Keating 5: John McCain & The Making of a Financial Crisis: McCain's camp "whines" in response
By John Amato Monday Oct 06, 2008 2:00pmHere's the 13 minute documentary on John McCain's involvement in the Keating 5. Obama is finally forcing this scandal out in the open where journalists have remained virtually mum on the topic. Chris Cillizza of the Washington Post says:
While the "Keating Five" has occasionally come up in McCain's political career, it has never been an issue that has caused him any significant agita. McCain, who was cited for poor judgment but nothing else by the Senate Ethics Committee, has pointed to his experience with the "Keating Five" as his spur to pushing for campaign finance reform and the limitation of money in campaign politics.
The "Keating Five" episode has the potential -- we repeat, potential -- to cast a pall over that McCain as maverick image. The more people see McCain as just another politician, the worse chance he has of making a comeback in the final month of the campaign.
As Billmon notes, McCain developed his phony Maverick image because of the scandal.
In a sense, the scandal marked the birth of the McCain "brand," because unlike the other four of the Five, he stood up in the Senate and more or less admitted he was guilty (not nearly as guilty as the others, he hastened to point out – but still, he felt bad about what he had done.) This went over really big with the media ("Senator admits guilt" outranking even man bites dog on the news-o-meter.
I find it appalling that the media has ignored McCain's involvement in this scandal and then helped brand him a Maverick in the process. You would think that after the economic meltdown we are experiencing the Villagers would make it public finally, right? Wrong. Cillizza is correct to say that this could hurt McCain in the final thirty days. It should, but he's wrong when he brings up the Hannity type attacks on Obama as a sort of even exchange. I wish the journalists would stick to solid facts and not idiot associations put ut by a desperate campaign. C&L and many others have been pushing this out there and finally it's getting the attention it deserves. In response to this documentary, the McCain campaign said that bringing up this scandal is a hit job:
Speaking to reporters on a conference call, John Dowd, a partner at the powerhouse lobbying/consulting firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, painted the Keating investigation as a "political smear job" led by Democrats who needed to make the issue a bipartisan embarrassment rather than own it themselves.
I'd always thought McCain's great strength in defending the Keating affair was that he'd acknolwedged making a huge mistake, and spent his career repenting by recasting himself as a reformer.
So when his campaign puts his lawyer on the line with reporters to contest the details of a congressional inquiry that, largely, let McCain off the hook, doesn't that cloud the sin-confession-atonement dynamic a bit?
I'm sorry, the market is in the tank and we can't take the chance of turning over our economy to John McCain because we know what the result will be. With the Phill Gramm's of the world hanging on his coattails and calling us "a nation of whiners," another catastrophe is headed our way while this one sinks us to new lows.
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;-/
Why isn't her membership in the AIP ever covered?
(sorry, still getting used to the new site) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwvPNXYrIyI
Technically she was never a member. Her husband was. However she spoke at their convention. Also going by the PALIN/mccain campaign's logic of guilt by association it should be brought up. I'd like to see Obama mention it in debate IF McCain brings up Ayers.
wishing them all the best and going on about state rights and other secessionist code words.
53/45 obama. That's three recent polls giving obama 8 pts over mcgramps. the momentum is building. let's go for a knockout tomorrow night and put this wannabe out of his misery. palin's counting on 2012 anyway.
Remember when all the talking heads were asking why Obama couldn't break 50%? Well, he's there now.
I would pay to see the debate tomorrow night. I hope McCain continues his bs attacks on Obama. In fact I hope he's under so much pressure that his head explodes and he goes nuts right in front of millions of people. If there is something like a god, an audience member will ask McCain about the Keating 5 and compare that with what is happening today as far as the financial state of our country goes.
A good short one.
The Keating Five Scandal in 97 Seconds:
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/09/25/the-...
Nice piece Mr Amato.
When someone so intimately involved in this financial crisis as Donald, the Combover, so transparently pimps for John McCain, then we know that he can be considered as a "co-conspirator" in this financial crisis as well.
that the Obama campaign launced a Keating 5 offensive against McInsane. Two can play this game.
