So Many Republican Hypocrites, So Little Time

February 22, 2008 | SEND TO A FRIEND | GET EARLY NOTICE OF THE HOTW

John McCain

Welcome back to the BuzzFlash GOP Hypocrite of the Week.

The presumptive Republican nominee for president had a very bad newspaper day on February 21. The New York Times printed a long story that basically alleges an adulterous affair between John "The Madhatter" McCain during the 2000 campaign -- and that he provided legislative favors for the telecom clients of the lobbyist with whom he was having a "romance."

As expected, McCain indignantly denies the story, as does the lobbyist in question, Vicki Iseman. (Reportedly, McCain had been trying to get Bill Keller of the NYT to spike the story for a few months, but as other journalists smelled the scent, the Times decided to pop the article.)

McCain has of late been championing himself as an ethical stalwart. That's a bit of hypocrisy for a member of the infamous "Keating Five." But you could argue from a political perspective that the Keating scandal was ancient history.

But the latest alleged scandal is just 8 years ago, and remember it's not adulterous sex that makes it explosive. It's the implied quid pro quo of political favors granted to the companies represented by the paramour in question.

McCain can deny the charges, and it is not likely that this will lead to any legal issues in and of itself. But it does not only make him out to be a hypocrite, it opens up the festering wound of the longstanding incestuous ties between money, sex, power, and favors for "K Street lobbyists," for which the Republicans (and many Democrats) have become infamous.

It is unlikely that the NYT would go with an extended story like this in regards to a Republican, at this sensitive moment in the nominating process, unless it had the goods to back it up.

While McCain is to be commended for teaming up with Russ Feingold on campaign finance reform, the NYT article notes:

Mr. McCain helped found a nonprofit group to promote his personal battle for tighter campaign finance rules. But he later resigned as its chairman after news reports disclosed that the group was tapping the same kinds of unlimited corporate contributions he opposed, including those from companies seeking his favor. He has criticized the cozy ties between lawmakers and lobbyists, but is relying on corporate lobbyists to donate their time running his presidential race and recently hired a lobbyist to run his Senate office.