Lieberman, Graham Violating McCain Campaign's Ethics Rules?

Two of Sen. John McCain's top campaign chairmen are serving on the board of an independent organization that is behind a new attack ad against Sen. Barack Obama, an apparent violation of the Arizona Republican's new conflict of interest policy.

Sens. Joseph Lieberman and Lindsey Graham both hold chairs for the McCain camp as well as positions on the board of advisers of Vets for Freedom, an advocacy group that supports the Iraq war.

A week ago these titles may not have been a political issue. But under McCain's newly-implemented ethics policy, Lieberman and Graham's role with Vets for Freedom is now proving problematic.

According to the policy: "No person with a McCain Campaign title or position may participate in a 527 or other independent entity that makes public communications that support or oppose any presidential candidate."

On Friday, Vets for Freedom, an independent group, did just that. In a commercial released on its website, the organization directly took on Obama over his willingness to negotiate with Iranian leadership.

"Obama wasn't available to meet with us [combat veterans]," Sgt. Garrett Anderson (Ret.) of Illinois' Army National Guard says to the camera. "But we weren't surprised. Because he hasn't once, sat down one-on-one with our in Iraq, Gen. Petraeus. Worse, he hasn't been to Iraq in two-and-a-half years. He's unwilling to get the facts on Iraq, yet he is willing to travel to Iran to meet with their leader or anyone else who hates our country... The question for America is, if Barack Obama won't listen to us, who will he listen to?"

Officials with the McCain campaign did not immediately return request for comment as to whether or not Lieberman and Graham's positions violated the campaign's new policy or, at the very least, the spirit of it.

In addition to the two senators, McCain's foreign policy adviser Max Boot also sits on the group's board.

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Pete Hegseth, the executive director for Vets for Freedom, said that far from being campaign-motivated, the advertisement was an issue-based criticism of Obama's stance on the war.

"We are a one issue group, we want to win in Iraq and Afghanistan," he said. "If Sen. Obama was willing to come out and say hey, we want to be successful and the counter-insurgency strategy is working,' we wouldn't have an issue with him. We are not in this to elect a Republican or Democrat. We have been bipartisan from the beginning."

In the current president campaign, this has been true. Vets for Freedom's Political Action Committee, which was responsible for the advertisement, has endorsed several congressional candidates (all Republicans) but not McCain. The organization, moreover is officially non-partisan. However, the ties between the group and the Arizona Republican are extensive.

McCain famously appeared at a Vets for Freedom rally where the group's founder and current House candidate David Bellavia said of Obama, "You can have your Tiger Woods. We've got Senator McCain."

Moreover, at least two members of the group are listed, with their Vets for Freedom titles, as part of McCain's Virginia leadership team. One of them, Captain Wade Zirkle, also serves on the group Veterans For McCain. The other, Hegseth, says his inclusion on the Virginia list is an error.

"I've never lived in Virginia," he said. "This is a mistake."

In addition, Hegseth said that the advertisement was created out of the group's own volition to highlight Obama's position on war policy.

The McCain campaign's new ethics rules, which were designed to preempt the impression of conflicts of interest or campaign-originated dirty politics, has already claimed several victims. Craig Shirley, an influential Republican operative and McCain adviser resigned after it was revealed that he was working for the 527 Stop Her Now -- an organization that was initially dedicated to taking on Sen. Hillary Clinton but had turned its sights on Obama. Other aides have been forced to resign due to lobbying ties.

Calls to the offices of Lieberman and Graham, which are on recess schedule, were not answered.

Comments

[MinuteMan]

For campaign officials to also be officials of a 527 would seem to be a violation of the law requiring 527s to be independent of campaigns. Is anyone filing on them?

[TheRealMacDaddy]

Too bad the youngster in the commercial (and I can say this as I was throwing lead in the Army when he was still shitting yellow in his diaper), is so blind. I wonder what his opinion is now that Scott McClellan has told America that the entire premise for the War he got shot up in was all based on bullshit!

I have been railing against this claim of WMD since 2002, why? Because during Desert Storm we destroyed Saddam's stockpiles. Oh and by the way, the majority of what he had were the leftovers from the Iran/Iraq war that he received from the Reagan WH (coordinated by Donald Rumsfeld himself). See we knew what he had, we hunted it down and blew it up.

