Much Ado About Nothing
Monday, June 23, 2008
So, as some of you have heard, Cindy McCain runs a huge beer distributor. Her family has for decades.
But whether or not this represents some sort of huge black mark against McSame's campaign? I think this article is a little overblown. I just don't quite see the controversy here.
That said, it would be unprecedented is Cindy McCain continued in her ownership of a "lobbyisng organization (to the extent that any bona fide business is a "lobbying organization")"...but that is purely specualtive in this article. I would think she would have the good sense, as would McCain himself, of finding a way to at least on-paper shift ownership.
Hensley, founded by Cindy McCain's late father, holds federal and state licenses to distribute beer and lobbies regulatory agencies on alcohol issues that involve health and safety.Meh.
It has opposed groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in fighting proposed federal rules that would require alcohol-content information on every package of beer, wine and liquor.
Its executives, including McCain's son Andrew, have written at least 10 letters to the U.S. Treasury Department, contributed tens of thousands of dollars to a beer-industry political-action panel and hold a seat on the board of the powerful National Beer Wholesalers Association.
Sure, it's yet one more example of the guy who supposedly distances himself form lobbying instead being intimately connected with lobbying, but even this isn't very damning. This is not even a sole-Republican "lobbying" outfit. The liquor and beer industry owns Democratic legislators every bit as much as Republicans. In Michigan (still trying to find the Free Press article), every legislator but one or two benefited from direct and indirect contributions from the beer and wine industry.
I think there are way bigger fish to fry than "outting" McSame's beer industry wife as some sort of liability. Don't make this the argument, guys. Keep it to Republicans' absolutely dismal foreign policy and national security policy.
10 comments:
Must be a "non-issue," because I don't even get it.
What's the "story" here? That McCain's wife owns a beer distributer? Why is that a problem?
Ahhhh, Rickey sees that Smitty has no qualms defening the McCains when ths subject of beer is involved... Turncoat!
I have said it once, I will say it again.
Bush, an oil man gets elected: Oil prices skyrocket
McCain, a beer man gets elected: Beer prices will skyrocket.
Seriously, many people elected to office have an interest in some sort of buisness that could benefit from the President's attention. That said, being President of the United States is a job and honor that should be held above all else. If you really want to be President, you should sell your interest in whatever conflicts you have.
Wouldn't it be worth it?
A blind trust won't cut it, you could still be seen as making decisons that will benefit you, once you leave office and resume your involvement in the company. Haliburton anyone?
As long as they are up front about it, I could care less. Smitty, thanks for adding the voice of reason.
Keep it to Republicans' absolutely dismal foreign policy and national security policy.
QFT
Haliburton anyone
Haliburton is way different. A beer distributor isn't going to handle war contracts, military logistical contracts or otherwise benefit from foreign policy (or lack thereof).
About the only thing Cindy would benefit from is the continuation of the "3 tier" distribution system that is a bit of a pain in the ass for microbreweries. But I am willing to bet a good deal of money that that system stays in place regardless of who the Hell is in the Whitehouse.
Again, I just think this is a dead-end. It's the Democrat equivalent of the "terrorist fist-bump" of Fox News.
"Haliburton is way different. A beer distributor isn't going to handle war contracts, military logistical contracts or otherwise benefit from foreign policy"
Agreed.
My only point was that Dick Cheney set up some sort of blind trust or some other mechanism to distance himself from his Haliburton stock to make it look better, but it doesn't mean he cannot financially benefit after leaving from the decisons he made while in office.
If someone in office wants dstance themselves from a buisness, they should just sell it off. If you ask me, being PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES would be worth it.
As far as the McCain buisness conncection, I won't loose sleep over it. I WILL still tell anyone who will listen that McCain will raise the price of beer though. Or veto your beer. hehe
Haliburton and KBR had "deals" going all the way back to Clinton and Bush I to provide services in Gulf War I and Bosnia. I don't think Cheney being in office has made it worse. I think they have always enjoyed some kind of favored status that is disturbing, IMO.
I think my favorite expression these days is "Meh"
This story is as weak as the domestic shit her company distributes...
With so much real material to go after McCain on, I'd like it not to watered down with this crap.
With so much real material to go after McCain on, I'd like it not to watered down with this crap.
Where is your spirit? C'mon, this is the election where we focus on things like pastors, newsletters from the early 90's, and campaign logos. Who needs substance!
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