Unfortunately, the press will dig up anything on anyone tried to presidential canidates. And we're quick to jump on the ban wagon and keep this mess going.

I can care less what these people do in their private lives…..I care about Gas prices ,war, mortgage foreclosures and health insurance….I care about my children and granchildren future.

This all makes me sick…While we struggle to fuel our cars, buy groceries, and lose our homes….

Need not to worry Obamites, you're super-hero Telfon-man will lie his way out this one as well.

Non-issue. The Senator did the right thing.

Where is Caroline? Or was that just to pander to Women or older voters?

If Obama gets to the White House, I suspect it'll be business as usual, nothing much changed. Just a new batch of corruption.

Nothing ILLEGAL declared or implied on Mr. Johnson or Obama. Welcome to destructiive politics Republican style. Thumbs down for the Rovean politics.

Another misstep. Good one, BHO. Let's see, first you through your grandmother under the bus, then Rev. Wright, then your church, now your VP vetter. Maybe you're just not ready for prime time.

Is there anyone squeaky clean in Washington D.C. ?
I don't think so.

Oh NO like its gonna hurt OBAMA!! Whatever!

Ok I am a total Obama supporter but I sure wish CNN would cover Mccain more. Perhaps I just want to be nosey but I would love to see more of what is going on with his campaign. Everytime I see a ticker it is about Obama. What is McCain up to guys?

As a Democrat, this is yet ANOTHER reason why Obama would make a TERRIBLE and CORRUPT president.

The Dems need to THROW OUT the Clintons, Kerrys, and Obamas, and come up with better candidates.

Otherwise they will continue to LOOSE MODERATES LIKE ME.

This is just stupid. You need people who know what and how to do the job. But because this guy is from D.C. and had some personal business that was not illegal, he has to leave the campaign. I'm sure he will continue to help in some way toward the veep selection. Now I expect everyone in MCCain's camp must be vetted also and thrown out or brought to light then pushed…..

I'm tired of things like this drawing from Senator Obama's campaign or the process..

Washington, D.C.

Looks Like more Problems in the Land of Obama and his Obamanites!

Please get that fool out, we do not want additional distraction in this campaign.

Obama was selected not elected! Clinton Democrats for Mc Cain '08

Shouldn’t reporters and other media commentators be vetted to determine their bias? Shouldn’t they divulge their tax returns so that the public can see whether they are slanting coverage for personal gain? Shouldn’t everyone know everything about everyone else so there can be nothing left that is private? why isn't your business my business?

Forget this B.S.

facts: Mcsame has numerous members that were lobbying for countrys that support terrorism and genocide (look it up)

why aren't all those guys out of mcsame's campain??

in different news:

did anybody knew about the IRAQ war investigation committe??? the results are posted online on the wall street journal
NOTE: NO NEWS MEDIA COVER THIS STORY ( tv news). COVER UP? YOU BE THE JUDGE.
from the wall street journal…
"The 170-page report accuses Mr. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and other top officials of repeatedly overstating the Iraqi threat in the emotional aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks"

here is more:http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/washington/05cnd-intel.html?hp

I agree Ken, in Las Vegas. Really let's see how many people come forward and resign for the purposes of McCain campaign. This really shows Obama style and great judgement to lead. This is the kind of change we need whether you agree or not. Think about it.

Neither party has given us a canidate that the American people want

It's not like Obama isn't going to choose a VP now… so why is this getting attention?

After Obama becomes President, I'll stop donating to him and set up web site to solicit donations for the "Pity Party" for diehard Hillary supporters and the Tales from the McCrip cronies

Ok I am a total Obama supporter but I sure wish CNN would cover McCain more. Perhaps I just want to be nosey but I would love to see more of what is going on with his campain. Everytime I see a ticker it is about Obama. What is McCain up to guys?

Can I be friends with Countrywide’s chief executive officer? My mom needs a great deal because she is looking to buy a house.

People get so nit picky, there are no perfect people and if that was the biggest fault Johnson had then well good for him.

The republicans have some nerve calling people out. What about all the lobbyist in McCains wallet. Let’s call on him to give back their money. McCain can not debate against the issues because you will loose so republicans must nit pick about the dumbest things.

OBAMA 08!!!

Poor judgement again !! This is disgusting.

