McCAIN IS A MORAL HAZARD

(h/t Atrios)

First, St. McWar denies that any meeting with Paxson occurred but THAT'S NOT TRUE:

McCain Disputed On 1999 Meeting
Broadcaster Recalls Urging FCC Contact
By James V. Grimaldi and Jeffrey H. Birnbaum
Washington Post Staff Writers
Saturday, February 23, 2008; Page A01

Broadcaster Lowell "Bud" Paxson yesterday contradicted statements from Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign that the senator did not meet with Paxson or his lobbyist before sending two controversial letters to the Federal Communications Commission on Paxson's behalf.

Paxson said he talked with McCain in his Washington office several weeks before the Arizona Republican wrote the letters in 1999 to the FCC urging a rapid decision on Paxson's quest to acquire a Pittsburgh television station.

Second, St. Johnnie is surrounded by lobbyists:

The Anti-Lobbyist, Advised by Lobbyists
By Michael D. Shear and Jeffrey H. Birnbaum
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, February 22, 2008; Page A01

...when McCain huddled with his closest advisers at his rustic Arizona cabin last weekend to map out his presidential campaign, virtually every one was part of the Washington lobbying culture he has long decried. His campaign manager, Rick Davis, co-founded a lobbying firm whose clients have included Verizon and SBC Telecommunications. His chief political adviser, Charles R. Black Jr., is chairman of one of Washington's lobbying powerhouses, BKSH and Associates, which has represented AT&T, Alcoa, JPMorgan and U.S. Airways.

Senior advisers Steve Schmidt and Mark McKinnon work for firms that have lobbied for Land O' Lakes, UST Public Affairs, Dell and Fannie Mae.

Third, and from my point of view worst of all, he's hiding behind 9-11:

Hand-Tied by the Times
In running for president, John McCain loses his voice.

Mar 3, 2008 Issue Updated: 3:23 p.m. ET Feb 23, 2008
Howard Fineman
NEWSWEEK

What's happened to the old John McCain?

His aides and associates point to 9/11. That explanation is self-serving: he is running primarily on his commander in-chief credentials. But that doesn't make it less valid. He is trained in the idea of the noble military mission and in the secular faith of service to the nation. He believes that history—destiny, if you will—is calling him to the presidency at a time when we are fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and against terrorism around the globe. "It's about 9/11," says Hazelbaker. "It changed him, and it changed his view of how and why to run."