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129 Comments
- ScienceDoc, on 09/28/2008, -5/+57Holy *****! If this is not lights out, I don't know what is. Gambling with lobbyists on a committee that he frickin' oversees?
- duckley, on 09/28/2008, -4/+47FTA:
"Mr. McCain was betting at a casino he oversaw as a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, and he was doing so with the lobbyist who represents that casino, according to three associates of Mr. McCain."
"The visit had been arranged by the lobbyist, Scott Reed, who works for the Mashantucket Pequot, a tribe that has contributed heavily to Mr. McCain’s campaigns and built Foxwoods into the world’s second-largest casino. Joining them was Rick Davis, Mr. McCain’s current campaign manager."
“One of the founding fathers of Indian gaming” is what Steven Light, a University of North Dakota professor and a leading Indian gambling expert, called Mr. McCain. - avataros, on 09/28/2008, -5/+41John McCain is personally responsible for breaking a dozen of my irony meters over the last week. The last one exploded in my face - i was lucky to escape with my life. John McCain 08 - his hypocricy can kill you.
- peheimbach, on 09/28/2008, -4/+38I was tempted to make a simple crack about the possibility that McCain thought he DID have a plan to erase the Federal Deficit when I saw the opening paragraph of this article:
"Senator John McCain was on a roll. In a room reserved for high-stakes gamblers at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut, he tossed $100 chips around a hot craps table. When the marathon session ended around 2:30 a.m., the Arizona senator and his entourage emerged with thousands of dollars in winnings."
But the more I thought about it, and the more I read, the more worried I've become. My worry began with the idea that as impulsive as McCain appears to be, that he might actually TRY to do this with Federal funds. After all, it would hardly be the first time that a highly placed government official used funds for his own pleasure (would it, Governor Spitzer?) As I added his ANGER, STUBBORN streak and unwillingness to listen to advisers into the mix, I'm glad I didn't make the joke.
Whatever we may feel about gambling -- my remarks are NOT intended to be a moral judgment on gambling itself, on which I have no opinion -- I do think there's cause to be worried here, well past the obvious concerns about the lobbying connection. We've got a potential addict here, one who seems to gamble more as conditions worsen. (So much for "Country First" -- as the US goes down the toilet, where's John going to be? Vegas.)
------------------------------
FTA:
[start] In May 2007, as Mr. McCain’s presidential bid was floundering, he spent a weekend at the MGM Grand on the Las Vegas strip. [...]
For much of his adult life, Mr. McCain has gambled as often as once a month, friends and associates said, traveling to Las Vegas for weekend betting marathons. Former senior campaign officials said they worried about Mr. McCain’s patronage of casinos, given the power he wields over the industry. The officials, like others interviewed for this article, spoke on condition of anonymity.
“We were always concerned about appearances,” one former official said. “If you go around saying that appearances matter, then they matter.”
The former official said he would tell Mr. McCain: “Do we really have to go to a casino? I don’t think it’s a good idea. The base doesn’t like it. It doesn’t look good. And good things don’t happen in casinos at midnight.”
“You worry too much,” Mr. McCain would respond, the official said. [end FTA] - LooseFur, on 09/28/2008, -3/+32Ladies & gentlemen of the jury,
A spectacle you cannot miss:
The GOP presidential ticket Palin/McCain has now OFFICIALLY jumped from a plane 6 miles above the earth's surface, WITHOUT A PARACHUTE.
Have a nice FALL, Johnny Mac and Sarah Pee.
If you're lucky, you'll fry up before you hit the ground. - JenniferInMO, on 09/28/2008, -4/+32This article isn't about a gambling problem, people. Read the whole thing. I just read through it twice and my head is spinning. There is so much here which raises red flags on ethical abuses and perhaps criminal wrongdoing. The bottom line is that McCain is involved in a wild ride of power grabs, big money, the business of buying influence, tumbling politicians just to have him come back with a vengence. McCain seems to love to have powerful friends and acquaintences. The whole marriage to Cindy has obviously always been about that, but just trying to follow the maze of contacts, matched to lawmaking activities, connected to money, glued to the gambling industry is sickening.
Given the number of lobbyists McCain has hired onto his team there may be equally disturbing questionable relationships with lobbyists in the telecommunications industry (bye-bye net neutrality), oil and gas (duh), health insurers, pharmaceutical companies and ... wait for it ... banking.
I smell a news frenzy the likes of which we haven't seen in this campaign and most likely ethics committee hearings and perhaps even a criminal investigations. - bsilent, on 09/28/2008, -2/+28This is some amazing reporting. No wonder John is so pissed off at the NYT.
- peheimbach, on 09/28/2008, -3/+26As an aside, start with the comments on page five of this article which put Ralph Reed (Christian Coalition) with Abramoff -- and move on to see (it's something of an opinion thing for me at the moment) whether Reed was really working for the Christians in 2000 when he moved to kill McCain's campaign, or whether he was working for the gambling industry (essentially to protect Abramoff. Wiki on Abramoff sheds other background light on the matter.
