Brownback got debt help after endorsing McCain

Some of John McCain’s largest political donors sent checks to failed Republican presidential candidate Sam Brownback to help him pay off his campaign debt in the days after the Kansas senator endorsed McCain.

The effort is reminiscent of Hillary Rodham Clinton’s donors, who gave $90,000 to former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack after he withdrew from the Democratic presidential campaign and endorsed Clinton last year. Vilsack also used the money to help pay off his debt.

Brownback ended his bid for the presidency in October, citing a lack of money.

Brownback’s endorsement of McCain on Nov. 7 gave the Arizona senator a boost at a time when his campaign was faltering.

The timing of the donations raises questions about whether Brownback’s endorsement came at a cost, said political science professor Larry N. Gerston, of San Jose State University. “It is not as if there is a smoking gun, but there is a lot of smoke here,” Gerston said.

Spokesmen for McCain and Brownback did not respond to calls seeking comment.