What Is It About Lobbyists?

Why all this focus on John McCain's alleged dalliance, eight years ago, with a lobbyist 30 years his junior as revealed, last night, by The New York Times?

The spotlight should instead be on McCain and his confirmed relationship, 10 years ago, with another prominent lobbyist -- Rupert Murdoch!

The following is an excerpt from a piece of mine, "The Murdoch Muscle," which appeared on HuffPost last May. It is especially resonates in light of last night's New York Times disclosures:

"Aside from his loyalty to conservative Justice Thomas, that same month, that same year, 1998, Rupert Murdoch hosted a fundraiser for Senator John McCain who, at the time, conveniently happened to be chairman of the committee that oversees the Federal Communications Commissions. In a fundraiser invite, Murdoch called McCain "an outspoken leader for the telecommunications industry." (NYTimes) (emphasis added)

I'm sure at least one Republican presidential candidate will take one huge sigh of relief should Mr. Murdoch take the helm of Dow Jones, and the second largest newspaper in the country. How expedient to have, as a friend, the owner of Fox News, the New York Post, The Times of London, and now Dow Jones? That is, unless somebody wakes up before their snooze alarm goes off.

It isn't just the war the press has gone to sleep on. Who's been busy running the farm when we've been out betting it? If Murdoch prevails in his bid for Dow Jones, he may not just buying the Wall Street Journal, but the 2008 presidential election, as well. "

What startles are not the obvious Lewinsky echoes, but instead the evidence that the media mogul who has been trying to buy up print, and now Internet, communications in this country is in bed with the number one Republican candidate for president, and heir apparent to the throne. What's more, those who attempt to deflect attention away from this by talking about when the story broke are, intentionally or otherwise, pandering to the proponents of media consolidation by chipping away at the backbone of a free press.

Follow Jayne Lyn Stahl on Twitter: www.twitter.com/jaynelynstahl

Comments

[SamEllison]

07:40 PM on 02/22/2008

Uncle Rupert bought into Hillary Inc too, if you remember.

[BritPatJax]

11:50 AM on 02/22/2008

It will not surprise me if this haughty renegade nation is going to be facing even more corruption than ever before and that McCain will somehow be elected.

[beef33]

09:48 AM on 02/22/2008

I guess I don't understand why you are surprised. Of course McCain is the heir apparent to the corporate owned presidency. AS Ralph Nader said about Bush the White House is "just another corporation" with him in it. McCain is endorsed by Lieberman. He has taken tons of PAC money. He is a shill for the defense contractors, israel, insurance companies, credit card companies, oil lobby you name it. AS I have said the corporate owned media wanted Edwards out and is now shaping McCain to win the general election. Obama will have no chance nationally against McCain. You watch.

[Rockyman]

11:32 PM on 02/21/2008

What this country needs is an antidote to Murdoch's influence--a liberal media conglomerate that can push the progressive agenda. Fox News gets away with right-wing propaganda....NOT in the publics interest. Time for a left-wing propanda on-air machine funded by people who want to illuminate the mess we're in, offer answers and save America!