The function of lobbyists is enshrined in the Constitution? I must have missed that part.

Also, in regard to that new McCain campaign policy, does that mean that we should be expecting another ten resignations shortly?

these are not the lobbyists you're looking for. pay no mind to the men behind the curtain.

Meanwhile, The MSM will be telling us again about what a maverick McCain is.

He's going to have to hire a whole new staff. He's going to have find people who are
1. Not lobbyists
2. Competent
3. Willing to be associated with a 3rd term for Bush & friends campaign.

Good luck with that.

quickdraw: He's going to have to hire a whole new staff. He's going to have find people who are
1. Not lobbyists
2. Competent
3. Willing to be associated with a 3rd term for Bush & friends campaign.

Good luck with that.

Exactly. McCain doesn't have the largest pool to draw talent from.

Dinki: Meanwhile, The MSM will be telling us again about what a maverick McCain is.

Seriously. It's beyond time for the MSM to Wright the story of "holy shiat, that's a lot of lobbyists."

It is so cute watching the dems try to make McCain=Bush 2008. He ha sbeen a thorn in the side of "the right wing" for the past 8 years and has been instumental in stallin gsomeof Bush's agenda. Too bad the lazy media will mail it in and let a bunch of 20 year old Obama supporters say whatever they want to for free ponies.

While it's admirable that he put this new rule in place, it's definitely biting him in the ass right now; this is quite embarrassing for his campaign. However, it is probably going to be a net positive in October, as Obama still has lobbyists on his staff.

By far the most difficult problem Mccain has for his campaign is that no one knows what he really stands for. He has flip-flopped so many times on immigration, agents of intolerance, war policy, campaign finance, lobbyists and taxes that its not possible to determine where he is going to be from one moment to the next. He isn't a maverick near as much as he is a wild card. A befuddled old man such as this is spastic and clearly dangerous in a world that needs stability above all else.

Is this the line where I can buy some straight talk?

McCain's plan:

Embrace the usual right wing issues while trying to do a wink and a nod to independents signifying "i don't really believe this stuff.

We'll see how it works. IMO independents will see through it.

Shaggy_C: While it's admirable that he put this new rule in place, it's definitely biting him in the ass right now; this is quite embarrassing for his campaign. However, it is probably going to be a net positive in October, as Obama still has lobbyists on his staff.

I don't see how McCain is going to get around that the "strict constructionists" he wants to appoint to the Supreme Court are going to strike down his beloved McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform law. In July, the court is very likely going to strike down a portion of the law related to Congressional elections. It raises a serious question for people who see him as a "maverick:" will John McCain stand for principle, or will he do whatever it takes to get ahead?

The American people are likely soon to see that McCain is a "maverick" simply because he only cares about himself.

generaltimmy: It is so cute watching the dems try to make McCain=Bush 2008. He ha sbeen a thorn in the side of "the right wing" for the past 8 years and has been instumental in stallin gsomeof Bush's agenda. Too bad the lazy media will mail it in and let a bunch of 20 year old Obama supporters say whatever they want to for free ponies.

uh-huh

/dont forget the sunshine and rainbows

generaltimmy: It is so cute watching the dems try to make McCain=Bush 2008. He ha sbeen a thorn in the side of "the right wing" for the past 8 years and has been instumental in stallin gsomeof Bush's agenda. Too bad the lazy media will mail it in and let a bunch of 20 year old Obama supporters say whatever they want to for free ponies.

generaltimmy: Too bad the lazy media will mail it in and let a bunch of 20 year old Obama supporters say whatever they want to for free ponies.

Aw man, I never got a free pony!

/Obama08: FREE PONIES!

McCain's talk is about as straight as Graham Norton.

FTA: "No one in real America cares," said one key Republican. "But McCain cares."

WHAT!?

McCain is as straight as George Takei

What? I saw it the next tab over

"But I AM different from George Bush! Look, I BELIEVE IN GLOBAL WARMING! That makes me a MAVERICK, Goddamn it!"

LocalCynic: The American people are likely soon to see that McCain is a "maverick" simply because he only cares about himself. more reality tv, NASCAR and wrestling

you give too much credit...

Shaggy_C: While it's admirable that he put this new rule in place, it's definitely biting him in the ass right now; this is quite embarrassing for his campaign. However, it is probably going to be a net positive in October, as Obama still has lobbyists on his staff.

He has currently lobbying lobbyists? Got a link?

Considering how monstrously unpopular Bush is and how desperate congressional Republicans are to separate themselves from him, I'd argue that lashing one's campaign to the legacy of a failed presidency is indeed very mavericky.

Used to like him. Either the liberal media is unduely influencing me, or this man is W2.

bartink: He has currently lobbying lobbyists? Got a link?

I think they're taking a few months off for the duration of the campaign, but that doesn't mean they aren't lobbyists. (new window)

Gee, one of the Keating Five having lobbyist troubles? say it ain't so!

Do you people think that Obama has no lobbyists working on his campaign? McCain is trying to eliminate his and succeeding, and somehow that's evidence that he can be bought? Let's see Obama declare lobbyists persona non grata and count how many are in that exodus.

jjorsett: Let's see Obama declare lobbyists persona non grata and count how many are in that exodus.

