McCain Praised Renzi's Honesty and Integrity in 2006 Robo-Call
Posted by Matt Ortega on February 22, 2008 at 05:15 PM
As was mentioned earlier, Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Flagstaff, Ariz.) was indicted on a series of charges, including extortion, surrounding a land deal. It just so happens that Renzi and Republican presidential nominee John McCain are described by their local paper, the Arizona Republic as "close," notes The Nation's Ari Berman. McCain donated $2,000 to Renzi from his political action committee. Renzi even joined McCain in the now infamous stroll through a Baghdad market.
Last cycle, McCain was attributed as the author of a fundraising e-mail to Renzi supporters in the summer of 2006. With Renzi facing a tough re-election challenge, news broke in late October that Renzi was under investigation by the FBI. Less than a week later, John McCain came to the rescue by recording a robo-call that emphasized Renzi's "honesty and integrity." Local Arizona blogger Eli Blake provided a transcript of the message he received on his voice mail:
This is Senator John McCain. I'm calling to urge you to support my friend, Representative Rick Renzi for Congress. Rick has represented the first district of Arizona with tenacity, honesty and integrity beyond reproach. I work with Rick every day and can report to you his total dedication to the people of Arizona and the United States. Please join me in supporting rural Arizona's workhorse Congressman on November 7. [Paid for and authorized by Rick Renzi for Congress]
Despite the fact that Congressman Renzi was under investigation for over a year, McCain named Renzi as a campaign co-chair, joining a total of 20 lobbyists on the team. McCain acted "surprised" at a press conference in Indianapolis.
TPMmuckraker's Paul Kiel did not seem to buy it, however.
While the timing of the indictment might have been a surprise, it should not have been unexpected. The federal investigation of Renzi was first reported in the fall of 2006. The FBI raided his wife's office in April of 2007.
Back then, as Renzi was pressured to resign from all three of his committee assignments. He did. He was also pressured to resign. McCain refused to join in those calls -- and also expressed a similar ignorance about the case, the details of which had been widely reported.
John McCain: He sure knows how to pick 'em.
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