As Clinton, Obama end primary wars, McCain launches fall ad, raises nearly $22 million

Most everyone in the field of politics and those of us watching from the grandstands have focused on the Democratic family soap opera in recent days and weeks. And we've anticipated the compelling season finale that will unfold before our televised eyes in Washington this morning.

There, Sen. Hillary Clinton will officially admit defeat -- well, maybe she won't go quite that far.

But she will, as promised, appear to graciously and heartily endorse this upstart freshman senator from Illinois, Barack Obama, whose eloquence, quick learning and charisma prevented her from gaining her rightful White House political inheritance -- this time.

And if, God forbid or at least look the other way, Obama should not win the White House Nov. 4, her dutiful campaigning for the party ticket starting today won't hurt her chances come 2012. God help us, we're typing that date already.

Many of us have been debating Clinton's Tuesday night non-concession speech that was nearly downright defiant and if, when or how she'd accept the No. 2 spot or if it will even be offered (of course not).

Meanwhile, that wily old-timer from Arizona, who last summer said he'd "out-campaign" all his better-funded Republican rivals and then did just that, has been very busy.

Campaign sources tell The Times' political finance expert Dan Morain that Sen. John McCain had the best fundraising ...

... month (May) he's ever had -- taking in nearly $22 million for a total year-to-date of $77 million. In April, he raised only $18 million.

Still far behind the Obama money-printing machine. But then until four days ago, Obama was still fighting primary battles -- and amazingly losing nine of the last 14 contests to the woman who will concede to him today.

But with the GOP nomination locked up for months and Rep. Ron Paul trailing by more than 1,000 delegates, McCain has been general electioneering for a long time already.

A prime target will be those more conservative women who may feel some strong disaffection from the Democratic Party because it is denying the first serious female candidate its nomination in favor of, of course, a man.

The Republican National Committee, with the help of President Bush, raised another $23.7 million for McCain's benefit in May, giving it a hefty $53.6 million cash on hand today.

McCain himself has almost a whopping $32 million cash on hand. Not bad for an old guy who was flying aide-free in the back of USAir flights to South Carolina during that long last summer when his chances of political recovery were clearly zero.

And Friday he started to spend some of that bounty, probably about $2 million worth. McCain was the first to launch a television ad for the general election campaign, a 30-second spot called "Safe," with the former fighter pilot and POW looking straight into the camera as images from his life float through the background.

"Only a fool or a fraud talks tough or romantically about war," says McCain, adding, "I was shot down over Vietnam and spent five years as a POW.... I hate war. And I know how terrible its costs are. I'm running for president to keep the country I love safe."

The ad (to view the entire thing, click here) will mix cable and broadcast and run in numerous swing states, including some currently leaning Democratic.

Here we go.

--Andrew Malcolm

Photo Credits: CNN and Associated Press