The Post’s Matthew Mosk and some commentators have an interesting take on well-established aspects of the presidential financing system.

“One cute issue lurking within all of this joint fundraising is whether campaigns are getting away with having people basically give to party committees what technically is money earmarked to help a particular candidate,” said Scott Thomas, a former FEC chairman.

Under FEC rules, Thomas explained, the party cannot tell donors that contributions will be used expressly to help a single candidate. That practice, called earmarking, would circumvent contribution limits and, in this case, the prohibition on McCain raising private money.