McCain donors help pay rival's debt

Some of John McCain's largest political donors sent checks to failed Republican presidential candidate Sam Brownback to help him pay off his campaign debt in the days after the Kansas senator endorsed McCain.

The effort echoes how Hillary Rodham Clinton's donors gave $90,000 to former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack after he withdrew from the Democratic presidential campaign and endorsed Clinton last year. Vilsack also used the money to help pay off his debt.

Brownback ended his bid for the presidency in October, citing a lack of money, and endorsed McCain on Nov. 7.

As of Dec. 31, Brownback's presidential campaign remained more than $32,000 in debt. But his campaign made $226,000 in payments in the final three months of 2007, aided by donations from McCain backers, Federal Election Commission filings show.

Brownback's filing indicates that after he endorsed McCain, at least 17 donors gave him the maximum $2,300 each — totaling nearly $40,000. McCain spokesman Brian Rogers said Tuesday that McCain gave his donor list to Brownback after winning Brownback's endorsement. "There is nothing nefarious," Rogers said.

Brownback's office did not comment.