I wonder how John McCain is going to continue to to say "I WILL NEVER SURRENDER IRAQ" now that all this shit has hit the fan? Will he continue to say it? I think he will. I think he will say that to "Cut and Run" from Iraq now is the wrong thing to do especially since there has been "So much progress" there.

I guess he will just ignore the fact that this is a war that is immoral, illegal and unjustifiable. Every damn thing that has come from George W. Bush's and Dick Cheney's Pie Holes were and continue to be LIES. From the first word unitl the last, total bullshit lies.

[egal]

The military knew from the start that the cause de guerre used to get us into Iraq was flawed. We sent reports detailing how a war would destroy our chances to capture those involved in 9-11, begged that more soldiers be sent if they were going to go through with that illegal foolishness, and sent estimations of the devastation this war would wreak on the United States, the Middle East, our security, and our position in the world.

We were ignored, sent to distant nations along with the experts on urban combat and rebuilding following war, and then faced fellow soldiers who bought the lies.

Now, most soldiers know better, and when they ask us why we didn't stop him, we tell them we tried. We sent the relevant Intel, gave professional briefings, protested inept courses of action, and fought for honest reporting of the war's incompetence and its failures.

We also sent requests for more funding, protests of VA funding cuts, and deployed the years worth of studies revealing that PTSD rates would skyrocket and injured Veterans without sufficient care would pile up if he continued as he was.

And now everyone acts as if they're surprised medical facilities to which Bush cut all funding provide atrocious conditions and too little care.

Hopefully, we were wrong about the severity of the suffering the troops will face. For the rapid and lengthy deployments, the PTSD rate is expected to climb to around 80% within the first decade following deployments.

[northcan]

I don't think very high of Leiberman to begin with. Of course John McCain would love this, he works 'above the law' also. Leiberman wants the war to continue, on any middle east nation. John McCain is a dangerous threat, no better than bush, infact perhaps worse. His credentials are what? because he was a political prisoner? He knew Veitnam was a sham, and he know's Iraq is a sham. Todays speech of his was interrupted many times, he didn't know what to say to anti-war demonstrators. That's a problem don't you think?

So here it is again, my way or the highway in full gear. McCain, you were active military 40 years ago. What do you think you know that Democrats don't? All you know is war, illegal war, not talking to enemies but threatening anyone disagreeing with your policy. Obama is the 'War hero' for not wanting to aggrivate, refusal to negotiate. You are just an angry old man, wanting some kind of recognition. McCain, you gave yourself all the recognition anyone needs. You inflate your importance, your speciality, your knowledge. You don't know any more than Barack Obama. He would look for peace before war, and you the other way. Shame on you.

[ibsteve2u]

Hey, that picture...is that Lieberman, Graham, and McCain?

Or Rumsfeld, Cheney, and Bush - redeux?

[littlepuffycloud]

Wonder what these three old bastards are laughing at...maybe the thought of all the 'little' people who were fooled by the mortgage theives and actually thought they could afford the American Dream of owning their own home and still afford food AND gas for the new pick up...or maybe it's the gay porn starring Bush/Cheney/Rove that's airing behind the camera. Joe, John and Lindsey were supposed to get the starring roles, but hey..it's politics. Iin this photo, Graham is mimicking Bush's technique, using a chip instead of the real deal.

[Dandy12]

Let's sell a war! Just who we ned to do it, a southern hick, and an orthodox neocon jew! Who needs to sit down with Bush's optimisic Petraeus. Anyone with a brain knows the only diplomatic solution involves accommodating the Sunnis, and involving Sistani, Al-Sadr, and the Iranians. Otherwise, we have perpetual war.

[DCtrain]

Once we engage in a war, no one wants to tuck tail and walk away. But the issue is this, Iraq was an illigitimate war founded on fabricated intellegence. The warriors, brave and dedicated, are acting in concert with not wanting to walk away from a conflict, but there is a time and place for war and there is a time and place to walk away. It is time to walk away. But please understand the warrior mentality. This will be a delicate pull-out to keep everyone united.

[iLogos]

I'm a former Marine, served during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Once a soldier, marine, airman or sailor has a mission and is in theatre we don't think about pulling out we think about our job. To do less is to admit to ourselves the possibility that our leaders don't have the best of intentions and worse may not know what they are doing.

We have a division of the military and civlian government, with the military being subservant to the civilian government for a reason. You define the policy, we enforce it. If you want to bring our troops home safe and sound, you will have to make the decision and then stick to it. We will follow orders. It is what we do.

