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Two NRA Lobbyists Working for McCain; Do They Violate Campaign Rules?
Looks like Rick Davis isn't the only lobbyist problem the McCain camp is dealing with these days.
Mother Jones reports that two actively-registered lobbyists are currently working on John McCain's campaign for president.
Wayne Berman, co-chairs McCain's national finance committee. James Jay Baker co-steers McCain's National Steering Committee of Sportsmen for McCain. Both work for the lobbying firm, Ogilvy Government Relations as managing directors.
This month, the NRA -- a client of Baker and Berman's -- launched attack ads against Barack Obama. MoJo points out that besides conflicting with McCain's claims for running a straight-shooting, non-lobbyist campaign, Berman and Baker's presence also could come into conflict with the actual campaign rules that banned active lobbyists from working full time for the campaign, or participating in 527s or groups that "oppose any presidential candidate."
From Mother Jones:
Asked whether he might be in violation of the campaign's conflict rules, Berman told Mother Jones, "Hmmm, I hadn't thought of that." He said he was currently lobbying for the NRA but not involved in the group's campaign activities. "I'm in full compliance with campaign policy," he maintained. "I will check over there....I will continue to be in compliance. If that requires me to make changes, I'll make them." He added, "You've done me a favor" by raising this issue.













Is the NRA's smarmy campaign against Obama is blessed by Weathervane McCain's co-chair?
The NRA is throwing $40 million into their 527 attack ads..no small amount, and they aren't wasting any time either as ads are out already.
Its a typical swiftboating campaign..not one ounce of truth in them.
September 25, 2008 2:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not one ounce of truth in those NRA ads? Dusty, if you believe that, your are roundly delusional.
I am not saying they are 100% incontrovertible, but for you to say that there is not an ounce of truth in them is wholly naive.
Do not allow yourself to be enslaved by pre-conceieved notions and spoon-fed ideas.
September 25, 2008 8:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
If Obama hadn't called off his own 527s, he could have really hit McCain on this issue - in the 1990s McCain was sponsoring gun control bills.
After the pro-lifers there are no more bigger one-issue voters.
September 25, 2008 11:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
McMavericky's personal rule is IOKIYAR+IYAJMcC.
September 26, 2008 4:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
I might remind some of you that the NRA is a large group of American citizens. We have a right to our opinion, and we support that right pretty dang well as a group. Since 4-5 million of us showing up at capitol hill offices might get a tad crowded . . . well . . . we have folks to go in and speak for us . . . it saves space and results in fewer chairs being needed in congressional waiting rooms.
That being said, I have no problem with one of my fellow american citizens and supporters of the fourth amendment also working for McCain.
Dusty, please list an example of the "lies" the NRA is telling. I know Barrack has problems with numerous inept aides incorrectly assessing their bosses stance on gun control and other issues in the numerous questionares he claims were 'mistaken'.
Hmmmm . . . . Friends with Bombers, Racist Preachers, and aparently LOTS of inept aides who don't know their bosses stance on various issues . . . . who picks the Presidents cabinet again?
NRA-protecting police officers, making life miserable for violent felons, and keeping low fat meat available to America for over 100 years.
September 26, 2008 11:22 PM | Reply | Permalink