Today, John McCain was in Charlotte asking for money.

As the Washington Post recently reported, McCain, the presidential candidate is hypocritically employing the very same fundraising tactics he spent years criticizing and trying to change:"In his early efforts to secure the support of the Republican establishment he frequently bucked, McCain embraced some of the same political-money figures, forces and tactics he pilloried during a 15-year crusade to reduce the influence of big donors, fundraisers and lobbyists in elections. That includes enlisting the support of Washington lobbyists as well as key players in the fundraising machine that helped President Bush defeat McCain in the 2000 Republican primaries...But now the contrast between McCain the presidential candidate and McCain the reformer can be jarring...McCain the candidate enlisted some of the same GOP fundraising giants who created and flourished in the soft-money system, including Bush's fundraising 'Pioneers' and 'Rangers,' who earned their designations by raising at least $100,000 or $200,000 for his campaigns."

Today's fundraiser follows yesterday's announcement:

"U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced that former North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Ferrell Blount and Former Charlotte Mayor Richard Vinroot will support the Arizona Senator's presidential candidacy. In addition, Blount and Vinroot will serve as state steering committee members for Senator McCain's presidential campaign in North Carolina."

"I wonder if John McCain is traveling to Charlotte to raise money in the 'Hypocrite Express.' In today's political environment, a straight-talker would be welcome. But on issues ranging from campaign fundraising to Iraq, John McCain is already saying anything to win," said North Carolina Democratic Party Communications Director Schorr Johnson. "John McCain touting the support of a two-time gubernatorial loser and a former Republican Party Chair who quit on Election Day--before the polls closed--confirm that McCain the self-styled 'maverick' is really just another business-as-usual Republican."