Finneran's Forum - The McCain Lobbyist Scandal

It's not true. And I'll be glad to respond to any questions you might have --

Me okay.

If they were they didn't communicate that to me. I have friends. -- Occasions particularly -- receptions and fund raisers and appearances before the committee. I have many friends in Washington who represent various interest and those who don't I consider her friend.

Not that that is substantive stuff I think you'd agree Wendy and -- specific questions about the nature of the relationship did you eat it intervene and say screw this is creating a bad situation or did you sense staff to intervene denial denial denial one -- denials very specific no contacts they had no no no. I'm curious so let's go to Wendy what if you -- take charges and now McCain specifically.

Ought to look at that news newspapers are going to report things irresponsibly that the claim is that before the last presidential race. He was told. Period point blank he was told by top advisers you can't. Have this kind of relationship with her. The notion of romantic came up and he was -- to knock it off the mixture of romance and these kind of apparent claims about. He's pushing things through that -- pet favors for her and so forth. Whether it's a financial. Two close scored a quote relationship or romantic or a mixture of both. I mean look the bottom line is the word romantic came out as associated with why they were concerned about the appearance of this relationship way back when. Obviously nothing's going on right now. But this was a firm denial we just heard and say there was no romantic relationship I think there's no question he was doing certain extra things where her bills are things in laws that she want to push through. And I don't know what that affect -- a campaign but for conservative for once the conservative vote if if this comes out that there was romance going on here and he's married.

I think -- and you wonder where this all the Genesis of this whole report now. He denies that there was a sexual relationship he says he considers her friend from what everything I've looked at in the newspapers this morning. I was in it it at first blush wondering is it. A sexual relationship that they're alleging or is it impropriety in terms of him giving her. A favors in terms of legislation passing because of a personal relationship a personal friendship that may or may not have been of a sexual nature. Now I read in the paper that. She tells the New York Times that she never received special treatment for McCain or his office it doesn't seem that she is making out any allegations against him. It would appear as though it's coming from this John weaver who served as McCain's close confidant into leaving his current campaign. Last year. He's the one who said he met with the TI's been and urged her to stay away from McCain. So my first question is is who has this fellow John weaver why is he speaking out now. What happened with him leaving the campaign the whole Genesis of the story is is very suspect to have a very curious as to us why it's coming out now and what do it -- it coming from somewhere else was always.

Saying -- things can be true weavers got sour grapes and he really did have this conversation with both of them let them and let me make sure that all -- clued in because this is literally breaking news for all of us and sort of try to cover that we're doing -- very very best McCain is responding to Senator John McCain is responding to questions about the New York Times story. In his efforts to stop the publication of that story he's allowed to buy it now that allowed could be based upon. The anger associated with innocence this is outrageous there is no relationship you have making an accusation there'll -- meet my campaign and the like this is outrageous. Or it could be the situation where he just knows that this is politically explosive in his try to meet a buys it in it one way or another. He's tried to go to stop the times from. Publishing this story. My my sense Mike of the the the point that you just made. Is this that this goes back to either 1999 at 2000 I mean it's years ago that. Apparently an aid of McCain sat down with besides minutes said look I don't like the appearance of it and I think people are going to speculate as we are speculating right here and now and I I want to stop whatever it is she apparently had to have it now she would not be the first that's you know lobbyist to trade association. Of us saying to her employers boy you know I'll get a good relationship with. You know senator Murphy and senator Macklin and Senator McCain and so on and so forth and yeah it has a little -- Korea I think in you eat at that takes place. As to people exaggerating the that nature and extent of their relationship.

It looked come on. I think it's fair to say that McCain probably had close relationships with other lobbyists females and males some probably looked like -- name's Simon didn't. This woman start out first some reason she wasn't just a lobbyist getting a couple of favors this -- someone who apparently. -- a level of enough concern to a top aide that this guy said he got a back down get away from him leave Malawi want him to become the president the United States. That comes from nowhere -- for right now I think it's only smoke. But doesn't run the word romantic for nothing the times doesn't run with wide net sour grapes guy is saying now I'm cranky I -- my job three times too much credit that you haven't thought too much no they don't tend to run with this kind of scandalous story if they've got nothing but once source a cranky guy sour grapes kicked out of the campaign whatever he's mad about. Tennis he's -- I'm assuming assuming he's mad at pissed off about something. You don't run with this kind of scandal in the she got somethin' else -- more you got corroboration a couple of extra sources that are I named you feel confident that you making these claims the work this out there.

