Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) said one of the players in the Jack Abramoff doesn't have an official role in his presidential campaign.

But Ralph Reed, the former head of the Christian Coalition, said he has joined the "McCain Victory 2008 Team" and will raise funds for the candidate. Reed and McCain will appear at an August 18 fundraiser in Atlanta, Georgia.

Reed's name came up repeatedly as McCain investigated Abramoff's bilking of tribes. McCain, however, declined to focus on Reed's involvement and on other players in the scandal.

Reed accepted $4.1 million from Abramoff in order to fight a casino that Abramoff's tribal clients opposed.

Get the Story:
Ralph Reed's link to McCain brews storm of criticism (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution 8/14)
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Democrats hit McCain over link to Ralph Reed (The Hill 8/14)

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