Plkease don't make us into a tool of your theoretical reshaping of the world. Please don't use our sweat, tears and blood as a way to score points. Give us a winnable military mission and the tools to accomplish said mission. We will move the Earth or die in the attempt. It is what we do.

This weekend of all weekends, please thank a current or former member of the armed service for their sacrafice. Veteran or not. Living or not. It is what we do.

[ChimpmasterDJ]

I find it amusing that anyone would still act surprised at Lieberman doing the wrong thing, never mind the unethical thing.

[SarahZim]

Lieberman is such a tool. The other day I was in Dollerama and I saw his memoirs on the shelf there. It had a sticker on it that said "The Dollerama Collection". I toyed with the idea of buying it but decided it wasn't worth the buck.

[hmmmmmer]

A Republican that isn't a lobbyist is probably as rare as a Bush with a moral compass.

[levibatgirl]

I think they're laughing at what gullible idiots their supporters continue to be after all that has come to light.

[donnajane]

I wish I never had to look at this photo of the three stooges again...especially graham,he creeps me out

[evahartselftlanguages]

TO: Senator John McCain May 24, 2008

What is lacking here is something that has been bothering me such as the radio talk show hosts who do most of the talking and give callers into their radio programs only a few minutes on any subject. When it comes to humane issues and War issues this can be so crucial in helping or hurting one's cause. People participation which is so important to our Democracy and in upholding our Nation's security is neglected. If more callers could call into radio programs then communications and creative ideas to help Americans and help Win our Wars would improve so greatly. I love to read books and I'm sure many others do too. Many people talented ,creative and some even geniuses all can contribute to protectting America and its own. Again the 911 Commission did not even give their address so people could send important information to them and others are hard to get a hold of. Limited access is wrong.

Consequently, Communications all around is lacking on both sides. I presented in past the 1648 Westphalia Treaty where after more than two years of negotiations the Thirty Years' War ended. I prsented that in past nations have paid tribute which works in making Peace Between Nations and thousands of lives saved and saved from tortures too. To get together to bring peace for all is a good noble endeavor.

Eva Hart A Christian In Army from 62-70 670 Eddy St. Sfc 94109

[evahartselftlanguages]

TO: Senator John McCain May 24, 2008

Well, I heard it. I had put on satirical poem in past where I mention I had sent letter in August 2003 to Senator John McCain because Job faxes cost money and companies were't listing name and addresses here in San Francisco Chronicle. Senator John McCain never answered so uncompassionately so. Welll guest what last night on TV they mentioned Senator John McCain was co-Chair of Senator Phil Gramm Presidential run for White House. I remember that when Senator Phil Gramm announced he was running for President he mentioned too that he did not want to give money to poor. I thought this so cruel too. It is a Government of Everyone as stated too by Elliot Liebow,Jewish Anthropologist, who writes in his 93 book and his book supports my scarce food,job resources in U.Ss as well. The Jewish religion is close to my religion of Christianity and in a Day one cannot remember to analyze all words so please don't misread my remarks. Sadly and tragically if you people will google Food and Shelter Resources in U.S. on Computer you will see it is so true that there is scarce food,shelter resources in U.S.

Eva Hart A Christian In Army from 62-70 670 Eddy St. Sfc 94109

[Anonani]

I guess as much as Senator McCain dislikes lobbyists he is hardpressed to locate a single supporter who is not tainted in some way. Eight years of controlling the House and the Senate an unbelievable deficit, an endless war, and so forth probably tells us why that is the case.

[anastasiabeaverhousen]

McSame and Lieberman better watch out sitting that close to Lyndsay Graham - they just might get their Christmas goose a little early!!!

[wm1066]

As an older white male I am saddened that Graham sold his honor so cheap. Seeing what these public servants have done to our country...well I would have never imagined it. They don't even try to hide thier greed. They lie straight into the camera. They act like aristocracy, and Americans are the "Great Unwashed".
Well, a day of reckoning is coming. America wants its country back!

[micahjrose]

Lindsey Graham has been in lobbying group pockets for years. I've been watching him on C-Span for about 5 years. He has always been a strict partisan, military kiss ass (whatever the situation on the ground in Iraq), and unreasonable and uninformed on the issues. To sell your honor you must have it in the first place. Lindsey Graham has never had honor. If you hold any progressive values, you won't like Graham.