I had hoped the Obama campaign would have knocked mccain earlier with the keating 5 details... and i was wrong. the timing couldn't be better to knuckle sandwich keating 5 down mccaain's wrinkled gullet.
here is a link from a newspaper from McCains home state back in 1989. http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/1989-11-29/new...
This isn't just "baggage", this is a track record. We may "not know who Obama is" but we know who McCain is. Maverick is just a fancy way of saying "outcast".
Quote: You're John McCain, a fallen hero who wanted to become president so desperately that you sold yourself to Charlie Keating, the wealthy con man who bears such an incredible resemblance to The Joker
Quote: He poured $112,000 into your political campaigns. He became your friend. He threw fund raisers in your honor. He even made a sweet shopping-center investment deal for your wife, Cindy. Your father-in-law, Jim Hensley, was cut in on the deal, too.
Quote: And, of course, that's the way it is with the Keating Five. You are all battling to save your own hides. So you, McCain, leak to reporters about who did Keating's bidding in pressuring federal regulators to change the rules for Lincoln Savings and Loan.
When the reporters fail to print your tips quickly enough--as in the case of your tip on Michigan Senator Donald Riegle--you call them back and remind them how important it is to get that information in the newspapers.
Ah, the good ol' days of Phoenix The New Times. Great local articles and strip club ads all in one free paper! Good times...
I lived in SoCal in the late '80s, early '90s and used to make regular drives to Phoenix. I remember seeing miles and miles of brand new asphalt and underground electric utilities built 40 or 50 miles outside of Phoenix, dozens of miles from ANY existing development, with no other signs of urban sprawl coming close to these areas. They were paving and utility contracts for bogus contractors, financed by Keating, that funneled money into bullshit developments that were never built, at least not for another decade--true "Roads to Nowhere"
Who knew McCane would reprise his role by picking the "Bridge to Nowhere" queen so many years later.
is this:
The story of "the Keating Five" has become a scandal rivaling Teapot Dome and Watergate. The outcome will be decided, not in a courtroom, but probably on national television.
Those who survive will be the sociopaths who can tell a lie with the most sincere, straight face. You are especially adept at this.
---
So true...
I hope this thread breaks all records for comments this evening!
I think Obama's lead in the polls is because he is eschewing this mud-slinging type of politics and is trying to look presidential in the face of a crisis. The more he remains above the fray and focused on the economy while the PALIN/mccain campaign blathers about this Ayers thing the more undecideds will shift to Obama.
That's what surrogates are for. Obama won't have to say a word.
If McCrazy has the insanity to bring it up in a debate, all Obama needs to do is change the subject and make McCain look like a "paranoid schizophrenic". Easily done, too!
The Keating scandal is so timely and something, I think, all American can understand and relate to. Coupled with McConomy's statement about his lack of financial acumen and understanding of the economy it's a good 1-2 punch. I hope Obama brings it up tomorrow night.
(Was away - new site looks good, but no avatars?)
Yeah Keating 5 etc. Every day a new scandal.
Neel Kashkari, ("Cash and Carry") Former Goldman Sachs Executive, To Head $700 Billion Bailout.
WASHINGTON — The administration has selected a former Goldman Sachs executive to be the interim head of its $700 billion rescue effort for financial institutions.
http://tinyurl.com/46q6js
I heard this earlier this afternoon and could not fu*king believe it. Instead of handing the gun to the fox to guard the hen house, why not get a group of economists together and ask for their suggestions. Anyone selected by this administration at this time scares the hell out of me. Who will they be looking out for, our good or the good of their buddies on wall street?
Sorry folks, associating with terrorists trumps McWhatever's "association" with Keating. When he found out what Keating was doing, he threw him UTB. O'Whatever has never disassociated himself from Ayers.
Yup. Here's a photo to prove Obama was one of them. He's a terrist I tell you.
What a dickhead scrotumhead is.
