There Are Too Many Lobbyists In Washington

Oh the Flip-Flop. This derogatory term was used by Conservatives to bash the hell out of John Kerry by looking at about 30 years of Kerry’s comments and sucker-punching Kerry any time he changed his mind on an issue, ever.

But when Dems point out McCain’s Flip-Flops, guess what, these aren’t Flip- Flops! No, McCain has simply changed his mind based on new revelations or changing times.

McCain: ‘There Are Too Many Lobbyists In Washington’ — But 160 Of Them Run My Campaign
Earlier this week John McCain held a fundraiser organized by Ralph Reed, the former Christian Coalition head connected to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

The same week McCain ripped lobbyists as “birds of prey,” saying, “I think there are too many lobbyists in Washington,” even though McCain’s campaign employs over 150 Lobbyists!

“Whenever there’s a corrupt system, then you’re going to have these birds of prey descend on it to get their share of the spoils. … Lobbyists don’t come to my office. Because they know they’re not going to be an earmark. They know they’re not going to get a pork-barrel project…”

McCain flips again, this time flattering the Lobbyists:

“Having worked in Washington for so long, I can claim with gratitude a good number of lobbyists as friends and supporters, many of whom supported my presidential campaign.”

“Lobbying is an honorable profession. I have no problem with it. I have no problem with people working in order to bring the people’s interests and agenda and priorities to the attention of Congress. Almost all of us who I know of rely on their input on various issues. Many supply us with policy papers, with data, et cetera.” [Congressional Record, 12/16/05]

“I’m going to thank some corrupt unscrupulous lobbyists that are destroying America as we speak, everything we stand for and believe in.” [6/9/08]

On his top aide’s past lobbying for Georgia: “I’m proud to have supported them. … And I’m so proud that so many of my friends have done so, who also believe in freedom and democracy.” [8/19/08]

John McCain SUPPORTED efforts in 2000 to close the gun show loophole.
But in his quest for the presidency, McCain signed onto a brief OPPOSING D.C.’s gun ban.

May 2008 Offshore drilling is not the answer because it “would take years to develop.
But in June 27, 2008 Drilling off the coast of Florida will help in the short term.

Sen. John McCain said Thursday that he supports an initiative that would change Arizona's Constitution to BAN GAY MARRIAGES-- Aug 26, 2005
“I think that GAY MARRIAGE SHOULD BE ALLOWED.” – McCain on Hardball in 2006
“I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT GAY MARRIAGES SHOULD BE LEGAL.” – McCain on the same Hardball in 2006

Abortion—In 1999 McCain SUPPORTED Roe v. Wade in a debate with Bush.
ABortion In 2000 McCain wrote a letter to the National Right to Life anti-abortion group saying that he supported their cause.

In 1983 McCain voted AGAINST making MLK Day a federal holiday.
In 2008 McCain says that he is FOR MLK Day.

This isn’t a flip-flop, it’s just a lie:
“In 1986, we passed a law and said we would secure the borders and gave amnesty to a couple — three million people. I SUPPORTED that legislation way back then.” -- John McCain
In fact, McCain voted AGAINST this legislation. McCain was a vocal OPPONENT of this bill: The Arizona Republic newspaper in 1986 reported that he had called the bill racist and quoted him as saying the bill’s requirements for employers to verify workers “would institutionalize discrimination.” He said employers would refuse to hire Hispanics to avoid running afoul of the law.

OK, this one isn’t a flip-flop either, it’s just dim-witted:
“In just a few years in office, Sen. Obama has accumulated the most liberal voting record in the Senate.”
But McCain’s campaign also pointed out recently that Barack Obama votes with President Bush about half the time.

Do you believe that Bush has a liberal record?