Newsweek spots lies in McCain’s NYT pushback.
Newsweek spots lies in McCain’s NYT pushback.
Responding to yesterday’s blockbuster New York Times article, Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) campaign sent a statement to reporters claiming “no representative of Paxson or Alcalde & Fay personally asked Senator McCain to send a letter to the FCC.” But, as Newsweek reveals today, McCain admitted in a 2002 sworn deposition that he “was contacted” by the company’s head, Lowell Paxson. Here’s McCain in 2002:
ABRAMS: Do you know were they got the information?
MCCAIN: No, but I would add, I was contacted by Mr. Paxson on this issue. [...]
ABRAMS: Did you speak to the company’s lobbyist about these matters?
MCCAIN: I don’t recall if it was Mr. Paxson or the company’s lobbyist or both.
ABRAMS: But you did speak to him?
MCCAIN: I’m sure I spoke with him, yes.
UPDATE: John Aravosis notes that the full context of the McCain campaign’s statement is even more damning.
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Oops.
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:34 pmThat's gonna leave a mark.
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:35 pmI'm sure when they talked there was no quid pro quo....
Probably talking about the Diamondbacks and their chances to make the playoffs... yeah, that's it
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:35 pma McStain?
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:36 pmMcLie.
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:36 pmMcwhoooooops.
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:37 pmLooks like we are creating an entire McDictionary.
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:38 pmThe tangliest web you ever did see!
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:38 pmfor McShame!
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:38 pmYeahh, bbbutt.... Clinton did it!
And besides, Mcain is so pure that even if he did lobby for people lining his pockets and staining his sheets, it's ok because he would neeeever do anything untoward.
And this isn't a lie. Mcain forgot about the testemony precisely because he did nothing wrong so he didn't need to remember...Did I say Clinton did it too? Ok, did I mention that Obama's middle name is Hussien?
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:41 pmMcSNAP!
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:42 pmHe should adopt the Chicken Little twist:
Hey! What were we talking about? And saunter away, hands in pockets, whistling...
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:43 pmExactly why Chimpy McFlightsuit (whomever coined that...I love you!!) doesn't want any hearings transcribed or on the record.
Amazing how the truth comes to bite you in the butt when you do anything but speak it?
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:44 pmEveybody know Newsweek is a liberal rag. McCain is a war hero. Look over there, is that a dollar on the foor? Run ....
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:46 pmHOLY CRAP!!! have you heard THIS?
Fort Worth Paper: Secret Service Ordered End to Gun Checks at Obama Rally
By E&P Staff
Published: February 22, 2008 8:00 AM ET
NEW YORK The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported late Thursday that security details at Barack Obama's rally in Dallas (of all places) on Wednesday "stopped screening people for weapons at the front gates more than an hour before the Democratic presidential candidate took the stage at Reunion Arena.
[...]
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003714257
please excuse the OT, but... HOLY CRAP!
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:46 pmits going to be pleasant watching more and more proof come out. i hope this is far from the last scandal we'll hear about him too.
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:46 pmBefore the weekend is over, McSnap will be in a catatonic state.
Comment by satirev — February 22, 2008 @ 1:44 pm
Yeah, but will we be able to tell the difference?
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:46 pmOne question for everyone:
Who has the most to gain by McCain imploding?
There was a very interesting post someone lined to yesterday and I am going to repost it.
http://www.pensitoreview.com/2008/02/21/timing-sourcing-suggest-gop-behind-mccain-smear/
If McCain drops out, who gets the gooper nod? How would Romney hold up (with his 747 shoulders SWOON FAINT THUD) against Clinton or Obama?
Interesting to consider.
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:47 pmthe order -- apparently made by the U.S. Secret Service -- was meant to speed up the long lines outside and fill the arena's vacant seats before Obama came on.
who gives the orders to the S.S.???
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:48 pmComment by katy — February 22, 2008 @ 1:46 pm
You should check TheZoo more often, katy. :-)
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:48 pmBefore the weekend is over, McSnap will be in a catatonic state.
Comment by satirev
And the media will loudly proclaim about the bounce in McComa's step....
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:49 pmNot to quibble, but where is the proof that he lied here?
He didnt deny having a conversation with Paxson, he denied he was ask to send a letter to the FCC...no?
