By Greg Sargent - August 5, 2008, 10:05AMgo figure...
The Los Angeles Times digs up some more detail on the Hess Corporation-McCain story, reporting that the big fundraiser where all the Hess execs chipped in huge sums took place just before McCain reversed his previous opposition to offshore drilling:
On June 10, John B. Hess, a top executive at the oil company with his family name, summoned friends to the 21 Club, a former speakeasy in Manhattan, and delivered $285,000 to John McCain and the Republican National Committee.
A week later, McCain traveled to Texas and announced his support for offshore oil drilling...
Hess was one of half a dozen hosts who tapped friends for the maximum $28,500 donation to the GOP. Others included investor Henry Kravis and hedge fund mogul Paul E. Singer.
McCain spokesman Brian Rogers said there was no link between the money and McCain's stand. "Mr. Hess was fundraising before Sen. McCain made the announcement," he said.
Hard to know what to make of this. There's no source given for the info on the fundraiser itself, and the contributions were bundled and delivered to the RNC-McCain committee on June 24th. And as best as I can determine from other reporters, Hess has clammed up and is refusing to explain what happened.
But if the report is true, does this change the story? Not much. It raises at least the possibility that McCain had privately signaled a coming switch, though that's impossible to prove and it very well may not have happened. But even if the Hess donations weren't directly tied to the drilling flip, it doesn't change the fact that many oil company executives did reward McCain with huge contributions after his change in position
What's more, whatever the timing of the Hess donations with regard to the drilling flip, the larger point is that the oil companies like Hess have plenty of other reasons to shower wealth on McCain's candidacy. McCain's tax cut proposals would slash the corporate tax rate for, and confer other benefits on, the nation's largest oil companies, according to a report from the Center for American Progress, though it's unclear how precisely McCain's policies would affect Hess.
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Jim Nichols
A Speculative Fiction
www.JimNichols4.com
6 comments:
Obama changed his position, too. Nancy Pelosi told her people to publicly change their views in order to protect their power, since the left is expected to maintain/increase power this November. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0808/12304.html
As we discussed earlier, it's all pandering. Neither McCain nor Obama are exempt from basic political practice.
here's the thing though... and I don't know Obama's position so I can't speak to that. What I do know is there is a consistent patter of McCain supporting very good policy... and making very valid points about the Bush administrations/conservatives policies. ANd then turning to right wing policies. So sure he's being a politician but give me the old john mccain and i'll shut the hell up and start bitching about the conservative wing of the Democratic party which bothers me far more than I get to speak out on since the right wing extremest have hijacked the Republican party...
there is bad and then there is worse... I'm going to keep on McCain and won't tire of it... this election matters... this election is between letting the terroist win by giving them exactly what they want(mccain/bush agenda) or attacking Bin Ladin and the right wing fundamentalist where it hurts (a push closer to open markets, free speech, human rights). This electin matters...
I hope you don't. Otherwise, I would be disappointed in you as a leader.
Obamania has not struck me yet. It reminds me of the Body Snatchers movie starring Donald Sutherland. If I sleep I will be taken over by the left and wake up with an Obama t-shirt and button. Before I support anyone I need reasons. I read the data on both McCain and Obama. I cannot discern which is the greater evil. McCain's war stance, or Obama's tendency towards socialism.
It seems McCain's inconsistency is an ill attempt at being all things to all people, instead of staying true to his his "maverick" persona of the 90's to the early portion of the decade. He attempts to please the religious right, the corporations, etc. Yet behind closed doors I am unconvinced he has changed much. After all, it is well known he and Senator Clinton are good friends.
I have honest questions. Do you really believe in Obama's rhetoric with regard to change? Is it possible to induce change within the very system our current leaders occupy? Will there be constructive change behind the scenes of big government? I am not so sure.
McCain will not be more of the same as many assert, except for his foreign policy. He is more prone to supporting an unjust war, despite the Iraqi Prime Minister wanting us out. With the exception of the war, McCain is at odds within the Republican Party. Hell, we both know he got the nomination purely on seniority.
Don't get me wrong. Foreign policy is important. However, I am more of mind with our forefathers. I prefer neutrality. There are currently 737 US military bases. This seems a tad much for a strong national defense.
Then again, I prefer limited government, despite the impossibility of such a measure given the magnitude of the people's expectations.
My basic values prevent me from openly supporting either McCain or Obama. Perhaps you can provide some hard data to change my mind. I'm looking forward to it!
I should mention that the altering of one's stance is not necessarily a bad thing. It can be an indicator of growth; if not wisdom.
This article talks about Obama's reversal of two positions regarding energy policy. It is a reversal, yet it seems appropriate. McCain also reversed his stance on taxation by stating "No option will be taken off of the table." Nobody likes to pay taxes. Yet we must be realistic. Public works won't pay for themselves.
http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/articles/2008/08/05/obama_backs_some_drilling_tapping_oil_stockpile/
see reponse at front of page... sorry for typos... its getting late... need sleep... thanks for reading and commenting!!!
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