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McCain and His Lobbyist Lover: The Final Straw for the GOP Base? [VIDEO]

Posted by Pam Spaulding, Pam's House Blend at 5:47 AM on February 21, 2008.


Romney campaign supporter Bay Buchanan froths at the mouth over the New York Times revelation that McCain was romantically involved with a lobbyist.
Bay Buchanan Freaks Out Over McCain/Lobbyist Allegations

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In the Washington Post followup to the NYT piece on John McCain's murky relationship with lobbyist, a name is now attached to one of the previously unnamed aides who confronted Vicki Iseman and told her to stay away from the senator.

John Weaver, who was McCain's closest confidant until leaving his current campaign last year, said he met with Vicki Iseman at the Center Cafe at Union Station and urged her to stay away from McCain. Association with a lobbyist would undermine his image as an opponent of special interests, aides had concluded.

...McCain, after his unsuccessful 2000 campaign, has emerged as the front-runner for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination. His reputation as a crusader for Washington reform -- forged during almost 30 years in the Senate -- is based largely on his stinging critiques of the role played by lobbyists. He routinely decries earmarks, or pet projects, inserted into legislation. He has repeatedly maintained that he has "never, ever done a favor for any lobbyist or special interest group." It was this reputation that McCain's closest aides sought to protect.

"We were running a campaign about reforming Washington, and her showing up at events and saying she had close ties to McCain was harmful," one aide said.

The moralist wing of the party is outraged, particularly Bay Buchanan, who was with the currently suspended Romney campaign. She was frothing at mouth last night on CNN's AC360, stoking the fundie fires. She obviously thinks her man Mitt would have walked away with the nomination had this story dropped back before Florida.

COOPER: Bay Buchanan, I have got to ask you. As you were working for the Romney campaign, would this have made a difference when you were with the campaign? I mean, how would this have changed things had that story broken months ago?

BUCHANAN: Oh. Oh, there's no question it would have impacted. No question it would have impacted our primaries.

We -- we -- you know, conservatives are -- we believe that we are the family value party. We believe it seriously. We expect our candidates to live up to those values, not just to talk about them and expect us to vote for them, and not be there really when it counts.

And our -- we have a basic belief. If can you lie to your wife and your children, then the voter doesn't have a prayer. And, so, that's where we stand. We assume our candidates are that way, unless we -- we have reason to believe otherwise.

Considering this is the party of Mark Foley, Larry Craig, David Vitter and a host of Republican Sexual Hypocrites, the above is a howler. David Gergen was on as well, and he later called out Bay on God's Own Party's hypocrisy. That's after the jump.

GERGEN: What I -- what I also feel with my friend, Bay, I must say, I do agree with the notion -- listen, before we get too high and mighty about the Republican Party, I don't remember a lot of outrage in the Republican Party over the question about their -- the House members and pages. You know, we have -- let's not -- I don't think we ought to get too high and mighty about this.

BUCHANAN: No. No, no, no.

GERGEN: But, you know, but...

(CROSSTALK)

BUCHANAN: David, look what happened in the general -- in the general election as a result of that scandal. Republicans were -- were decimated.

GERGEN: They were decimated. But I -- you know, at the leadership level, there was an awful lot of hoofing and hawing and sort of not wanting to get to the bottom of it.

(CROSSTALK)

BUCHANAN: Absolutely true. And that's why the -- the grassroots really, really turned on them.

Yes, and it's the grassroots that McCain will need if he has prayer of winning in the general. He simply cannot win if they stay home AND he loses independents on the lobbying ethics front.

Ally on the conservative side of the blogosphere, Joe Murray, former staff attorney for the American Family Association, thinks McCain could be toast solely on the ethics/lobbying front:

The possibility Mr. McCain may have had an affair is not the driving force behind this inquest; far from it. Rather, the idea that this maverick, a man who bucked his party to restore the people's trust in their government, could have pulled strings for inappropriate reasons is an innuendo that could topple Mr. McCain.

If this is the tip of the iceberg, it is clear Mr. McCain has assumed the role of Edward John Smith. There will be no rebounding from this betrayal of trust; no rehabilitation.

