McCain Falsely Claims Top Advisors are not Lobbyists

WALLACE: Well, you're a senator. Let me ask you one last question. David Axelrod said you talk in a speech today about changing the way Washington does business, but your campaign is run by two of the biggest lobbyists in Washington. How do you respond to that?

MCCAIN: I—look, th-th-those—they are not lobbyists, but the fact is Americans care about my vision and plan of action for the future that I can unite the country, that I can take on the challenges that are facing them now, which are enormous and that's what elections are gonna be about and I'll look forward to a great debate, a great debate across this country between myself and Senator Obama. He has a very, very liberal, down-the-line democrat voting record. I have a record of working with all Americans to bring this nation back to its future greatness and I believe we will.

FACTS:
McCain Campaign Manager Founded Lobbying Firm of Davis, Manafort. According to the Politico, Davis "founded a lobbying firm -- Davis, Manafort Inc. -- which has made at least $2.8 million lobbying Congress since 1998." [Politico, 7/11/07]

McCain Senior Political Adviser Charlie Black Is An "Uber-Lobbyist." Dubbed an "uber-lobbyist" by the Washington Post, Charlie Black has represented special interests including AT&T, GM, JP Morgan and Blackwater, but Black and his firm specialize in lobbying for corrupt foreign dictators. Over the years, he and his firm have pushed the agendas of numerous foreign dictators among the American government officials he has helped elect, including Presidents Reagan, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. According to the Department of Justice, Black and his firm's foreign clients have included Philippine Dictator Ferdinand Marcos, Somali Dictator Mohamed Siad Barre, Zaire's dictator Mobuto Sese Seko, Angolan rebel leader Jonas Savimbi, Equatorial Guinea's dictator Brig. Gen. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, and Nigerian dictator Ibrahim Babangida. Black has also pushed the interests of the Iraqi National Congress and its leader Ahmed Chalabi as he provided the U.S. false information on WMD in Iraq leading up to the current Iraq war. [Senate Lobbying Disclosure Records, accessed 6/2/08; FARA Database, accessed 2/08; Washington Post, 5/22/08]

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• John
• McCain
• Charlie
• Black
• Rick
• Davis

[worldofsameh]

Yeah right. Not lobbyist? How does this guy expect to be taken seriously. What a liar.

[allencrider]

Gawd, what a pathetic candidate!

[tawashy2008]

fuck to macain and bosh >>>>>>  obama beast one im from saudi we want obaaaaaaaaaama

[zoooey1]

piece of crap this guy

[balbahut0g]

Was McCain one of the Keating five? The great deregulator now a Regulator? what a sleazy bastard. He was so eager to debate Obama but when the WallStreet crap hits the fan he suspends his campaign and threatens to cancel the debate ... maybe he's trying to plead with Obama's "handlers" [LOL] to not mention his record and involvement with the S&L.

[anima715]

LIE!! LIE!!! LIE!!!