McCain: The Anti-lobbyist just loves lobbyists
By John Amato Thursday Feb 21, 2008 11:01am
The hits keep on coming for John McCain since the NY Times broke the lobbyist scandal. For a man who rails against them, he certainly counts many as he friends. During his presser yesterday he even admitted that Ms. Iseman, the gal that is linked as the "it girl' in the Times story is a "friend."
Now the Washington Post follows that up with this:
In McCain's case, the fact that lobbyists are essentially running his presidential campaign -- most of them as volunteers -- seems to some people to be at odds with his anti-lobbying rhetoric. "He has a closer relationship with lobbyists than he lets on," said Melanie Sloan of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. "The problem for McCain being so closely associated with lobbyists is that he's the candidate most closely associated with attacking lobbyists."
Public Citizen, a group that monitors campaign fundraising, has found that McCain had more bundlers -- people who gather checks from networks of friends and associates -- from the lobbying community than any other presidential candidate from either party. By the group's current count, McCain had at least 59 federal lobbyists raising money for his campaign, compared with 33 working for Republican Rudolph W. Giuliani and 19 working for Democrat Clinton..read on
That's a heck of a lot of lobbyist "friends." And why would he have have so many lobbyist friends? I mean, their job is to make friends in high places that can help them get deals for their clients. What would his motivation be? I'm sure he has plenty of friends in his life, including his family. And how many lobbyists did Obama have in the piece?
Barack Obama has been advised by former senator Thomas A. Daschle (D-S.D.), who is not a registered lobbyist but advises clients about Washington.
Stretch, much? I can envision another campaign slogan for Obama....Oh, yea---it's coming...write a few in the thread below.
UPDATE: Glenn notes that Newsweek has caught McCain in a serious credibility-undermining contradiction:
[W]hat is not old is McCain's deliberately dishonest claims in response to that story. Denying that he ever spoke with Paxson's CEO when he testified under oath that he did -- and then misleadingly claiming that he was using the royal "I" and meant only that his staff spoke with Paxson -- is clear and deliberate deceit.
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Looks like the front seats on the Straight Talk Express are reserved for lobbyists…
McCain: Lobbyist Not My Lover, Just a ‘Friend With Benefits’
Uhh try this: I'm not a lying fraud in the pockets of the industry my committee regulates like you are Mac.
A little wordy, but its a start.
I hope Dems dont make the mistake of attacking John McCain for being the pocket of lobbyists. That will open up a can of worms and every Democrat in Washington will be hoisted by his own petard. Politicians love lobbyist money more than Brad Pitt loves Angelina's vagina.
If you want special interests to continue to control our country, vote more of the same, vote McCain.
If you want change, vote to take your country back, vote Barack.
How about: "An administration run by and for the people, not by and for the lobbyists."
"It's the bribery, stupid !"
Speaking of McCain's surrounding himself with lobbyists, check out this little piece on his chief fundraiser Tom Loeffler:
http://www.democrats.org/a/2007/04/mccain_retools.php
And then to add some context, take a look at what his Saudi clients have been up to lately:
http://www.asecondlookatthesaudis.com
We might have the most powerful military in the world, but it sure looks like it is being bought right out from underneath us.
"Because they're mine,
I tow their line." John McCain channeling the man in black.
john INSANE & the double-talk express ride again!
Here is Obama's ad campaign:
Several fade ins of article headlines of various McCain lobbying scandals.
Then an announcer explains how Obama's money has come from millions of Americans who've chosen to donate.
Commercial ends with Obama saying: The American People are MY Special Interest Group"
And we thought our Representatives were selling us out for cash.
Now it seems that sex is incentive enough to get them to betray the Constitution of the United States of America.
The story that needs to get more press, as mentioned by others, is that McCain was underhandedly trying to stick the taxpayers with his campaign expenses if his campaign went belly.
When McCain says, "my friends" now we know who he was really talking about.
McCain's bus left for Bizzarro World a long, long time ago.
abob @ 4:
congratulations! you just got a ticket on the "straight talk express".
enjoy the ride!
Interesting isn't it.The more a Republican rails against some particular activity the more likely they are to secretly engage in that activity.
Filthy Harry @ 11:
I like it!
Sorry,
Brad will get tired of Angie's vag and move on. Congress will never ever get tired of fucking lobbyists, and vice versa.
I love it! Now the two choices for the Cons are the double-talking, lobbist-loving McCain or the religious zealot Huckabee. Heeheehee!!
Of course, with the way Dems run campaigns, it still wouldn't be a sure thing.
abob @ 4:
Give me a break. And Jack Abramoff was a bi-partisan scandal, right? Screw the Democrats that are in the pocket of lobbyists. I'd gladly throw out those babies with the Republican bathwater.
Both parties are not equally dirty.
I liked Dean's approach of tying McLovin to the GOP culture of corruption.
