Former FCC Chairman Cited By Black As Exonerating McCain Says ‘He Shouldn’t Have Been’
Former FCC Chairman Cited By Black As Exonerating McCain Says ‘He Shouldn’t Have Been’
On CBS’s Face The Nation this morning, uber lobbyist Charlie Black — who serves as Sen. John McCain’s chief political adviser — attempted to exonerate McCain for sending badgering letters to the FCC in 1999 at the behest of a telecommunications company with business before the commission. “Letters to the FCC by the chairman of their oversight committee are nothing unusual,” said Black.
Black then cited former FCC chairman Reed Hundt, who left the commission two years before McCain sent the letters, as vouching for the appropriateness of the letters:
In fact, a Democratic FCC chairman, Reed Hundt, said that Sen. McCain’s letter was perfectly appropriate.
Watch it:
Black’s reference to Hundt is a misleading effort to shift attention from McCain’s relationship to lobbyists. In fact, Hundt told the Boston Globe this week that “he shouldn’t have been” cited as exonerating McCain:
Reed Hundt, the former FCC chairman cited as exonerating McCain, said in an interview that he shouldn’t have been, notwithstanding a letter to the editor he wrote in 2000 praising the senator. “I can’t speak to a thing,” Hundt said yesterday. “I don’t know anything about what he wrote to Kennard and not to me.”
Hundt says he “can’t speak” to the appropriateness of letters McCain sent to then-FCC Chairman William E. Kennard in 1999. But Kennard can, and in ‘99, he responded to McCain, saying his letters were “highly unusual“:
I must respectfully note that it is highly unusual for the commissioners to be asked to publicly announce their voting status on a matter that is still pending. I am concerned that inquiries concerning the individual deliberations of each commissioner could have procedural and substantive impacts on the commission’s deliberations and, thus, on the due process rights of the parties.
Democratic Commisisoner Gloria Tristani also objected, saying in 2000 that she had “never received such an out-of-line request” in her two years on the commission.
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What pissed me off is how he kept refering to “radical islamic extremism”. It’s like these people try to out do each other by how many times they can repeat this phrase in a single conversation.
February 24th, 2008 at 12:17 pmPerhaps now thinking people will understand Reed Hundt as the tool that he is.
February 24th, 2008 at 12:26 pmIt is truly amazing how desperate and infantile our trolls have become. Let’s just ignore them this fine Sunday.
I truly believe that the McCain campaign orchestrated this NYT article. Unfortunately for McCain, it has taken on a life of its own. That could be because McCain doesn’t know when to keep his mouth shut. He keeps lying all the while not recognizing how easy it is to call him on his lies in this electronic age.
February 24th, 2008 at 12:35 pm\
Comment by delafield — February 24, 2008 @ 12:25 pm
Wow, how stupid can a troll get.
February 24th, 2008 at 12:43 pmGo back to cracking those pecans with a mallet and your head.
Wow, how stupid can a troll get.
Go back to cracking those pecans with a mallet and your head.
Comment by Wayne — February 24, 2008 @ 12:43 pm
I’m sure this is a familiar troll with a new name; this one is only here for attention. It likes to taunt normal people in the hope that they’ll lash out and engage the troll in its infantile game for hours. Bilbobaggins has the right idea; just ignore it.
February 24th, 2008 at 12:46 pmBilbobaggins has the right idea; just ignore it.
Comment by gummitch — February 24, 2008 @ 12:46 pm
And flag it. I flagged twice for that idiot comment.
February 24th, 2008 at 12:49 pmWow, how stupid can a troll get.
Go back to cracking those pecans with a mallet and your head.
This vile troll apparently suffers from ADD. Perhaps we should show it some sympathy.
February 24th, 2008 at 12:52 pmThis vile troll apparently suffers from ADD. Perhaps we should show it some sympathy.
Comment by bilbobaggins — February 24, 2008 @ 12:52 pm
This troll has been attacking Obama ( and everyone posting ) in the past while pretending to be a Hillary supporter. It obviously is a racist fool who is intimidated by the idea of a black person running for president.
February 24th, 2008 at 12:58 pmComment by delafield — February 24, 2008 @ 12:25 pm
i know what delafield likes:
foxnewsporn.com/
eh?
