McCain Calls Lobbyists "Birds Of Prey"

Politico.com:

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) called lobbyists "birds of prey" Wednesday and vowed to enforce a lifetime ban on lobbying for members of his administration.

"Whenever there's a corrupt system, then you're going to have these birds of prey descend on it to get their share of the spoils," McCain said in a half-hour interview with Politico following a town-hall meeting in the southern part of this swing state.

McCain, clearly weary of vice-presidential speculation, began by saying preemptively that he was not going to say anything about the hot topic. His mood initially seemed sour, and his answers were clipped, although he warmed as the conversation went on.

Read the whole story: Politico.com

Comments

[ZapDuff]

For all the effort the people at Politico.com have put into establishing their credibility as a viable news source, one of today's showcase articles diminishes those accomplishments. McCain calls lobbyists 'birds of prey' is billed as an interview in which "McCain vows a lifetime ban on lobbying for members of his administration."

For me, as a curmudgeonly media critic, the words in that article fell short of deserving the promotion it got as the results of an interview. It really seems more like a case of two reporters taking dictation from a crafty politician... reporters barely able to ask a question unless it was an invitation for John McCain to read stump speech talking points from his notes. Why send reporters to such an opportunity when a stenographer could have collected what readers got?

Read what was missed at http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/ZapDuff/gG5s7P

[the964kid]

To him thats a good thing right??

[BlueOnBlue]

I clicked through to Politico and one of the Google ads being served up next to this story was "Murder Yellow Teeth."

I love it.

Seriously, though, McCain defines lobbyists as those seeking earmarks. Most lobbyists, including those working for him all these years, want influence over legislation, which is worth much more than all the earmarks put together. McCain obliges them, with bills favoring corporate interests.

McCain talks about the $3 million earmark for research on bears, while funneling billions to oil companies and banks through special subsidies and tax breaks.

And, notice he does not say he won't hire lobbyists to work in his administration. You can bet he'll install lobbyists to all the important spots. He just won't let them go back to lobbying afterwards, which will be OK with them, since they'll be able to make their money from writing books.

[Sumocat]

Where I come from a bird of prey is a symbol of hope and freedom.

[walk0nwalls]

I would've said carrion birds.

[WretchedEtcher]

I would welcome back the John of yore, but methinks that this the current John, already paid for, saying whatever it takes to get elected no matter how hypocritical.

[JTyroler]

He must really be fond of birds of prey.

[Grannysue]

So Charlie Black,s the vulture, and the rest of his campaign (lobbyist) staff are what? pigeons, yea pigeons, crapping all over Americans!

[marymansour]

So this makes you the Bird Man of Washington, Macko. These birds of prey have had their talons in you for years not to mention pooping on your pricey shoes.

[CharlesJ]

Then I guess McCain and his staff are nothing but bird of prey!?!?!? It has been reported that his staff are mostly Lobbiests, that temporarily resigned from thier job as lobbiests to work for McCain. Temorarily reisgned, meaning they did not Out right Quit or sever ties with that company; just stopped receiving a pay check is all.

[MoeB]

This is what you get when we have a complacent media who is intent on NOT calling him out on anything he says/does (and also an electorate who's not interested in learning the facts). McCain has taken double-talk and hypocrisy to new, unprecedented levels. His campaign is RIDDLED with lobbyists who are forming his policies, and yet, I'm guessing that his statements will remind the media that he is the "reformer".

For those who think that McCain should stick to ONE platform and see it out to the end, I say, WHY? No one is calling him out or holding him and his minions accountable, so why should he clean his act up? He doesn't "disagree" with a draft, he's spouting off very dangerous rhetoric towards Russia, he wants a war with Iran, to continue the current war in Iraq until we achieve "victory" (please, please media, can you demand that this man spell out exactly what "victory" means???), and the list goes on...yet, hardly a peep from MSM. Instead what's the big news?? VP picks. THIS.IS.NOT.NEWS. We will all find out soon enough! We don't need MSM swarming potential picks. We need them to pick apart every McCain comment with the same intensity as they do Obama. Way to FAIL us again.

[NoOneSpecial]

Birds of prey? No.

Magpies? Yes.

Why? Because they are prissy, fussy, noisy, and very, VERY GOOD at getting what they want.

[PATina]

I guess that's why so many of them like being around you.... hahahahahahaha

[barackobama4prez]

We believe you johnny. NOT.

[razorblade]

Like the lobbyists that want him to sign a Free Trade Agreement with Colombia, While the Colombian Military continues to murder its citizens? The agreement he eagerly agrees to?

La Times has an article about human rights violations in Colombia today...

More of the same - Propping up another corrupt Administration for corporate profits.

Read the article, and spread the word.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-abuses21-2008aug21,0,2705496.story