- astroknave, on 09/28/2008, -4/+27Love to know how much of Cindy's $$$ he has lost throwing the dice.
- vampyroteuthis, on 09/28/2008, -4/+23why doesn't this surprise me in the least? this could have been deduced from his erratic behavior, imo...
i'm seriously pleased that John Q. Public is finding out more about the volatile, grumpy, erratic, irrational, belligerent, dangerous, forked-tongued "war hero," McSame.... "Crash and Burn, you old FOOL!"
Obama '08! ...because America and the World deserve a TRUE PATRIOT! - dlstaifer, on 09/28/2008, -3/+22This kind of explains a lot. He rolled the dice on the surge and he won a lot from that bet. He took a roll of the dice on palin but he has yet to completely crap out on that one. He took another roll when he "suspended" his campaign but that crapped out right away. He sounds like he is going to govern like he is sitting at the craps table. Way to put country fist Grandpa.
- booksnmore4you, on 09/28/2008, -4/+22This is a damn fine example of top-notch journalism, folks.
- gramma61, on 09/28/2008, -1/+18There is nothing wrong with gambling etc BUT the rub here is that the "base" has just been given a not so subtle reminder of who they are supporting.Another old issue that undermined McCain's attempts the last election.Gambling is on the frowned upon list. It also makes his tax reform (?) even more questionable.Plus his lobbyist tie ins are laid out quite clearly.He's not being accused of anything unlawful.More a case of questionable behavior.It's a piece (if you have the patience to read through the whole thing) that leaves the reader with more of a ..hmmm...????????????????? Sorta questioning his character.
- mishraka, on 09/28/2008, -3/+18Boy! McCain is really scary. I remember just a few months ago a rather accepted narrative was Obama was a risky choice. Now, it is becoming increasingly clear that given what we know about McCain now, he is far more scarier choice, and add risk Sarah Palin brings along. It's a disaster.
- larsone86, on 09/28/2008, -2/+17McCain's biggest ties to gambling surfaced when he picked Palin to be his VP.
- thelif, on 09/28/2008, -0/+14FTA:
Mr. McCain’s spokesman, Tucker Bounds, would not discuss the senator’s night of gambling at Foxwoods, saying: “Your paper has repeatedly attempted to insinuate impropriety on the part of Senator McCain where none exists — and it reveals that your publication is desperately willing to gamble away what little credibility it still has.”
Tucker Bound is never going to be hired again, everything he does and says in this campaign has been hilarious. - inactive, on 12/08/2008, -3/+16He should have know better than to piss off the Times. They were around long before McCain was and they'll be around long after.
I've gotta say, as New Yorker, I'm proud. :) - amosk, on 09/28/2008, -3/+15It seems to me, he could be influenced in more than a few ways, in exchange for overlooking a large debt from a bad weekend of gambling.
- algaeturd, on 09/28/2008, -3/+15And a HORRIBLE track record with their gambling. The 'maverick' isn't afraid to blow it all on one of his really bad judgement calls. If he wants to gamble his wife's fortune away, that's one thing. But the problem is that he isn't afraid to gamble the security and well being and economic stability of this country. He'd throw it all away on a judgment like the one he made when he chose Palin to be his running mate. This man shouldn't be making judgement calls for ANYONE, much less an entire country of people.
- 10snut, on 09/28/2008, -2/+13That's a very apt analogy for the games he's playing with America and the gambles he's willing to take with the US and the rest of the world. He clearly only cares about himself and his god, MONEY.
- thenekkidtruth, on 09/28/2008, -1/+10Guess what, peeps? McCain has Abramoff problems, bigtime. Ever wonder why he stepped up to the plate to run the Abramoff investigation, only to let him skate? Yep - CYA.
But is that any surprise for someone who can't get out of bed without stepping on a lobbyist? - JenniferInMO, on 09/28/2008, -1/+9You are very wrong. There is evidence which indicates many possible links to abuse of power and any number of ethical breaches and even criminal behavior. while there is no single "smoking gun" there are a lot of questions which need to be answered. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a Senate and perhaps FBI investigation into this or that the Abramhoff investigation has evidence which ties in.
- Solstice, on 09/28/2008, -2/+10John McCain is old. Old people love casinos. Ever been to Vegas?
- JenniferInMO, on 09/28/2008, -1/+8Agreed. There are some good old leather soles being replaced on Monday. I am beaming when I refer to those responsible for this story as "journalists"!
- kdawg1012, on 09/28/2008, -0/+6Hmmm High stakes gambling (Casino type - personal gambling) by John McCain and lobbying support for the industry. Presidential example setting. Will we see a President McCain at the craps table? I wonder what the religious right thinks abut this situation.
- inactive, on 09/28/2008, -1/+7McCain is know throughout the Indian Nations of America as "He who owns many tee-pees, but doesn't share his wampum".
- bushfocker, on 09/28/2008, -1/+7We will see if the MSM covers this....I doubt it.
- cmoose, on 09/28/2008, -0/+6Now I know why I lose every time I go gambling. I need to go there with a lobbyist working on behalf of the casinos. The pit boss will make sure I get 21 every time. If any of you have close ties to casino lobbyists, please send them my way.
