Comments on: Shining A Light On The McCain Lobbyist Express http://firedoglake.com/2008/02/28/shining-a-light-on-the-mccain-lobbyist-express/ Firedoglake weblog Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:19:42 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: tomk http://firedoglake.com/2008/02/28/shining-a-light-on-the-mccain-lobbyist-express/#comment-1303280 tomk Thu, 28 Feb 2008 23:41:10 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/02/28/shining-a-light-on-the-mccain-lobbyist-express/#comment-1303280 <p>Scherer is a cousin to Gavin Newsom and a great grandson of Thomas Addis, a well known medical researcher and radical activist. Michael has responded (not satisfactorily, but he’s trying) on Time’s blog to the many critical comments his post received. He wrote for Mother Jones and has the potential to be a positive force in mainstream journalism, let’s not be to harsh, though I have to agree his article was bogus, as Christy so eloquently explained.</p> <p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Addis" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Addis</a></p> Scherer is a cousin to Gavin Newsom and a great grandson of Thomas Addis, a well known medical researcher and radical activist. Michael has responded (not satisfactorily, but he’s trying) on Time’s blog to the many critical comments his post received. He wrote for Mother Jones and has the potential to be a positive force in mainstream journalism, let’s not be to harsh, though I have to agree his article was bogus, as Christy so eloquently explained.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Addis

]]> By: Christy Hardin Smith http://firedoglake.com/2008/02/28/shining-a-light-on-the-mccain-lobbyist-express/#comment-1303247 Christy Hardin Smith Thu, 28 Feb 2008 23:21:47 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/02/28/shining-a-light-on-the-mccain-lobbyist-express/#comment-1303247 <p>Bob, sorry — but I don’t see where I was saying that lobbyist issues are solely a Republican issue. You’ve lost me there. I did this piece about the McCain campaign because a Time reporter tried to construct a false narrative that McCain’s campaign lobbyist coterie was no big deal because everyone does it to this extent. But (1) that’s not true in terms of the comparisons he used and (2) McCain’s hypocrisy on this issue for years has gotten a full-on pass. And that needs to stop.</p> <p>But I fail to see where I’ve said it’s only a Republican issue — this post was solely about McCain and the pass a vast majority of the media still keep on giving him for his conduct…because yet another reporter tried to give him a pass.</p> Bob, sorry — but I don’t see where I was saying that lobbyist issues are solely a Republican issue. You’ve lost me there. I did this piece about the McCain campaign because a Time reporter tried to construct a false narrative that McCain’s campaign lobbyist coterie was no big deal because everyone does it to this extent. But (1) that’s not true in terms of the comparisons he used and (2) McCain’s hypocrisy on this issue for years has gotten a full-on pass. And that needs to stop.

But I fail to see where I’ve said it’s only a Republican issue — this post was solely about McCain and the pass a vast majority of the media still keep on giving him for his conduct…because yet another reporter tried to give him a pass.

]]> By: bobschacht http://firedoglake.com/2008/02/28/shining-a-light-on-the-mccain-lobbyist-express/#comment-1303217 bobschacht Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:57:48 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/02/28/shining-a-light-on-the-mccain-lobbyist-express/#comment-1303217 <blockquote><p>Honestly — this problem has been going on as long as I can remember and well before. The words “Teapot Dome Scandal” ring a bell? It’s not a single-sided problem. It’s just that the KStreet Project raised it to a whole n’other level of gaming the system as a kickback art form.</p></blockquote> <p>I certainly do remember “Teapot Dome Scandal.” In fact, I’ll bet I’m one of the few people on this list to have actually seen “Teapot Dome,” which is a geological formation in the middle of Wyoming. Near where my ex-wife’s mother was born and raised. By Teddy Roosevelt Republicans.</p> <p>And your reply is one reason why I wonder a bit at describing the K Street Project as a <em>Republican</em> issue. I see it as a <strong>corruption</strong> issue, and Congress needs to put a noose on it. Oh, yeah. That’s like asking Wall Street Bankers to reform the IRS?</p> <p>Bob in HI</p>

Honestly — this problem has been going on as long as I can remember and well before. The words “Teapot Dome Scandal” ring a bell? It’s not a single-sided problem. It’s just that the KStreet Project raised it to a whole n’other level of gaming the system as a kickback art form.

I certainly do remember “Teapot Dome Scandal.” In fact, I’ll bet I’m one of the few people on this list to have actually seen “Teapot Dome,” which is a geological formation in the middle of Wyoming. Near where my ex-wife’s mother was born and raised. By Teddy Roosevelt Republicans.

And your reply is one reason why I wonder a bit at describing the K Street Project as a Republican issue. I see it as a corruption issue, and Congress needs to put a noose on it. Oh, yeah. That’s like asking Wall Street Bankers to reform the IRS?

Bob in HI

]]> By: behindthefall http://firedoglake.com/2008/02/28/shining-a-light-on-the-mccain-lobbyist-express/#comment-1303193 behindthefall Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:34:43 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/02/28/shining-a-light-on-the-mccain-lobbyist-express/#comment-1303193 <p>I suppose I am foolish to keep wondering why John Edwards’ campaign could not get any MSM coverage worth mentioning, but I do, and I see a close connection between that unforgivable lapse and this failure to question McCain’s lobbyists.</p> I suppose I am foolish to keep wondering why John Edwards’ campaign could not get any MSM coverage worth mentioning, but I do, and I see a close connection between that unforgivable lapse and this failure to question McCain’s lobbyists.