We'll but the word romantic is out there anytime an elected officials going to be seen anywhere with with a woman whose not his wife people all wrong well cram what's that all of that's not true and it happens to be that she's a lobbyist and perhaps.

Species are sexist as. Gorgeous lobbyist. Try to get out of favor trying to get some bill pushed through is by definition going to be seen as having some sexual thing going on with the -- I didn't say that -- is exempt -- that's how the press and -- Pete I don't want cash -- lots Q isn't a story doesn't like that it just doesn't. And that it's interesting.

Timing of the story that the New York Times publishing. What is a lengthy story on its website last night. -- Allegations information. That's been kicking around now for a few months the drudge report headed on its on on its web site. Back in December now the drudge report is not a New York Times there's a there's a much different. Bar in terms of what's with the legitimate what's credible what's believable what has been slow track record they haven't they have a good track record breaking some some significant you know big stories. The times breaks the story now you wonder who else has been on the story you know what's going to hit. Sixty minutes would dateline or another newspaper the Washington Post in the days ahead would you not agree by didn't competitive from the compared.

media for a long long time. If there was something more than speculation that the times would put this in the online report last night this is speculation about a relationship the conversation with weaver and Heisman occurred several years ago it seems to me to be -- dredged up for what purpose I do not know. The right to regulation is unclear -- it will look at let me just isn't that Ulysses exactly couple. Do you think that times. Has additional information and it and it did other sources are says yes they're gonna trap him into a contradiction now that they have the denial --

The possibility of a trap is definitely out there and we'll see what she what's the story gets printed -- place like the times that people come out of the woodwork with other things I -- at the hotel Obama -- not saying that's going to happen -- to -- speculation I think -- silly. That this kind of newspaper with the with their reputation they don't run with speculation. Now the dear Justin questioned as you how you prove. How do you prove what was going on there are they going to have people from hotels you know that that look the fact it is. If they had a romantic relationship it's going to be hard not to prove it right because that means they did something someplace -- tell someone sought to.

Somebody's house so not just sort of and I think it. I was sounded as stricken as the most sound from the actual conference Richard current.

it's. Yes we do you feed your for a oh we never tried to have any -- dialogue in that fashion for months. The New York Times has submitted questions and we have handsome fully an exhaustive finish. And unfortunately many of those answers we're not included. And they rather long piece in the New York Times but we fully cooperated -- them. Answering many -- any questions that they might have. No effect I never spoke directly to them. I don't know I really don't know I'm very disappointed obviously put we'll move on with the campaign talk about the big issues talk about the challenges that people. Face in their lives in the economy today our national security issues and them. I am confident that we will. Move forward and I'm confident that we will continue to compete in the primaries so we from next Tuesday again. Get to -- nomination the party and I'm looking forward to it.

That is John McCain responding to a series of questions. The whole backdrop on this for those who might be just joining us and by the way when I say us Wendy Murphy is with us our regular Thursday host co host and Mike Macklin is with -- Tom -- Mike Mac that's going to be in the studio with me for the next couple of days as well. So have got some in some very experienced political London media commentators yet. John McCain is responding to a story that was posted last night in the New York Times online suggesting some type of relationship with lobbyist. Still unclear as to whether it was a kind of a financial political favor relationship but the where romantic has been used as well so perhaps it's a personal and a sexual relationship as well mister McCain has denied this emphatically and and really decisively miss Heisman the alleged that the lobbyist in question she has -- a similar denial get this the times ran -- story and that's where we where you heard the questions that -- asked about did you try to interfere with the publication he said no but we have been responding to a series of questions that the times is -- give it.

My command that's a direct question to him did you try to interfere it out and come on other he never does it directly it's always someone on his behalf silliest possible tonight ability I ensured they tried to kill the -- by the way the story's been out there for awhile it's obviously -- At least delayed who knows why. You can bet Mitt Romney's -- but it didn't come out sooner or should I mean that's been around since December. I am I -- the -- tax credit for not doing it at a time when it really might have affected his chances perhaps that was them trying to give the guy fair shake doing it now isn't I don't think it's going to change the fact that he's going to become the Republican nominee.

