While Aide Advised McCain, His Firm Lobbied for Georgia

[tricky]

The straight talk no lobbyist express...sure john, whatever ya say old man.

While Aide Advised McCain, His Firm Lobbied for Georgia
Campaign Dismisses Timing of Phone Call, Contract
By Matthew Mosk and Jeffrey H. Birnbaum
Washington Post Staff Writers
Wednesday, August 13, 2008; A03

Sen. John McCain's top foreign policy adviser prepped his boss for an April 17 phone call with the president of Georgia and then helped the presumptive Republican presidential nominee prepare a strong statement of support for the fledgling republic.
The day of the call, a lobbying firm partly owned by the adviser, Randy Scheunemann, signed a $200,000 contract to continue providing strategic advice to the Georgian government in Washington.
The McCain campaign said Georgia's lobbying contract with Orion Strategies had no bearing on the candidate's decision to speak with President Mikheil Saakashvili and did not influence his statement. "The Embassy of Georgia requested the call," said campaign spokesman Brian Rogers.
But ethics experts have raised concerns about former lobbyists for foreign governments providing advice to presidential candidates about those same countries. "The question is, who is the client? Is the adviser loyal to income from a foreign client, or is he loyal to the candidate he is working for now?" said James Thurber, a lobbying expert at American University. "It's dangerous if you're getting advice from people who are very close to countries on one side or another of a conflict."
At the time of McCain's call, Scheunemann had formally ceased his own lobbying work for Georgia, according to federal disclosure reports. But he was still part of Orion Strategies, which had only two lobbyists, himself and Mike Mitchell.
Scheunemann remained with the firm for another month, until May 15, when the McCain campaign imposed a tough new anti-lobbyist policy and he was required to separate himself from the company.
Rogers said Scheunemann "receives no compensation of any type from Orion Strategies and has not since May 15, 2008." Scheunemann declined to be interviewed for this story.
As a private lobbyist trying to influence lawmakers and Bush administration staffers, Scheunemann at times relied on his access to McCain in his work for foreign clients on Capitol Hill. He and his partner reported 71 phone conversations and meetings with McCain and his top advisers since 2004 on behalf of foreign clients, including Georgia, according to forms they filed with the Justice Department.
The contacts often focused on Georgia's aspirations to join NATO and on legislative proposals, including a measure co-sponsored by McCain that supported Georgia's position on South Ossetia, one of the Georgian regions taken over by Russia this weekend.
Another measure lobbied by Orion and co-sponsored by McCain, the NATO Freedom Consolidation Act of 2006, would have authorized a $10 million grant for Georgia.
For months while McCain's presidential campaign was gearing up, Scheunemann held dual roles, advising the candidate on foreign policy while working as Georgia's lobbyist. Between Jan. 1, 2007, and May 15, 2008, the campaign paid Scheunemann nearly $70,000 to provide foreign policy advice. During the same period, the government of Georgia paid his firm $290,000 in lobbying fees.
Since 2004, Orion has collected $800,000 from the government of Georgia.
Rogers said Orion's representation of Georgia had no bearing on McCain's decision to speak with Saakashvili in April. "The Embassy of Georgia requested the call because of Georgian concerns over recent Russian actions dealing with South Ossetia and Abkhazia," he said.
McCain has said that he has worked closely with Georgia and its top officials since the mid-1990s. On the campaign trail yesterday, McCain referred to Saakashvili as a close friend.
But Rogers acknowledged that "Scheunemann and others on the foreign policy staff are involved in call requests and statements on foreign policy issues."
After the April call, McCain issued a statement that day voicing support for Georgia's position.
"We must not allow Russia to believe it has a free hand to engage in policies that undermine Georgian sovereignty," McCain said in the statement. "Georgia has acted with restraint in its response and should continue to do so."
Melanie Sloan, executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, said it may be impossible to know whether Scheunemann's advice to McCain was truly unvarnished.
"The question is, whose views are you really espousing?" Sloan said. "Are they really your own views, or are they the views that are bought and paid for by the clients of your top aides? McCain probably would be sympathetic to Georgia regardless, but having a guy like Scheunemann as a top aide raises questions."
Hari Sevugan, a spokesman for the Democratic candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, said Scheunemann's business ties to Georgia raise questions about how much he influenced McCain's position on the Georgia conflict.
"It's these sorts of appearances of a conflict of interest that are a natural consequence of having a campaign run by lobbyists, staffed by lobbyists and being ensconced in a lobbyist culture for over a quarter of a century," Sevugan said.
Research editor Alice Crites contributed to this report.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...202932_pf.html