I'm support Sen. Hillary Clinton, I appreciate ever little thing she has done, I'm not vote for Obama same as my friend and family he lie to me,

———————————————————————————————-

I feel gov. should give everone hybrid to help with gas problem it would also help oil that he bring in from other place.

my lord, if i say something, then somoene else has to step down?
what is up with this???

hey did you hear that billary's angry adn bitter supporters are coming to our camp??
she is doing what limbaugh told her..she encouraged and enabled for this,
so we will still win…………. even if the odds are against us..
but as long as the clintons have a say in things.. the republicans will win, see if she does not win, none will in teh democrats, she wants Obama to fail, so she can say : i told you and then she will run again in 2012 and then 2016 chelsea, they are but paving the road for the dynasty..
go check their foudnation money, that is the gift that ke]eps on giving that is why booba doesnt let it go
anyway, mcbush might let them have part of the pie..
they are helpful..

THE END

Hey don't blame the Republicans for this…the Clinton long-knives are being to strike. Heck the Republicans don't need to vette Obama the disenchanted dems will do a much better job…

For those of you longing for Hillary based on this "scandal," you may be surprised to find out that the woman running her campaign was most recently on the board of a sub-prime lender. Not a volunteer vetter who was a friend of a CEO, the paid campaign manager approving the strategy of pursuing "predatory" loans to make Wall Street happy.

Ok folks lets move the line.

Miss Kennedy you're next, just get under the bus right there.

I will never cease to amaze at the GOP's ability to take a Republican mountain, put it next to a Democratic molehill and call them even.

Jim Johnson is one guy with some questionable ties volunteering for Obama in a job that, while important, is hardly one where Obama would owe this guy anything…molehill.

John McCain's campaign still has over 100 lobbyists working for it, including Charlie "I'll lobby for anyone, even the dictators of Myanmar" Black running his campaign and he takes every dime of lobbyist, PAC or special interest money he can get his hands on…mountain.

The worst part is that the GOP is so sure the Democrats are spineless and the media is complicit, they feel no shame in pointing at the molehill with the mountain right behind them.

Well its not Obamas fault!!!1 dont get this story twisted!!!! Obama 08!!!!

He wasn't an aid he was a more like a private investigator. McCain camp is just mad because they are all lobbist and he had to boot a number of his people. This guy wasn't even getting paid. Ok McCain I won't be pressured by lobbist but I will pay them to run my campaign……..

It is considerate of him to step down. But I am really amazed how shameless and hypocritical are those Republican politicians who started barking at him: aren’t most of them chained to their bankers and financiers in the oil and defense industries who bankroll their political careers and personal lives? So what if an accomplished former CEO of a leading real estate company received a lower interest rate from a mortgage company? Everyone gets some benefits from their jobs, and the scheming Republican politicians are always the best examples.

THIS IS THE STUPIDESS THING I EVER HEARD OF. MY GOD WE ALL HAVE MORTGAGE PEOPLE

GET REAL

This is why Hillary supporters like myself need to throw their support behind Senator Obama. It is going to get a lot uglier from the Republicans. Dems Unite!!! Although on a related note, why do people blame this on Bill and Hillary? It's like some people blame everything that goes wrong now on Hillary behind the scenes. Stop being so paranoid and worry more about getting people to go out and vote. Get people to register. Encourage the younger voters to actually SHOW UP on Election Day. Fight for Obama's votes, stop looking for fights with other Democrats or Independents such as myself who supported Hillary.

United We Stand Divided We Fall

So what! So many lobbyists resigned in the McCain campaign. Here is CNN pushing their GOP candidate.

I think Obama should resign too. We need a better president than what he has to offer.

Obama is nothing but the Far Left version of the Far Right president Bush we've had for the past several years. Both promised to be "uniters"….but the extremes, whether right or left, are always divisive and go down in flames.

Also…..Obama would be nothing more than a second term of Jimmy Carter, who was the most ineffectual president in my lifetime.

Was for Hillary…..now it's McCain 2008 all the way!

Still not too late if SUPERDELEGATES change their mind and vote for Hillary NOW…

Bad choice to begin with based on the other two Dem candidates he helped find a running mate for.

It is interesting that Obama says "my vice presidential nominee" — I thought it was the VP nominee of the Democratic Party.

So much wrong with Obama and hopefully it will all come out in the next few months.

All I can say is my house payment is killing me and and why do guys like this get so much money and I suffer

We all really know that Michelle just didn't like him….

