A great article in Salon (use this link first to bypass ads). Highlights:
“John McCain is a saber-rattler when it comes to Russia… A long-term confidant of the candidate, [Randy] Scheunemann also supports a very tough stance toward Russia. Unlike McCain, until very recently he was paid to support that stance.”
“Bad press sparked efforts inside the McCain campaign to purge any real or perceived conflicts of interest. On May 15, the campaign instituted a new policy that bars staff from also working as ‘registered’ lobbyists… The new policy was drafted by McCain’s campaign manager, Rick Davis, himself a lobbyist until 2006.”
“The policy does not state that a campaign staffer can’t be a former lobbyist. According to Justice Department records, Scheunemann halted his lobbying activities on March 12… Scheunemann’s partner continues to lobby on behalf of Georgia and Macedonia.”
“In 2002, prior to the invasion of Iraq, Scheunemann helped lead the Committee for the Liberation of Iraq, a nongovernmental, pro-invasion group that counted McCain as a member.”
“Lobbying disclosure records for Scheunemann’s two-person company, Orion Strategies, show… regular contributions to McCain’s campaign and political action committee.”
“Incidentally, China also took it on the chin [from McCain]. At the time, Scheunemann was working for Taiwan.”
“During the presidential campaign, the presumptive Republican nominee has shown remarkable interest in Scheunemann’s client, Georgia, a country of 4 million.”