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[St. Stalin the Apathetic]

At the time of McCain's call, Scheunemann had formally ceased his own lobbying work for Georgia, according to federal disclosure reports. But he was still part of Orion Strategies, which had only two lobbyists, himself and Mike Mitchell.

Scheunemann remained with the firm for another month, until May 15, when the McCain campaign imposed a tough new anti-lobbyist policy and he was required to separate himself from the company.

Rogers said Scheunemann "receives no compensation of any type from Orion Strategies and has not since May 15, 2008."

lobbyists lobby... Georgia is our ally. Are you suggesting McCain would have said something other than he did but for the advisor's influence on McCain?

Because if you're not prepared to make that claim this really is a load of crap

[tricky]

Yes, I am asserting that. Just like I don't want AIPAC writing a single fucking piece of legislation even though they're our ally, I don't want policy on Georgia being formed by a paid lobbyist of their government.

[St. Stalin the Apathetic]

Originally Posted by tricky

Yes, I am asserting that. Just like I don't want AIPAC writing a single fucking piece of legislation even though they're our ally, I don't want policy on Georgia being formed by a paid lobbyist of their government.

How do you think legislation gets written?

So, tell me, what would McCain have said but for that naughty lobbyist whispering in his ear?

Tell you what, don't bother. The only response that was going to come from McCain on the issue is what you heard him say. Georgia has been very loyal and a strong ally.... they sent troops into Iraq and (iirc) Afganistan. His only response would have been support of Georgia. Despite your tin foil hat notions the article asserts no wrong doing. It tells you McCain made the guy quit months before the invasion. etc etc... the article wants you to think there was something wrong without offering one iota of evidence of bad behavior but there is evidence that McCain made the cat seperate himself from the lobby group.

[I AM EL-NINO]

Originally Posted by xian

How do you think legislation gets written?

So, tell me, what would McCain have said but for that naughty lobbyist whispering in his ear?

Tell you what, don't bother. The only response that was going to come from McCain on the issue is what you heard him say. Georgia has been very loyal and a strong ally.... they sent troops into Iraq and (iirc) Afganistan. His only response would have been support of Georgia. Despite your tin foil hat notions the article asserts no wrong doing. It tells you McCain made the guy quit months before the invasion. etc etc... the article wants you to think there was something wrong without offering one iota of evidence of bad behavior but there is evidence that McCain made the cat seperate himself from the lobby group.

And...thats a wrap!
Even though I hate McCant I gotta side with what Xian is saying.

[e-brake]

Originally Posted by xian

How do you think legislation gets written?

So, tell me, what would McCain have said but for that naughty lobbyist whispering in his ear?

Tell you what, don't bother. The only response that was going to come from McCain on the issue is what you heard him say. Georgia has been very loyal and a strong ally.... they sent troops into Iraq and (iirc) Afganistan. His only response would have been support of Georgia. Despite your tin foil hat notions the article asserts no wrong doing. It tells you McCain made the guy quit months before the invasion. etc etc... the article wants you to think there was something wrong without offering one iota of evidence of bad behavior but there is evidence that McCain made the cat seperate himself from the lobby group.

So then why was the president of Georgia on TV last night calling McCain out by name? Why was McCain as a US senator and candidate for president promising US troops to Georgia in the first place? Why did McCain make public pro-Georgia speeches and try to pass pro-Georgia legislation within 12 hours of $600,000 getting deposited in his buddies bank account?

How are we supposed to believe that McCain isnt for sale when every action he makes is based on who is giving his people truckloads of cash?

