McCain and the RNC, begging together

What with John McCain suspending his campaign and all, it’s a good time to explore what his campaign is really thinking. Let’s do that through the lens of the letters his campaign and the Republican National Committee sent out last week, begging for money. In the process, he and the RNC demonstrated how thin their grasp is on reality, truth, and integrity.

Attached to this post are images of the letters, with just the address (and a weird little two-dimensional bar-code thingy) blurred out. (I came by these honestly — the man who sold me my house five years ago was apparently such a big Republican donor that he’s still on their mailing list. These were sent to my house.)

Some interesting excerpts follow. I’ll let the commenters go to town.

From McCain himself

on fundraising in general

“the Obama Democrats have been raising enormous sums of money. They will rely on their massive fundraising machine ... to spend and do whatever it takes to bring our candidates down.

“From here on out the full scope and power of the Democrats’ relentless and battle-tested money churning machine is aimed at one target: Capturing total control of our government.”

on Iraq

“The Obama Democrats ... [are] clinging to their reckless and unconditional timeline for withdrawal.

“We intend to win the war. ... We will finish the Iraq war with victory and bring our troops home with honor when the mission is truly accomplished.”

on Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and other social programs

“The Obama Democrats will increase the size of the federal government.

“We Republicans plan to reduce it. Washington’s irresponsibility with your tax dollars is a national disgrace. ... And we will not permit any expansion whatsoever of the entitlement programs that are bankrupting us.”

on health care

“The Obama Democrats will offer a big-government solution to health care coverage.

“The Republican answer ... is to harness the power of market competition.... We believe big government is not the answer.... Big government is the problem.”

on lies and distortion in the campaign

“As we witness almost daily, when the Democrats and their liberal special interest allies turn their sights on us with vicious attacks — we must be ready.

Ready to counter the distortions, innuendoes and accusations. Ready to set the record straight. Ready, in short, to get out our message and make sure clarity and truth prevail.”

on campaign funding and contribution limits

“So please, sign and return your PLEDGE OF SUPPORT, along with your contribution of $35, $50, $100, $500, $1,000, $2,500 or even $5,000 to McCain-Palin Victory 2008 today. ... [This fund] also includes the McCain-Palin Compliance Fund, to which the federal election laws permit you to contribute up to $2,300 to help offset my campaign’s legal and accounting costs incurred during the campaign.”

From the RNC

on where RNC money comes from

“The Democrats are determined to put a liberal like Barack Obama in the White House, expand their narrow majorities in the U.S. House and Senate, and push our country to the Left with their agenda of high taxes, big government and weakened national security.

“Big Labor, radical liberal protest groups and Hollywood elites are planning to spend more than $500 million to defeat Republicans and aid the Democrat power grab.

“The RNC relies on the voluntary support of Republican activists like you.”

on what the Dems will do if they win

“the Democrats have made clear they will overturn every reform you helped President Bush achieve. ... [They will] repeal the Bush tax cuts, retreat from the war against Islamic extremism and increase the size of government through their one-size-fits-all health care plan.”