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U.S. News has an interesting piece on John McCain and his straight talk about finance reform'
You all know that for many of the past few years, Mr. McCain has pressed for campaigns that are run clear of the big cash inflows from special-interest groups. He has been particularly chasing after the " soft money " coming in from lobbyist, corporations and given to the political parties.
McCain is now running for the Republican presidential nomination so it begs the question, does all of his straight-talk now have a curve in it? Has it always?
McCain has positioned himself as a die-hard opponent of special-interest influence. But a U.S. News analysis of his 25-year legislative career shows he has been an avid seeker of special-interest money to support his campaigns and initiatives. The pattern goes all the way back to his first House race in 1982. Moreover, as the boss or No. 2 member of the Senate Commerce Committee, he has drawn heavy support from PACs and individuals associated with industries overseen by that committee-especially telecommunications, media, and technology firms. Between 1997 and June 2006, he collected nearly $2.6 million from such interests, according to the Center for Public Integrity, an independent watchdog group in Washington. In some cases, the review showed, McCain's positions mirrored those of his biggest supporters. Big corporate donors also have given hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Reform Institute, a tax-exempt organization-once closely affiliated with McCain-that was established to promote campaign finance reform. U.S. News
His aides claim that he has no other choice than to take the cash from big corporate donors and PACS if he wants to be president.
So, McCain is selling his soul for the chance at running for president.
Tags: John McCain Reform Institute PACS
1 Comment:
In his recent book, Al Gore makes the point that national elections are increasingly driven by television advertising, which is increasingly expensive, which is why candidates must raise a lot of money quickly if they want to remain viable.
That kind of money that fast tends to come from donors who can afford to write big checks, but who aren't in the having of giving money away. They expect a return on their investment.
In that climate, it's difficult if not impossible for a politician to truly stick to his or her principles and remain a working politician for very long.
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