The makeup of a campaign

It has been said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. While this may not be the scientific definition it certainly makes you wonder how, when 81% of the country believes we are headed in the wrong direction, the 2008 election could be so close. Why, when McCain has voted with Bush over 90% of the time , is he considered a "maverick" or a "Washington reformer"?

Unfortunately, in politics and campaigns especially, its more about the image you create and the story you tell then actually debating the issues. And McCain would have it no other way. In this post I look at the makeup of a campaign and McCain's own decisions, to finally pull back the facade and see exactly how he would lead as President of the United States.

I believe the people you surround yourself with says a lot about your judgment and who you are as a person. So how is it that McCain, who has more lobbyists and former-lobbyists in his campaign, is still considered a reformer? And this is not simply low-level employees, these are key strategists that are undoubtedly effecting the decisions McCain makes on a day-to-day basis.

Here is the line-up:

1) Rick Davis, Campaign Manager - Rick Davis founded the lobbyist firm Davis & Manfort, which he recently took a leave of absence from to create the "image" of an ethical campaign. His firm, however, has lobbied McCain for a deal to allow the purchase of Airborne Express in Ohio to a German company that owns DHL and helped manage Ukrainian politician Viktor Yanukovich. Incidentally, DHL is now moving its hub and will cost Ohio 10,000 to 30,000 jobs and Mr. Yanukovich has known ties to Vladimir Putin. (conflict of interest, I think yes) The worst is that Mr. Davis, while a lobbyist, headed McCain's reform institute (read the site, its a joke) the non-profit paid Mr. Davis a handsome salary and collected "donations" from companies seeking to do business with the U.S. government. Basically, McCain created this "institute" and staffed it with lobbyist who are now using it to get tax $$ from the government.

2) Charlie Black, Senior Advisor - Is a founding member of the powerful lobbying firm BKSH & Associates, and has a 30-year career as a Washington lobbyist. Mr. Black's client list includes foreign leaders Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire, Nigerian Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, and Somali President Mohamed Siad Barre. All of whom are not well known for being the most democratic leaders.

3) Randy Scheunemann, Senior Foreign Advisor - Is a paid lobbyist for the country of Georgia and a co-owner of the lobbying firm Orion Strategies . The day McCain showed support to Georgia during their conflict with Russia Mr. Schunemann's firm signed a new $200,000 with the country. Mr. Schunemann also advised Donald Rumsfeld on the Iraq strategy and we all know how well that turned out.

To be continued with economic advisors and lobbyists who either think we are whiners or worked hard to make it easier for mortgage companies to sell home buyers bad mortgages.