Makes hates all lobbyists, except for pretty ones he can bang
abob @ 4:
Is this what is known as a concern troll?
Corporate media have made the Times the issue to unite their base.
This is kind of like the repub who makes a big deal out of wanting to protect kids in order to cover for the fact he is the very person who would molest kids.
Seems a theme. If you want to hide something from the public, make a big deal out of being against that something.
Is that what bush is also trying to do when he makes such a big deal about keeping the country safe?
Joe Muama @ 20:
This is playing right in to Ron "Stormfront" Paul's hands...
Holy Shit!! Check out the breaking news in the McCain-Iseman scandal...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=6v8qazD_fFk
vache folle @ 23:
Pretty sure. Either that or a yellow-bellied sap-sucker, and them's good eatin'.
pissed off patricia @ 25:
And, of course, Larry "I'm not gay" Craig!
This angry old hypocrite has no chance to win in Nov. His own party doesn't want him.
The Real Significance Of John McCain's Lobbyist Relationship
Yea, this is the candidate who has been running all over the country claiming to be above the "business and usual" routine associated with Washington politicians. What was this man thinking? Did he really think he could get away with taking on the banner clean politics? Now, he has given the American people a real time reminder: Republicans are hypocrites and liars, even the ones that have military backgrounds.
If this was about an affair, I would of ignored it. I am not a "sheet smeller" who finds someone's sex life of interest. His sex life is just that: his and his alone. However, as noted above, this man is a real time leader of the Republican hypocrisy. An elite if you will; the best, this case excluded, at lying their ass off to get elected.
The New York Times was right to expose McCain's hypocrisy in this matter. It would not be a first to have a major candidate nailed by an issue before he gets into the general election process. I am loving every minute of it.
Joseph
abob @ 4:
Exactly. Everybody in Congress is as guilty or moreso. Lobbying is an ugly industry of packwolves lookin' for cashola. But if politicians actually did what the average Joe wants there would be no problem. So far..........*crickets chirping*
vache folle @ 23:
No, it is what is called realism. The number of elected politicians not in the lobby pocket you could probably count on your hands quite easily. Those who aren't will be.
Old Billy @ 21:
Both parties aren't equally dirty? I would say they are. Everytime you read anything on any member of Congress, there are always lobbyist and corporate ties. That's who they represent.
vache folle @ 23:
Ding, ding, ding....we have a winner.
O/T: Motorcycle cop was killed escorting Hillary Clinton's motorcade to a rally.
ConcernedCanuck @ 33:
FINE. Toss them all out! It's time to open that can of worms and feed the fish!!
not convinced the msm will let this gain any traction. corporate bigwigs won't allow it. besides, this kind of press takes all the steam out of the run-up to the election translating into less drama which further translates into lower ratings...
Clavis @ 1:
quoted for truth
St. McCain @ 38:
It's almost a sure bet it won't gain any traction. The MSM has been doing a great job defusing the NYT-McHorny piece.
this isn't about lobbying, it's about hypocrisy.
The trough is available to any pol with a ticket to feed (or is that redundant?).
The one I came up with that has a nice rhyme to it is: "Have-it-both-ways McCain" Perhaps he'll hire a lobbyist and a PR person (and a lawyer) to fight against this perception that he is in bed with lobbyists. Another Republican Roger Clemens-ing (who by the way is a close personal friend of the Bush family).
Blue Lensman @ 37:
I agree!!!
Oops I meant "Play-it-both-ways McCain"
Peoples Front of Judea @ 18:
Sounds like a winner!
Dr. Matt @ 36:
Wow. That's sad.
St. McCain @ 38:
Serious news organizations don't like to dwell on the he-said/she-said stories.
(that as just practice bait, no need to respond)
McCain needs to change his slogan from the straight talk express to The Sweet Talk Express. Or maybe Sex Talk Express
I not sure what you are counting, but I know you are not counting corruption scandals. The Republicans far out-scandal the Democrats 5 to 1. This form of globalizing is the Republican's primary defense for everything they were accused of in 2006. Now, if you want to say all Republicans are equally dirty, I would say right on man.
Joseph
But McCain says his lobbyists are Honorable. (No Lie)
You know, honorable because they give money to the honorable John McCain.
ConcernedCanuck @ 47:
Tough profession. Another motorcycle cop died in New Mexico while escorting herr dubyah in 2007, and back in 2006 another one died in Hawaii.
Vote McCain! 'cuz we're not quite done fucking up America.
If you like George Bush, you're gone love McCain.
Watched Charley Black, McCain's campaign manager, on Charlie Rose last night. He threw out the expected response - it is the fault of the most liberal newspaper in the U.S. trying to smear mccain. Now I just read Mr. Black is a President of a powerful lobbying group in Washington. That should have been mentioned in the introduction.
