WASHINGTON (AP) _ John McCain's campaign, trailing topRepublican rivals in money and polls, is undergoing a significant
reorganization with staff cuts in every department, officials with
knowledge of the shake-up said Monday.
Some 50 staffers are being let go, and senior aides will be
subject to pay cuts as the Arizona senator's campaign bows to the
reality of six months of subpar fundraising, these officials said.
They spoke on the condition of anonymity because the plans have
not been made public. An afternoon. conference call was scheduled to
announce the results of second-quarter fundraising.
Once considered the front-runner for the GOP nomination, McCain
came in third in the money chase in the first three months of the year
with $13.6 million. He is struggling to reach that total in the second
financial quarter.
Officials said the fundamental leadership of the campaign will
not change; Terry Nelson, a veteran of President Bush's winning 2004
campaign, will remain campaign manager but may volunteer his time
instead of drawing a salary.
Nelson declined to comment, and Brian Jones, the campaign's
communications director, did not immediately respond to requests for
comment.
