High-Ranking McCain Staffer Lobbied For Repeal Of Cuba Sanctions

Talking Points Memo:

A high-ranking campaign staffer for John McCain lobbied for years on behalf of a major corporation in favor of repealing economic sanctions against Cuba, a position that is directly at odds with McCain's position, according to lobbyist disclosure forms.

The staffer, John Green, who has held the key post of chief campaign liaison to members of Congress since early March, lobbied members of Congress extensively on behalf of French alcohol company Pernod Ricard, in their efforts to get sanctions weakened or repealed. In the process, according to the disclosure forms, he also did extensive work with members of Congress who favor repealing the Cuba embargo entirely, a position that is also strongly opposed by McCain.

Such conflicts between lobbyists on McCain's campaign staff and McCain's hard-line foreign policy positions have already created controversy and generated criticism for McCain. Campaign manager Rick Davis, for instance, made news and was criticized by Democrats for his lobbying on behalf of a Ukrainian businessman with deep commercial ties to Iran -- even though McCain has called for divestment against Iran.

Read the whole story: Talking Points Memo

Comments

[edwarvir]

McMc doesn't have one firm idea in his head there is nothing serious about his
campaign. No wonder he jokes all the time. He doesn't mean a thing he saids.

[JaneEyrez]

I am cracked up that this picture of McCain at this exact moment is directly opposite an ad that says:
Yellow Teeth Emergency.

If it was under it, it would have been a caption.

[YoungCleve]

I didn't even read the article. I just had to say this photo is scary and needs to be removed asap

[loax]

The MSM will let this one slide again. McCain and the Republicans have lied thier way to power, and I for one will never subscribe to their deceiptful lies abd pandering! Let's see if this gets oc CNN, or Fox news, or will the only news shows tonight show 3 hecklers at Obamas town hall meeting. At least he addressed them, rather than threaten to have them arrested as McCain di to the 63 year old librarian! God, they really make me puke.

[Snerdgronk]

Lobbied for repealing the Cuban embargo ... Give that man a cigar

On another note, McCain's campaign manager 'Dick' (R)avis, while smoking a Montecristo denied lobbying for Iran. He said it was a mis-quote of, "I ran Cuban cigars into the US ... And anywayz, while we will be featuring Obama juxtaposed to young, blond, white women, while pointing out gas price are high because Obama won't give the oil companies more leases for them NOT to drill on .... So, it's up to Obama whether the race card gets played".

Snerd

[soupson52]

Contradiction? Naaahhhhh. Only thing I've ever heard positive about Mc. He has someone on his staff intelligent enough to see how stupid this cuban embargo is. Naaahhhhh. Did it for $$$$$.

[jeffp26]

This is a great thing. Why are we penalizing the people of cuba for their leaders?

That would be like disliking americans because our leaders start illegal wars, torture people in contravention of the geneva convention, etc.

[JABean]

Even if it is a good idea for many reasons, THIS guy must be in the cigar business.

[drauz]

Well, it IS a good idea, in any case. This example confirms that individual lobbiests are typically technicians-for-hire moreso than idealogues.