February 24th, 2008 at 1:08 pmRe 2:
What is the average number of trolls that soil themselves everytime they think the words “President Obama”?
10 trolls drool oatmeal on their hospital gown
February 24th, 2008 at 1:18 pm100 trolls crap in their pants
1000 trolls pee in their pants
10000 trolls pee in and or crap in their depends
1 troll wakes up and realizes that Obama will save them from themeslves.
I truly believe that the McCain campaign orchestrated this NYT article.
BilboBaggins
Was he trying to inoculte himself from corruption charges or from whoring charges? If it’s the whoring charge, then he’s really an idiot. He appearently forgot that his current Stepford wife is his former “other woman”.
February 24th, 2008 at 1:22 pmBack on topic:
This is the same Charlie Black who has had his head firmly planted up Busch’s butt for at least 10 years now.
A∞Ω
February 24th, 2008 at 1:39 pmFlagging works.
February 24th, 2008 at 1:58 pmbuh bye delatroll
February 24th, 2008 at 2:09 pmMcMaverick’s campaign team sounds more like OJ’s defense team every day.
February 24th, 2008 at 2:12 pmLet’s watch to see how quickly the media’s amnesia takes hold on this.
February 24th, 2008 at 2:12 pmLet’s watch to see how quickly the media’s amnesia takes hold on this.
Comment by Doc Rock
If Mccain keeps the reporters at the back of the plane they may not forget it.
February 24th, 2008 at 2:17 pmCharlie Black;
but…but…but…..Clinton.
Pathetic
February 24th, 2008 at 2:32 pmOff topic but, just in case you didn’t know, he’s running again. Our intrepid consumer advocate, Ralph Nader. Made the announcement on Meet The Press this morning. Now I really hope McCain keeps on talking. That’s the best way to ensure a democratic victory and for Nader to be a non-issue.
February 24th, 2008 at 2:36 pmWhen it broke this week, it reminded me of the Dan Rather/Bush AWOL memo controversy, which had Rove written all over it, and changed the discussion from Bush-the-deserter to Bush-the-victim of the “Librul Media”.
Sadly for Grampa John, I agree with Bilbobaggins that McCain’s inability to open his mouth without lying is what’s going to keep breathing new life into this story. And he’s already invoking the “I don’t recall” defense, which doesn’t really bode well for an old man seeking office. Reagan Redux.
PEACE
February 24th, 2008 at 3:30 pmOh, no, corruption! A United States senator asks the FCC to act! Suddenly, the man behind campaign finance reform, the man who assails pork barrel spending, the man who went after Jack Abramoff, this man is a corrupt SOB! And, what was “highly unusual” about it? Not writing a letter, it seems, but asking in that letter what the status of the deliberations was! This is going to really resonate with the American people, even though we’ve been through this already!
You know, it was highly unusual that the FCC was taking so long to make a decision on the Paxson case anyway. But you would know that if you read the Globe article TP cites.
February 24th, 2008 at 3:46 pmthirdparty, your drugs must be kicking in about now. McStain went after Abramoff?
Bwahahahaha!!! LOL!!!
February 24th, 2008 at 4:15 pmWell, Lefty, according to The Nation, “His investigation is a testament to how much Congress can accomplish when it simply does its job.”
And, as Washington Post left-winger Richard Cohen notes:
There’s no number of inane left-wing complaints against McCain’s ethics record that can change the public impression that he is the very epitome of a reformer.
February 24th, 2008 at 4:26 pmWas he trying to inoculte himself from corruption charges or from whoring charges? If it’s the whoring charge, then he’s really an idiot. He appearently forgot that his current Stepford wife is his former “other womanâ€.
Comment by Bobwurst
I believe it was both. And I believe he wanted it out now when he could control the message. If it had come out earlier, he probably would have lost the nomination. If it came out later, he would be toast. By having it come out now, he’s raising money and rallying the base all based on the article. We all know that the NYT is certainly NOT liberal media, so I suspect that they were complicit with McCain in releasing the story now.
I do think it’s backfiring on him, though.