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:50 pmBut, but, but, that was how many years ago?
Wasn't that before his conversion to tax cuts for the wealthy is a good thing, and the christian right are? Now that he's been converted, God has frogiven him for previous transgressions, and all that went before never happened.
Besides, hypocrisy is a bed rock foundation of conservatism - he's just honing his bona fides.
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:51 pmMcCAIN: "IT DEPENDS ON WHAT THE MEANING OF 'SPOKE TO" IS. "
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:52 pmIF YOU MEAN DID I SPEAK TO HIM OR A LOBBIST, IT DEPENDS TO WHAT YOU MEAN. I SPOKE TO SOMEONE. I DON'T RECALL IS A LINE IN STOLE FROM ALBERTO GONZALEZ. I MEAN, I DON'T RECALL"
Comment by good_golly — February 22, 2008 @ 1:51 pm
Dream on....
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:52 pmi'm barely HERE today, zooey!
will check the zoo at next break...
but, HOLY CRAP!
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:53 pmMcSmear. There’s nothing inconsistent there, but keep McTrying. Meanwhile, NYT stock is down nearly 10% (21 to 19) since publishing this hit piece. Serves them right.
Comment by good_golly — February 22, 2008 @ 1:47 pm
well, mcCain's stock has hit bottom as well. he's toast now, just another Republican liar, like gg. the right has no morals whatsoever.
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:54 pm27. No need. That was a lead on Drudge all day. The Zoo probably picked up the story there.
Comment by good_golly — February 22, 2008 @ 1:51 pm
Oh, sure. The Zoo is all about getting their news from Drudge.
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:54 pmBwaahahahahahaaa!
McSmear. There’s nothing inconsistent there, but keep McTrying. Meanwhile, NYT stock is down nearly 10% (21 to 19) since publishing this hit piece. Serves them right.
Comment by good_golly — February 22, 2008 @ 1:47 pm
You're such an idiot. Why would we care about NYT or McCain. We don't need to smear him to hand him his ass. Let him keep kissing up to W, the people of this country love that. This NYT's smear has Karl Rove written all over it. I hear that Mitt Romney's folks are involved. So if you want to b*tch, when don't you, go on over to some Mormon site and tell the magic underwear people about it.
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:58 pmThere’s nothing inconsistent there, but keep McTrying. Meanwhile, NYT stock is down nearly 10% (21 to 19) since publishing this hit piece. Serves them right.
Comment by good_golly — February 22, 2008 @ 1:47 pm
You're right, mcCain lying is not inconsistent, it's republican consistency defined. LOL!!
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:59 pmComment by satirev — February 22, 2008 @ 1:57 pm
TheZoo never claimed to have broken the story. I merely pointed out to katy that we had a post about it.
Thanks for the nice words about the Zoo.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:00 pmDamn librul media and their facts!
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:00 pmNot to quibble, but where is the proof that he lied here?
He didnt deny having a conversation with Paxson, he denied he was ask to send a letter to the FCC…no?
Comment by Miles Tougeaux — February 22, 2008 @ 1:50 pm
Nobody here would vote for the pasty old turd with or without the latest scandal. You want to defend him try over at Drudge.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:00 pmComment by good_golly — February 22, 2008 @ 2:00 pm
Only people like you would fall for crap like that.
Dismissed.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:01 pm27. No need. That was a lead on Drudge all day. The Zoo probably picked up the story there.
Comment by good_golly — February 22, 2008 @ 1:51 pm
Nobody was talking to you tooly.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:01 pm@23 Mr. Golly thinks the Dow is responding to some BS in the news about McMaverick????????????
What a maroon!!
Mr. Golly, the markets are tanking thanks to years of insane republican't fiscal policy. That's you and Johnny McMaverick's fault, and you'd best head for the hills before the mob gets to your door, heinous dolt!
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:02 pmThanks gigi, for reminding me to go over and check in at the Zoo. My morning isn't complete without it. Your an ace! Or is it ass?
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:02 pmWhile I'm sure someone is going to call me a troll for this (I'm not), those two statements aren't contradictory. He didn't say they never spoke. He said they never asked him to send a letter to the FCC. Two different things entirely.