On the left Mr. McCain will be pummeled by Barack Obama, a man who will cast Mr. McCain as exhibit A in his case for change, and on the right Mr. McCain will be greeted by a deflated base.

Deflated is an understatement. He's been trying to win over The Base of bible beaters since he declared the race over, and the professional "Christian" set (Daddy D notably not among them) had begun to circle the wagons around the Arizona senator.

Daddy D recently endorsed Huckabee -- do you think he knew the NYT piece might drop? Who knows.

Even more troublesome for the McCain camp is the fact that Mr. Huckabee is still buzzing around the mule and Mr. Romney can still jump back in this race (he only suspended his campaign). Conservatives were never enthusiastic about a McCain nomination and this could be the crack in the armor.

While it is too premature to begin drafting Mr. McCain's last will and testament, considerations of stepping down should be entertained.

***

And here's an added bit of entertainment to the scandal. Last night the McCain released a tepid statement that dodged the sexual allegations. It came from his press officer, Jill Hazelbaker. Who is she?

Apparently John McCain hires only the best, brightest and most ethical for his team. Check out the diary John McCain's Integrity in Action: Hiring Concern Troll to be Communications Director. She was busted by Blue Jersey's Juan Melli astroturfing away from an IP addy for the Tom Kean Jr. campaign, and was later caught by the MSM lying about it.

During the 2006 Senate campaign in New Jersey, Jill Hazelbaker worked for Republican candidate Tom Kean, Jr. Juan Melli, the founder of Blue Jersey, noticed that the site had a lot of concern trolls. You know, the kind of commentator who says he is a "lifelong liberal," but he just can't vote for Menendez due to ethics concerns. Unfortunately for Hazelbaker, the concern trolls all came from the Kean campaign's IP address. Indeed, Juan showed that one troll posted information that had not yet been published, leading to his belief (though it certainly cannot be proven) that Hazelbaker herself may have posted the comments. She after all, was in a position to know the information, and a low-level intern would not have been.


Bush's White House Spying on Iraqi Prime Minister
White House Press Secretary Dana Perino wants to make it clear, the White House IS NOT denying spying on Maliki.
Post by Amanda. September 5, 2008.
GOP Vetting Emporium and Taco Stand
Come for the vetting, stay for the tacos!
Post by Brave New Films. September 5, 2008.
The “P” in “POW” Does Not Stand for “President”
McCain is hellbent on playing the POW card to the bitter end.
Post by ZP Heller. September 5, 2008.

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View:
Dockside
Posted by: rtmyth on Feb 21, 2008 7:27 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
McClain is the most accomplished hypocrite in all of Washington, and womanizer, like GHW Bush and Clinton.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Protest too much?
Posted by: Kevbo on Feb 21, 2008 7:51 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
By getting so upset over the NYT story's contents and the appearance of the story itself, Bay and and pals make more solid evidence unnecessary.

They give legs to the whole thing and effectively turn over the coals of division in the GOP. You can just feel the heat building once more! Nicely done!

It's downright entertaining to watch conservatives continually try and commandeer the Republican party since they can't succeed on their own. They are seemingly blind to the hypocrisy and pandering by mainstream GOP candidates to their ranks come election time.

"This is not the Democratic party. This is a party of values!" Yes, the value of false appearances and the value of denial when power and control are at stake.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

"they're playing politics with this story!"
Posted by: nor cal surfer on Feb 21, 2008 8:10 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
cries Bay.

LOL.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

That's some must-see TV right there!
Posted by: hurricane hugo on Feb 21, 2008 8:14 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I actually watched this when it aired last night - LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

jdfu!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Where's Linda Tripp when you need her?!
Posted by: buddyedgewood on Feb 21, 2008 8:17 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
But hey, given that he's a republican, I'm surprised that Ms Iseman is a woman!

...well, that's what we've been lead to believe

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McCain
Posted by: nylaw13 on Feb 21, 2008 8:21 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I am no fan of John McCain. However, I read the entire NY Times article this morning, and nothing in it said that McCain actually had a "romantic" relationship with the lobbyist. She appeared at numerous events and claimed to be "close" to him, but that could mean anything. McCain's aides (or some of them) were concerned about appearances. Being a lawyer, I understand the concept of the "appearance of impropriety" which does mean that there is necessarily any impropriety - but appearances do matter. I think the NY Times article has been twisted by the media for a story.