Mary,

How is Obama corrupt? I swear so many of you repeat dumb sound bites from what you hear on tv, can you people think for yourselves. Do you think that if you say it enough it makes it true.

Way to go! Keep up the pressure! Finally, no one in immune to living by their words.!

Sound strange! Barack Obama, He was attending a church for 20 years, listening to his annoying pastor speeches. He conveniently resigned as if he never heard or knew him. Now, this guy Jim Johnson resigns as a result of some personal business issues being exposed. My question is? How much does Obama know about the people surroinding him? How much do we know about Obama? Me. Nothing.

I'm support Sen. Hillary Clinton, I appreciate ever little thing she has done, I'm not vote for Obama same as my friend and family he lie to me,

Good Americans step down when they get public disapproval. Not in he case of the Republican administration of the last 8 years.

What the article failed to mention was that Johnson was CEO of Fannie Mae, and that Mozilo may have offered the "friends and family' mortgage rate in return for favorable treatment of Countrywide. So much for "change" we can believe in…..

Obama trusts everyone, even our enemies. This is naivete to the nth degree.

I'm glad that he had the integrity enough to step down. The Repubs sicken me with their tactics.

Why was Obama supposed to vet the vetter? And who cares what mortgage deals he got in the past. This old dirty Republican politics is the reason why America hates Washington. They will try every distraction to make the American people over-look the real issues at stake this election season… but what they are in denial of is the fact that Americans are living with the issues every single minute… from foreclosures, sky-rocketing gas prices to unbearing food prices and the illegitimate Iraqi war. We have more reasons to vote the Republicans out of power than they can spine the facts.

VIVA DMES!!!

Obama 08

If this is all the McLame team can come up with???

There goes that word again, "distract." Come on, we want to know more about these "distractions." The Washington Post reported today in "Obama's choice of Insider Draws Fire" —(quote)"As CEO of Fannie Mae, Johnson, a former chief of staff to Vice President Walter F. Mondale and chairman of the board of the Kennedy Center, was the beneficiary of accounting in which Fannie Mae's earnings were manipulated so that executives could earn larger bonuses. The accounting manipulation for 1998 resulted in the maximum payouts to Fannie Mae's senior executives — $1.9 million in Johnson's case — when the company's performance that year would have otherwise resulted in no bonuses at all, according to reports in 2004 and 2006 by the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight.(end quote) Well, looks like the entire V.P. Vetting team is/was dominated by a Ted Kennedy Production. Pretty good for a guy with a hole in his head. At least we know who the puppet master is.

I think Mr. Johnson did the right thing.

We should respect his decision and move on.This is not the time for any distraction.

Lets find some one to replace him as quick as possible.
The rebublicans are going to do anything to get John MCCain-Bush in office.
Fail policies for how many decades. We have a new agender of change, because after 40 plus years of fail policies, this country needs a face lift.
We have to take back the America we all know from the conservative right republicans who just want to see the down fall of this country.
This is not what our founding fathers intended for this country.

We are so isolated and lot of us Americans do not understand why we are so much hated around the world.
We have to find a better way and better strategies to implement new vision for the betterment of The United States of America and it's people.

Off course MCcain- Bush Policies is a perfect example of how this country will go 40 years backwards if the white house falls in the hands of conservative republicans.

What an excuse for an issue. Should they vette the people who vette the people who vette the VP candidates now?

Obama picked him in the first place, don't his educated supporters see this? Okay, he makes an AWFUL choice, the guy resigns and Obama is making executive decisions?!? Give me a break. The guy is a puppet and Kerry is pulling the strings.

Boo Hoo Obama Barack, It's fun to dish out to Hillary but it Hurts when it happens to you!

That's impressive!!! if everyone on McCain's team had the same integrity as Johnson - there would be nobody left - not even McCain!

It looks like Sen. Obama needs a vetter for his vetters.

You can see, those people like Pelosi, Dean, Reid, Kerry, Jim, and Kennedy, are so excited by undemocratically forcing Senator Clinton to drop out of the race….

Like obama said, this is not the party/wright we knew before.

It is for sure that this hijacked party will lose in Nov.

This Countrywide fool, Rezko, Ayers, Wright, Michael Peleger, (Michelle Obama), he surrounds himself with these kind of people that do this kind of business or conduct themselves the way they do is a joke, its horrible. What kind of guy do you guys really think he is? I've heard people say modern day Moses. PLEASE, get real. (the michelle obama thing was partially a joke) If he's been wanting to become President all his life, you'd think he would surround himself with better human beings.