The other two panelists (journalists) were balanced in their comments and stated there has been a history of McCain and lobbyists going back to the 2000 campaign.
"Straight Talk Express" = pure bull-shit
Hillary Clinton, Mrs. Hypocrite herself, will certainly owe a lot to the special interest too. I read on rawstory that she paid her strategist 3.8 Million in January while Obama pays his guy a low 6-figure salary.
Bit NOLA @ 51:
That's funny
WHAT??!! A republican saying he's AGAINST something when he's really for it? Is there any precedence for this? Surely not! The republican party, after all is all about morality and values and stuff. Surely nobody is suggesting that there's ever been a republican who says he's against drugs, adultery, homosexuality, wet suits, cross-dressing or child porn while he's secretly... you know... indulging in those things.
Why you might just call them a party of corrupt hypocrites!! Outrageous!
and stuff.
evenplayingfield @ 54:
No, just no gays allowed.
Joseph @ 50:
I not sure what you are counting, but I know you are not counting corruption scandals. The Republicans far out-scandal the Democrats 5 to 1. This form of globalizing is the Republican's primary defense for everything they were accused of in 2006. Now, if you want to say all Republicans are equally dirty, I would say right on man.
Joseph
OK, maybe now there are more GOP'ers have their hands dirty than dems...
but, to say (not that you did) that the democratic party is somehow above gobbling down corporate cash, or folding to lobbyists, or adhering to neoliberal neocolonialism, or ignoring the will of the people in favor of corporate dictates you are only fooling yourself.
the dems are guilty just like the repubs. maybe not to the extent as the GOP, but their credibility is not exactly stellar. of course, there are exceptions in both parties.
neocon mccain will continue to screw american people like he did Iseman then deny it
It is AIPAC's wet dream to see Lieberman chosen to be President McCain's VP. Our national nightmare would be just starting.
bandit @ 53:
I think you meant to say, "because we're not done waging the battle for freedom and fighting the terrorists wherever they may be."
Peter G @ 17:
Classic pig boy tactics.
Can anyone confirm or deny the internet rumor that John McCain received an illegal campaign contribution of one year's supply of disposable diapers from David Vitter?
I also heard McCain's false teeth are made of 100% illegally poached African ivory, compliments of P.W. Botha.
Old Billy @ 26:
Even better. That kook can't even get a small percentage of Cons to vote for him. Do you think the general population will?
Kansaskowboy @ 49:
How about the Pillow Talk Express?
Blue Lensman @ 48:
Unless, of course, you are talking about global warming.
To put it plainly, my sense is that McCain attracts lobbyists so well because he is so publically against them. It gives him cover and credibility other politicians might not have, so he can do favors for them others might not do so well.
Matt in Texas @ 66:
Wow! Now that one has legs, love it, "Pillow Talk Express" both desecrates and lampoons his so-called straight-talk AND reminds people of his questionable character regarding his romantic actions. It's not so much a stretch. He cheated on his first wife repeatedly, including while she was in the hospital and then married one of his affairees, Cyndy, who just happened to be an heiress the the Budweiser fortune and able to finance his political ambitions. Now that is straight talk: "I want power and I'll do anything to get it, including sleeping around on my wife, shopping for a rich replacement."
What else is new in wonderful State of Arizona ?
Arizona GOP lawmaker indicted in land deal probe
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. Rep. Rick Renzi, an Arizona Republican, has been indicted on federal charges following an investigation into a land deal involving a former business partner, federal prosecutors said Friday.
In a 35-count indictment unsealed early Friday, Renzi is charged with conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, extortion and insurance fraud.
Also named in the indictment is Renzi's former business partner and real estate investor, James W. Sandlin, 56, of Sherman, Texas, and Andrew Beardall, 36, of Rockville, MD.
Renzi, 49, has denied any wrongdoing.
At a news conference in Phoenix, Arizona, prosecutors said Renzi conspired with Sandlin to conduct a land swap in exchange for Renzi's push to get a House committee's approval for the deal. ""
..cont ...
Oh, well - another day, another GOP scandal ...
I read recently an evaluation of this current crowd of Republicans:
"Nixon without the competance."
The Straight Cock Express though he could get away with Bushian like hypocrisy. Johnny, if you weren't such a phony lying jerk this probably wouldn't be a big deal. I love it when Mike Malloy says "God I hate these people".
Loved this headline on the MSN page: A hole in McCain's defense? So they forgot a dash. I think they meant: A-hole in McCain's defense?
"I’m sure he has plenty of friends in his life, including his family."
Really? I kind of envision him as having no friends and a lot of estranged family members... with just the crazy or greedy ones clinging to him by now.
Obama says, "The only lobbyist that is my friend is the doorman at the hotel."
clinton's campaign spent (this from that mean 'ol new york times) 100,000 dollars on GROCERIES before IOWA? is that right? maybe there was an air of 'inevitablility' to her campaign.
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