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» RE: McCain Posted by: kiel
» RE: McCain Posted by: surfreality
» RE: McCain Posted by: latim
» RE: McCain Posted by: rws
» RE: McCain Posted by: rws
"Family values" party
Posted by: 2dogarage on Feb 21, 2008 8:52 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
What about the values of those who have family in Iraq?

As for "playing politics" with this info...oh boo hoo hoo, looks like the dems have finally learned how to play dirty enough to compete with the GOP, who'd a thunk it?

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Got be Kidding Bay
Posted by: JSquercia on Feb 21, 2008 9:10 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
You are the party of Family Values . Have you not been reading all the scandles from Larry Craig to Tom Foley . The party of Hypocrits would be more like it . I'll start with father of the Conservative Revolution Saint Ronnie , you do know that Nancy was NOT his first wife and that he cheated on that first wife with Nancy when they were making a war movie together during WWII . Yes even then Republican's were adapt at PLAYING hero rather than being heros . We also have the father of the Contract for America , the NEWT who was such a family values guy he told his wife he was divorcing her for a staffer as she lay in the hospital battling cancer . There's a reason he's named after a lizard . I am not sure but I believe she too was kicked to the curb by Newt . Of course my all time FAVORITE is HENRY HYDE who destroyed a marriage by having an affair that extended into his forties and dismissed it as a YOUTHFUL indescretion even as he went after Clinton . Last and definitely least is that Demagogue of the Airways EL Rushbo : Who has now racked up 3 failed marriages and visits the Carribean with Perscription VIAGRA that was written for another guy .
Incidentally Bay many out there feel that it was MITT who was behind this story . A further fact about John McCain is that Cindy is NOT the wife who waited for him during his imprisonment ; he DIVORCED that one to marry Cindy . Actually I am more concerned with the fact that she was a lobbyist and there relationship might have given her undue influence .

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» RE: Got be Kidding Bay Posted by: Boctaoe
» RE: How about Newt? Posted by: Sissy
» RE: How about Newt? Posted by: TruthBeTold
» now wait just a gotdamn minute! Posted by: hurricane hugo
Another NYT Story Run without ANY PHYSICAL PROOF
Posted by: rfrancis@godisdead.com on Feb 21, 2008 9:40 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I am not saying McCain did or did not have a romantic relationship with this lobbyist.

What I am saying is the New York Times repeatedly runs stories without having any physical proof to back them up.

Iraq WMD ring a bell? How many WMD stories did they run in that worthless rag that turned out to be bullshit?

Stop Reading the New York Times!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Point us in the Posted by: TruthBeTold
McCain certainy IS insane, but he will win against Obama in ANY election
Posted by: xbj on Feb 21, 2008 10:34 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
That is, when you poll likely voters and don't just limit it to databases of Obama supporters like the MSM have been doing to get their phony results to put Karl Rove's decoy up against McCain.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» I don't know ANYONE Posted by: Ellie1
» yes so let's Posted by: meetmeineleusis
Moral Relativity of the Right Wing
Posted by: CatDad on Feb 21, 2008 12:16 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
When the MSM prints salacious stories based upon innuendo about Bill Clinton, they're just doing their job.....However, when they do the same on one of their own...suddenly the MSM becomes the "liberal" media....

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Has Good Ole Bay Been Living In A Cave ????????????
Posted by: TruthBeTold on Feb 21, 2008 12:35 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Bay Buchanan: "We -- we -- you know, conservatives are -- we believe that we are the family value party. We believe it seriously. We expect our candidates to live up to those values, not just to talk about them and expect us to vote for them, and not be there really when it counts."

Ted Haggart, pastor of a 3,000-member church, who preached often against homosexuality and was held up as a pillar of "family values." Turns out he had a sexual relationship with a male prostitute, who he also paid for meth-amphetamines.

Bill O'Reilly, host on Fox News, sued for sexual harrassment by his producer. The suit included graphic details, including tape-recordings. O'Reilly's wife was pregnant at the time. O'Reilly settled and paid millions of dollars rather than have the details become public.