Mollygonz,
Did you even read the article? What are you talking about???!!

I cannot believe we have gotten so petty that someone, who was not charged with any crime, was not even listed as having done anything questionable, has to leave a campaign because where they used to work had some problems. "Republicans had been hammering Johnson since the Wall Street Journal reported Saturday that he received a good deal on a mortgage from Countrywide due to his friendship with the company's CEO Angelo Mozilo. " So what thye are saying folks is that if you want to run for public office you cannot look for a deal at anytime in your life. Same thing they used against Mr. Obama with Rezco, he bought some property at below market value from his neighbor… I guess it is a good thing I am not running for public office since once I traded some cedars I had cut down in my yard for so work on my Air Conditioning.. scrap trunks for freon and some soldering!! OH MY GOODNESS I MUST BE A CRIMINAL!!!

Sing it with me now:

Bom Bom Bom, Another One Bites the Dust.
Bom bom bom, Another One Bites the Dust

Hey there Jim, how's Obama's grandma doing under that bus?

Obama seems to know very little about the people he is friends with or has as advisers even after 20 years. I hope his judgment is more sound on other matters.

Maggie,

Get your facts straight before you go making unfounded accusations! There was no scandal reported here.

I can't say that I am not surprised. Housing is a hot and emotional topic right now for everyone and the least bit of scrunity will come out and there is something there.

But then again….this is politics are usual. Story broke yesterday where WaMu is helping a poltician from California get her foreclosed house back. Politics are Politics!

they all liars, Obama or McCain i think Obama little more because he want to be something he cant be, and nobody knows him nobody knows what he did he do in his life before and where he got all this money, a lot of things McCain people will find against him and we all be disappointed.
SO PLEASE DONT BE HAPPY For Obama somebody is digging big hole for him. and for us

Whatever happened to "let he who is without sin cast the first stone".

I understand the guy bowing out. Having nothing to hide does not mean that you should have to endure being publicly targeted. What person would choose that route, especially when the role you are playing does not call for such scruitny. The guy's doing research for goodness sake. On a volunteer basis to be exact. I'm sure he felt comfortable stepping down because the VP search is probably already researched and narrowed down.

This is "change we can believe in"? Nothing will ever change in Washington. It's all about power, money, and, well, use your imagination.

"Let he who has no sin cast the first stone". Some of you people act as though you are so holy. If only GOD himself could press a "Rewind" button of each of our lives….what would HE see? Stop being so quick to judge.

Mr. Johnson sounds like a man of integrity which is the kind of people Senator Obama is looking for in his administration.

Thank you Mr. Johnson!! We understand why you stepped down.

Obama for President!

I would think Countrywide was happy to give a mortgage that was going to get paid back. This is not a story.

Did someone say Republican's are ruthless….interesting coming from the party that has the Clinton's as their most admired political figures….the Clinton's are as ruthless as they come, just look at what they (him and her) did to Obama in the primary….you have some nerve to call the Republicans ruthless as a Republican I think its more suitable to call them spineless this is the first attack they have really made and stuck with, I wish they would do it more often.

Too bad. I saw absolutely nothing wrong with this job Johnson was doing, as a volunteer for Obama.

Obama is just like the rest of the political pack, wait there is more to come. For some reason he's been treated like a the golden one, I have my own opinions on that one but this whole mess is a joke. I can't imagine what our country is going to lose next. Obama in the white house really scary…

Ah, the politics of hope and change. Haha. Thank you, Mr. Obama

Barack is a loser! I hope he chooses Clinton as VP or my vote goes to Mccain

To B McShrider /
If we get McShame "he is voting against BEER " he will need Graham on one elbow and Lieberman on the other to nudge him with these old -timer senior moments he has but God help us when the 3 a.m. phone call comes in he will think Abraham is answering it in the Lincolm Bedroom after all he has forgotten Abraham died so will let it keep ringing .

Go Obama we love you 08/12 (No Hillary)

I believe that Mr. Johnson is not the only crook in Washington.
All the politicians either are dirty themselves or knows a lobbyist that is dirty. So lets see Bush, Cheney, Rove, Rice , Graham.. If We vetted the vetters Washington would be a ghost town!!!!!

It plays into his pattern of being involved with shady characters involved in shady deals.

Hillary spoke of this and got hammered for it, "teflon Obama", the "Diety" can do no wrong, it's the Republicans fault for Wright, Ayers, Johnson and Rezco.

I am no fan of Hillary, but she was clearly a better candidate than this empty vessel with empty promises. Seen him away from the teleprompter and speech writers yesterday when asked about this, all "uhs" and stutters, NOT A CLUE.

It is silly season and I don't think low low road will work this time.
Republican textbook has been revealed and will not be torelated!

McCain slips up and says 'beer' instead of bill.

America finds out Obama has another money grubbing crook elitist on his team and which one makes the headlines?

America is Stupid.

Stupid people will vote Obama into office.

Mobama should be the one to step aside. He can`t make a good decision about anything. How`s you uncle these days??

Does that mean half of McCain's campaign staff should resign? Oh, that's right integrity is for democrats only….

This was a very small issue, blown out of perportion. Nice try, McCain.
You thought Obama would react like Hillary did when Mark Penn was exposed, by not reacting for days, and then finally just moving the guy to another part of the campaign. Obama's camp moves decisively and ethically. Once this was determined to be true, the guy went bye bye. McCain, you'd better be ready to move MUCH, MUCH faster than that to keep up with a man that is half as old and twice as smart.

And for you Hillary supporters hoping against hope for an October surprise, please remember that there are larger numbers than you who put Obama where he is. There will be no surprise.

Same ole politics. We miss Hillary!

McCain - please save us Demos from Obama!

McCain 2008

HILLARY 2012

B Schrider June 11th, 2008 2:47 pm ET
I find it amazing…a negative Obama story gets a paragraph.

You idiot, CNN, MSNBC, and FIxNews all hae this as "breaking news" on there front page in big bold letters. The reason why it's only a paragraph right now is because he just stepped down. This is not even a big story anyway. Maybe you should ask this so-called bias media why we have't been told about all the lobbyist still hiding out in the McCain camp?

So when will McCain purge his capmpaign of all the lobbyists and corruption of the past? That would be Mr. Graham and his ilk for those of you still indenial of squeaky clean (NOT!) McSham of Keating Five Fame.

hi jack,

i think it was honorable that james johnson took it upon himself to step down. however i think he should have stayed in place, and the obama camp should stood firm.

Oh well, hopefully they can continue the process.

Obama/Webb 08!

RELATIONSHIP PROBLEM !!!!!!

Reminds me of jeremiah wright and Rezcko !!!!!!

SAD.

Barack,
This is another sound and smart choice you've made. We know these allegations against Johnson are baseless and unfounded, but since you are the torch bearer for intergrity, probity and accountability, they are certainly going to scrutinize you more than anyone. Take it in good faith. One can tell Johnson is a good man.

People all accross this nation, and the entire world are praying for you.
Always remember that "he who brought you this far, is more than able to take you accross the sea". Continue to depend on him totally for wisdom and guidance, and utilize all the talents and intellect he's given you. Always remember your humble beginings, never loose touch of that, for that's what sets you apart from everyone.

Don't seize telling the truth, irrespective of how unconfortable it might be. Love those who are constantly wishing your defeat. This is yours for the taking, unless you forget the divine hand that is orchestrating all these in your favor. Courage and fortitude is your portion.

Shallom, Peace and life to you !

But it isnt the Republican's fault that this man did something that wasnt right. Regardless, he did the right thing..Though it concerns me how many people are behind Obama's camp that speak loud yet their actions are suspicious..

The fun begins. Obama doesn't like his standards when they are applied to him. He only wants to hold the commoners to high standards.

This is becoming pathetic. No wonder most intelligent people have no desire to get into politics, as some stupid "scandal" like this becomes a big deal.

Seriously, who'd have thought that company insiders receive preferential treatment - unheard of. /sarcasm

It is disappointing to see these people being forced off the campaign by outside pressure, even though they've done nothing wrong.

It is truly amazing how many Americans, democrats in this case have so little self esteem that they actually believe that there are people more deserving of doubt than themselves. Johnson has obviously been caught with his finger in the pie. The people here are lucky if they make 50,000 a year while Johnson makes millions and got a very generous loan rate.

The average people goes to the bank for a mortgage and the loan manager goes into a spiel about your credit history, etc and how you don't qualify for the best rate. The willingness of some people to overlook his double dealing says plenty about their own ethics and their blind devotion to their vaunted candidate the great orator, he of little actual knowledge.

He is going to need a bigger bus……

My God! The man got a great deal on a home loan. A loan that is well within lending guidelines! Being in the business, so did I! In no way did his actions defraud the public or put others at risk of losing their most prized possession!

Nor did he recieved huges lump sums of money garner from the misery of those who WERE defrauded! This is ridiculous, but if this all the Redumblicans got, they are going down HARD!!!

TOO BAD, HE SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD MATCH FOR OBAMA!

OBAMA CANNOT SEEM TO BREAK TIES WITH SHADY PEOPLE!

HUH?

Media bias towards Obama? I beg to differ. There are tons of skeletons about McCain the the MSM refuses to put forth to the public. If they did, all of his supporters would think twice about voting for him. How about starting with throwing his disfigured wife under the bus for an airhead blonde with millions.

If you use someone to look into the back ground of potential VP's, should you not at least check out the person that will be doing the checking. Good judgement..The wolf is guarding the hen house?

Say hello to Rev. Wright and Obama's grandmother once you're there under that bus, Mr Johnson.

I say good riddance. Isn't this the clown who thought it would be a good idea to put Gerry Ferraro on the ticket with Mondale?

I hope you all put McCains lobbyist under the same pressure

obama 08

So much for "change" in Washington.
A senator can't even choose a person to help him choose.
Sounds like Bush-II

The BO supporters (And I like and intend to vote for the man) can never admit when their team has made a mistake. The guy is not perfect in any way shape or form…none of us are. I think when he makes an error and he has made MANY, it is because he rushed to judgement or did not fully research or depended too much on others. This is a sign of inexperience and something we will be getting if/when he is elected. The bigger point is that he makes it right when it happens but my fear is that it is happening too often. I believe that there are many personal issues that should be left out of the campaign…any campaign but BO is not practicing his "new politics" when he reacts the same way any "old" politician would act. It is obvious that many of his moves are, like "old" politicians," motivated only for political gain and this is not what he promised. I am beginning to get worried.

Another one bites the dust. They must have ousted him even though Obama said yesterday it didn't matter.

I am a loyal democratic voter who is supporting Obama. However, I am over 70 years old. I find it offensive for my fellow democrats to belittle McSame over his age. Please complain about his policies, but when you insult his age you insult me and a lot of other older voters. I fear some of them will not be inclined to brush off the rhetoric and will vote for McSame out of spite.

Obama 08

The gilded Obama image is becoming more tarnished. It still has quite a bit of sheen and luster, but more scratches to the patina will lessen the effect.

At Least Obama has folks around him with the right out look for him. McCain does not care about the older Americans & disabled at all. If he is elected we will loose even the nickels & dimes we currently recieve.

Obama will free America from the wars & help make us great once again!

There is plenty of scandal in the McCain camp so give it a break over 45 lobbyists running his campaign. This guy was just helping him pick a VP, not running his whole campaign.

Republicans are forced by fear to stoop so low…

Republicans don't even -like- McCain. They're just supporting him because they like the idea of a Democrat-controlled White House (and Congress, and House of Reps, and state governments) even less.

Of course none of these shoot-anything-that-moves tactics is going to work, and that's the laughable part. Democrats across the board, in every national, state, and local election, are going to CLEAN HOUSE this November. It's going to be a bloodbath.

The GOP is OUT. Republicans can maybe then take 4 years to figure out how they let GWB et al get so out of control, and come back as a respectable party.

Straight Party Democrat!

Now if only Senator Obama would resign for the $250.000 he received from Rezko and his "sweetheart" house deal…

Why is this "breaking news" on your front page. All this guy was doing was gathering info on potential VP candidates and was not getting paid., and he was not a lobbyist. You are trying to make this out to be a Mark Penn story when it's not even close. Every time Obama shakes hands with someone who may have a spec of dirt on them you guys turn it into a firestorm.

I have not seen one ticker on this webiste that talks about Phil Gramm being one of the key lobbyist that help to deny actions that could've been taken to help stop the housing and mortgage meltdown and now helps McCain write what….his housing and economic policy.

I wonder why noone is sayng anything about MCCain's campaign director, the lady CEO from HP who was canned for spying on the board members.

If a republican did this there would be no end to this story. The media will never make a democrat accountable. This will be old new by the time this is posted!!!!

You can shoo the flys away for a bit but they eventually return to the pile of …..

This goes to show how well Obama's campaign is run. Full of integrity.

obama better win

Is this the kind of clean campaign that McCain is preaching of having this fall? How does this comment even remotely address any of the issues that American families are facing daily? John McCain cries about being personally attacked and turns around the next day to play the same tired old Washington politics that we are all view with outmost disdain. And this is for all the people who think that experience in Washington should be the deciding metric during the fall elections. Why are we in these messes with all those ultra-experienced politicians in Washington? It is good judgment that counts!!!

Don't see anyththing wrong with this - if you have a friend somewhere and they can get you a deal why not… everyone does this everywhere and it's not unethical at all.

when would obama disown Michelle….lolol………….

Here we go–wasn't it just a few months ago that McCain pledged to run a clean campaign without sniping and innuendo and back-stabbing? HA! Since he's behind, all the gloves are off, and all the promises are trashed. He does not have a prayer of winning, not a prayer.

Much ado about nothing!!! Now can we get back to the serious issues at hand!!!

Bob, do you know what is in Obama's closet????

Larry Sinclair???

Others????

Well, Well, Well-Obamabots-I thought your candidate was about CHANGE-sounds like the same old politics to me! Again BO is showing his judgement in picking a team to pick a VP-Saint Obama begins to get tarnished-can't wait for more!

This is gonna be a fun 4 months!!!-

That's ok…Obama's VP was picked by Johnson @ Bilderberg this past weekend in Chantilly VA…

wow.. what a scandal.. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

hahaha.. busted!

I say, down with people that have subprime mortgages. give me a break. This is the stuff that disgusts me about election season. My question is why is this stuff news. Jim Johnson did nothing wrong. The right wing noise machine always ticking I guess.

This is acomment on bitter-gate article where the comments are closed. CNN please allow me to show an obvious error in McCain's statement.

“cling to their religion and the Constitution because they are bitter."

McCain is twisting Obama's words. Obam said 'guns and religion' not 'constitution and religion'

How come Obama didn't vet the guy who would be vetting the VP? Come on, you know they are watching you. Do you only have three qualified people to choose from? You need to be more careful than that. This is the BIG BOY campaign now!!!!!!

The Republicans are in no position to talk considering how many lobbyists work in McCain's staff…not to mention how many millions of $ special interest and lobby groups have donated.

Makes sense for Johnson to resign though…it is a conflict of interests to have him involved.

Barry continues to make good decisions to surround himself with people of good character, not a scab in the bunch ///

Oh wait, let me write the comment from Senator Obama: "This isn't the Jim Johnson I knew for X number of years."

Necessary evil. Its completely irrelevant and in no way reflects on Obama, but you have to shut the media up.

Would be nice if the media went after policy as hard as they do perceived scandal.

Another boneheaded mistake. How can this country afford it?!

This tit for tat is becoming ridiculous. With all of the unsavory people president Bush has surrounded himself with for the last 8yrs this should be the least of our worry. What we need is new direction for America. Instead, each day we are talking about who works for this campaign and that campaign while the average Joe is trying to figure out how he can make it to work because he doesn't have money to put into his gas tank because gas is 4.00 a gallon. Soon America will be like a third world country and we will need a Dictator like Bush to come in and save this country like he YEARNED to do with IRAQ…ABSOLUTELY INSANE!!!!!

Inevitable perhaps, but Johnson had great experience and was known as tireless worker, but Countrywide is like a "red flag" in front of a bull right now. What about McCain's Keating 5 connection in the 1980's and the Ameriquest incident in the current decade?

It seems that no one is immune from this kind of treatment when they reach this level in politics. Senator Obama has another choice to make to "chair" this troika and may I humbly suggest retired Congressman, Lee Hamilton of Indiana. Impeccable credentials, honesty etc. Would help calm this flap.

"Excellent" that's my man don't give them any ammo! I

Here we go. Obama's staff is not ready for primetime. Why is there not proper vetting going on? This is not the way to start the general election.

It is illogical to believe that this is actually newsworthy…

It looks bad to defend people yesterday and then toss them out >

Here it begins…the decisions, the people he picks will be revealed.

Obama made a mistake..Oh, my! It can't be

James Johnson, is stepping down after criticism over a sweeheart deal of a mortgage he received which is due largeley to his friendship with the Countrywide Mortgage Company's CEO Angelo Mozilo.

