McCain helps former rival retire debt

WASHINGTON, April 14 (UPI) -- Likely GOP presidential nominee John McCain wants to help former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani pay off his primary campaign debt, a McCain staff e-mail shows.

McCain manager Rick Davis has e-mailed the senator's top fundraisers asking that they help Giuliani retire the debt he incurred before dropping out of the Republican primary race, The Politico reported Monday.

"While this is an unusual request, it is extremely important for the McCain campaign and the party," Davis wrote. "We need to help Mayor Giuliani retire his debt as soon as possible so we can move forward with everyone spending 100 percent of their time helping to get John McCain in the White House.

The e-mail directs McCain donors to go to Giuliani's Web site to make their contributions.

In a report filed with the Federal Election Commission last month, the Giuliani campaign reported $4 million in cash and $3.1 million in debt.