Senator David Bruce Vitter, Louisiana (R); his phone number was among those kept by the so-called "D.C. Madam," accused of running a prostitution ring. Also, the madam of a former brothel on Canal Street told a local television station that Vitter had been a client in the 1990s.

Coy C. Privette, Republican, North Carolina, a former state House lawmaker resigned as president of the Christian Action League of North Carolina; charged with six counts of misdemeanor aiding and abetting prostitution by renting a hotel room and paying for sexual acts.

Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) was arrested June 11 at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport by a plainclothes police officer investigating lewd conduct complaints in a men's public restroom.

Edward Schrock, Republican Congressman, resigned from Congress after he was caught searching for sex on a gay telephone service.

Matthew Glavin, Republican activist who preached family values, was caught masturbating in public and fondling an undercover park ranger.

Rev. Gary Aldridge, senior pastor at Thorington Road Baptist Church for 15 years, found dead on June 24/07, of "accidental mechanical asphyxia" was found hogtied and wearing two complete wet suits, including a face mask, diving gloves and slippers, rubberized underwear, and a head mask.

Donald Fleischman, 37, chairman of the Republican Party in Brown County, Wisconsin, faces criminal charges for allegedly fondling a 16-year-old Ethan House runaway and providing the boy with beer and marijuana.

Glenn Murphy, former National Young Republican Chairman, arrested for sexually assaulting a sleeping man, by performing oral sex on him.

The list is veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery long.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Has Good Ole Bay Been Living In A Cave ????????????
Posted by: TruthBeTold on Feb 21, 2008 12:35 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Bay Buchanan: "We -- we -- you know, conservatives are -- we believe that we are the family value party. We believe it seriously. We expect our candidates to live up to those values, not just to talk about them and expect us to vote for them, and not be there really when it counts."

Ted Haggart, pastor of a 3,000-member church, who preached often against homosexuality and was held up as a pillar of "family values." Turns out he had a sexual relationship with a male prostitute, who he also paid for meth-amphetamines.

Bill O'Reilly, host on Fox News, sued for sexual harrassment by his producer. The suit included graphic details, including tape-recordings. O'Reilly's wife was pregnant at the time. O'Reilly settled and paid millions of dollars rather than have the details become public.

Senator David Bruce Vitter, Louisiana (R); his phone number was among those kept by the so-called "D.C. Madam," accused of running a prostitution ring. Also, the madam of a former brothel on Canal Street told a local television station that Vitter had been a client in the 1990s.

Coy C. Privette, Republican, North Carolina, a former state House lawmaker resigned as president of the Christian Action League of North Carolina; charged with six counts of misdemeanor aiding and abetting prostitution by renting a hotel room and paying for sexual acts.

Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) was arrested June 11 at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport by a plainclothes police officer investigating lewd conduct complaints in a men's public restroom.

Edward Schrock, Republican Congressman, resigned from Congress after he was caught searching for sex on a gay telephone service.

Matthew Glavin, Republican activist who preached family values, was caught masturbating in public and fondling an undercover park ranger.

Rev. Gary Aldridge, senior pastor at Thorington Road Baptist Church for 15 years, found dead on June 24/07, of "accidental mechanical asphyxia" was found hogtied and wearing two complete wet suits, including a face mask, diving gloves and slippers, rubberized underwear, and a head mask.

Donald Fleischman, 37, chairman of the Republican Party in Brown County, Wisconsin, faces criminal charges for allegedly fondling a 16-year-old Ethan House runaway and providing the boy with beer and marijuana.

Glenn Murphy, former National Young Republican Chairman, arrested for sexually assaulting a sleeping man, by performing oral sex on him.

The list is veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery long.

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» Good Stuff Posted by: jim's op/ed
laughable
Posted by: cwilsondrum on Feb 21, 2008 1:22 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It is fucking unbelievable that any republican say publicly they are the family value party. just ridiculous on its face. keep this the focus of all these revelations what ever they turn out to be. I have never seen so many republican hypocrites,thieves,and child molester closet queens outed in my entire life. these people have no shame and no memory.