[St. Stalin the Apathetic]

Originally Posted by e-brake

So then why was the president of Georgia on TV last night calling McCain out by name?

Just a guess but, because McCain's been there and knows the man.... by name. He's running for President and Georgia's having some issues with Russia so he was reaching out to potential friends? What nefarious motive are you imputing to McCain for the President of Georgia's comments?

Originally Posted by e-brake

Why was McCain as a US senator and candidate for president promising US troops to Georgia in the first place?

Because he thinks we should be supporting Georia and as a member of the Senate he was issuing his opinion on the matter? Do you want us to believe no Senator has ever called for the deployment of troops to a region? This isn't news its common.

Originally Posted by e-brake

Why did McCain make public pro-Georgia speeches and try to pass pro-Georgia legislation within 12 hours of $600,000 getting deposited in his buddies bank account?

Which buddy? The lobbyist? The Lobbyist McCain made divest himself from his job where he got $600,000 fees in order to work for McCain for quite probably considerably less? The $600,000 that went into that firms coffers to cover expenses etc. You make it sound like a bribe Kevin and it was anything but.

Georgia has been an ally of ours for some time - that's why he's making pro-Georgia speeches Kevin. They sent troops to Iraq and Afganistan etc... They're our pals and both Bush and Rice made very strong statements in the past few days are they in the pocket of the Georgians too or is it just McCain who got bought for $600,000 given to a "buddy"? Well, actually wasn't given to a buddy now was it... it was paid in fvees to a lobbying gruop an advisor used to be a partner in but hasn't been since May.

Just another question.... is Sarkozy in the pocket of the Georgians too? Maybe all these guys opposing the Russian invasion are just on the right side of the issue... which, oddly, includes McCain.... who apparently, if we are to believe your assertions would be supporting Russia in this matter but for his lobbyist buddy collecting $600,000 in fees from Georgia. I don't think your argument is a very strong one given the alternative we must accept if we also accept your corruption charge.

Originally Posted by e-brake

How are we supposed to believe that McCain isnt for sale when every action he makes is based on who is giving his people truckloads of cash?

Because you're suggesting he needed to be bought to do something he was already in support of which makes no sense at all.

[matias]

how does one become a lobbyist?

[e-brake]

Originally Posted by xian

Because you're suggesting he needed to be bought to do something he was already in support of which makes no sense at all.

He may have been in support of it, but the record shows that he never spoke of that support in public until people close to McCain were hired by Georgia. This would be a completely different matter if McCain had been on the record as pro Georgia before his people were paid off. The facts clearly show that McCain is either a whore for sale, or a complete moron that can be easily guided by those around him.

[e-brake]

Originally Posted by matias

how does one become a lobbyist?

Show the world that you have connections to powerful elected officials, and that you are willing to whore out all of your personal beliefs and values to the highest bidder.

[St. Stalin the Apathetic]

Originally Posted by e-brake

He may have been in support of it, but the record shows that he never spoke of that support in public until people close to McCain were hired by Georgia. This would be a completely different matter if McCain had been on the record as pro Georgia before his people were paid off. The facts clearly show that McCain is either a whore for sale, or a complete moron that can be easily guided by those around him.

That's a complete crock of shit Kevin. Our policy has been pro-Georgia for some time. Further, McCain made the advisor quit. For you to assert that he was bought to support a policy that had been in place for some time is just plain ridiculous.

If we are to believe your charge, we have to believe that but for his buddy getting paid off or influencing McCain that McCain would be on the side of the Russians. Does that make even one iota of sense to you? Doesn't to me.

Originally Posted by e-brake

Show the world that you have connections to powerful elected officials, and that you are willing to whore out all of your personal beliefs and values to the highest bidder.

How objective of you. Lobbyists are advocates for parties to governments. I know a bunch of lobbyists, they get paid to represent a client. That's their job. Do they sometimes disagree with the policies they push? Rarely. Why? Makes them shitty advocates when they don't believe in the policy they're trying to sell.

[e-brake]

Originally Posted by xian

That's a complete crock of shit Kevin. Our policy has been pro-Georgia for some time. Further, McCain made the advisor quit. For you to assert that he was bought to support a policy that had been in place for some time is just plain ridiculous.

