McCain Beer Ties Might Brew Conflicts(Cindy and Son Work Against MADD)

[tekisui]

By Ralph Vartabedian
Los Angeles Times

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008012018_mccainbeer23.html


Hensley, one of the nation's major beer wholesalers, has brought the family of Cindy McCain wealth, prestige and influence in Phoenix, but it could create conflicts for her husband, Sen. John McCain, if he is elected president.

Hensley, founded by Cindy McCain's late father, holds federal and state licenses to distribute beer and lobbies regulatory agencies on alcohol issues that involve health and safety.

It has opposed groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in fighting proposed federal rules that would require alcohol-content information on every package of beer, wine and liquor.

Its executives, including McCain's son Andrew, have written at least 10 letters to the U.S. Treasury Department, contributed tens of thousands of dollars to a beer-industry political-action panel and hold a seat on the board of the powerful National Beer Wholesalers Association.

The company also has run afoul of health-advocacy groups that have tried to rein in appeals to young drinkers. Hensley, for example, distributes caffeinated alcohol drinks that public-health groups say put young and underage consumers at risk by disguising the effects of intoxication.

The involvement of his wife and children in federal regulatory issues could create a conflict of interest for a future McCain administration, according to advocacy groups and political analysts.

For years, McCain has recused himself on alcohol issues in the Senate. As a president, however, he would face far more difficulty distancing himself from such a broad issue.

Cindy McCain is chairwoman of Hensley and controls about 68 percent of the privately held company stock with her children and the senator's son from his first marriage, according to records at the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control. Cindy and John McCain keep their finances separate, and he has no interest or role in Hensley.

If her husband is president and she retains her role at Hensley, Cindy McCain would set a precedent for outside corporate activity by a first lady.

more at link: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008012018_mccainbeer23.html

[depakid]

1. "You can't run a beer company out of the White House,"

:rofl:

[tekisui]

2. Beer and Fear '08!

Norman Goldman coined that one.

He also offered "Hops and Pops"

[mwooldri]

3. but.. but... Mccain said he'd veto every beer! nt

[iamjoy]

4. Lobbying Against MADD?

That's just mad.
It makes me mad.

MADD isn't trying to bring back prohibition, just make sure when people drink they do so responsibly.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

13. I personally know a woman who is very active in MADD and she is a prohibitionist

And the woman who founded the organization, Candy Lightner, has since resigned because of what she describes as a derailment of the mission from being anti-drunk driving to being anti-drinking period.

[phrigndumass]

5. "fighting proposed federal rules that would require alcohol-content information on every package"

:crazy:

Showing the alcohol content should be mandatory. I think it's normally 5% for beer, 14% for wines, and higher for hard alcohol.

Thanks for posting this, tek! :thumbsup:

[fasttense]

6. With McCain's ties to the Liquor Lobby will he lower the drinking age?

Will he then sell liquor and beer in High School? Will he place vending machines distributing alcoholic beverages in all the Baptist churches that vote for him? I can see it happening.

[Tanuki]

7. You'd think this would erode his support among evangelicals and Mormons

Maybe we should be pushing harder on the beer connection.:toast:



edit for typo

[tekisui]

8. I think we should.

His family is bad for evangelicals.

Bottoms up!:beer:

[DesertRat]

9. Kick!

[crankychatter]

10. Drunk Drivers against Mad Mothers? DDAMM, Cindy does THAT?

nothin' like caffiene and alcohol for hormonal adolescents with spanking new driver's licenses.

[SOS]

11. Drug dealers guarding their profits.

Kick

[FrenchieCat]

12. Glad to see this getting some play.......

Now if only the cable cabal would start mentioning it.

[Fleshdancer]

14. I would LOVE for that to happen, but what are the odds?

Instead of talking about Cindy stealing drugs from her charity and lobbying against MADD, the cable news seems to be stuck on Obama's "baby mama" and whether she needs to retool her image. :grr:

Off topic: Thank you FrenchieCat for your threads focusing on why McCain would be a disaster if he wins. I really appreciate it.