March 26, 2008

Photos from McCain fundraiser

Jon Fleischman, the publisher of the Flashreport and a vice-chairman of the California Republican party has an account of Sen. John McCain's Newport Beach fundraiser on Tuesday, attended by leading Southern California Republicans.

Fleischman wrote the difference between McCain's appearance in December, when many considered him a dark house candidate, and Tuesday, when he was the undisputed nominee was "pretty stark."

"Where December's McCain was determined and resolute, wintering a sketchy position in the polls at the time, March's McCain was clearly elated to be in front of the audience. He was filled with energy and enthusiasm, and clearly on top of his game," said Fleischman.

A McCain official told him the soiree was expected to raise more than $800,000.

Among the GOP glitterati, if you will, in the photos: Donald Bren, the well-heeled executive of the Irvine Company, Rep. John Campbell, former CA Secretary of State Bill Jones (McCain's California campaign chair), former GOP Senate candidate Bruce Herschensohn, Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle (a former Assembly speaker), Marty Wilson, a prominent Republican fundraiser, Meg Whitman, the former eBay executive and rumored governor wanna-be, California GOP Chairman Ron Nehring, and Steve Schmidt, a senior McCain adviser and former campaign manager for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Posted by Shane Goldmacher on March 26, 2008 9:43 AM