McCain’s ‘97 Lobbyist Bill Would Cripple Current Campaign
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In March 1996 and again the following year, McCain offered a bill that, in his own words, “would ban a candidate or a candidate’s authorized committee from paying registered lobbyists.”
In order to root out the moneyed influences, McCain continued, Congress had to unequivocally cut off the flow of campaign cash.
“Registered lobbyists who work for campaigns as fundraisers clearly represent a conflict of interest,” he added. “When a campaign employs an individual who also lobbies that Member, the perception of undue and unfair influence is raised.”
The legislation never passed.
Fast-forward a dozen years and the political dynamics have clearly changed. Now the GOP standard bearer, McCain has 115 lobbyists either working or raising money on his behalf. Many of these individuals have taken a leave of absence from these positions in order to help with the campaign. But others have held, simultaneously, fundraising and lobbyists positions.
In addition, the Senator has 70 registered lobbyists who have bundled money on his behalf - raising at least $100,000. On top of this, the Center for Responsive Politics reports that the Arizona Republican has received more than $610,000 in direct donations - not bundled cash - from lobbyists.
His recent, self-implemented, campaign policy is designed to counteract the image that such a fundraising apparatus suggests. “No person with a McCain Campaign title or position,” the document reads, “may participate in a 527 or other independent entity that makes public communications that support or oppose any presidential candidate.”