Kicking Ass: The Democratic Party's Blog

Friends in High Places

Posted by Matt Ortega on April 22, 2008 at 11:32 AM

In the New York Times, there's a story about the ties between Donald Diamond, a wealthy land developer, and John McCain.

Diamond is an "Innovator" who has helped raise $250,000 for the McCain campaign this cycle.

In California, the McCain aide's assistance with the Army helped Mr. Diamond complete a purchase in 1999 that he soon turned over for a $20 million profit. And Mr. McCain's letter of recommendation reinforced Mr. Diamond's selling point about his McCain connections as he pursued -- and won in 2005 -- a potentially much more lucrative deal to develop a resort hotel and luxury housing.

In Arizona, Mr. McCain has helped Mr. Diamond with matters as small as forwarding a complaint in a regulatory skirmish over the endangered pygmy owl, and as large as introducing legislation remapping public lands. In 1991 and 1994, Mr. McCain sponsored two laws sought by Mr. Diamond that resulted in providing him millions of dollars and thousands of acres in exchange for adding some of his properties to national parks. The Arizona senator co-sponsored a third similar bill now before the Senate.

Comments (7) «

Governor Dean is wrong about the effect of this race going on and on. Sorry, but he is. From WCAX in VT today:

Dean predicts tight race in PA

"At one point Clinton led Barack Obama by double digits in Pennsylvania.
But party chair Howard Dean does not think this primary will settle the battle. He was in Vermont today. Dean predicts that the delegate total will still be very close.

"It's going to be close and I think we keep going on from here and it's not all bad. The thing I worried about most was the six week break between Mississippi and Pennsylvania. I knew it would get ugly and it has. On the other hand, we have a steady progression between now and June over the next six weeks-- the next 5, 6 or 7 primaries-- so I think it will be ok. I don't think the tone will be terrible and I do think we will have a nominee at the end of the process, but not quite yet," says Dean."

He is wrong. This race is taking a toll. He needs to pay attention to that.

1
sunny on April 22, 2008 at 01:34 PM

I predict that Madam President Hillary Clinton will win. Only, she can feel your hopelessness in the Republican's policies.

There was a better place in the 90ies. We can have that again. Hillary has an excellant plan for every place where trouble stands in your way of climbing up out of the darkness into the light.

God is on her side. She has showed how tough she is and how hard she will fight. God planned it so she would have to show you her stuff. Now God is walking by her side to help her with the love she wants to show from you to the World. To also, help you realize your dreams. She wants everyone everywhere in the USA and fighting in Iraq to realize they too can take a step up the ladder of success.

Remember the nities? We were so happy we all had taken a step up the ladder and going for a second when the help stopped and the rich got richer and we all took a step back. We can have it again sayes Hillary Clinton. Hold On she sayes, help is on the way for you too, even those getting wounded and dying.

Hear her plans for every troubled spot.

2
oneforall on April 23, 2008 at 12:25 PM

I predict that Madam President Hillary Clinton will win. Only, she can feel your hopelessness in the Republican's policies.

There was a better place in the 90ies. We can have that again. Hillary has an excellant plan for every place where trouble stands in your way of climbing up out of the darkness into the light.

God is on her side. She has showed how tough she is and how hard she will fight. God planned it so she would have to show you her stuff. Now God is walking by her side to help her with the love she wants to show from you to the World. To also, help you realize your dreams. She wants everyone everywhere in the USA and fighting in Iraq to realize they too can take a step up the ladder of success.

Remember the nities? We were so happy we all had taken a step up the ladder and going for a second when the help stopped and the rich got richer and we all took a step back. We can have it again sayes Hillary Clinton. Hold On she sayes, help is on the way for you too, even those getting wounded and dying.

Hear her plans for every troubled spot.

3
oneforall on April 23, 2008 at 12:25 PM

Hillary helped her husband pass NAFTA. Hillary's people gave the wink wink to the canadians over NAFTA, not Obama. Penn, Hillary's chief stratigist was in columbia getting paid to help get the columbian trade deal passed as she was telling the american people she was against it. Hillary and Bill enjoyed taking credit for jobs created during the tech boom. The times now are much different. Barack would be a better president. It will be tough for Hillary to explain her vote for the war and her work on NAFTA and her vote on the bankruptsey bill. For the life of me it is hard to understand why anyone making under 100,000 a year would vote republican. But I see it all the time, a broken down old car on the interstate, with a bush sticker on it.

4
newsjunkie on April 23, 2008 at 11:11 PM

Why was John McCain riding coach on an airplane when he was running for the nomination and not doing well? He and his wife, although they file separate 1040's, are worth 100 million dollars. He is the seventh wealthiest senator. Was that a stunt or what. I saw a great video of him and his wife and their fabulous rich life.

5
newsjunkie on April 23, 2008 at 11:26 PM

Why was John McCain riding coach on an airplane when he was running for the nomination and not doing well? He and his wife, although they file separate 1040's, are worth 100 million dollars. He is the seventh wealthiest senator. Was that a stunt or what. I saw a great video of him and his wife and their fabulous rich life.

6
newsjunkie on April 23, 2008 at 11:29 PM

I was just watching Chris Mathews on the Obama Headquarters, MSNBC. He has the chief strategic for the Obama campaign on the air. Chris is giving this chief strategist a campaign platform, free airtime; it sounded like I was on Senator Obama's campaign event. Isn't there a law on air time available to all candidates.

Bottom line, if Senator Obama doesn't win Indiana, that raises serious doubt about his ability to win in the general elections. He needs to win NC by doublt digits and he needs to win Indiana. If both of these doesn't happen, super delegates should take a hard look at if Senator Obama is electable.

7
SamSarma on April 28, 2008 at 08:04 PM


« Hide Comments

Comments are now closed for this entry.