Mccain vs. Lobbyists
Stung by the news that two aides once lobbied for the Burmese junta, John McCain last week rolled out a sweeping new conflict-of-interest policy for his campaign, requiring all staffers to fill out questionnaires identifying past or current clients that "could be embarrassing for the senator." Aides say that McCain was furious over the Burma connection (which he learned from a NEWSWEEK story) and was "adamant" about banning campaign workers from serving as foreign agents or getting paid for lobbying work.
But the fallout may not be over. One top campaign official affected by the new policy is national finance co-chair Tom Loeffler, a former Texas congressman whose lobbying firm has collected nearly $15 million from Saudi Arabia since 2002 and millions more from other foreign and corporate interests, including a French aerospace firm seeking Pentagon contracts. Loeffler last month told a reporter "at no time have I discussed my clients with John McCain." But lobbying disclosure records reviewed by NEWSWEEK show that on May 17, 2006, Loeffler listed meeting McCain along with the Saudi ambassador to "discuss US-Kingdom of Saudi Arabia relations."
Another potential problem: Loeffler's firm started paying $15,000 a month last summer to one of its lobbyists, Susan Nelson, after she left to become McCain's full-time finance director, said a source familiar with the arrangement (who asked not to be identified talking about sensitive matters). Campaign officials were told the payments were "severance" for Nelson and that they ended by November. But in "February or March," Loeffler rehired Nelson as a consultant to "help him with his clients" while she continued on the McCain payroll, according to a campaign official who asked not to be identified talking about personnel matters. Federal election law prohibits any outside entity from subsidizing the income of campaign workers. McCain's officials say they have been assured that Nelson did actual work for Loeffler's lobbying clients—and that the payments were proper. But after NEWSWEEK posed questions about the matter, they confirmed Loeffler's resignation and the termination of Nelson's consulting contract. (Loeffler and Nelson did not respond to requests for comment.) Also last week, energy adviser Eric Burgeson was ousted.
If other staffers are not in compliance with the new rules, "they will become so or they will leave the campaign," said McCain spokeswoman Jill Hazelbaker. She also accused the Obama campaign of an "absurd double standard" because it has not disclosed the names of all advisers who may have lobbying ties. Responded Obama spokesman Bill Burton: "Washington lobbyists don't give money to our campaign, and they're not going to run our White House."
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Member Comments
Posted By: tc125231 @ 05/22/2008 12:13:01 AM
Comment: You know, I work for a global multinational, which is hardly a abstion of "liberal" sentiment. I purchase millions of dollars a year from sub-contractors. I am forbidden to take gifts worth more than $100 in a year. If I did, and I was caught, I would lose my job.
No excuses. No second chances.
But John McCain, whose campaign for the GOP nomination was saved by lobbyists, the value of whose services was worth hundred of thousands --if not millions --of dollars to him, thinks he should get anoother chance. Given that he was part of the Charles Keating S&L scandal, it is AT LEAST his third chance.
I say, remeber the parables of Jesus --or at least the disciplines of American corporations. No man can serve two masters. You cannot accept these gigantic favors without having your judgement affected.
I don't want to listen to his excuses, or watch him do the sackcloth and ashes routine. i honor his youthful service, but it really doesn't matter. he has proved he is unfit for high office.
Fire him.
Posted By: Medge @ 05/20/2008 11:47:45 PM
Comment: Dispite the fact that McCain "bows to hold himself to highest standards" (NYT Feb 20, 200*) and brags to have built his reputation in Congress on fighting special interests and the lobbying culture," (washingtonpost.com May 19, 2008), it is evident that he continues to have ties with special interests and lobbyists.
The fact that he relies on "at least 112 lobbyists as staff or fund raisers including about ten members who are not only lobbysts but also human rights abusers who represent unsavory local and foreign interests." These include Charles R. Black, Jr. head of a Washington lobbying firm; Tom Loeffler, the national finance co-chairman for McCain's presidential campaign, Susan Nelson, McCain's fjull-time finance director, and Peter Madigan who worked for a foreign government interests "that offend American values and human rights.
The fact that these member of his staff, have left McCain's campaign organization does not excuse McCain from having been associated with them. The fact remains that he appaers unable to disengage himself from them. McCain is economically and politically tied to lobbyists and special interests.
Posted By: Radmanaustin @ 05/20/2008 9:18:01 AM
Comment: McCain's lobbyists helped keep a regime in power that enslaved the people of Burma and raped their land for money (think the movie Blood Diamonds). I believe they are not allowing rescue efforts so that they can take over the land once the people die of disease and malnutrition.
On the lighter side. The Tennessee Republican Party ran an attack ad against Michelle Obama. Barack gave them the benefit of the doubt knowing that Republicans have a hard time changing their ways but I'm FIRED-UP and want to send a message to the TRP. Please join me in making a contribution to the Tennessee DEMOCRATIC Party.
http://www.tndp.org/