Obama couldn't be one of them because at the time he was attending a MADRASSA!! /sarcasm
Thanks for the laugh, Captain K!
Seriously, Obama needs to nail McCain on the Keating 5 thing during the debate. I can't wait to see old McCrankypants blow a gasket.
maybe because there is NOTHING there regarding the "association" vis a vis ayers and obama
ayres was never convicted of anything
mcliar never really threw keating under the bus
by the time anyone found out what keating was doing, it was too late...the damage was done
and mccain has 20,000 ruined lives and billions of wasted tax dollars on his hands
tell me what you are afraid of....are you afraid that obama will become president, empty washington and let in all the former 60s radicals to finish off the jobs they were too incompetent to complete the first time?
idiot
all of the Republicans who were on boards with Ayers too? There were plenty of them and they all defend Obama in his association with Ayers. No terrorism!
I got an email from Barak telling me about this "Documentary". Just kidding.
I like the way Obama is Johnny on the spot. Very unlike Kerry was.
His campaign has been on the ball. I heard someone say today that Obama says he may not throw the first punch, but he will throw the last one.
Obama has smart people around him, from his campaign managers to his advisors. Tells you a lot about his judgment. Just as the pick of Palin tells you a lot about McCain's.
I agree with 100%. For so long now Obama has been making the right call. Everything he has done since before the Reverend Wright deal has been almost perfect. It is really quite amazing.
Yep, a smart person knows their own weaknesses and finds smart people to advise them. Unlike bush who simply finds buddies to reinforce him.
Yeah, he said it on the Tom Joyner morning show. If they respond attack for attack by McCain then it gives McCain a net zero which favors Obama because he's ahead.
and that's before he got dithery...
McCain has been asking and asking for it, and now he's going to get it.
Sign of the Times
Lehman CEO Punched at Gym after it was announced the firm was going bankrupt
“From two very senior sources – one incredibly senior source – that he went to the gym after … Lehman was announced as going under. He was on a treadmill with a heart monitor on. Someone was in the corner, pumping iron and he walked over and he knocked him out cold."
brutal but gets the message across.
He's running on fumes of rehashed lies and smears.
Republicans want us to forget the spiraling economy.
Republicans wish an "outside" event occurs (e.g. another terrorist attack that kills thousands of people).
Republicans don't give a shit about the American people.
COFMAs can eat shit! (COuntry First, My Ass voters)
McCain was on Fox today I understand blaming every problem in the world on Obama.
LOL talk about DESPERATE
We're losing the war because Obama!
The economy is collapsing because of Obama!
Obama's behind the War on Christmas!
Obama's going to steal your women and children!
Obama's going to enslave the White People!!!!!
Obama's the reason Gas prices are so high!!!!
Obama's going to take away your GUNS!!!!!! And Bibles!!!!
Really? WOW. I haven't heard about this. Do you have a link?
When he insists on blaming everything on Obama, we know he's totally and uncontrovertibly "unglued".
Chris Matthews is saying the McCain campaign wants a list of Obama's online donors to try and find a foreign sounding name so they can suggest that he is being supported by terrorist. How's that for absurd desperation? What next, will they pay a guy to dress up to look like Osama and ask him to make a video saying he and Obama are BFFs?
Some asshole sheriff in Lee county Florida introduced Palin today but before he did, he refered to Obama as Barack Hussein Obama. The crowd went wild cheering.
I feel like there are two different world in our county.
Come on their "Just Folk" don't be so hard on the sheepy.
There are.
I just spent a week in Lee Co on a bullsh*t charge. They get paid $280/day/prisoner, and they just built a giant(by FL standards) county jail, probably with bond money. Now, of course, the bottom has fallen out of the real estate market, and of course, many are desperate. LOTS of people doing serious time for petty crimes, all so they can get State compensation and their shiny new jail filled.
If ever there were a great example of the coming police state in 'Murikkka, it IS Ft Myers and Lee County, FL.
ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK!
