Mark Kleiman points out that the AP's version of the of the Vicky Iseman story has less innuendo, but a clearer explanation of actual misconduct:
In late 1999, McCain twice wrote letters to the Federal Communications Commission on behalf of Florida-based Paxson Communications -- which had paid Iseman as its lobbyist -- urging quick consideration of a proposal to buy a television station license in Pittsburgh. At the time, Paxson's chief executive, Lowell W. "Bud" Paxson, also was a major contributor to McCain's 2000 presidential campaign.
McCain did not urge the FCC commissioners to approve the proposal, but he asked for speedy consideration of the deal, which was pending from two years earlier. In an unusual response, then-FCC Chairman William Kennard complained that McCain's request "comes at a sensitive time in the deliberative process" and "could have procedural and substantive impacts on the commission's deliberations and, thus, on the due process rights of the parties."
McCain wrote the letters after he received more than $20,000 in contributions from Paxson executives and lobbyists. Paxson also lent McCain his company's jet at least four times during 1999 for campaign travel.
Basically, in exchange for money and freebies, McCain sought to intervene in a federal regulatory process in favor of a company that had provided him with tens of thousands of dollars in cash and services. He could try to plead naiveté, but in light of the hot water he got into with the Keating Five affair, which had the exactly same structure, he clearly knew what he was doing and knew that it was wrong. Now whether or not some guy gets to buy some TV station in Pittsburgh or not isn't a big deal as such, but it's an example of how dubious McCain's "straight talk" persona is. What's more, I think we can all agree that the subversion of the basic functioning of the federal government (see, e.g., US Attorneys scandal, FEMA, etc.) has been a major problem during the Bush years and we see here that McCain takes a Bush-like attitude to the integrity of these processes.
For the first time in my adult life,I am really confused, about the Time`s motive in this as they endorsed McCain just a short while ago.
32 : No one is going to fall to and/or for Hillary,haven`t ya been following events..?
The broad does`nt mean to much but for her participation in McCain`s lack of ethics..If it is true,Really..
There is nothing too exciting about a senior citizen getting a blow job.
Talk radio wanted to dismiss this as guickly as Joe and Journey do,but the difference is the right wing liars wanted to get back on how REALLY proud Michelle is in her country..Now Really.!!??
34: The powers are not as bright as we think they are. They still think Hillary is viable. And if Barack doesn't break to 57% / 43% soon she still will be a problem.
I hope it lasts long enough to keep the chicken shit out of the media that the booboosie are apt to buy on Obama until he has made his run through Texas and Ohio..
Pennsylvania is not a worry ,now that we can see Rendell`s foot in his month,saying his state would never allow a black the nomination..
I would never underestimate your state like that..:-)
This day when it is done,has cost McCain a million votes,however the outcome and to tell you the truth,I don`t think an Obama supporter is really appreciating that edge.
Yglesias via Atrios:Certainly it'd be a bit rich of McCain to get outraged that anyone would even suggest that he might engage in sexual improprieties. After all, it's well known that he repeatedly cheated on his first wife Carol, of a number of years, with a variety of women, before eventually dumping her for a much-younger heiress whose family fortune was able to help finance his political career. That's well known, I should say, except to the electorate, who would probably find that this sort of behavior detracts from McCain's "character" appeal.
FDL's Jane Hamsher:"Getting publicly exposed in the NYT for an inappropriate relationship with telecom lobbyist Vicki Iseman only a week after taking time off the campaign trail to vote for a bill giving retroactive immunity to the telecos in the Senate FISA bill makes the timing kinda awkward..."
C&L: Bay Buchanan on GOP, `We assume our candidates have been loyal to their family.'
>After all, it's well known that he repeatedly cheated on his first wife Carol, of a number of years, with a variety of women, before eventually dumping her for a much-younger heiress whose family fortune was able to help finance his political career.
Well, I certainly didn't know that! Bloody hell! What a filthy heel.
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