McCain Embroiled in Telecom Lobbying Scandal
Thu Dec 20, 2007
There's a report circulating today that the New York Times has a story coming up that details extensive involvement between Senator McCain and a telco lobbyist that may have resulted in the telco retro-active immunity provision of the new FISA amendment.
That legislation was pulled until after the Holiday recess by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid after efforts by Senator Christopher Dodd and a handful of other Democratic Senators engaged in a filibuster against their own party, and it was made clear that even if there were more than enough votes to invoke cloture at every step, the slowed process would have put other much more important legislation at risk.
McCain came out against the story with statements this afternoon from the campaign trail telling the Associated Press that "I've never done any favors for anybody — lobbyist or special interest group — that's a clear, 24-year record." The Senator also said he finds the timing of issue "very interesting" and compares this story to smears made against him during his failed 2000 presidential campaign.
According to Matt Drudge, McCain has hired legal counsel to pressure the Times to hold back on the story until after the primaries, or kill it outright.
http://pwtenny.newsvine.com/_news/2007/12/20/1177286-mccain-embroiled-in-telecom-lobbying-scandal