McCain Distances Himself from Independents... Independent Expenditures, That Is

Today's NYT story on the role of 527s independent expenditure groups (including both 501c(4) groups and 527s) this cycle aimed to hit John McCain where it would hurt him the most: his integrity. The NYT follows up on a story that broke last week concerning an independent group putting up pro-McCain ads in South Carolina -- in what comes close being a violation of the very campaign finance laws he put in place. The law forbids co-ordination; none has been alleged, but the group is composed of former McCain adviser Rick Reed and other McCain supporters: On Fox News Sunday, he underscored that he knew nothing about the ads:

I have not called Rick Reed because I don't know what his involvement in it is. I don't know who is involved with it. I have condemned those ads. If I knew who was involved in it, I would tell them to — that I would like to see them taken down, and Mr. Reed has not been involved in our campaign except in an advisory capacity — give us some advice a long time ago as there are many, many others who have.

It's worth noting that he can't call Reed, as that would definitely be illegal.

In response to the NYT piece, he's the following statement which is, to say the least, significantly more forceful than the Fox one:

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain today issued the following statement:

"I have long opposed the use of soft money by independent groups trying to influence elections. It is a position I hold without reservation. Anyone who believes they could assist my campaign by exploiting a loophole in campaign finance laws is doing me and our country a disservice. I ask all of my donors and supporters, including Mr. Reed, to cease and desist immediately from supporting any independent expenditures that might be construed as benefiting my campaign indirectly. If you respect me or my principles, I urge you to refrain from using my name and image in any ads or other activities. I will not win this election, nor would I want to win it, by acquiescing in anyone's attempt to put my campaign before my principles. I will run on my principles, my record, and my vision for our country, and I will trust the voters to make the right decision. I will never betray my trust to them or my own conscience for the sake of expediency, and I want all who support me to honor that commitment."