The Reformers As Fundraisers

McCain held his first on-the-record fundraiser in Richmond yesterday morning and later traveled to McLean and Washington for two more open-door events.

The decision to open the door to future events was intended to blunt Obama's ability to exploit a potential campaign issue. The news media have been given access to Obama's fundraising events for some time, and McCain -- who made his reputation in part as a crusader working to reform the campaign finance system -- was eager not to appear to be the more secretive of the two candidates when it comes to raising money, GOP strategists said.

McCain is scheduled to hold a high-dollar fundraiser tonight in Manhattan at the 21 Club. The event, hosted by billionaire buyout specialist Henry Kravis, is one of five McCain is holding this week. Tomorrow, he plans to travel to Boston for another event. He raised about $800,000 for his campaign and the Republican National Committee at the event in Richmond, advisers said.

Before yesterday, the campaign had blocked access to McCain's fundraisers, shuttling reporters and TV cameras to nearby hotels while holding closed-door events with donors.

McCain's five-minute talk at a high-dollar reception and his 15-minute speech to 240 donors who each gave at least $1,000 was open to a handful of reporters who later wrote up his comments for use by all of the campaign's reporters. McCain also took questions from the donors, turning the fundraiser into a mini-town-hall forum, and teed off on an economic speech Obama was making in Raleigh, N.C.

And yesterday's effort appeared to work, keeping McCain in the storyline. By the early afternoon, CNN and other major news organizations were reporting on McCain's criticism of Obama during the fundraiser for opposing a summer suspension of the federal gasoline tax.

His speech to the donors also gave him a chance to test a new theme for his stump speech. He said his campaign would focus on "reform, prosperity and peace," a phrase he hadn't used before to describe his top priorities as president.

At the fundraiser in Richmond, which was a joint event with the Republican National Committee's Victory operation, McCain touched on his offer to hold joint town hall meetings with Obama and pledged not to take Virginia for granted in the general election.

"I will be here. I will be here," he said to applause.