Let me let me give me you know alternatives speculation -- it could have been them wanting to set up a situation which looks like -- it looks like Barack Obama -- the democratic nominee. And you get McCain I mean nobody was gonna find -- the situation with Mitt Romney and and you and I can't allow that in order to be true tighten -- doesn't swing at doesn't drink anything power more than Diet Coke cherry flavored Diet Coke or something like that HE double hockey sticks his closest I've ever heard of come to an -- I was open to get -- addicted to a couple of -- you veterans with stuff when I was up -- but he never even came -- to get his hair messed up and held it to an end like that you know eureka honorable gentleman. And yet the times do you think it's being on the the the intent the thinking of the times to try to shape and influence the -- and -- slot he's ever going to the media's help right now.

command of course at the the obvious is true that this could in fact make a dent in the general election. But I'm saying that they could have done it earlier to even have had have an effect in the primary and they didn't have it appears -- been around. For awhile look I think interest in question is is it a setup that you asked exactly right question did they write only part of the story that they wanted to to get up into an act I did. Not have sexual relations with that black and I didn't I was ever imagine and tomorrow we're going to -- but the backups tomorrow we have to.

No address and that and that's what I call crack back block gig you know it's it's just it's it's devastating when it happens. This is bad enough in my -- capital lots and lots of campaigns los lots of candidates. You know that al appear on the campaign trail and we've talked about Michelle Barbara little bit you allows Clinton is at the start of the show. Every campaign candidate at some point makes a mistake that's going to happen you cut just you just don't run a flawless campaign we get high -- exhausted get distracted he say something new did not mean to say so. That's a mistake and -- try to want to get it back to the issues that strongest and best that you. This is the thing that all candidates -- however this is not a mistake in which he's speaking spontaneously and makes -- moderates that could be might be explained away. This is something entirely different period bodies other people suggesting. Implying certain things and -- I can -- that's. Back -- campaign headquarters now the it is this is a disastrous day they're looking at each other and saying this is like the Titanic have been hit by something and it looks like it might be going down.

You've got a published report then you get the whole swirl of conversation and innuendo surrounding it then you end up with a blanket denial. And you EUU one day is is is McCain trying to get a blanket denial -- because he's not sure of the exact ritual what's the charge against me at least when you -- to a -- you've been accused of something you know what the charges -- and the evidence is -- in the -- he's trying to -- a blanket -- then -- the whole question -- there -- if there was no sexual -- relationship no romantic relationship -- one -- impossible -- In but in the absence of affirmative proof that there was you'll left with the innuendo and people of their will be they'll be people who will go with the innuendo and six hi always suspected him and then they'll they'll -- other people sit. -- say this man is being unfairly accused this is the atmosphere that weary and it's no wonder we don't have more people running for public office.

Right it really owners up a clearer example of the it really -- okay and words potential candidates smart capable experienced people. Will look and say how you think -- get into that that is the migration as we normally are decent.

Before we got -- keep in mind that McCain is not the guy who's running. Kind Mon Trout I'm a normal guy with problems this guy who says I'm not honest one I'm -- I'm the hero I tell the truth.

Well let's -- outlets currents of sound we have from John McCain he's being asked the question when was he lasted contact with. The woman the lobbyist in question Andy --

I think it was several months ago I think I ran into words some of them.

Again when did you last year taught several months ago did you speak to about this possible emerging story because he says the time is that sending him questions on this for at least a few months we're not quite to the time lines are quite this.

Particularly he didn't speak whether he had somebody speak were there ever. You can anticipate going to be asked this question when the story -- Did you speak with her and you get to say now because in fact you had Harry year assistant speak corner.

Put it bluntly when via -- I guess I'm intrigued by -- era assumptions on this you. Automatically assume that everybody is acting to cover something up as a clue as as opposed to giving both the gentleman in question in the lady in question the benefit of the doubt of their own specific which now I.

