Questions of the Day for John McCain
May 12, 2008

1. John McCain has demonstrated a pattern of putting politics ahead of his principles. Why does he expect voters to trust him to change President Bush's failed energy policy when the lobbyists running his campaign have earned $13.1 million dollars lobbying for oil companies?

2. Which is more important to John McCain: his promise to appoint more judges who will gut environmental regulations or the climate change policies he is outlining today? If protecting the environment is a priority for McCain, why did he vote for every single one of President Bush's judicial picks?

3. Does John McCain agree with House GOP Whip Roy Blunt's statement that John McCain would offer a third Bush term on economic issues and that "there is nothing wrong with that?"

Lobbyists Running, Raising Money for McCain Campaign Have Earned $13 Million from Oil Companies. McCain Fundraisers and advisors have earned over $13 million dollars lobbying for oil and related interests. [Lobbying relationships and dollar amounts from Senate Office of Public Records filings; McCain campaign roles from McCain Campaign Release; The Politico [3/4/08]; whitehouseforsale.org]

McCain Fundraisers and Advisers Friends to Big Oil. McCain fundraisers and advisors have earned over $13 million dollars lobbying for oil and related interests. [Lobbying relationships and dollar amounts from Senate Office of Public Records filings; McCain campaign roles from McCain Campaign Release; The Politico [3/4/08]; whitehouseforsale.org]

McCain Bundler Steven Betts CEO of Firm With Record of Air Pollution. Steven Betts. President and CEO Of SunCor Development, Betts is a $100,000 bundler ("Trailblazer") for McCain's campaign. In 2006, SunCor was fined for multiple instances of air pollution. [Hoovers.com accessed 5/10/08; Public Citizen accessed 5/10/08; Maricopa County (AZ) Air Quality Department press release via US States News, 8/1/06]

McCain Bundler Alfred Hoffman Jr CEO of Firm Working to Undermine Everglades Protections. Hoffman is former CEO of WCI Communities and is a $100,000 bundler ("Trailblazer") for McCain's campaign. Hoffman retired from the firm in 2005. In 2004, Hoffman was prominent in developers' attempt to undermine restoration of Florida Everglades. [Washington Post, 12/10/07; Public Citizen accessed 5/10/08; Palm Beach Post, 4/26/04]

Bundler James Nicholson Is CEO of Company Dumping Chemicals Into River. Nicholson, the President and CEO of PVS Chemicals, Inc. is a $100,000 bundler ("Trailblazer") for McCain's campaign. 2002: Company Settles Suit by New York State For 70+ Illegal Discharges, Including Sulfuric Acid Into River. [Buffalo News, 4/28/02; PVS Chemicals Inc. website, Detroit Free Press, 12/11/07; Public Citizen accessed 5/10/08; Buffalo News, 11/18/92, 7/29/97]

Bundler Donald Bren Runs Company Polluting Fragile Dolphin Habitat. Bren, the President and CEO of The Irvine Company is a $250,000 bundler ("Innovator") for McCain's campaign. 2000: Officials Order Company To Stop Discharging Polluted Materials Into Crystal Cove State Park Area. In 2000, regional water officials in California ordered the Irvine Company to "stop sending polluted discharge into the pristine waters off Crystal Cove State Park. [Irvine Company website, Public Citizen, accessed 5/10/08; LA Times, 11/17/00]