McCain's Lobbyists Raked In $1 Billion From U.S. Clients, Study Says

The non-partisan group Campaign Money Watch has come up with another startling figure for those who follow the presidential money chase.

According to an analysis performed by the group, McCain's top fundraisers and aides have collected nearly $1 billion in fees from U.S. companies in the past decade -- specifically, $930,949,819. Using numbers provided by the Center for Responsive Politics, the group also found that officials of those very same companies have given nearly $12 million to McCain's presidential campaign, so far.

"The McCain campaign relies on big money lobbyists, and they'll rely on him," said David Donnelly, director of Campaign Money Watch. "In the 'you-scratch-my-back, I'll-scratch-yours' world of Washington, $931 million gets the special interests the best government money can buy. But just think of the payday these lobbyists might expect in a McCain Administration."

Donnelly's group previously launched a website called McCainsLobbyists.com, in which users can track the special interests represented by 40 of John McCain's top fundraisers and advisers.

Comments

[LuvDaH8ters]

i know im not a maverick, but if i received $930,949,819, i know they would have my ear.....

[Agent420]

What a cheap date!

[BeltwayBette]

Every day before November 4th, voters should be reminded:
McCain has been a staunch supporter of the war in Iraq;
McCain falsely claims that, from the war's beginning, he called on Rumsfeld to resign. Not True.
McCain: "It's not too important" when American forces return from Iraq.;
McCain claims Iran was training al-Qaeda members in Iraq, not understanding the war's key players. He doesn’t understand the difference between Shiites and Sunnis.
McCain falsely claims the surge led to the Anbar Awakening, even though Sunni's revolted against al-Qaeda there months before Bush announced the surge;
McCain falsely claimed at the end of May that American troops in Iraq were down to "pre-surge levels" although two-thirds of surge troops were still in Iraq. He refuses to admit he was wrong.
McCain falsely claims the war in Iraq was "the first major conflict since 9/11" -- ignoring the war in Afghanistan . While his pollicies there -- the real central front in the war on terror -- have been all over the map. McCain first attacked Obama's policy on Afghanistan, then adopted it for himself.
McCain sayes he supports America's troops but votes against their interests. He vocally worked to defeat the new GI Bill; once passed, he tried to take credit for it.
Do you want a president who thinks there's an "Iraq/Pakistan border"? Or that Czechoslovakia is still a country? Or who pleads "senior moments” ?

[OlderBudWeiser]

Breaking on CNN. Cindy has been hospitalized due to pain in her HAND. Been hanging on to John McBorscht to long.

[firewmn]

sprained wrist from swiping her credit card too much...

[thatsitfortheotherone]

One too many hand jobs given to the fine folks in Sturgis.

[nicholasclaxton]

Don't allow the Lobbyists the chance to buy another administration...Spread the website - tell your friends.

We know that these lobbyists will want favors returned and McChump has already more than proved he'll roll over....

[tedbear]

What do you want to bet the "media" won't cover this story?!! They were all over Obama's life, but when it comes to little Johnnie, nothing.

[torrrep]

What's the problem? Obama gets a significant amount of money from lobbyists yet you seem not to be concerned about that. Is it illegal to accept money from lobbyists? No? Then go back to bed.

[jupitor]

No we'll be sold to the highest bidder! America belongs to lobbyist, not to us! Our Officials and Goverment leaders like Mccain are already bought an sold!

[Jeffin90019]

Jupitor, where have you been. The sale was conducted a long time ago. Bill Clinton opened the bidding with NAFTA, and George Bush closed the sale of America to China - so that Wal-Mart can sell cheap underpants to unemployed Americans.

[gwithc]

No exactly. America belongs to the Companies that hire lobbyists.

Please tell EVERYONE you know, America needs a NEW Constitutional Amendment describing A SEPARATION OF COMPANY AND STATE

Other than strapping a camera on all elected un-officials, that is the best chance we have.

[MaeScott]

..and there you have it.
Sold to the highest bidder..the rest of the US
no mccaint never.

[neuron]

And prostitution is illegal...

[CKieffer]

Not when it involves politicians.... (or government)

[haleywins]

Good news for Republicans, they are singing "we're in the money..."

[KiwisCanFly]

People who are federal lobbyists are paid to influence federal lawmakers.

McCain said, Jan. 22, 1997
"Registered lobbyists who work for campaigns as fundraisers clearly represent a conflict of interest. When a campaign employs an individual who also lobbies that member, the perception of undue and unfair influence is raised.

We must watch what McCain does rather than trust what he says!

