McCain “scandal” strikes of pride

By J.R. | February 24, 2008
Filed Under Campaigns and Elections |

Pride and vanity can bring out the worst in all of us…and if you look carefully at three key figures in the recent McCain “scandal”, pride is strongly at work.

First, the informant, John Weaver, is a former campaign staffer for Sen. McCain. Sen. McCain fired Weaver last summer when the campaign was as south as it could go, presumably because Weaver did not do his job well. Isn’t it a bit coincidental that Weaver suddenly provides this information to the media? Only pride would drive a person to such an action.

Second, the lobbyist in question, Vicki Iseman, is reported to have routinely boasted about her encounters with McCain.

Iseman often chatted up McCain and, according to one account, boasted to other staffers and lobbyists about her access to the commerce-committee chairman.

Some would argue that the woman was trying to “show-off” in hopes of getting more clients or showing how good she was at her job. In other words, exhibiting pride.

Third, the New York Times itself. In their effort to “break” the story, they once again took something that happens almost every day in Washington — lobbyists lobbying — and turn it into some fabricated scandal. It shouldn’t come as any surprise that the most liberal newspaper in America, who used to adore the “maverick” John McCain, would turn on him as soon as he became the head of the main conservative party. Bias…you betcha. And bias is driven by pride.

Comments

3 Responses to “McCain “scandal” strikes of pride”

Jeremy Hinton on February 25th, 2008 12:05 am

No comment on McCain’s pride? I agree with much of the above, but while you can create fire, its most effective where there’s a little starter already there, and it sounds like McCain may have may have set himself up for some of this.
J.R. on February 25th, 2008 12:27 am

If McCain set himself up for this, it’s primarily because he has been such a staunch advocate to minimize the impact of lobbying in Washington.

McCain believes in the power of his ideas…so, sure, pride is there.

However, the left is trying to paint McCain as a hypocrite. I guess when you’re so passionate and outspoken about principle, there can be zero perception of misconduct, even where no misconduct exists.

Surely the New York Times hasn’t ever been guilty of hypocrisy. I mean, it’s not like they ever fabricated entire stories.
LittleDavid on February 25th, 2008 10:38 am

My question is why isn’t John McCain allowed to have friends?

The New York Times should provide evidence that he provided favors for friendship or, at a minimum, took her into the bedroom. If hard evidence is not forthcoming we should dismiss this whole tawdry “affair”.