February 24th, 2008 at 4:45 pm3rdpanty, McStain is a filthy liar, a war criminal, and a coward, as well as a reprehensible Bush ass-kisser, no different from you or any other republiscum loser. He has reformed exactly nothing, and his influence has been peddled to the highest bidder time and again, as proven by the latest outbreak of truth from the media. You will continue to defend him because you have no moral center, no sense of right and wrong, no patriotism, no respect for the law, and no scruples. You are a Republican; that’s the lowest, scummiest name anybody can be called. As if Abramoff’s conviction had anything to do with McStain. What a joke you, and he, are.
February 24th, 2008 at 4:47 pmComment by thirdparty — February 24, 2008 @ 3:46 pm
I would think that with all the spinning this troll is doing, he would be perpetually dizzy.
February 24th, 2008 at 4:47 pmBut, please, 3rdrate, keep on linking to irrelevant, maeningless tripe. You’e so very good at that. And Lying, ou’re an expert at that, as all republiscum must be, to be accepted by the filth that dominate the Party Of Treason, Hate, Racism and Misogyny. I side with the founders, and their Liberal Democracy.
February 24th, 2008 at 4:50 pmThank you TP for getting rid of that particularly vile troll. Now can you please do the same for the useless trolls GG, Bart, Francine and the others. All they post for is to disrupt. Why do you allow that?
February 24th, 2008 at 4:51 pmThere’s no number of inane left-wing complaints against McCain’s ethics record that can change the public impression that he is the very epitome of a reformer.
Comment by thirdparty — February 24, 2008 @ 4:26 pm
Oh we have many more complaints that you haven’t heard yet. The epitome of a reformer? Ahahahaha, that’s a good one, tool. News flash, we did out this little scandal, you righties did. We’ve got bigger and better stuff we’re saving and all the innoculating against scandal you wingnuts are working on won’t save McCrazy’s pasty white a$$.
February 24th, 2008 at 4:52 pmThere’s no number of inane left-wing complaints against McCain’s ethics record that can change the public impression that he is the very epitome of a reformer.
Comment by thirdparty — February 24, 2008 @ 4:26 pm
yeah, that’s why the right outed him, and rush, et al, have been trashing him viciously since he started his run. He’s in good shape, hated by the left and the right. I suppose he can continue to flummox the republiscum morons of Arizona, their brains fried by the sun.
February 24th, 2008 at 4:55 pmI’m not a Republican, actually, I’m an independent. Which makes this funny, since you are the one sounding like a Republican (e.g., “you have no…patriotism”). That’s alright, I’m not surprised. I just find it funny that while I provide evidence, like his record (still no response on campaign finance reform, but I guess that’s a minor achievement), you just lay on the anger.
February 24th, 2008 at 5:27 pmlike his record (still no response on campaign finance reform, but I guess that’s a minor achievement), you just lay on the anger.
Comment by thirdparty — February 24, 2008 @ 5:27 pm
you have provided no evidence whatsoever. bullshit talking points are not evidence, even in “independent” world.
February 24th, 2008 at 5:29 pmMcCain has been credited with “going after” Jack Abramoff. In fact, he is surpressing 750,000 pages of documents…..covering up a Huge Scandal involving prominent Republican operatives.
Ever wonder why this Abramoff Scandal has dropped out of site, after nailing a few congressman and lobbyists.???Mountains of scandals and thousands of real crimes have been hidden and protected by Senator John McCain.
To find out how this all happened….
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/2/23/03912/3990/390/462347
February 24th, 2008 at 5:36 pmMcCain is a republican senator. By definition, he is corrupt. His capitulation to the Bush terror tactics of ‘00 show him to be an empty, worthless coward, and certainly lacking the character to lead the US out of the Bush-induced second-rate status we now occupy. A vote for McStain is a vote for third-world status by the end of his term.
February 24th, 2008 at 5:41 pmGovernor Howard Dean announced that the DNC will be filing an FEC complaint against John McCain tomorrow. The complaint will ask the FEC to investigate whether John McCain has broken campaign finance law by taking advantage of federal matching funds to secure a loan, get on the ballot automatically in states and break that commitment by trying to get around spending limits.
February 24th, 2008 at 6:01 pmMcCain seems to keep getting himself in more and more hot water. Here’s hoping the major news outlets can stop fawning over him long enough to report the tangled web of lies that is coming unraveled.
