Bad Week Gets Worse for GOP Frontrunner

Denver, Colorado - Today's indictment of Congressman Rick Renzi, Co-Chair of John McCain's campaign in Arizona, caps off a week of problems for McCain that have raised serious questions about his credibility on ethics. McCain had announced Renzi as part of his 'Arizona Leadership Team' on January 26th even though the now-indicted Congressman had been under investigation for more than a year for his role in a land deal and legislation to benefit a business partner. [Roll Call, 4/19/07]

Besides the indictment of his Arizona Co-Chair, McCain was rebuked by the FEC this week for trying to drop out of public financing, and told to explain how he obtained a loan to revive his campaign. Additionally, a ballot challenge was filed this week in Indiana, where it appears McCain did not get the signatures needed to get on the ballot, but relied on Republican government officials in the state to get him on anyway. And new reports this week about McCain's proximity to lobbyists, including the many who run his campaign, left unanswered questions about what he may or may not have done for their clients. [Associated Press, 2/21/08; MSNBC, 2/22/08]

"The indictment of McCain's Arizona Co-Chair, the FEC rebuke of his attempt to skirt public financing laws, and McCain's failure to answer questions about his ties to lobbyists raise serious questions about McCain's ethical standards," said Colorado Democratic Party Chair Pat Waak. "The American people have already rejected the Republican Culture of Corruption and deserve clearer answers and straight talk from Senator McCain about the ethical clouds over his campaign."

INDICTED CO-CHAIR

January 2008: Despite Being Under Investigation, Renzi Makes McCain's 'Arizona Leadership Team' Along With "Influential Lobbyists." Less than one month ago, John McCain's campaign announced its 'Arizona Leadership Team,' which included now indicted Congressman Rick Renzi, who was already under investigation "for his part in [a] land-swap deal." The Business Journal of Phoenix also reported that "McCain's business and political backers in his home state include about 20 influential lobbyists and political consultants who represent industries and other interests. They include former congressman Matt Salmon, John Kaites, Doug Cole, Chuck Coughlin, Stan Barnes, Marcus Dell'Artino, Steve Roman and Michael Preston Green. Bettina Nava as well as Wes and Deb Gullett who have worked for McCain in various capacities as well as held consulting or lobbying posts also are part of the Arizona senator's 2008 effort." [The Business Journal of Phoenix, 2/1/08]

April 2007: Renzi Joined McCain for "Orwellian Publicity Stunt" in Baghdad. After John McCain claimed there were neighborhoods safe enough for him to walk through in Baghdad, Cong. Rick Renzi joined him for a tour of a Baghdad market but sporting bulletproof vests while accompanied by "100 American soldiers, with three Blackhawk helicopters, and two Apache gun ships overhead." [NBC Nightly News, 4/1/2007; Cong. Mike Pence, Press Release, 4/3/07] Headlines soon after the trip called McCain's statements "propaganda" and a "magic-carpet ride." The Statesman Journal in Salem, Oregon, declared: "Brainwashed McCain is a straight-talker no more." An op-ed in the Rocky Mountain News called McCain's staged walk through a Baghdad market "a truly Orwellian publicity stunt." Chastened, McCain issued a half-hearted apology a few days later, saying he 'misspoke' when he pointed to his little walk under the protection of several platoons from the world's most powerful military as evidence of Baghdad's excellent shopping opportunities." [The Washington Post, 4/7/07; Rocky Mountain News, 4/10/07]

June 2006: McCain Issued Fundraising E-mail For Renzi. In June of 2006, "McCain sent out a fundraising e-mail to supporters, asking them [to] help Renzi... urged fellow Republicans to support Renzi's reelection bid." That December Renzi attended a Christmas Party McCain held for his Straight Talk America PAC, the atmosphere of which was described as "uneasy interaction between McCain's media 'base' and his new, Washington Republican donor base." [The Business Journal of Phoenix, 6/27/06; The Hotline, On Call, 12/5/06]

INDIANA COVER UP

Ballot Challenge Filed After Potential Cover Up. John McCain is in Indiana today where a ballot challenge was filed this week raising questions about whether his campaign collected enough signatures in the Fourth Congressional District to qualify for the ballot, and whether his backers acted improperly to cover up the lack of signatures and put McCain on the ballot anyway. Asked about the controversy this morning, John McCain gave what amounted to a wink and a nod, saying, "I will rely on the governor heavily to make sure that I am on the ballot. And knowing his efficiency, I'm sure that he can do that." [MSNBC, 2/22/08]

FEC LETTER

FEC Questions McCain's Attempt to Drop Out of Public Financing. The Federal Election Commission sent a letter to John McCain this week saying his decision to turn down federal funding for the rest of the primary season may not be legal, asking for an explanation as to whether he pledged to remain in the federal funding system to secure a $4 million loan to save his campaign. [Associated Press, 2/21/08]

MCCAIN'S CLOSENESS TO LOBBYISTS

News of Closeness to Lobbyists Raises New Questions. "But when McCain huddled with his closest advisers at his rustic Arizona cabin last weekend to map out his presidential campaign, virtually every one was part of the Washington lobbying culture he has long decried. His campaign manager, Rick Davis, co-founded a lobbying firm whose clients have included Verizon and SBC Telecommunications. His chief political adviser, Charles R. Black Jr., is chairman of one of Washington's lobbying powerhouses, BKSH and Associates, which has represented AT&T, Alcoa, JP Morgan and U.S. Airways. Senior advisers Steve Schmidt and Mark McKinnon work for firms that have lobbied for Land O' Lakes, UST Public Affairs, Dell and Fannie Mae. McCain's relationship with lobbyists became an issue this week after it was reported that his aides asked Vicki Iseman, a telecom lobbyist, to distance herself from his 2000 presidential campaign because it would threaten McCain's reputation for independence." [Washington Post, 2/22/08]