To me, what is significant--even twenty years later--about the Keating 5 scandal is that it was Keating's relationship with CINDY that was key to the financial misdoings. Keating was in business with Cindy, and Johnny boy threw Keating favors and protection.
The reason this is significant is that if that's the McCain M.O. for corruption, it still may be going on now. Cindy, after all, will NOT release her income taxes to public scrutiny. How do we know if John isn't still granting favors to other Keatings? His honest face?
This is why Cindy won't release her tax statement because it will "out" her involvement with Charles Keating once again.
DOW and FTSE plummeting today.
One thing that amuses me, the FTSE panics and drops around 2:30pm London time, this happens regular as clockwork, its the time when the DOW opens and drops or whatever, then the DOW recovers late afternoon.
Its almost like somebody is gaming the markets.
Whenever Obama soars in the polls the Stock Market takes a dive.
Notice that?
I'm posting this to just be sure you guys are aware of this. It is a Rolling Stone Story about McShame. I think it is new but somebody told me they had already seen it but is dated October 16, 2008!!!
Never Trust A Republican
The oldest advise around.
From much simpler times before the media and consuming and other distractions complicated the obvious.
That link did not take me to Rolling Stone. It took me to some page with links to something unrelated to RS.
This should work. Rolling Stone Story. It is 10 pages long so you may want to save it for later.
Is this the article you are talking about? If it is, it has been up a little while but it's well worth reading.
Yup
You what is weird? the post with the screwed up link won't let me edit it. There is no edit button and it is the only post of mine where there is no edit button. WTF? Is John McSame behind the curtain or something?
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/m...
Your last paragraph J A my boy in response to Ben Smith was feeble! Go read the current fantastic profile of McShame in Rolling Stone so you can point out that McShame learned only to be more of a con man and that the sin confession pattern was phony. Note how he still interfered with reg agencies like FCC for that blonde lobbyist.
ur' pork and beans.
Don't run on Ramen, Ramen noodle is my fav.
A further demonstration of the fact that being a war hero, of surviving an enemy prison camp, is no guarantee of future honorable behavior.
This is incredible. What is Phil Gramm giving McCain to smoke to come up with this kind of incredibly stupid policy?
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1223155058466...
Can you imagine what would happen to every nursing home in this country when older Americans Medicare benefits get cut? These facilities are already crying that they need more funding.
I hope to God Obama picks this up and runs with it. THESE are the types of economic issues the American people are concerned about. If Obama raises this at the "Town Hall Meeting" tomorrow night (the focus is the economy), I dare say he can declare Florida in his pocket!
ah yes....I see a great ad on the horizon.....to be played ad infinitum in Florida and retirement states about how McCain plans to cut Medicare and Medicaid.....I see it all now....
CORPORATE CRIMINALS & LEADERS IN PARTNERSHIP THAT PRE-PLANNED AND COMMITTED FRAUD
George W. Bush + Ken lay
John McCain + John Keating
The tree don't fall far from the nuts.
I was surprised at the speed in which Obama responded. For everyone who was saying that he wouldn't have the toughness to fight against Republican attacks and would go soft with a lead, well they can throw that argument out the window.
I mean the story isn't Ayers or Wright. The story is the fact that McCain is going there which drives up his negatives. Plus the fact that the Keating 5 was released the moment he went there kind of blunts his attack and makes it a net zero. A net zero favors the person ahead.
Good job Obama!
He was framed dammit. Framed. That's my narrative and I'm sticking to it. McCain was really working undercover trying to expose Democratic perfidy. It wasn't at all what it looked like. He was just being mavericky. Even back then.
McCain Camp: "That's it! The gloves are off! We're really gonna start slinging mud now. It's time to...what did Obama say? He can't say that! That's...that's not fair!!!" *whines continue*
freaking awesome
Palin clearly has affiliation with the Alaskan Anti-American movement to seceed from the union. Todd Palin was a card-carrying member of this anti-US group until 2004 when it didn't look good for his wife's chances at the governorship but they both still attended meetings regularly according to this group's internal records.