McCain's obviously lying about this. People are all over this story, and there's no need to draw inaccurate conclusions when the truth about this is GOING to come out at some point. TP once again undermines itself in the eyes of detail-oriented readers.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:03 pm“[…]The Zoo is all about getting their news from Drudge. […]
Comment by gummitch — February 22, 2008 @ 1:54 pm
__________________
Agreed.
(See how easy it is to take a few words out of context with the crafty use of […] — a real TP skill).
Comment by good_golly — February 22, 2008 @ 2:00 pm
Yeah , except Zooey isn't the garbage GOP's nominee for president........
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:04 pmI love The Zoo - great articles and denizens. On Wednesday when this story broke though, Blitzer mentioned Drudge by name with regard to outing this scandal.
Comment by satirev — February 22, 2008 @ 1:57 pm
We're referring to the fact that they stopped checking for weapons at an Obama rally as ordered by the Secret Service.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:04 pmNo Bias in the Media- ONLY TRUTH. That is the hallmark of a free press in an OPEN SOCIETY my fellow Americans.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:04 pmhttp://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/25/opinion/25fri2.html?_r=1&em&ex=1201496400&en=76f53fa61b325229&ei=5087%0A&oref=slogin
Their stock has been dropping for some time, ever since Judy Miller and her pandering to the war party.
http://www.bizzyblog.com/wp-images/NYT6yrChart012508.jpg
BTW gg the NYT editorial, above, backed McCain as the Republican of their choice
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:04 pmMiles Standoffish, may I suggest the road not taken? That would be the one that leads to a McCain presidency.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:04 pmlet's see the 4th estate hold CORRUPT POWER accountable for the first time in recent memory.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:05 pmThanks gigi, for reminding me to go over and check in at the Zoo. My morning isn’t complete without it. Your an ace! Or is it ass?
Comment by RUCerious — February 22, 2008 @ 2:02 pm
gone_goofy is HALF-ASSed.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:05 pmOne can dig all they want. There’s less dirt on Mighty Mack than there is on W. This is precisely the candidate against whom the Democrats did not want to run, hence the venom.
Comment by Nettles — February 22, 2008 @ 2:04 pm
According to whom ? You ?
Yeah , I guess everyone shouldn't bother now ; McInsane the Angel has the presidency all wrapped up ..............
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:06 pmOne can dig all they want. There’s less dirt on Mighty Mack than there is on W. This is precisely the candidate against whom the Democrats did not want to run, hence the venom.
Comment by Nettles — February 22, 2008 @ 2:04 pm
BTW
Referring to a wrinkled old stupid gimp as being "Mighty" is truly quite hysterical...........My mother can kick McLame's pathetic ass.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:07 pmAnyway, McCains straight talk exspress has derailed which might just give Huckabee what he needs to win the nomination.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:08 pmThere’s less dirt on Mighty Mack than there is on W.
Right Nettles, and Mt Everest is tall.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:08 pmplease excuse the OT, but… HOLY CRAP!
Comment by katy
OMG, I am so afraid of things like this. I hope that Obama has hired his own body guards. I'll be happy to contribute to keeping them employed.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:09 pmMcMetal: When McViagra puts on that low, soft, controlled voice of his as he did yesterday (conciliatory - NOT!), he really shows us what the use of relaxants looks like - heavy anti anxiety drugs. We know that beneath that slow-talking gimp routine is a roid raged hypocrite.
He’s getting his day in court and his lies are being exposed. He should know better than to try to fight something based on fact.
Comment by satirev — February 22, 2008 @ 2:10 pm
McInsane is a stupid old man , way past his prime , and is on the intellectual level of Chimpy ; the last thing this country needs or is going to have is another garbage GOP criminal as president.......
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:13 pmI agree with the naysayers that this article does not support the headline's claim that McCain is caught in a lie.
McCain is here accused of lying about sending a letter to the FCC because he was asked to do so by Paxson or its lobbying firm.
McCain says neither Paxson nor its lobbying firm asked him to send the letter.
The quotes show that McCain spoke to Paxson and/or his lobbyists.
The next question would should have been Q: And did either ask you to intervene on their behalf?
But a worse question was asked
Q: Did either ask you to write a letter to the FCC?
