At a townhall meeting in New Hampshire last November, Sen.
John McCain (R-AZ) told the audience that he’s never
allowed himself to be corrupted by lobbyist money:
Everybody says that they’re against the special interests.
I’m the only one the special interests don’t give
any money to.
Watch it:
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, McCain
has taken nearly $1.2 million in campaign contributions from
the telephone utility and telecom service industries, more
than any other Senator. McCain sides with the telecom companies
on retroactive immunity.
(Article continues below)
McCain is also the single largest recipient of campaign contribution
by Ion Media Networks — formerly Paxson Communication
— receiving $36,000 from the company and employees from
1997 to mid-year 2006.
In 2004, as chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, McCain
reversed a position and took “crucial legislative action”
that saved Paxson Communications from “financial ruin.”
Drew Clark reports:
McCain initially supported legislation that would have
forced Paxson and handful of broadcasters — but not
the great bulk of television stations — off the air
by December 31, 2006. Bud Paxson himself personally testified
about this bill with “fear and trepidation”
at a hearing on September 8, 2004.
Two weeks later, McCain had reversed
himself. He now supported legislation that would grant two-year
reprieve for Paxson — and instead force all broadcasters
to stop transmitting analog television by December 31, 2008.
Paxson and his lobbyists, including Iseman, were working at
this time for just such a change.
Vicki Iseman has represented Paxson since 1998, longer than
any of her other clients. The Washington Post reports that
Iseman’s clients have given nearly $85,000 to McCain
campaigns since 2000, according to records at the Federal
Election Commission.
UPDATE: Huffington Post reported recently:
All told, McCain has received more
than $400,000 from lobbying firms, according to the Center
for Responsive Politics. And among his major fundraisers (”bundlers”)
59 have been identified as lobbyists by the non-profit organization
Public Citizen.
