POLITICO MAFIOSO: The McCain Update

This week, all eyes were on Manchester, NH, for the third Republican presidential debate, where John McCain once again set himself apart from the field by demonstrating that he is the candidate ready to lead on day one and deal with the big challenges facing our country. The defining moment of the debate came when John McCain gave a heartfelt answer to a question from a young woman whose brother lost his life serving our country in Iraq. After having begun the week in Miami, FL with a major address on the need to enact comprehensive immigration reform, John McCain holds his 20th Iowa town hall meeting on Friday. Finally, don't miss John McCain this Sunday on ABC's This Week with George Stephanopoulos. For more information, log on to http://link.johnmccain.com/?95-1228-342639-11334 and please be sure to forward this newsletter on to family, friends, and fellow John McCain supporters.

Read the full version of The McCain Update Online

"... I believe if we fail, it will become a center of terrorism, and we will ask more young Americans to sacrifice as your brother did. This is long and hard and tough. But I think we can succeed, and God bless you." -John McCain

Watch Senator McCain talk about Iraq in the defining moment of Tuesday's debate.

John McCain Praised For Debate Performance

Shows Conviction and Compassion

Roll Call's Mort Kondracke said, "I don't see how you can look at these debates and not gain an admiration for John McCain." -Read more

ABC's George Stephanopoulos said, "[I] think John McCain won the debate last night ... [H]e really showed conviction and compassion and core principles last night." -Read more

Read more about Senator McCain's debate performance...

We're On The Web - www.JohnMcCain.com

McCain Virtual Call Day!

The McCain campaign will be hosting a Virtual Call Day next Thursday, June 14th, during the campaign's final push to raise funds before the June 30th financial reporting deadline. We are enlisting the help of all John McCain supporters to either reach out to their network of friends, family and colleagues to raise money for the campaign or call lists of potential donors provided by the campaign to raise money for the Senator.

All donors who make a contribution on the Virtual Call Day will receive a free McCain 2008 bumper sticker, and callers can set fundraising goals to receive special McCain 2008 gear. There will even be an exclusive grand prize for the caller who raises the most money. If you are interested in participating next Thursday, June 14th, please follow this link to sign up.

We will be in touch with you early next week with more details. Thank you for your support!

On The Record

John McCain Stands Alone At Debate:

Only Candidate Ready To Lead

In a Townhall.com editorial Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS) writes, "John McCain did indeed stand alone in last night's presidential debate -- as the only candidate ready to lead on day one and take on the big challenges facing our country. Candidates often need to use these debates to make the case that they can be presidential. Not John McCain. Every room he walks into, every podium he approaches, he's a Commander-in-Chief. ... He's never betrayed the principles that led him to sign up early on as a foot soldier in the Reagan Revolution."

Read more on the record...

Did You Know...

Fun Facts About John McCain

John McCain was the first sitting U.S. senator to host "Saturday Night Live" ...

John McCain was also on the first-ever edition of "Jeopardy!" and has returned to present questions on the show as well ...

Endorsements Continue To Pile Up

John McCain Most Prepared To Lead

The Charleston Post and Courier reports, "Sen. Mike Fair, R-Greenville, said he's forming a chapter of Americans of Faith to guide McCain on pro-family issues. Members include the Rev. Jerry DuBose of Barnwell; the Rev. Jerry Berry of West Columbia; Carl Falk, chairman of the Palmetto Family Council; former S.C. Policy Council chairman J.D. Martin; and Bob Wilson, chairman of the Greenville Technical College board and a Bob Jones University trustee."

Read more about endorsements for John McCain...

At the Polls

National surveys released this week show no dramatic change in the state of the race.

The ABC News/Washington Post survey showed consistent support for the Senator since their survey in April and the USA Today survey showed Senator McCain's support staying consistent since their last survey in May.

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