McCain's lobbyist army
By Steve Benen Tuesday Jan 01, 2008 8:17amJohn McCain's website tells visitors, "Too often the special interest lobbyists with the fattest wallets and best access carry the day." It sounds like a compelling sentiment from a one-time reformer, and might even be impressive, just so long as you don't peek behind the curtain.
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) took a break from the presidential campaign trail in March to fly to a posh Utah ski resort, where he mingled with hundreds of top corporate executives assembled by J.P. Morgan Chase for its annual leadership conference.
McCain's appearance at the Deer Valley event, arranged by J.P. Morgan Vice Chairman James B. Lee Jr., a top McCain fundraiser, put him in a room with the chief executives of companies such as General Electric, Xerox and Sony. It was, Lee said, "a chance for him to let them see him for who he is and possibly decide to support him." The effort paid off: J.P. Morgan executives have donated $56,250 to McCain's campaign, two-thirds of which came after his Utah appearance. And his visit there was quickly followed up by dozens of smaller private meetings with corporate executives in New York City arranged by leading Wall Street figures. [...]
As a presidential candidate this year, McCain has found himself assiduously courting both lobbyists and their wealthy clients, offering them private audiences as part of his fundraising. He also counts more than 30 lobbyists among his chief fundraisers, more than any other presidential contender.
It's certainly an awkward disconnect, isn't it? McCain is a "reformer," who rails against "special interests" and their "undue influence." Ever since that Keating 5 unpleasantness a while back, McCain has positioned himself as the Republicans' leading advocate of campaign-finance reform, denouncing colleagues who offer special access to donors in order to fill their campaign coffers.
And yet, there's McCain, giving powerful corporate lobbyists and their clients high-priced private schmooze sessions at exclusive retreats.
For that matter, let's also not forget that McCain not only surrounds himself with lobbyist fundraisers; he's also surrounded himself with more lobbyist staffers than any other candidate -- and more than most of the field combined.
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Don't forget also that this bitter old man yearns to redeem his family name by doing well in wartime: What better place to try that out as the next president of the U.S.
standard. Night is day. Still I don't want him to get the nom. Give me Huckabee and it will be a sweet 8 months tearing him apart
Johnny Mac is a lying hypocrite.
So why doesn't the GOP love him?
He's not the frist one they elected
Yep, the best government money can buy :(
I can't respect any man who would be attacked so awfully by the bush campaign in 2000 and then turn around and hug and kiss bush's ass. McCain is desperate and his actions show it. What a pathetic lot the republicans have to choose from this time. Does anyone trust any of them?
Sure, I have my doubts about some of the Dem candidates but I don't wonder if any of them are evil or insane.
do not trust GE and Autism Speaks
Johnny Mac's slogan should be "Vote for McCain, he's not as crazy as the other guys"
In the "gaggle of prezidentchul geese" walks ONE MAN least like the others.....
His name is Edwards!
You knew you lost McStain when he decided to forgive Bush for the Rovian tactics used to wrestle the nomination from him back in 2000.
That "hug" = "Lieberman's kiss".
So why are you surprised that those who rail against lobbyists are actually taking payola from them?
Meet the new boss....same as the old boss and probably worse.
I've been saying for months. McCain, give it up and go home. Whoever said age is not a factor in making decesions is full of shit. The brain doesn't work like it did when it was 30 to 40 years younger. Elders always want to be seen as the smart and level headed ones to a younger generation. This is bullshit, most of the time. I know what I speak of. It feels good when somebody tells you what a sane and sensible guy you are. I appreciate their pandering to an old fart. I accept the fact that being the same age as McCain, I wouldn't subject the fate of this country on the 70 year old brain of mine that is losing cells by the day. This is evidenced by McCains pandering to anyone who will give him the time of day. There comes a time when we should accept our limitations. My vote will go to someone that has a real chance to help bring change and postive thinking to my country.
I agree with jack foster up above.........but watch....McCain will Pull the (surprise upset)to win the nomination.........when you think about it...he's the only (somewhat) sensible one.Annd I say that loosely
If McCain should get the repub nomination, all the dem candidate has to do is make an ad of McCain giggling and singing, Bomb Iran. That ought to do it up nicely.