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MCCAIN IS LOSING HIS STATUS
Posted by: VZEQICVA on Feb 21, 2008 2:22 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It took a long time for this to happen. Nobody really wanted to trash him, for good reason I suppose. But he has played that hand too many times. We all appreciate the hero status but at some point he becomes fair game. We can't have untouchables while others pay their dues. The worst example of assuming the best about a person in my mind is General Colin Powell. Another American hero. Sounds cynical, but that's the way it is. Thanks, Anna

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If you can lie to your wife and children,...
Posted by: kepstein7777 on Feb 21, 2008 3:38 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
then you're our man, because lying to everyone else's wife and children is a big part of the job.

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PERFECT TIMING!!!!
Posted by: crazy carlos on Feb 21, 2008 5:58 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
ALL OF THIS COMES OUT AFTER BOTH THE BUSHES JUST HAVE GIVEN HIM "HE'S OUR KINDA GUY" ENDORSEMENT!!! hahahahaha! Crazy Carlos

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If I understand it, Bay Buchanan's points were:
Posted by: UnEasyOne on Feb 22, 2008 9:10 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
1) Horrible for the NYT to run this kind of story,

2) Even worse not to run it when it could help my candidate,

3) Evil to speak ill of a Republican,

4) It was the NYT.

But was it true? Well, McCain was either lying in his press conference or perjuring himself when he said the exact opposite under oath! Check out the link: http://www.newsweek.com/id/114505

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American citizen - Paul or Nader 2008
Posted by: Michael_D on Feb 25, 2008 4:06 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Obama is a mouthpiece for the CFR. Like so many, most likely caught up in the crossfire of all this massive, bureaucractic nightmare that is the US government/media/corporations today. Many, (NOT all), of our politicians can and are bought routinely bought out for special interests. Obama says "change" allot thus proving his inexperience or will to tackle some of Americas REAL problems. He is no different than the other rich, elitist, fake leaders that do not care about the American people, or the US Consitution.

Realize this fact too
Coke Bush

The revolution is on. Wake up to what has been and is still going on with our American mainstream media and their ability to keep us all uninformed, brainwashed, and shopping.

These globalist, neocon-type media faces and leaders like O'Rielly, Hannity, Kristol, and yes even Obama are all in bed with AIPAC, the U.N., overthrowing governements with the CIA, etc. and pretty much dominate American TV. They are all being mislead themselves or are part of it now aren't they?

If you want to see some REAL patriots look here
REAL American Hero
REAL American Hero
REAL American Hero
REAL American Hero
REAL American Hero

and watch this TRUTH too
REAL American Hero

They do this by contolling information and by GREATLY influencing our elections with the BUSH-CHENEY connected DIEBOLD MACHINES.

Wake up if you love American freedom and hate needless war for profit and/or overthrowing of governments and confusion of the masses by corrupt CIA and all the neocons!

http://ronpaul.meetup.com

This is what the media/government has done to us for too long. The internet and people rising up with the TRUTH after all these years of media lies is the only thing that can help America now. There is no left or right in America at this moment. Only corruptness and media lies so big that most can't see though it.

McCain is one of the WORST puppets out there!!! His top four contributors, (like most candidates, are... BANKS!

R E S E A R C H

Ron Paul’s military contributions are greater than those of all other current candidates – John McCain, Mike Huckabee, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama –combined.

The “Top Contributors” figures can be found at www.opensecrets.org.

JOIN the rEVOLution to restore America people.

IT IS DUTY.

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American for liberty, truth, and justice - Paul/Nader 2008
Posted by: Michael_D on Feb 25, 2008 4:06 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
When big media blocks Ron Paul out, it blocks YOU (and all your kids and family) out. Why do you think they spew so much about "terrorists"?

Starting to get the picture now? Are you believing this bs about "islamo-fascism"? Looking back at what we now know... WHAT A FRIKKEN JOKE.

The time is now.

Shun the non-believers - for our fight is to help them too.

TaxDay08

Wake the f*ck up people! Protect our country and military from such openly corrupt ass "charismatic" leaders. They are simple character actors, with little or no principles, in the end.

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