In 2004, Sarah accompanied Todd to their annual meeting; in 2006, she sent in a taped video showing support of the movement as Governor.
Is this really someone who has the balls to say that Obama hangs out with terrorists? When he was 7 years old? How about last year, Sarah?
How about your support of this Anti-US group of secessionistas?
I think the jury's in on this one. She'd better drop the Ayers meme or this will come up in the "airspace" along with Putin and throw her bull%hit to the wolves.
Your message needs to be put out there. This beeaach should be nailed over this. The McCain camp is pushing guilt by association? Palin is SLEEPING with the enemy! She loves America so much, she wants Alaska to suceed from it.
This secessionist information needs to be headline news. You KNOW it would be it were Joe and Jill Biden who have been supporting this Anti-US policy!
Do everything within your power to plaster this from one end of the internet to the other. In my estimation, this disqualifies Sarah Palin from taking any oath of office EVER in this country.
I think her tape to the AIP you're referring to is this one from March this year
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4iCDBIAde8#
Capitalism is the best show in town. But greed, combined with access/power, leads to abuses. It's in our nature. McCain epitimizes the lobbiest's "gaming" of the system to allow them to suck the rest of us (those without access) out of our hard earned $$$.
This election should be a referendum on stopping these abuses. And please please please let Obama REMAIN deaf to the lobbiests siren song!
When Gramm called us a nation of whiners, maybe the McCain campaign took that as advice.
Watching McCain's chronic state of self-doubt and not firing on all cylinders leads me to believe that the "McCain Syndrome" will soon be added as a legitimate "disease" to the Annals of American Psychiatry.
Never before have I witnessed in my lifetime a supposed well-seasoned senator make such an unadulterated fool of himself in public. He's saying one thing in the morning, something else in the afternoon, and then something entirely opposite by nightfall. It's difficult to decide if it's simply "senile dementia" taking it's toll, a nervous breakdown occurring one day at a time, or profound expansion (metastasis) of his invasive melanoma.
Whatever it is, this demeanor and continuous erratic behavior totally disqualifies this man to become President - particularly at a time in the history of this country as critical as this one.
Instability and Schizophrenia seem to be his typical MO these days. No damn wonder no one who knew him years ago can recognize him today. Lights are on but no one's home.....pathetic.
I'm glad Obama's people are on the ball with this one. Give it to McCranky Pants! However, I'm still bitter about Obama's vote on that $700 billion "investment" deal. Ohhh...and guess who's leading up that new Office of Financial Stability that will be in charge of handing that $700 billion away? Another ex-Goldman Sachs executive. I guess to work at the Treasury Department the only qualification necessary is being an ex-Goldman Sachs executive.
What's funny about this is Obama probably had this thing made the second McCain won the nomination. You know he knew that at some point, being a Republican, McCain would sink in the polls and then sink into the gutter. Got to give his campaign some credit here. They knew the Ayers and Wright Swiftboating would show up somewhere in the campaign and they were ready for it. Rove is probably so proud of the Obama campaign. If the Kerry campaign would have fought back like this he'd be running for a second term. Unfortunately politics is ugly but you can't always take the high road when the opponent goes in desperation mode. Way to go Obama!
McCrazyCain does not know who he is dealing. Obama is a new Democrat and he will fight back when attacked. No more Mr. Nice Guy - you mess with him you will get put in a corner in a defensive position.
It's pretty much over for McCain/Palin ... the next 29 days is their "I'm melting" moment.
so much for being "Mavericky" .. the Rolling Stones Article is now online debunking all those LIES:
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/m...
"Make-Believe Maverick
A closer look at the life and career of John McCain reveals a disturbing record of recklessness and dishonesty"
The rest of the world wants O'whatever to win because he's the weakest candidate ever to run for POS. If you hadn't noticed, the rest of the world wants US dead.
I just can't believe y'all are going to vote for this unqualified guy. Please tell me you're just venting, and really will pull the lever for McWhatever when the curtain closes. C'mon now really...
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