassroots organization named "Country First."

The organization, formed as a non-partisan, multi-candidate political action committee (PAC), was officially filed with the Federal Elections Commission on December 9, 2008.

In a message sent to presidential supporters, Senator McCain described the new organization as an effort to "better define our Republican ideals and message, recruit and back, strong, dedicated candidates and continue our efforts to bring real reform to government."

Commenting on the new organization, ConservativeHQ.com Chairman Richard Viguerie stated, "I'm not sure what Senator McCain is referring to when he talks about 'Republican ideals' but if it's along the lines of McCain-Feingold, amnesty for Illegal immigrants, carbon caps, 'gun show loopholes' or trillion-dollar Wall Street bailouts, I think he meant to say 'Big Government ideals'."

McCain, who lacked the backing of Conservatives until the selection of Governor Palin as his vice-presidential running mate, was a supporter of the trillion-dollar Wall Street bailout and was the primary driver behind the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (McCain-Feingold).

Senator McCain also advocated closing alleged "gun show loopholes" during his presidential campaign and teamed with Senator Joe Lieberman on legislation to develop a cap on carbon emissions to combat "man-made global warming."

The new organization, the Country First PAC, launched with McCain's Wednesday afternoon email that solicited supporters for a financial contribution by directing readers to a secure donation form. The accompanying Web site that was registered on November 15th, www.countryfirstpac.com, contains video from a McCain presidential speech and a disclaimer that a full Web site would be "coming soon."

While it is common practice for political candidates to form political action committees after the conclusion of their race, critics question the need for an organization that may move an already divided Republican Party further away from its founding, conservative roots of small government principles.

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