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Lobbyists are among Republican candidate McCain's top donors
Senator John McCain has staked his campaign for the presidency in large part on his reputation as a reformer intent on curbing the influence of money in politics.
- By Michael Luo and Sarah Wheaton, The New York Times
- Published: 23:40 April 21, 2008
- Senator John McCain has drawn scrutiny for the fact that many of his top advisers hail from K Street lobbying firms.
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Bethlehem, Pennsylvania: Senator John McCain has staked his campaign for the presidency in large part on his reputation as a reformer intent on curbing the influence of money in politics. But an examination by The New York Times of a list of 106 elite fundraisers who have brought in more than $100,000 each for McCain found about a sixth of his money collectors are lobbyists. The list of "bundlers" was released by the McCain campaign Friday.
The sizable number of lobbyists, who are outnumbered on the list only by those working in the financial services industry, offers another example of the delicate balancing act that McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, is having to strike as he campaigns for the presidency and seeks to maintain his reputation as a reformer.
The McCain campaign's disclosure on Friday of its top bundlers of campaign contributions was part of its efforts to furnish a sense of financial transparency to the public, in keeping McCain's past focus on campaign finance reform and criticism of the influence of special interests in Washington. But the Arizona senator has drawn scrutiny for the fact that many of his top advisers hail from K Street lobbying firms, including Rick Davis, his campaign manager, and Charles Black, a senior adviser who only recently stepped down as chairman of his lobbying firm to avoid accusations of a conflict of interest.
Refusing money
McCain has steadfastly insisted that he does not give preferential treatment to those lobbying him, even if they happen to be close friends. Although Senator Barack Obama, who could become McCain's general election opponent, has made a point of refusing to accept money from federally registered lobbyists, McCain has continued to collect cash from them and allow them to bundle campaign contributions.
In his defence, his supporters argue that McCain has a record of independence and has often clashed with corporate interests.
But the potential for conflicts of interest are obvious. Several of McCain's top fundraisers, for example, lobby for the telecommunications industry, which regularly does business before the Senate Commerce Committee, where McCain is a senior member and once served as chairman.
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| This article on the national political campaigns in the United States is from The New York Times. It was specially selected and prepared by the editors of The New York Times News Service. |
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