Struggling Wall Street firm has ties to Obama, McCain

Both John McCain and Barack Obama had ties to mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as they grappled with the government takeover announced on Sunday.

Their campaigns also have been the beneficiary of largess from another financial titan that is now teetering -- Lehman Brothers -- and could seek government help.

Lehman employees have made the firm among the biggest contributors to both presidential candidates -- $370,524 to Obama and $117,500 to McCain, the Center for Responsive Politics reported today.

Overall, the nonpartisan campaign finance watchdog said it has identified more than $1.9 million in federal contributions to candidates and parties from Lehman's PAC and individuals for the 2008 election, with nearly two-thirds of the money going to Democrats.

The Wall Street firm announced a series of steps Wednesday to shore up its condition after reporting its biggest loss ever.