[jupitor]

What about Public Funding? I don't understand any of this! How is any of this legal? Is everything that Mccain does include lobbyist? I would Think these lobbyist all want something in return from John Mccain, would they not? It's crazy to think Mccain and his lobbyist friend was involved with all the craziness going on in Georgia to, but that is what it sure sounds like to me!

[KiwisCanFly]

jupitor
Good lobbyist (persuasive folk) are factual, truthful and help with the impact of legislation and how the outcome of legislation will affect the lives of the public. Many lobbyist work with the best intentions of the American people helping Members Of Congress (MOC) to understand the pros and cons of an issue.

Where things go wrong is when a lobbyist like Abramoff (for example) use illegal methods to influence MOC (essentially buying the MOC vote).
The worry is that money buys access to the MOC, access leads to influence and the result is legislation that favors the moneyed interest group.
It is illegal for a MOC to receive cash from a lobbyist.
MOC are allowed a maximum annual campaign contribution of $2,000.
It is a legal requirement for a lobbyist to report their client, whom they lobbied and how much they contributed to this individual.
It is a legal requirement that a MOC report the amount of money and or gift received (Ted Steven’s current dilemma fits into this category).

This site will provide more info: http://www.idebate.org/debatabase/topic_details.php?topicID=654

As to the second part of yr question, I do not know. I can say this, there could be a conflict of interest, and as McCain said back in 1997 “…the perception of undue and unfair influence is raised.” One cannot disregard the fact that McCain is surrounded by lobbyist

[KiwisCanFly]

jupitor

Concerning public funding.
Politifact a non partisan fact checker says this:

When we talk about public financing, we’re talking about candidates agreeing to skip private fundraising and instead run their campaigns using a pot of public money that comes from taxpayers who direct $3 to the fund on their tax returns. The upside is that candidates don’t have to spend time seeking contributions, but the downside is that their spending is limited to an amount set by the FEC. This year’s general election limit is $84.1-million per candidate, but the spending period is limited to the two months between the nominating conventions in late August and early September, and the Nov. 4 election.

From public statements, both Obama and McCain wanted a publicly funded general election. But then both campaigns saw tactical advantages to getting out of the public financing system.

Obama said he would pursue public financing, but decided it wasn't in the campaign's tactical interest.
McCain committed to public financing in March 2007, and reiterated that commitment in February 2008.

[KiwisCanFly]

jupitor

The moderator deleted my first post concerning lobbyist influence. I have no idea why but it is their prerogative to do so. I uspect it is becos I used the name Abramoff as an example of an unethical lobbyist.

[pilgrim7]

We received the following email today (not asking for much):

You can make history in the next few hours.

We're within striking distance of 2 million people owning a piece of this movement.

Supporters like you are transforming the way political campaigns are run -- and you're sending a powerful message that you're ready for real change in Washington.

Meanwhile, John McCain is running the same Karl Rove-style campaign that George W. Bush ran four years ago. He's avoiding issues and attempting to tear down our movement with personal attacks and fear mongering.

Not only has McCain voted with Bush 95% of the time, he's adopted the same political playbook. We've seen it all before, and we can't afford 4 or 8 more years of the same low road tactics and disastrous policies.

Be one of the 2 million determined to defeat Bush-style fear and division by donating $5 or more to build this movement for change.

It's up to each of us to make sure that this election brings change to America. And none of us can do it alone.

Let's show we really are ready for a change from the Bush-Rove politics that McCain stands for.

I hope you'll make a contribution today to support a new kind of politics and make history with 2,000,000 donors:

https://donate.barackobama.com/realchange

We're all counting on each other to bring the change our country needs.

Thanks for everything you are doing,

Barack

[layman]

Money First !
F-ck the Country !

Bunch of Creeps Running for president !

There's goes McMoney.

[Voltage]

I recently watched a documentary about fascism in Venezuala. I see a lot of similarities between that situation and what's currently happening in the U.S. Specifically, corporations that are in the pockets of politicians (and in fact running many parts of the country) and politicians who flat out lie (and get away with it) to reach their objectives. Objectives, by the way, that have nothing to do with the majority of the population.

[stateMachine]

Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power. -- Benito Mussolini

[Mojane]

Where's the media on this creep? Where's the press on this creep? Have decided to get my news from on-line HuffPo and Countdown and get rid of cable (except for the local channels). My sanity is at stake.

[1differentdrummer]

Big money John and his big money owners.

[Coinyer101]

yuck.that's not good news for mccain.are any republicans out there getting all of this?