I am not that's not -- said look I'm not say it's a couple -- But story was gonna come out about UN some big you know whether to cover -- or not to my -- and -- that -- made I don't doubt that is by what that is but you're pregnant I've. -- And it's completely innocent relationship you call can you believe going to write this story does how ridiculous is that all right now is that terrible you don't not -- you're worried about being asked the question did you talk.

Well let me let's let's go to another one because you know John McCain is made a big -- it's really become almost a fetish with him about campaign and lobbyists and I'm not influenced and I think it's a residue of the Keating five scandal and everything else. -- of his platform re got a lobbyists and all the rest of that stuff he's being asked about that specifically anti striker has the sound it's going to be.

Well and I think I understand that and that's what I am so disappointed you know story based on quote anonymous sources that section. But look I have a long record. And as I said a fifty year record 24 year record as a member of congress and I'm confident that my record will be reviewed there are many people who have dealt with me who are now. Sick stepping forward and talking about how. How fairly and and objectively I ran them they commerce committee and the leadership I've shown in many reform issues including mind. Opposition to year Mark and pork barrel spending so. Are we asking people look at my entire record and I think that that will stand but yes this is this is a very disappointing event to pick up the paper this morning and actually be here last night that this story was it was -- after months of inquiries from the New York Times.

Months amounts of inquiries and again he is implied by and by that statement are actually sort of emphasize about that response. That he'd responded to their questions for a long long time exhaustively giving them the informational like he's obviously very very disappointed and I think politically her we're coming up against the break I C -- calls and I want to get back to how this might play out the three got to Barack Obama the lobbyist that he was associated with the Chicago which has been reported. But not developed the way this seems to be developing when we come back in a bubble will do all of that with you on parents for a may have 680 WRKO.

big stories bright people all we're going to -- noted -- him right here. For the best coverage and of course the best talk visit Boston's talk station -- succeeding WRKO.

More importantly my children I now we trust my husband but. -- that he would never do anything to not only disappoint her family that morning but just what the people of America he said he's a man of great character and and I'm very very disappointing.

Should I should've had you conducted this. This news.

Does the voice of Cindy McCain wife of Senator John McCain makes the observation at the end that maybe you picture to a press conferences is certainly human. And emotional passion in your voice the could feel the pain you could feel the disappointment as the -- raised about what is the nature of this relationship. And indeed whether it's just purely political but still lobbyist and --

Possibly -- something beyond that let's take a call we can't Steve's been holed -- on the light Steve -- command over the morning Steve.

Yes well. I wanted to -- close eye peeled out -- made in general shouldn't be. They were to be in any type of -- any type of thing where they -- Is -- corrupt many to sexual acts doing things don't work product.

De Lima de Lima is going to back you -- within snubs and some somebody get this man to. A mental health professional not you can't be serious. -- woman who just happens to be here roots and is doing lobbying job. Should be formed it into the opposite a guy like McCain less support -- and Mike Eisner is Leo help time knots. The front guy and I say oh I mean that guy for a chain Margaret Thatcher talked about a good leg --

At this point at this point I think until until we see eight a legitimate. Allegation with some proof or some or some some evidence that some tangible evidence. It doesn't even -- it appear as though there's anything war then the worry of oval of of a NATO estimates that there might be -- what is because of the company's principal all the different.

Did -- Brian what summary Wendy you you pointed this out to make this up the book -- also reporter who has been working on this story. Who feels is at the story might be going away from him because in in it apparently McCain's responses any -- of contradicted himself. It it is pushing back against the times saying yet I've got to run this crappy story right and destroyed me in my campaign I apparently the reporter Jim root -- He's been leading the so called investigation and he's very frustrated with a McCain's aggressive efforts to stop any and all publication well. McCain has said he didn't make those -- that is why have you might have a contradiction of.

And he -- typically asked whether he asked the times -- tried to get the times not to run the story and he said no I never did anything at all to try to kill the story. According to the -- report which directly quotes a reporter at the New York Times that's exactly what he did and it was a relentless effort to kill the story if that's a lie that could end -- being you know you know sometimes the coverup is worse than the underlying -- for a while -- I don't academic -- trouble you know because they -- believe McCain's denial over reporter at the times and says -- money spent months trying to -- the story -- and it was bothering.