According to my link, it would be 3. McCain has already lost 5. How many more to go?

Shaggy_C: I think they're taking a few months off for the duration of the campaign, but that doesn't mean they aren't lobbyists.

So... they aren't working on the campaign, but they're on the campaign. Right.

hillbillypharmacist: So... they aren't working on the campaign, but they're on the campaign. Right.

More like the opposite. They took time off from lobbying just to be a part of the campaign and will go right back to lobbying when the campaign is over.

hillbillypharmacist: Shaggy_C: I think they're taking a few months off for the duration of the campaign, but that doesn't mean they aren't lobbyists.

So... they aren't working on the campaign, but they're on the campaign. Right.

Oh, nevermind. I see what you were saying now.

McCain is just W #2:




/meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

jjorsett: McCain is trying to eliminate his and succeeding, and somehow that's evidence that he can be bought?

So they just showed up one and magically ended up on his campaign? We're not talking about an ant infestation. If he didn't want them on his campaign, why did he add them in the first place?

Mentat: If he didn't want them on his campaign, why did he add them in the first place?

Exactly. HE hired them. It's not like they're unpaid volunteers.

FTFA: "The McCain campaign's stringent approach to the issue is provoking a bit of grumbling from some of its Washington allies, who point out that a lobbyist's function is enshrined in the Constitution.

"No one in real America cares," said one key Republican. "But McCain cares."

FAIL.

Shaggy_C: bartink: He has currently lobbying lobbyists? Got a link?

I think they're taking a few months off for the duration of the campaign, but that doesn't mean they aren't lobbyists. (new window)

You do understand the distinction between someone who was once a lobbyist and is currently a lobbyist, right?

He doesn't take money from lobbyists or PAC'S and has none of them who are currently employed by their former masters in his campaign. If that is what McCain wants to do, thats good enough for me.

McCain's problem has been that he had currently employed lobbyists in his campaign. One was even cutting deals on his bus. If you can show Obama was doing something like that, I'll start paying attention. But when you post that a small group at some time in the past were lobbying...I don't much care about that.

"No one in real America cares," said one key Republican. "But McCain cares."


if he cared so much wouldnt he undertake to meet and employ at least one person who is in fact not a lobbyist?

When the democrats decide on their nominee, McCain better watch out. There is a reason republicans didn't like him. He will get skewered by his inconsistent policy positions. Unfortunately for him, video (new window) is everywhere these days. McCain will be heading back to the senate in 2009.

Weaver95: Gee, one of the Keating Five having lobbyist troubles? say it ain't so!

Keating five? Who are they? ;-)

/slop, slop, slop
//elections are yummy!

yellekc: When the democrats decide on their nominee, McCain better watch out.

They already have, which is why McCain's being knocked on his ass this week.

Mentat: yellekc: When the democrats decide on their nominee, McCain better watch out.

They already have, which is why McCain's being knocked on his ass this week.

If this "free ride is over" week is indicative of how the next six months will be, McCain's going to have a miserable time.

bartink: McCain's problem has been that he had currently employed lobbyists in his campaign. One was even cutting deals on his bus. If you can show Obama was doing something like that, I'll start paying attention. But when you post that a small group at some time in the past were lobbying...I don't much care about that.

I'm still a little concerned that people who 'were' lobbyists days before joining the campaign are still around...it's a little disconcerting, but it doesn't seem to be endemic. As the article states, it's a great way for a lobbyist to add some stuff to the resume and then build influence when they go back to K Street after the election.

bartink: McCain's problem has been that he had currently employed lobbyists in his campaign. One was even cutting deals on his bus. If you can show Obama was doing something like that, I'll start paying attention. But when you post that a small group at some time in the past were lobbying...I don't much care about that.

Obama's problem is not that his staffers are lobbyists, it's that they have a disturbing tendency to advocate policies that Obama disagrees with.

Shaggy_C: I'm still a little concerned that people who 'were' lobbyists days before joining the campaign are still around...it's a little disconcerting, but it doesn't seem to be endemic.

Thats my feeling about it too but I am beginning to understand DC culture a little bit through all this and I am fairly sure that it is entirely populated with lobbyists. Even the waiters are probably lobbying for something.

Its like going to L.A. and trying to avoid actors and writers.

Dinobot: FTA: "No one in real America cares," said one key Republican. "But McCain cares."

WHAT!?

evidently
most of us are NOT real americans
LOLOLOLOL

bartink: You do understand the distinction between someone who was once a lobbyist and is currently a lobbyist, right?

Lobbyist Boss: Joe, I want you to take the rest of the year off

Lobbyist: Sweet, which campaign needs me? Romney's?

Lobbyist Boss: No, McCain's

Lobbyist: Hahaha, no really, which one?

Lobbyist Boss: Cereal. He's the proclaimed one and we're all getting behind him.

Lobbyist: Aw crap.

Captain Darling: Obama's problem is not that his staffers are lobbyists, it's that they have a disturbing tendency to advocate policies that Obama disagrees with.

Oh noes!!!! Divergent opinions!!!!

Enemabag Jones: Either the liberal media is unduely influencing me,

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
the ONLY people who use the phrase LIBERAL media are those that watch FOX or who are already INSANE

how can the liberal media influence you if you are already biased????

/ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh