The Democratic Party

McCain Hits Up Russian Envoy for Donation

Posted by Matt Ortega on October 20, 2008 at 02:09 PM

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According to a letter released by the Russian envoy to the United Nations, John McCain contacted Vitaly Churkin seeking a campaign donation.

Ben Smith picked up the story from Russian news agency, RIA-Novosti:

Russia's permanent mission to the UN has received a letter from U.S. Republican presidential candidate John McCain asking for financial support of his election campaign, the mission said in a statement on Monday.

"We have received a letter from Senator John McCain with a request for a financial donation to his presidential election campaign. In this respect we have to reiterate that neither Russia's permanent mission to the UN nor the Russian government or its officials finance political activities in foreign countries," the statement said.

According to Ruslan Bakhtin, press secretary of the Russian mission, the letter dated September 29 and signed by McCain, was addressed to Vitaly Churkin, Russia's envoy to the UN, and arrived on October 16.

It is illegal to accept money from foreign nationals.

The story had impeccable timing as the McCain campaign attacks Senator Barack Obama's massive small-dollar donor base that helped the Democratic presidential nominee shatter the single-month fundraising total with more than $150 million in September.

Interestingly enough, McCain's campaign manager Rick Davis has several ties to Russia. Last January, the Washington Post reported that Davis set up a meeting between McCain and a controversial Russian billionaire with some unsavory ties back in 2006:

A top political adviser in Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign helped arrange an introduction in 2006 between McCain and a Russian billionaire whose suspected links to anti-democratic and organized-crime figures are so controversial that the U.S. government revoked his visa.

Rick Davis, who is now McCain's campaign manager, helped set up the encounter between McCain and Russian aluminum magnate Oleg Deripaska in Switzerland during an international economic conference. At the time, Davis was working for a lobbying firm and seeking to do business with the billionaire.

Earlier this month, Ari Berman and Mark Ames wrote about Davis' ties in Russia for The Nation.

Comments (10) «

"It is illegal to accept money from foreign nationals."

com'on DNC. cut ol' john some slack. he confused the person in question with someone who just attained citizenship thru the legal process, right?

or, maybe since russia is within site of alaska according to palin, she gave it the nod, saying it was to build a bridge across to america.

either way, i'm sure ol' john's campaign has an anwer. maybe the media could ask, since if the DNC asks it'll seem too political. uh, so how much pocket change did ol'john really hit the guy up for?

america1st on October 20, 2008 at 04:58 PM

I have recently watched McCain in his various town hall meetings. I have been a registered nurse for many years. I cannot be sure but it appeared to me that John McCain's hands are shaking. I have watched a close up so I could better assess the issue. I have yet to see a close up of McCain's hands. Does he have a Parkinson's disease? Is it possible that his cancer has spread to his nervous system?

Fritts on October 20, 2008 at 05:03 PM

Just imagine how much McCain got from the President of Georgia since one of his staff is a personal lobbyist for him.

SandyH on October 20, 2008 at 05:18 PM

it is frustrating that we are very slow in hiting the Mccain campgain with the negative news , compare that to FOX news and Talk Radio

stingray on October 20, 2008 at 07:09 PM

You are make fun of Senator John McCain? You are think Russian People do not support Republican President? Please to remember George W Bush look into Putin's eyes and saw a tvarich, and Russia got very rich in last eight years with PetroEuros. I am think George Bush has been excellent president for Russia. As long as he stays home.

Your friend,

Vitaly Churkin

Vitaly on October 21, 2008 at 11:43 AM

Vitaly Churkin

Vitaly on October 21, 2008 at 11:45 AM

True description of the conflict between Georgia and South Ossetia. I'm tired of writing "online books" and trying to explain what really happened in South Ossetia when Georgia attacked that country at night during the opening ceremony of the Olympics in China. I'm tired of writing so much, plus people don't even bother to read the whole thing! So let me make it easier for you! Just WATCH THE VIDEO: http://russia.ru/video/war080808en Please watch the video. just go to the website and click in the button in the center of the screen. watch the truth. This video is in English. go Thank you..... send that link to others to share the truth my friend, don't let yourself be brainwashed over and over again...

maksim378 on November 4, 2008 at 11:57 PM

maksim378 on November 4, 2008 at 11:58 PM

maksim378 on November 4, 2008 at 11:59 PM

I apologize for posting 3 comments!
My comment above didn't show up for a long time so I thought that I should repost it.

maksim378 on November 5, 2008 at 12:00 AM