If we are to believe your charge, we have to believe that but for his buddy getting paid off or influencing McCain that McCain would be on the side of the Russians. Does that make even one iota of sense to you? Doesn't to me.

Our national policy has been pro Georgia for a long time I never disputed that. What I was pointing out is that McCain personally never spoke of Georgia in public, and never visited Georgia untill his buddies got a check. The same day McCains buddy got a check he held a press conference on the steps of capitol hill, and sponsored pro-Georgia legislation.

I am saying that if McCains buddies had never recieved that money McCain would have never held that press confrence, he would have never sponsored that legislation, and he would have never visited that nation.

Sure McCain would not have supported the Russians, but he also would have never been buddy buddy with the pressident of Georgia either.

Originally Posted by xian

How objective of you. Lobbyists are advocates for parties to governments. I know a bunch of lobbyists, they get paid to represent a client. That's their job. Do they sometimes disagree with the policies they push? Rarely. Why? Makes them shitty advocates when they don't believe in the policy they're trying to sell.

So then you are saying that McCains lobbying campaign managers dont disagree with the policies of the African Muslim terrorists that have hired them over the years to improve their image? Do you really believe that McCains right hand man supports apartheid since he lobbied for pro-apartheid leaders from South Africa in the 80's?

[St. Stalin the Apathetic]

Originally Posted by e-brake

Our national policy has been pro Georgia for a long time I never disputed that. What I was pointing out is that McCain personally never spoke of Georgia in public, and never visited Georgia untill his buddies got a check. The same day McCains buddy got a check he held a press conference on the steps of capitol hill, and sponsored pro-Georgia legislation.

I am saying that if McCains buddies had never recieved that money McCain would have never held that press confrence, he would have never sponsored that legislation, and he would have never visited that nation.

Sure McCain would not have supported the Russians, but he also would have never been buddy buddy with the pressident of Georgia either.

I'm not so certain McCain hasn't been to Georgia. In fact I think he had been. You assertion is not that he got bought but that he was only willing to speak out in support of Georgia (whom we've supported for a long time) because of the lobby fees?

McCain, afaik, has claimed to know Saakashvili for some time. Longer than his buddy has been a lobbyist for Georgia.

Originally Posted by e-brake

So then you are saying that McCains lobbying campaign managers dont disagree with the policies of the African Muslim terrorists that have hired them over the years to improve their image?

No clue. Sometimes lobbyists do shitty shitty things you know that. But it is a flat out load of crap to suggest that lobbyists only do things that are nasty and in the worst interests of the US... that is I guess unless you meant whoring oneself out meant something other than doing shitty things.

Originally Posted by e-brake

Do you really believe that McCains right hand man supports apartheid since he lobbied for pro-apartheid leaders from South Africa in the 80's?

again, shitty.... but to go back to your earlier assertion... would McCain have had to been pro-Apartheid for your claim to be valid, I mean these are his advisors etc etc

[St. Stalin the Apathetic]

Here's an article http://townhall.com/columnists/FredT...ous_leadership

mentioning Sen. McCain's visit to Georgia in 2002.... he's been there. McCain knows the country. He wasn't bought and here's your evidence for earlier support for Georgia. Hell, McCain knew Shevardnadze as well. He's familiar with the state and its history.

It also discusses Putin's objective to reassemble the empire - something no serious person denies.

[e-brake]

Originally Posted by xian

Here's an article http://townhall.com/columnists/FredT...ous_leadership

mentioning Sen. McCain's visit to Georgia in 2002.... he's been there. McCain knows the country. He wasn't bought and here's your evidence for earlier support for Georgia. Hell, McCain knew Shevardnadze as well. He's familiar with the state and its history.

It also discusses Putin's objective to reassemble the empire - something no serious person denies.

Schuman's lobby firm started taking money fro Georgia in 1997, the latest payment was in April of this year two weeks after McCain issued a stern statement assailing "Russia's moves to undermine Georgian sovereignty." Two weeks later, Georgia gave Orion Schumans firm a $200,000 contract extension.