McCain’s campaign for change is fueled by same old money machine

In accepting the GOP nomination for president last night, John McCain pledged to run as an iconoclast who will shake things up in Washington.

His reputation as a maverick and his selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as a running mate would signal that McCain is bringing change to the Republican Party.

But his campaign money machine sends a different message.

As they say in Casablanca, “Round up the usual suspects.”

The map above shows McCain bundlers who were also major supporters of George W. Bush in 2004. Because individual contributions are capped at $2,300 for the general election, bundlers - influential people who persuade friends, family and colleagues to contribute to a campaign - play a major role in presidential politics.

August A. Busch III

Robert A. Mosbacher, former Commerce secretary and a friend of George H.W. Bush, is a bundler as well as general chairman of the campaign.

Other heavy hitters include:

• August A. Busch III of Anheuser-Busch
• Henry R. Kravis of Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts and Co.
• Robert Wood Johnson IV of Johnson Co.
• William H. Strong of Morgan Stanley
• Judy A. Black, whose husband Charles has advised Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Jesse Helms and Bob Dole

The McCain campaign has released a list of bundlers who have raised $50,000 or more. Of the 450 names listed, 63 have raised at least $500,000.

Related story: GOP donor Robert Wood Johnson gets royal reception at convention

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• More Obama bundlers named to ambassador jobs - July 10, 2009
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• A lobbyist by any other name would still smell like a lobbyist - September 18, 2008
• Colin Powell and son, Michael, at odds over Obama, McCain - October 21, 2008
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• Multi-million-dollar donor Robert Wood Johnson gets GOP love - September 5, 2008
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