Yes, The NY Times Does Have More... On Senator mcCain and Ms Iseman

[DaLittle Kitty]

Yes, The NY Times Does Have More...
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/2/23/42829/0722/340/462397
by cookedchicken08
Sat Feb 23, 2008 at 01:45:26 AM PST

No Sen. McCain, this story isn't just going to go away.

Today the NY Times is reporting that:

In late 1998, Senator John McCain sent an unusually blunt letter to the head of the Federal Communications Commission, warning that he would try to overhaul the agency if it closed a broadcast ownership loophole.

The letter, and two later ones signed by Mr. McCain, then chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, urged the commission to abandon plans to close a loophole vitally important to Glencairn Ltd., a client of Vicki Iseman, a lobbyist. The provision enabled one of the nation’s largest broadcasting companies, Sinclair, to use a marketing agreement with Glencairn, a far smaller broadcaster, to get around a restriction barring single ownership of two television stations in the same city.

* cookedchicken08's diary :: ::
*

McCain's campaign said Sen. McCain’s efforts to retain the loophole were not done at Ms. Iseman’s request.

But according to the NY Times:

A review of the record, including agency records now at the National Archives and interviews with participants, shows that Mr. McCain, Republican of Arizona, played a significant role in killing the plan to eliminate the loophole. His actions followed requests by Ms. Iseman and lobbyists at other broadcasting companies, according to lobbying records and Congressional aides.

Wow, I'm starting to see a pattern here. Powerful Commerce Committee chairman sends snappy letters to the FCC again and again and again at lobbyist friends request to help powerful corporate interests...hmmm. This lobbyist seemed to have special powers over Sen. McCain. Hmmm...

You know what I think. I think the NY Times laid a trap for Sen. McCain that he has fallen for. I think they have, lots, lots, LOTS more. I think Sen. McCain may start to regret those absolute denials soon.

Update:

I found this recent diary by Direwolf that has more on McCain, Glencairn Ltd, and Sinclair Broadcasting

Tags: Recommended, John McCain, Vicki Iseman, NY Times, Lobbyist, Paxson, FCC (all tags) :: Previous Tag Versions

[montanacowboy]

1. Well Remember that lobbyists represent all kinds of

groups, firefighters, workers....blah blah blah.... folks like me and you....

Let's hope this story sinks this crook once and for all; he has always been crooked and I even doubt this war hero stuff; his debriefing is still classified from when he was in Vietnam...why is that? Is it covering up something? And who is privy to read that debriefing? Chimpy of course. Dunno....just saying...

[gratuitous]

2. No, no, no - treat this story like it was plutonium!

It could backfire on us! It will unite the Right! They'll all say mean things about us! Run! Ph34r!

[DaLittle Kitty]

7. The "RIGHT" One Way Or The Other Will ... BE UNITED! it IS US That We Must Be Concerned About...

Uniting.... However Unity IS A Component of FASCISM... "Just SHUT UP and GET IN LINE Behind US ... because WE know what is good for you... No Time for questions... Just Get In Line!" :think:

[spanone]

3. k&r

[MariaS]

4. Just a thought here

and it probably has been expressed on DU before but could this be the work of the repugs to completely discredit McCain so they can bring back The Mutt? After all he did only suspend his campaign. Could the Repug party be so delusional as to think that Mutt would have a better chance than St. McCain? Any thoughts? Am I thinking too much into this maybe.

[gordianot]

5. Interesting thought, discredit McCain and replace him with the criminal of choice.

I can think of many potential GOP criminals to choose from that might have a better chance.

[karynnj]

6. Sinclair Broadcasting was the RW group of stations

that intended to play an hour long swiftboat veteran liars piece weeks before the election until every liberal blog had people calling advertisers and selling stocks. This "loophole" let them get many more stations.

It is also significant as McCain has spoken against media consolidation - and this action increased it. The NYT article shows what a sleazy action it was and it really does suggest a real quid por quo.