February 24th, 2008 at 6:39 pmMcCain going after Abramoff, then schmmozing with Vicki, doesnt help his case, I think, but makes him look like a hypocrite.
February 24th, 2008 at 8:11 pmLooks like the Straight Talk Express is really the K Street Local.
February 24th, 2008 at 8:41 pmgood one, shoeless… “K Street Local”…
February 24th, 2008 at 8:59 pmI find that amusing, considering the racism and selfishness of the founders. Check our Charles Beard’s “An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution of the United States.”
February 24th, 2008 at 9:09 pmI actually think the administrators here at TP have much more sense that you do. You’d have to be a real coward to want to ban someone who presents different viewpoints. Like everyone here, I am tempted to use the occasional sarcastic remark, but by and large I’ve been presenting arguments based on facts and analysis. True, I have my opinions, but my mind is open to others. With the exception of a rare few, most people here aren’t as open about my views, and instead they’ll respond with pejoratives, rather than substantive critiques of what I’m saying. But don’t count on TP banning me – they embrace freedom of speech too.
February 24th, 2008 at 9:11 pmSo Shayne, you’re endorsing the politics of hate, huh? That’s fine, bring all the negatives you’ve got. I’m curious if you’d care to share now. And what do you mean by “we” exactly? The DNC? The blogosphere? The beauty of the internet is that most of these guys are vetted by now; this McCain thing was old news.
February 24th, 2008 at 9:13 pmI’m pretty confident that the right-wing will rally around him. They’ve done as much already, although they aren’t exactly on best terms yet. But, at the end of the day, they know what’s at stake and will support him. Meanwhile, McCain is the candidate with the least “core opposition,” according to Rasmussen.
February 24th, 2008 at 9:16 pmI don’t get it. How is saying that McCain led the way on CFR a “bullshit talking point”? Are you denying it? You keep avoiding the argument I’m presenting, which is simply McCain’s legislative record, which is deeper than Hillary and Obama’s combined. This is all I’m trying to do, present the facts. I predict your response will be that these are not “facts,” but just “BS,” which is silly since it is a fact that McCain sponsored and is responsible for CFR.
February 24th, 2008 at 9:18 pmLiar, Liar, your azz should be on fire for being a moron. You Charlie Black are a low down dog and if your lips are moving, you are lying. This is typical Republican double talk bullshlt. John McCain is also lying, he messed around with that tramp and he knows it.
February 24th, 2008 at 10:24 pmMcCain sponsored and is responsible for CFR.
Comment by thirdparty — February 24, 2008 @ 9:18 pm
mcCain watered down the CFR to its current level of useless. Don’t be such a tool and an idiot, it makes you appear to be a liar, since you claim to be independent, but spend all of your time defending the traitors of the right. We’re not as dumb as you look. Your facts are nothing but spin. Bullshit is bullshit, and you spew bullshit, nonstop.
February 25th, 2008 at 2:33 pmThe beauty of the internet is that most of these guys are vetted by now; this McCain thing was old news.
Comment by thirdparty — February 24, 2008 @ 9:13 pm
See? More of your bullshit spin. This is pure republican nonsense. You’re no independent, except in your independence from the truth.
February 25th, 2008 at 2:35 pmMcCain is the candidate with the least “core opposition,†according to Rasmussen.
Comment by thirdparty — February 24, 2008 @ 9:16 pm
Rasmussen, the GOP house liars. Bwahahahaha!!! Yeah, you’re really independent. Idiot.
February 25th, 2008 at 2:36 pmCheck our Charles Beard’s “An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution of the United States.â€
Comment by thirdparty — February 24, 2008 @ 9:09 pm
yes, and check out the 21st century republican playbook. 200 years ago is not what we’re referencing, moron. nice spin, though. too bad we’re not as stupid and giullible as you republican tools.
February 25th, 2008 at 2:37 pmMcCain going after Abramoff, then schmmozing with Vicki, doesnt help his case, I think, but makes him look like a hypocrite.
Comment by Xisithrus — February 24, 2008 @ 8:11 pm
mcCain has been expert at fooling the public ever since the fake POW crap of the 70s. He never went after abramoff, he just pretended to lead the charge in order to cover up as much as he could. Nobody will buy that crap except the retarded 17%, like 3rdfartry.
February 25th, 2008 at 2:39 pm