Note to all politicians: Do not, do not try to BS the AP's Glen Johnson. In January, Johnson was responsible for one of journalism's great moments, when he called Mitt Romney out on his laughable claim that lobbyists weren't running his campaign.
Now Johnson trains his eye on McCain's attempted dual identity as grizzled, experienced Washington veteran; and mavericky outsider bringing the armies of change to that same town. I love the accordian metaphor … reminds me of McCain's voice.
But the strongest case against McCain is not from Johnson, but from McCain himself:
“I was the chairman on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation for six years,” he told reporters aboard his “Straight Talk Express” campaign bus amid Monday's market meltdown. “That's the committee that oversights our economy — transportation, science, telecommunications, airlines — all of the factors that drive our economy.”
…
“Too many firms on Wall Street have been able to count on casual oversight by regulatory agencies in Washington. And there are so many of those regulators that the responsibility for oversight is scattered, unfocused and ineffective,” he told a rally crowd Tuesday in Tampa, Fla.
Uh, yeah. So … are you responsible for oversight of the markets or not, Senator? And if so … what the hell have you been doing lately?
And trying to decide which of his many homes — how many? — he should sleep in that night.
With Phil Gramm’s deep knowledge of the problem, I know justice will be done
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p>(Just when you think it can’t get worse…)
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p>;o)
John McCain (R-AZ) 1997-2001
Ernest F. Hollings (D-SC) 2001
John McCain (R-AZ) 2001
Ernest F. Hollings (D-SC) 2001-2003
John McCain (R-AZ) 2003-2005
Ted Stevens (R-AK) 2005- 2007
Daniel Inouye (D-HI) 2008-present
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p>Did McCain say the committee was “responsible for oversight of the markets”?
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p>The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is a standing committee of the United States Senate in charge of all senate matters related to the following subjects:
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