Who gets my vote does not have to think exactly as I do, but they need to explain to me how they came to their conclusion. I want to think they are wiser than I am and when they do something I don't agree with, I want to hear their rational. We should all be entitled to that.
mudshark @ 10:
I agree. McCain seems to be the least rotten apple in a pile of really rotten apples. However that doesn't make him less stinky. If there are smart moderate Repub, I feel sorry for them, looking at who they have to chose from this year.
the only thing I like about McCain is his stance on Immigration...(illegal).......and the republicans hate him for it.Immigration is by far the biggest issue on the GOP plate .......most repubs I've spoken too say that illegal immigration is the ONLY issue.......just goes to show you where there mind set is at.
sounds like hillary
Mccombover will always be a Potemkinite protected by Chris Matthews
I always get a kick out of those who go for the 'reformer' or the 'honest' image. Because that's all it is. It's like painting on a fresh coat of bullshit and hoping no one notices the smell. But I guess that's what all those sycophants hovering around them are for.
There isn't a single one of them, dem or rethug, who is believable. They are all owing to someone in one way or another and they will be paying them back as expected when the time comes. Not to mention that they've all got their own monetary ties in pork and programs that have nothing to do with anything but helping themselves.
It's a matter of choosing the least offensive out of a barrel of rotten apples and hoping you don't end up getting one rotten to the core like the current moron in chimp.
The GOP realizes Ghouliani doesn't stand a real chance in blue hell, and the GOP leadership is realizing that once they let the Huck out of the bottle, they won't be able to get him back in. The GOP wants to manipulate Christians, not actually do their bidding.
So they go back and trot out McCain. McCain long ago decided to sell out to the GOP corporate interests.
Another whackjob that will do anything the corporations want him to, tell any doublespeak lie to Americans they ask him to. Heck, here's a former POW that was tortured himself who will buy the Bushies' "waterboarding is technically not torture" line.
What more could they ask for?
They need a replacement for Bush - the perfect front man who will stand outside redirecting traffic while his buddies clan out the house.
McCain is standing there waving his hand "hey guys, I'll do it!" Looks like they'll take him up on it.
I agree with Jack Foster, mud shark and many other comments above, but will this be reported by the MSM to show America that McCain is just another liar and shill? Well, will they??
How did they figure MCCain was worth suporting--was he pulled into a back room where his trigger was revealed and mister Manchurian starts singing?
When you get as ancient as McCain, you can claim senility to cover any 'mistake'.
And you can mendaciously plan 'mistakes', knowing you have an excuse.
McCain, the ultimate Born Again Politician!
The man is a liar like bush, remember Iraq walking down main street everthing come out of his mouth are miss truths only Edwards shows a little truth in the hole lot.
"If a man’s this dishonest to obtain a job—then he’ll be dishonest on the job,”
Subconscious tranferrance of an idea which Huckabee himself is too intellectually dishonest to consciously acknowledge. Huckabee is right. About Romney, but also about himself. What a psycho.
I attended a McCain event some years back and posed a question. Was totally unimpressed with his response. He should be out to pasture and enjoying his grandkids. Maybe he's the kind of Grandpa kids run from, though! Seems like a cranky old fart, doesn't he?
I know I'm a cynic, but aren't they all pretty much ran by lobbyists?
IMHO, McCain can do as he likes. He has about as much chance at the presidency as my Aunt Tilley.
jack foster @ 10:
Judging by that last sentence there isn't any thing at all wrong with your brain cells.
The "Straight Talk Express" is actually the "Forked Tongue Express". Remember the Keating 5 when John took millions from Charles Keating? Well you should. He sure showed people he is NOT honest enough to be the supervisor of the 11-7 shift at Mc Donald's, let alone President. Besides, he will soon be 72 and still is a war monger. John, go home and shut up.
How about that picture of McCain and his mom , lighten up the both of you . Now I'am a Ron Paul guy and I want change , not some more of the same , just like we have had these last few decades . like someone told me a long time ago , " if you dont vote then shut up " .
of the two which is supported by aipac and which wants to keep the war in the ME going , talk about having your head in the sand .
Nothing personal , I just dont see very much difference in 99% of the people running , on my planet it is time for a change or this country is in for some very tough times .
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