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July 24, 2008 7:39:14 AM CDT

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Lobbyists Pack Ethics Crusader McCain's Staff

Posted Feb 22, 08 8:00 PM CST in Politics 

(Newser) – Vicki Iseman is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to John McCain’s associations with lobbyists, the Washington Post reports. McCain targets special interests, but his campaign manager and top advisers are or have been lobbyists representing some of the country’s biggest corporations. Top adviser Charles Black currently numbers GM, JPMorgan, and AT&T among his clients.

McCain yesterday continued to insist his friendships don’t influence his action on legislation. But the candidate has far more lobbyists on staff—and far more top fundraisers who lobby—than his rivals. Some say that conflicts with his crusading role on ethics, and his staffers say they recuse themselves when their clients’ issues enter McCain's orbit.

Source Washington Post

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Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., seated between his wife Cindy McCain and senior advisor Charlie Black, left, smiles as he gets into a van at his hotel in Deerfield Beach, Fla.,...   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., accompanied by his wife Cindy, speaks at a news conference in Toledo, Ohio, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008, to respond to allegations by the New York...   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., right, talks with senior adviser Steve Schmidt, left, after arriving in Romulus, Mich., Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)   (Associated Press)
Cindy McCain, wife of Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., introduces her husband during a town hall meeting in Indianapolis, Ind., Friday, Feb. 22, 2008. (AP Photo/Tom Strickland)   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., talks to reporters in flight from Indianapolis to Washington Friday, Feb. 22, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)   (Associated Press)
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John McCain  • General Motors  • JPMorgan Chase  • AT&T  • lobbyists  • Vicki Iseman  • blackout


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