Donors pick up convention tab

— -- By Fredreka Schouten, USA TODAY

Labor unions and wealthy donors are helping to close funding gaps for both national political conventions, sometimes contributing more than what they could legally donate to Barack Obama or John McCain. (read more...)

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McCain OK with aide's lobbying past

By Matt Kelley and David Jackson, USA TODAY

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain told USA TODAY on Sunday that he has no problem with his top foreign policy adviser Randy Scheunemann's past lobbying work. (read more...)

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Gender gap emerges in fundraising ranks

By Fredreka Schouten, USA TODAY

In a historic election in which a woman almost won the Democratic nomination, men dominate the ranks of elite fundraisers in the presidential race, a USA TODAY analysis shows. (read more...)

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Obama shifts stance on environmental issues (July 17)

By Ken Dilanian, USA TODAY

In May 1998, at the urging of the state's coal industry, the Illinois Legislature passed a bill condemning the Kyoto global warming treaty and forbidding state efforts to regulate greenhouse gases. Barack Obama voted "aye." (read more...)

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Obama camp cash intake doubles in June (July 17)

By Fredreka Schouten, USA TODAY

Democrat Barack Obama more than doubled his fundraising in June, establishing better than a 2-to-1 financial advantage over Republican rival John McCain. (read more...)

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Elite fundraisers bundling donations for Obama, McCain (July 15)

By Fredreka Schouten, USA TODAY

Republican John McCain's elite fundraisers have helped collect more than half of his presidential campaign money, while Democratic rival Barack Obama has relied on his own top fundraisers for nearly one-fifth of his coffers, a USA TODAY analysis shows. (read more...)

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McCain accepts ex-Swift Boaters' donations (June 30)

By Fredreka Schouten, USA TODAY

Republican John McCain, who four years ago condemned independent ads challenging Democrat John Kerry's military record, has accepted nearly $70,000 for his presidential campaign from the top donors of the group behind the attack ads and their relatives, a USA TODAY analysis shows. (read more...)