Well we know what are going to quit I think we've got enough cuts to have more than enough gas to work with in we've got enough call 6172666868 curious what the listeners -- think of Mike's observation this -- response -- obviously Senator McCain who's made -- central -- his own personal campaign. This I you know resistance to ordinary political influences. And you know I wonder what the the implication of this is for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama sub elements I assume of the press out there we'll say. It's death let's go to Jerry Sudbury and see what Jerry has to say the monetary.

Good morning everyone how we can in the -- thank you sir. That's just pick up but I have to pass say hello to you from -- I was -- occasional watching it but they're out of the -- and are not able to failure. Oh tidings on the radio -- next time I speak video the plot from a high valued dornin there -- well.

Well that's great idea well and I appreciate the you know that the greetings from a mailbox and.

The rebels from the call you know I I love because. And I understood hypocrisy -- outside the political centered nobody out you know right right our moral high ground however addressed that issue but. Extreme but the Democrats certainly in my opinion -- within hypocrisy often then not. And I thought you know Audette and -- twist about the fairness doctrine and conservative talk radio polluting the air -- and although although it got down to what it. And that he does make you oh bootleg called repeatedly repeatedly. Try to chew gum pop art -- top stories -- upbeat jokes and that there's no question in my mind that -- I elite. Politically motivated like aggression propellers. The difference between conservative talk radio and the New York Times.

Believe god and that's that's I think that's pretty good juxtaposition that's conservative talk radio I think would be pretty quickly assessed as a relatively speaking a conservative are right wing series of points of view and and host -- take a rush Limbaugh you think -- he had called the think of pressure on -- someone itself what. And yet I think pitch every scholar as well at times the -- you know.

All insists the LA times it's -- the difference the difference is that the right wing and conservative talk radio is honest where you know where. Being honest as right wingers when we tell you this is our view of the world what's what's different about the pros and your tides of Boston -- as they don't tell you that -- left wing. Politics are all over the place they pretend to be objective. Did you notice that it's better have our story. At least well you know what I -- or don't accept I understand you have an agenda you -- Boston Globe youth -- but you're getting interjected Q you're not.

that is -- I think that's a good observation go ahead this this is the is is the muddy. Area that we have gotten into in the media now that talk radio has taken over such a central place in the in the in the whole media spectrum. And twelve to 24 hour news cycle and a lot of these programs that are not newscasts their opinion programs. But there are so many of them on the air. And you have some people segue from from one to another posting opinion programs that the reporter from a from an MSNBC got into that problem with a with a remark about Chelsea Clinton. On the one hand there's did journalist in the reporter is on the other hand they're hosting opinion programs. What they say -- those opinion programs are they reporting the news are they expressing their opinion do they have any business expressing their opinion if they are reporting the news. I think this is where we get into a lot of trouble in this era by.

But that but the point is that the hosts are honest they're saying I'm not a journalist I'm entertainment I'm -- I mean you know I -- probably all right wrestler of all self identify and -- Voice of America doesn't really any objective I think -- I think the point is very well taken. There is no pretense of objectivity when you grow into live volume know what you're gonna get now I have my differences were Limbaugh and the way he's as as a suppose as an -- conservative the waste have been on the attack against McCain on certain things that being said. The original varnish -- that he puts over you know what YouTube and it's a rush Limbaugh it is going to be conservative respect right I think most people picked up and -- you guys. Sides with the assumption you're expected to -- straight dude you know --

I you guys without being much older. And I thought well did not -- higher prices I think this is not correct that years ago -- print media was actually a little bit more honest as well because you'd have like the -- Republican on the nightly Democrat. At least the labels of newspapers used to specifically make it clear in their headline that they were coming from one -- and other. Now they don't have that you know honesty on the front page is that true at least have more. Overt political title of the newspapers somebody told me that -- time.

Nobody knew he would at the Springfield Republican is Springfield Republican but it's a very liberal newspaper regularly if you were out of that fewer newspapers have that directs honesty in the title anymore the Boston -- you would not know I have no idea right -- to do some reading on that on its history and you know sort of sort of -- little analysis let's take a call from Kevin. Elaine Kevin good body your idea what -- he Mike Macklin and Tom Finneran.

