McCain has long had a rocky relationship with the conservative wing of the GOP, and this assault, taking place in two states with early presidential primaries, puts the senator at odds with officials from such powerful groups as the National Rifle Association and the antiabortion National Right to Life. But the condemnation actually could give McCain's campaign a boost from voters who view him as standing up to special interests and who think his legislation is a needed response to big money in politics. We're not trying to hurt his presidential aspirations, we just think going to New Hampshire is a good way to get some coverage, and maybe wake him up a little bit to make him understand where we're coming from,'' Cowan said. Campaign-finance legislation passed the House of Representatives last week, and is expected to be taken up in the Senate beginning Oct. 5. The measure would ban ''soft money,'' the unlimited, unregulated contributions to political parties.
Soft money is used largely to skirt the stricter limits on donations to individual candidates.
Karen Testerman, New Hampshire coordinator for Gary Bauer's presidential campaign, is expected to attend as well. The McCain campaign repeatedly assailed the group for being more concerned that the legislation will cut into their wallets than their causes. Norquist, for example, is a registered lobbyist and a registered foreign agent. He represents Microsoft Corp., the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola, the President of the Republic of the Seychelles, and the Distilled Spirits Council, among others. It does not impede their ability to run issue ads.'' The bill would require any organization running advertising within 60 days of a federal election to disclose who paid for the ads, Meehan said.