tip to Huffington Post for breaking the story. John McCain who apparently hasn't met a lobbyist he didn't like has tapped William Timmons, who once lobbied on behalf of Sadam Hussein to lead his transition team should McCain overcome long odds and defeat Barack Obama in the November election.
Also, consider that McCain has done so after ripping Obama for already measuring the drapes (a low reference to Obama doing what every viable frontrunner does to ensure the succesful transfer of power).
By the way, this puts over 40 - the number of lobbyists working on the McCain campaign- more than any other candidate in history- that's just some straight talk for you
Timmons worked with the former dictator in order to work a deal reselling Iraqi oil to the west.
The Iraq that Timmons lobbied for was considered a terrorist state by the United States at the time, and Timmons' group faced charges for working as unregistered agents of the Iraqi government.
Apparently, McCain's vetting process is either cash strapped and ineffective or these are just the types of friends that John McCain has.
Seriously, does this guy know anybody that isn't a cornball governor of a sparsely inhabited state or a former lobbyist?
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more on Timmons
Tommons' lobbying firm, Timmons & Company, advertises on their website that they have:
Access to all levels of elected officials, legislative staff and Administration executives.
Guidance through Washington protocol and procedures.
Participation in Congressional leadership briefings.
Identifying key relevant legislative and regulatory initiatives; tracking policy movement; and providing counsel on appropriate responses.
Research, intelligence gathering, and monitoring of issues on Capitol Hill and in the Executive branch.
Assistance with all aspects of individual lobbying, such as arranging personal lobbying visits, providing member/issue briefings, and preparing clients for all aspects of Congressional hearings.
Timely alerts and recommended courses of action in response to changes in the politics, policy and public relations aspects of Federal activity.
Bi-partisan engagement and leadership in all aspects of elective politics, including national political conventions, fund raising, "kitchen cabinets," the confirmation process for Cabinet officials and other appointees, and White House transitions.
I have emboldened two obvious bullet points- one- the same "Warshington lobbyists" that McCain (ever the faux populist) rails about has easy access with the senator and two- John McCain is formally admitting by participation that he cannot govern without the direct involvment of lobbyists.
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who does Timmons lobby for now?
link Huffington Post Breaking News /Firedoglake
-- Unocal (now owned by Chevron)
-- American Petroleum Institute
-- American Health Care Association
-- Lincare
-- AT&T
-- Freddie Mac
-- Centex Corporation
-- Cox Enterprises, Inc.
-- National Assoc. of Manufacturers
-- Asbestos Working Group
-- Northrup Grumman
-- American Financial Services Assoc.
-- The NRA (The National Rifle Association)
-- The American Council of Life Insurers
-- Farallon Capital Management, LLC
-- Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
-- The Vanguard Group, Inc.
-- Primerica Financial Services
-- Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.
- so big Pharma and Freddie Mac. Oh dear!
REC LIST- Thanks for the love, folks!