John McCain is now returning contributions totaling $3 million that were raised for the general election, in preparation for opting into the public finance system — a sign that he will not be attempting to privately raise the millions he would need to go up against the Democratic nominee, but which he has had trouble getting on his own.

Instead, the man known for campaign finance reform is asking his contributors to write checks to a new fund — a fund set up to help him pay legal fees and other expenses in his dealings with the public finance system.