McCain answers that they didn't ask him to send the letter he sent. Now that answer is practically meaningless because it does not established whether they asked him to intervene (regardless of the manner, i.e. write a letter, etc.).
However, uncovering that McCain admits to having discussed the issue with Paxson and its lobbying firm does not show that McCain lied when he answered that they did not ask him to write the letter he sent.
And, comments like this belong here, not at Drudge, as another commenter suggests. Your comment belongs at Drudge because it represents the same "you're either with us or you're with the enemy" attitude that they love so much over there.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:15 pmAre you kidding me? Who issued this order? We definitely need to get to the bottom of this one. This is the epitome of a sick, sick regime.
Comment by satirev — February 22, 2008 @ 2:06 pm
That's the story Katy was linking to above. We have it up at the Zoo too. Just click on my name.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:15 pmIt is a very short bridge to cross that McShame "talked to Paxson" and then the committee received the "unusual" letters. Wouldn't stand up in court, but most certainly has enough impropriety connected that it would in the court of public opinion.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:17 pmIf anything happens to Barack, there will be a civil war in this country. The People against the imperialist fascists.
Comment by satirev — February 22, 2008 @ 2:11 pm
It will make Watts look like a day at the beach.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:18 pmTrolls know that McCain simply decided to write the letter. Talking to the CEO of the company or its lobbyists had absolutely nothing to do with it. The idea just came to McCain right out of the blue!
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:20 pmMcSmear. There’s nothing inconsistent there, but keep McTrying. Meanwhile, NYT stock is down nearly 10% (21 to 19) since publishing this hit piece. Serves them right.
Comment by good_golly — February 22, 2008 @ 1:47 pm
Same as Shrubs approval rating, huh? What a McCoincidence!
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:22 pmMcCollaborator
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:23 pmMcLying sack of McShit
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:25 pmWhy is it just IMPOSSIBLE for Republicans to tell the truth? I just don't get that.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:27 pm47:Can I point out, Shayne, that Charles Foster McCain didn't just say they talked. He said they contacted him on the issue.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:27 pmthat's not having a chat about trivialities.
You could say that they did not make a request, but when the president of a lobbying organization contacts a Senator to let him know about an issue, that's as close as never mind.
If anything happens to Barack, there will be a civil war in this country. The People against the imperialist fascists.
Comment by satirev — February 22, 2008 @ 2:11 pm
It will make Watts look like a day at the beach.
Comment by Shayne — February 22, 2008 @ 2:18 pm
Ok, now I am even more frightened. Martial law anyone?
I hope Barack does get his own bodyguards. At this stage, if it's anything from this government, it's corrupt.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:28 pmThought I would mail McInsane a shovel, but he seems to be digging that hole deeper all by himself.
Keep talking McInsane, you're doing us all a favor by doing so.
Buck Fush
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:29 pmThe unraveling of the latest GOP great white hope.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:31 pmThe unraveling of the latest GOP great white hope.
Comment by hellinabucket — February 22, 2008 @ 2:31 pm
More like another Great White Dope , rivaling the astounding idiot fouling the Oval Office.........
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:32 pmComment by Eskwaya — February 22, 2008 @ 2:15 pm
"I was contacted by Mr. Paxson on this issue," McCain said in the Sept. 25, 2002, deposition obtained by NEWSWEEK.
Did you read the Newsweek article or are you just here to defend McCain. As I said, nobody here is going to vote for the pasty old Rethug anyway, if you're trying to get him votes then Drudge would be more productive. Get it? It doesn't have anything to do with with us or against us? That's a Bushco mantra not ours.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:40 pmTrolls know that McCain simply decided to write the letter. Talking to the CEO of the company or its lobbyists had absolutely nothing to do with it. The idea just came to McCain right out of the blue!
Comment by Ret. Col. Jack Ripper — February 22, 2008 @ 2:20 pm
And boinking the lobbyist and flying around on private jets with her, that won't get you favorable treatment at all.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:42 pm47:Can I point out, Shayne, that Charles Foster McCain didn’t just say they talked. He said they contacted him on the issue.
that’s not having a chat about trivialities.
You could say that they did not make a request, but when the president of a lobbying organization contacts a Senator to let him know about an issue, that’s as close as never mind.