]]> By: punaise http://firedoglake.com/2008/02/28/shining-a-light-on-the-mccain-lobbyist-express/#comment-1303157 punaise Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:13:07 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/02/28/shining-a-light-on-the-mccain-lobbyist-express/#comment-1303157 <p><em>Getting inside the “red zone,” to steal a metaphor from Washington Post reporter Jeffrey H. Birnbaum’s feature about the tourism industry’s recent lobbying efforts, is almost as good as a touchdown. Corruption, if that’s the right word for it, arrives on the installment plan as a lobbyist moves closer and closer to a member.</em></p> <p>fore-play for pay</p> Getting inside the “red zone,” to steal a metaphor from Washington Post reporter Jeffrey H. Birnbaum’s feature about the tourism industry’s recent lobbying efforts, is almost as good as a touchdown. Corruption, if that’s the right word for it, arrives on the installment plan as a lobbyist moves closer and closer to a member.

fore-play for pay

]]> By: Christy Hardin Smith http://firedoglake.com/2008/02/28/shining-a-light-on-the-mccain-lobbyist-express/#comment-1303099 Christy Hardin Smith Thu, 28 Feb 2008 21:18:30 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/02/28/shining-a-light-on-the-mccain-lobbyist-express/#comment-1303099 <p>Honestly — this problem has been going on as long as I can remember and well before. The words “Teapot Dome Scandal” ring a bell? It’s not a single-sided problem. It’s just that the KStreet Project raised it to a whole n’other level of gaming the system as a kickback art form.</p> Honestly — this problem has been going on as long as I can remember and well before. The words “Teapot Dome Scandal” ring a bell? It’s not a single-sided problem. It’s just that the KStreet Project raised it to a whole n’other level of gaming the system as a kickback art form.

]]> By: Bustednuckles http://firedoglake.com/2008/02/28/shining-a-light-on-the-mccain-lobbyist-express/#comment-1303098 Bustednuckles Thu, 28 Feb 2008 21:18:01 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/02/28/shining-a-light-on-the-mccain-lobbyist-express/#comment-1303098 <p>Fair enuff, you are a real treasure though.<br /> I Emailed this link to myself so I don’t forget when I get home to my laptop. I am going to go completely through it later.;)</p> Fair enuff, you are a real treasure though.
I Emailed this link to myself so I don’t forget when I get home to my laptop. I am going to go completely through it later.;)

]]> By: bobschacht http://firedoglake.com/2008/02/28/shining-a-light-on-the-mccain-lobbyist-express/#comment-1303096 bobschacht Thu, 28 Feb 2008 21:16:54 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/02/28/shining-a-light-on-the-mccain-lobbyist-express/#comment-1303096 <blockquote><p>The huge problem, though, is which master is ultimately being served by the person in question? Their own potential profit margin by stacking up favors and chits to be sold off later to the highest bidder? Maybe they are working for the good of the public, having gotten fed up with inadequate regulation? But, honestly, how often do you think THAT happens?</p> <p>The whole system is a mess. And what DeLay, Abramoff, Norquist, Santorum and their pals did with their smarmy implanted K Street project has made it far, far worse.</p></blockquote> <p>Granting the “far worse,” didn’t the ball get rolling in this direction under Democrat Tony Coelho? He was a certified Good Guy with respect to the Americans with Disabilities Act, but if I remember correctly, under Clinton he also had a major role in recruiting Big Money donors to the Democratic Party– sorry, no linky.</p> <p>Bob in HI</p>

The huge problem, though, is which master is ultimately being served by the person in question? Their own potential profit margin by stacking up favors and chits to be sold off later to the highest bidder? Maybe they are working for the good of the public, having gotten fed up with inadequate regulation? But, honestly, how often do you think THAT happens?

The whole system is a mess. And what DeLay, Abramoff, Norquist, Santorum and their pals did with their smarmy implanted K Street project has made it far, far worse.

Granting the “far worse,” didn’t the ball get rolling in this direction under Democrat Tony Coelho? He was a certified Good Guy with respect to the Americans with Disabilities Act, but if I remember correctly, under Clinton he also had a major role in recruiting Big Money donors to the Democratic Party– sorry, no linky.

Bob in HI

]]> By: Christy Hardin Smith http://firedoglake.com/2008/02/28/shining-a-light-on-the-mccain-lobbyist-express/#comment-1303095 Christy Hardin Smith Thu, 28 Feb 2008 21:16:30 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/02/28/shining-a-light-on-the-mccain-lobbyist-express/#comment-1303095 <p>To be fair, though, the reporting that Jeff Birnbaum has done on this has been extensive — click through those links above about mid-way through the post. He hits the KStreet beat for the WaPo, and his digging on McCain’s campaign has been great the last few months. His December 2007 article is very well done, and a great resource.</p> To be fair, though, the reporting that Jeff Birnbaum has done on this has been extensive — click through those links above about mid-way through the post. He hits the KStreet beat for the WaPo, and his digging on McCain’s campaign has been great the last few months. His December 2007 article is very well done, and a great resource.

]]> By: Bustednuckles http://firedoglake.com/2008/02/28/shining-a-light-on-the-mccain-lobbyist-express/#comment-1303093 Bustednuckles Thu, 28 Feb 2008 21:15:25 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/02/28/shining-a-light-on-the-mccain-lobbyist-express/#comment-1303093 <p>As a matter of fact, I am bookmarking this one so I can go through it tonight as another post has already cut this off.<br /> Way too soon IMO.</p> As a matter of fact, I am bookmarking this one so I can go through it tonight as another post has already cut this off.
Way too soon IMO.

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