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McCain Camp Plays Down Foreign Policy Adviser's Links To Cash-For-Access Dealmaker
John McCain's campaign responds to the AP regarding McCain aide Randy Scheunemann's previous work with Stephen Payne, the guy caught on video offering to set up meetings with White House officials in exchange for big donations to the George W. Bush Presidential Library fund.
The AP reports:
On Monday, the McCain campaign said that from 2002 to 2006, Scheunemann periodically engaged in consulting relationships with the two companies and that Scheunemann was never on the payroll of either firm, but that he was an occasional outside expert consultant.Scheunemann did not lobby on any specific legislation on behalf of Worldwide Strategic Partners, said McCain campaign spokesman Brian Rogers.
In regard to Caspian Alliance, Scheunemann arranged several informational meetings for Payne with Department of State and NSC officials following Caspian energy issues, but Scheunemann did not lobby on specific legislation or projects, said Rogers.
Scheunemann did not lobby McCain on Caspian energy issues or any other issue related to Payne, the McCain campaign spokesman added.
Comments (6)
DON'T RIDE WITH THEM!!
July 22, 2008 8:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
Unbeatable comment. Those smiles are right out of Goodfellas.
July 22, 2008 10:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ahmed Chalabi always sets the tone in any given photograph.
July 22, 2008 9:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
Something seems strangely undemocratic about having to pay to have access to our elected officials. It would appear that many of the Republicans in office or in the world of business are seemmingly after a society fo classes where those with priveledge have the ability to move the ball forward and the rest of us are merely at the whims of political and government change.
His statements last week in regards to the Obama campaign reflect the disdain his class of people have for many of us in our country.
July 22, 2008 10:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
You, sir, clearly do not understand the American system of government. Checks and balances. Popular representation. And pay-for-access. That's the three-part structure that guarantees a rational and sober liberty.
And as for the second part of your comment -- Republicans? seemingly concerned to preserve class privilege? Outrageous, sir. Just paranoid.
Republicans don't go into public service to preserve class privilege. They go into public service so they can someday land a cushy job greasing palms for oil-rich foreign despots.
July 22, 2008 10:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
And in this case, you send them "checks" and they tell you what your "balance is...".
Try the veal, folks...
July 22, 2008 12:55 PM | Reply | Permalink