I broke try it and let me thank you interesting topic tonight and again I don't think we know we have any idea at this point witness is going -- if -- if there's any. Place with a rubber meets the road on this story or not is -- I in the lobbyist areas of that. Is it -- story but it is our eyes open all right well but it -- however that the backlash has swung the other way and I think it's an interesting juxtaposition. When we talk about the conservative right wing who haven't necessarily flocked to the -- to begin -- and we've got a situation we've got John McCain who. Let's say thirty EDT on -- like we know that he's admitted that he doesn't believe that he could children as best I wouldn't comment life it's kind of -- that this drug problem that came very close to leading to a criminal conviction against and I would -- this allegation and who taught that the conservative party's candidate is the number I -- spent and the rest -- Barack Obama has nothing like this in his closet liberal politically remember if you look back to put any. It's sort of you know that's that's right it's quite an interesting topic and secondly I have to in a graduate and did -- know that we don't know what that is. It's too and I would no doubt about potatoes philandering in the path that we do that's been that's been confronted confirmed that himself. So we do know that I would think they know if you brought up earlier about editing the talk radio -- what I -- indicated that the two graduate like I could be given what credence than it really gets dragged himself -- himself I couldn't hardly -- the profits rhetoric at one point and an inordinate number seven --

No hot point about the was that they do have a track record where you wouldn't say everything they print is like Q now dead gone that rags for him from a tabloid and at the supermarket. You know I actually stick up for McCain Olympic year the -- at Vicki as she. And it is ever she's a pain okay. And I think some of why we're. Willing to accept that he probably was profit is because she's so cute now I. Back a little bit so she -- and is our guys serving isn't half dead. -- we -- protesters she might have been flirting with a guy just the issue might have been doing sexual innuendo around him because she wanted him to get her bill passed. So you might not like that's her style but patients get the job done -- order for the political favors he's -- her nose -- amber that she waved her Fanny any -- something for a but the fact that she was sexually interested and an old goal like that he is now Bill Clinton.

You know I got a good at. Spend I'm getting at appointed yeah.

That -- Pillsbury doughboy anybody finds it sexually attracted now I'm pretty scary you know is why. Now he's I don't I like kept -- gonna want to get back to kept its main point not specifically about drudge but about having to be careful about the timing and waiting for a little bit more evidence Kevin you I've talked from time to time about a variety things at least twice on the show different reports of them out one about Barack Obama within the past several weeks that was salacious beyond belief and what about John Edwards -- inappropriate and people -- yes -- got this great story great story in the -- talk radio shows in -- town. That jump all all -- the Edwards one follow and I think. In incredibly inappropriate. No apology no retreat nothing it's like we'll speeded they don't give it to him about the the image that they might be doing. And I I looked around here and I think we need to -- until this -- that was substantive and that's what -- trying to hold up all the you know that the times is not -- inquiry read all we're doing is asking questions and that's a legitimate -- it's a New York Times story grassland when he asked his -- thousands of them tell and you don't underestimate this went through thousands and thousands of people out -- pick it up and say -- did you hear about McCain because -- apartment -- all the hearing is requested but in the repetition of it. It becomes so that a McCain it's a big scandal you know I don't know why I.

They go back to the beginning go back to the root of it all and it seems to be an aide worried about the appear -- public sexual relationship and now the denial that there was a sexual relationship. In the middle there was actually apparently no substantive allegations.

Well we don't now I think there's more there's more to it which we don't know all the details and look the reason McCain has taken this whack from everybody even though we don't know the specifics and -- it may not even be -- maybe it's not true. He put himself so high up on the damp pedestal -- ethical I'm the one -- clean I tell the truth I'm a straight shooter vote for makers on the ethical got in the campaign. When you yourself up that I may be a story that isn't even yet validated. Is going to be used to whack your little because you put just so there if you start at the camp Chris and I got flaws I got problem I face -- I -- I don't know whether the.

What with the way conservative commentators seem to ruled that the the channel of thinking on the Republican side of the ledger if he didn't do that -- ever have achieved the prominence that he had.

Canada both what is you know you want to hold yourself up like that people want to slap -- around even when the story isn't quite clear when it's not great hey well listen we're -- sharp break coming up and Wendy and Mike -- I myself will continue his conversation with you hero and generous foreign AM 68 WRKO