By CARL CAMPANILE
May 8, 2008
John McCain swept into town last night, raised a record $7 million for his campaign kitty, and bonded with former GOP presidential rival Rudy Giuliani.
McCain addressed 800 supporters at the Sheraton New York, then attended a smaller gathering of top donors who raised more than $100,000 for him at the home of Jets owner Woody Johnson, who chaired the events for the presumptive GOP presidential nominee.
The $100,000 bundlers included Carl Icahn, Donald Trump, insurance titan Hank Greenberg, Yankee President Randy Levine and Bill and David Koch. Giuliani introduced McCain.
Johnson said New York Republicans are coalescing around McCain.
"There's been an outpouring of support. Success begets success," Johnson said.
Earlier yesterday, McCain pretended to snarl when asked about his legendary temper.
"How dare you ask that question!" McCain said, chuckling.
His questioner persisted, reading a comment by a fellow Republican, Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran, that the idea of McCain as the GOP presidential nominee sent a chill down his spine.
"I'm all too familiar with the quote," said McCain, who has since smoothed things over with his colleague.