- JenniferInMO, on 09/28/2008, -0/+5not knocking the "religious types" comment, but the article isn't about McCain's gambling. It's about corruption, lobbyists and McCain finally coming to an end of his political games with this story.
- booksnmore4you, on 09/28/2008, -0/+5Anyone now wonder anymore why Lieberman and McCain are in bed together?
And William Cohen has filthy hands in all this. - JenniferInMO, on 09/28/2008, -2/+7Uh, you didn't really read the article did you? It isn't about him playing craps. Read on. If it doesn't make you want to take a shower when you are done, then you need to wiki Jack Abramhoff and connect some dots. This is just initial investigation, albeit very thorough, but it could very well mean indictment and/or removal from office.
- booksnmore4you, on 09/28/2008, -1/+5Read the freakin' article.
- greensky, on 09/28/2008, -0/+4That's why you need to read it and think objectively about what is being presented. It's that way for any article from any source. DUDE. :P
- diggdowner, on 09/28/2008, -0/+4Agreed! Even in print, Tucker Bounds makes me LMAO!
- BoneStamp, on 09/28/2008, -0/+4I wonder what the odds were on Sarah Palin helping him win when he picked her.
- inactive, on 09/28/2008, -0/+4If you're going to spout racist guilt-by-association *****, at least spell their names right, you illiterate *****.
- grovest4life, on 09/28/2008, -0/+4They probably rigged it so that he will win. Its their way of buying his support.
- JenniferInMO, on 09/28/2008, -1/+5This is WHY they pissed of the NYT. TThe McCain campaign was contacted for comment on this story so they knew the NYT was getting close, so they did the typical huff and puff and charge offensive move in an attempt to mitigate the damages. It seemed Davis was overly angry at the NYT for the questions about his payments from Freddie Mac since there are so many organizations on that one already, but reading this makes it crystal clear.
- SSPink, on 09/28/2008, -0/+3To me, one of the most interesting parts of this article was:
"[John McCain] declared he would not investigate members of Congress, whom Mr. Abramoff had lavished with tribal donations and golf outings to Scotland. But in the course of the investigation, the committee exposed Mr. Abramoff’s dealings with [Grover Norquist and Ralph Reed] who had helped defeat Mr. McCain in the 2000 primary."
So McCain used the investigation as tool to attack political rivals while shielding the republican members of Congress who were the ones most guilty (besides, of course, Abramoff) in the whole affair. I think that is very revelatory of what McCain "puts first", and it sure as hell isn't the country. - dnes, on 09/28/2008, -0/+3McCain's actions are more indicative than anything he can possibly say.
McCain and his adviser's involvement in Indian casinos, McCain's appointment of Sarah Palin and McCain's decision to suspend his campaign indicate a man prone to bad and hasty decisions without consulting others. I do not want someone who approaches things like this in the White House.
Obama/Biden '08 - Please! - bushfocker, on 09/28/2008, -0/+3who is hussein?
- meese, on 09/28/2008, -0/+3Interesting observation.
I didn't think about the timeline, but you're right, it must have taken weeks if not months to write this article, and in that time, McCain's campaign would have found out that the dirt was about to be published by the Times. - booksnmore4you, on 09/28/2008, -0/+3Hear hear!
- 08soso, on 09/28/2008, -0/+3Well now we understand his affinity for Sarah Palin - she's a vindictive politician as well; and I also understand Donald Trump's unwavering support - low taxes and gambling - a perfect friend; finally, the Lieberputz connection is also put in context. With his temperament and his lobbyists, say a prayer for the country first.
- JenniferInMO, on 09/28/2008, -0/+3You can't bury this snakes' nest. This will soon be all over the news. Even Fox sugar coat will eventually wear off.
- JenniferInMO, on 09/28/2008, -0/+3@ssn697: Selectively cutting and pasting the part which indicates that he methodically made a scapegoat out of Abramhoff to offensively cover his own actions doesn't show me that you really comprehended the enormity of the impending hell that this article has unleashed. I don't need to slam McCain. He has obviously slammed himself. Remember me when the indictment comes down.
- JenniferInMO, on 09/28/2008, -0/+3This is classic McCain Politics: the best defense is a good offense. This is WHY they pissed of the NYT. The McCain campaign was contacted for comment on this story so they knew the NYT was getting close, so they did the typical huff and puff and charge offensive move in an attempt to mitigate the damages. It seemed Davis was overly angry at the NYT for the questions about his payments from Freddie Mac since there are so many organizations on that one already, but reading this makes it crystal clear.
- TigerStar337, on 09/28/2008, -1/+4Off-Topic - This is good stuff - Barack Obama on the campaign trail Saturday: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zu0MIz4kbps
- paintgrl, on 09/28/2008, -0/+3Can anyone say ties to Abramoff soon to pop up. McCain is so screwed.
- lukedude, on 09/28/2008, -1/+3So, serious question. If McCain were in office, would it be more or less likely that internet gambling would be legitimized?
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