McCain in a 'Catch 21'

(ONNpolitics) -- Arizona Senator and Republican presidential nominee, John McCain is running into serious infrastructure problems with his campaign early in the game. He's having issues raising money and recruiting aides without corporate lobbyist ties

Why is this a big issue, some might ask? Well, it's because McCain would be putting his foot in his mouth if he allows himself to be tied to corporate lobbyist.

Earlier this year, McCain denied allegations of being tied to Washington lobbyist in a scandal that roughed up his image among prospective voters. But, the American people took his word for it and put the issue on ice.

Sen. McCain followed the scandal with a speech in which he said: "we need to close the door firmly on corporate lobbyists." Now reports are surfacing that McCain has lobbyist staffers and fund raisers working for his campaign.

Its an issue that he couldn't avoid, as fundraising has proven to be problematic among the traditional Republican base, who have continued to question his liberal agenda on issues such as climate and immigration.

McCain has been restricted in fundraising because he's trying to wear too many faces. On one hand he wants to appeal to the Independent with his maverick image. And, on the other hand he wants to remain a conservative, which is hard as most conservative voters require an "almost" all-or-nothing allegiance. This means that McCain has had to rely on the same fundraising apparatus (i.e., corporate funding) that he restricted through campaign finance reform laws and denounced through many speeches.

So, if McCain can't raise funds from corporate lobbyist or the traditional Republican base, then how is he going to fund his campaign in the Fall, which is already running on a shoestring?

The obvious answer is through public finance, an omen for any modern presidential candidate, especially when his likely opponent, Sen. Barrack Obama, has raised a quarter of a billion dollars ($250 million). Though it presents its problems public financing will have to be McCain's bread and butter as he will have access to the $84 million available in grants, which can be supplemented through the monies available through the RNC (Republican National Committee).

But, there remains yet another obstacle to overcome with public funding as McCain has past issues with the FEC (Federal Elections Commission), the commission that he plans to receive grants from. McCain has had an embattled relationship with the FEC over ethics issues while he campaigned in the past on a corruption and an ethics reform agenda. This battle came to a head when he commented in 2004 that the FEC was "disgraceful" and "despicable" in its practices.

There is, however, good news for McCain as he no longer faces a non-functional FEC, which was without important nominations due to a Senate deadlock on appointments. This is good because the FEC has to vote to release funds to McCain's presidential campaign in the Fall.

However, McCain faces a showdown with the Chairman of the FEC, David Mason, who wants to launch an investigation due to non-compliance with public finance rules over a loan McCain took out from a private bank to fund his campaign.

So, what do all the mounting obstacles mean for McCain's presidential bid? They point to the fact that McCain has some serious reckoning to do with important players in the political arena in order to finance his campaign which is essential to winning the election.

He needs to choose which side he's going to represent, either he's a conservative or not. Traditional Republicans are growing tired of McCain's maverick image that he plays up for the Independent vote.

Also, if he plans to stand a chance against Obama in the fall debates he has to formulate a convincing argument as to why he has such a close relationship with Washington lobbyist, while he claims to be so distant from them.