McCain camp seeks cash, talks running mate

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- The campaign of Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain of Arizona has begun fundraising for both primary and general elections, sources said.

The team for McCain, the front-runner to receive the party's nod as its presidential nominee, shifted its thinking to a campaign message more focused on Democrats and the general election, CNN reported Thursday.

Part of that includes a dual-track fundraising network to raise cash for the primary season while amassing a war chest for what promises to be a bruising general election campaign.

McCain's fundraising operation is reaching out to about 300 major GOP fundraisers, many of whom supported other candidates who have since dropped out, sources familiar with the effort told CNN. The goal is to raise tens of millions of dollars, in part, by finding donors who may have contributed the maximum amount to their first choice, but not yet donated to McCain.

Meanwhile, sources familiar with the McCain campaign confirmed to CNN casual conversations about a vice presidential search process have occurred. While there have been no official meetings or discussions with McCain or his senior staff, the subject was expected to come up within a few weeks, the sources said.