Comment by pbg — February 22, 2008 @ 2:27 pm
I know, I was responding to Miles, I think he's the guy you want to convince in .47.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:44 pmWhy is it just IMPOSSIBLE for Republicans to tell the truth? I just don’t get that.
Comment by scytherius — February 22, 2008 @ 2:27 pm
If they cared about the truth they wouldn't be Republicans, or COULDN'T be Republicans.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:45 pmI hope Barack does get his own bodyguards. At this stage, if it’s anything from this government, it’s corrupt.
Comment by Ms_Joanne — February 22, 2008 @ 2:28 pm
But bodyguards aren't enough if the local law enforcement isn't allowed to screen for weapsons. And that's what the Secret Service is doing, stopping weapons checks. You can't get into Disney or Universal studios without them checking your bag but they're letting people into these rallies with no checks to "speed things up". They're ORDERING local enforcement to stand down. Can you say JFK?
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:47 pmMcMope.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:48 pmMcLiar, McTraitor, McPanderer, McLOSER...
McByeBye!!!
NRA Gun Nut(e)s
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:49 pmFull can't McSplain quote:
No representative of Paxson or Alcalde and Fay discussed with Senator McCain the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proceeding regarding the transfer of Pittsburgh public television station (WQED) to Cornerstone Broadcasting and Cornerstone Broadcasting’s television station (WPCB) to Paxson. No representative of Paxson or Alcalde and Fay personally asked Senator McCain to send a letter to the FCC regarding this proceeding.
Oops, that first sentence looks more encompassing than Newsweek's excerpt. Can we get back to the McTruth some time?
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:50 pmMcHAHA!
Sincerely,
McNRA Gun Nut(e)s
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:56 pmTrolls know that McCain simply decided to write the letter. Talking to the CEO of the company or its lobbyists had absolutely nothing to do with it. The idea just came to McCain right out of the blue!
Comment by Ret. Col. Jack Ripper — February 22, 2008 @ 2:20 pm
Predictable, ideologue. You've missed my point entirely. I'm sure that he's done exactly what has been alleged by NYT. What I am pointing out is that TP's quoting of the transcript suggests that his statements are directly contradictory, and they are just factually not. I want this site to be respected - I like it. That starts by not making weak/false logical conclusions.
We all think that liberals are smarter than cons, so its important to make that a standard and not blindly hurl criticisms that don't hold up to logical analysis.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:57 pmYeah but, Obama's not wearing a flag pin.
Do I even need to say /snark?
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:57 pmAlmost forgot -McDamaged goods
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:58 pmMcOver. McDone. throw in the McTowel.
No McMorals. Probably the worst part of this is the piss poor McJob his own staff did in verifying he did or did not say anything damaging prior to the rebuttal coming out.
February 22nd, 2008 at 3:07 pmMore from the article:
While McCain said "I don't recall" if he ever directly spoke to the firm's lobbyist about the issue—an apparent reference to Iseman, though she is not named—"I'm sure I spoke to [Paxson]." McCain agreed that his letters on behalf of Paxson, a campaign contributor, could "possibly be an appearance of corruption"—even though McCain denied doing anything improper.
Now if McCain agreed that his letters could possible be an appearance... how can anyone argue the contact and the letters aren't related? What am I missing>?
February 22nd, 2008 at 3:38 pmLies? No Surprise there. John McCain is an obvious liar... Not that I'm surprised by the fact that politicians are liars. We have to insist on honesty in politics, because thinking "all politicians are liars" will create a self-fulfilling prophecy in which that statement is true. Go Obama! Anti-corporate grass roots politicians are the only ones we can (possibly) trust!
February 22nd, 2008 at 3:49 pmVoe Republican - Kill a Soldier!!!
Bumper Stickers Available.
February 22nd, 2008 at 4:08 pmCan't seem to type today
February 22nd, 2008 at 4:17 pmMemo to Eskwaya: Nice try, but the fact is that McCain's organization just issued a statement saying McCain never talked with Paxton. Oh, oh, McCain testified under oath before congress that he DID talk with Paxton.
I'm not sure what point you're making, but sane people can see that the "Straight Talk Express" has blown a gasket.
February 22nd, 2008 at 6:54 pm