McCain’s Growing Net Roots and Donations

The network of McCain supporter sites is going through a growth spurt, right, left, and center. On July 1st, the anniversary of John McCain’s promotion to Commander of Attack Squadron 174 in 1976, the founders of John McCain 2008 Social Network and McCain Now are launching LetsGetThisRight.com. They have worked tirelessly to launch a site that focuses on supporting Senator McCain and local Republicans across the country. They are looking to raise money for a series of candidates in important races.

On the other side of the spectrum, let me welcome Clinton supporters who now support Senator McCain to the club. The establishment and networking of Clinton supporters not willing to support Senator Obama, has been impressive to say the least. Over 125 sites and blogs have emerged within a few weeks. A list of all (or most) is available at Just Say No Deal. Here are a few that have already established a significant following. Clintons 4 McCain, Savage Politics, Puma Party (which includes the Puma Party forum), Done Dems, Hillary Clinton Forum, and Dems 4 McCain. Certainly, not all who have decided not to vote Obama have committed to voting McCain. However, there is mounting evidence that many Clinton supporters will vote McCain.

Some Hillary supporters have even decided to donate to Senator McCain’s campaign on July 4th. As a show of support, many long time McCain supporters have also agreed to contribute on that day. The request is that Hillary supporters make donations in amounts like $5.44, $25.44, or $125.44 and others donate in whole dollar amounts so Clinton supporters can be differentiated and counted.

Other new Pro-McCain sites include...
Battleground States ‘08 is a contributor based blog giving a state to state perspective on the presidential race.
Local Republicans similarly is a contributor based blog focused on down ticket candidates and state and local Republican candidates.
Grand Old Partisan is an excellent site for those interested in history. It remembers that the GOP is the party of Abraham Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt.
also...
Jews for McCain
Conservative Mom in a Liberal World
Its All Dicta
McCain Brigade
McCain Independent
McCain Supporters
Local Republicans
Obama Independent or McCain Independent?
Red Arizona
Right Score
Stop Obama Vote McCain
Democrats and Independents for McCain Social Network

Be Nice to Clinton Supporters

First off, my apologies to most of you who don't need a manners lesson. However, there is an odd dynamic that is particularly apparent online of Obama supporters being excedingly nasty to Clinton supporter. Obviously primaries create tension between candidates and supporters, yet the Obama/Clinton competition is making the McCain/Romney competition look like a tea party. Many Obama bloggers in particular have made exceeding nasty and crass about Clinton and her supporters creating a resentment that may or may not heal before the general election. McCain and McCain supporters have the potential to win over some votes simply based on decency and respect. Senator McCain's bipartisan work in the Senate and his long held stance against dirty campaigning, (such as being the only Republican to condemn the Swift Boat attacks against Senator Kerry) give him an opportunity with moderates, independents, and former Clinton supports. Certainly, I'm not suggesting that conservatives should suddenly become more liberal, simply be aware who is out in cyberspace.

*One comment I've seen on several blogs is that the implication by the media that Clinton supporters are uneducated or low-class is wearing very thin for many Clinton supporters.