This is one of the big reasons why this country is where it is today from a credit and housing perspective. Good ole boys taking care of good ole boys……Creative writing of loans a and sweetheart deals with friends.

It is all Greed, greed, greed, greed…………..the greedy get greedier and we all pay for their dumb moves. Educated people ? Or, Morons ?
My guess is the latter of the two………..

This is Just another, "He wasn't the guy I thought I knew" situation.

Face it, Obama does not offer change Americans can live with let alone believe in! He really is an extreme left-wing dirty politician way out of his depth!

McCain 08 the only wise choice left. Vote for the American hero in touch with Mainstream America!

Liberal Media??? I think not.
Why aren't CNN and others covering the Bush impeachment proceedings? Will they even print this post? They didn't post the last one!!!

Good riddance.

Hillary as VP = Unity

The mainstream media has pounced on this, but ignored former Senator Phil Gramm, a lobbyist in John McCain's campaign. Gramm worked for UBS (also part of the subprime mess), but is advising McCain on Foreclosure relief. Why would a rep for the banks help the people suffering? McCain is truly Teflon John! Nothing sticks!
Jim Johnson is not being paid!

Obama/Kucinich 08!!

Wow, Obama let him go just like that without any fight! No integrity or maybe it's because Obama know there is more behind it.

What is all this McBush and McSame? Is that all you liberals have. Hey we have one too now and it's Ocarter.

Bob Barr 08

THERE ARE OTHER CANDIDATES FOR THE POSITION… MCSAME HAS TO DO MORE OF THE SAME THING…..

This is a clear example that shows that Obama is fully committed to bringing transparency , honesty and and dignity to Washington and that he will practice what he preaches.

More guys with shady pasts surrounding Barack. At some point the character of a man is measured by the company he keeps.

Rezko, Wright, Ayers, Phleger, Kalidi, now the head of his VP team resigns because he has made millions off of the very company Obama castigated repeatedly over the last few months.

He either needs to open his eyes or he needs to choose his friends more wisely.

John McSame Sucks

The media and their antics should be happy…

GOOD LUCK MR. JOHNSON , IT SAYS A LOT ABOUT YOUR INTEGRITY . OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT. GOOD JOB CNN, KEEP IT REAL

JOHN MCCAIN NEEDS TO SEVERE HIS OWN TIES TOOO.

!!!POT CALLLING KETTLE BLACK

He can't do even a simple thing like that without strring the pot.
Oh bama how are you ever going to run against republicans?
May be running away from republicans.
Democrats are so stupid to select this guy

Another one under the bus.

OH, let's not forget about all the lobbyist ties that McCain's campaign has going!! The fact that they are still working for him is pathetic. Johnson was volunteering his time just to gather info. There is no conflict of interest there. This is so stupid.

Stupid, Barack, really stupid. This is just what you need now with Clinton supporters going over to McCain (also stupid). If you are going to think carefully about a running mate, you must first do likewise with your search committee.

i think its important that we hire vetters to vet the vetters vetting running mates. and just so we dont miss anything, we should also hire vetters to vet those vetting the vetters vetting the vetters……

Good judgement by Obama campaign. Keep it up!

Another one bites the dust , Rovians are out to do damage. Not to worry when the time comes we will not be fooled.

Coming out to vote, that is the only way.
That is not too bad, losing one member afterall mccain is using google to vet his vp list, Don't know if he actually knows how google works.
Rovians are vetting the vetters, Not to worry most of those on the list will vet themselve out anyway
Go Dems

AHAHAHAHA ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! OBAMA YOU LOSER. YOUR SUCH A SCREW UP, HOW MANY OF YOUR CABINET ARE YOU GOING TO FIRE DUE TO YOUR LACK OF JUDGEMENT. HE HIRES SHADY PEOPLE CAUSE THATS THE KINDA PERSON HER IS. WHAT A MORON AND YOUR SHEEP ARE JUST AS STUPID AND MORONIC AS YOU . MAN WE ARE IN FOR A ROUGH ROAD. I THINK I WILL WRITE IN CLINTON AS WELL. ALL CLINTON SUPPORTERS SHOULD WRITE IN CLINTON, YOU DON'T HAVE TO VOTE FOR HIM OR MCcAIN. WRITE CLINTON IN ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! DON'T FOLLOW THE SHEEP OVER THE CLIFF! ! ! ! !

Another example of Obama's stellar selection of friends to serve in high places.

StuPid. I support Obama, but what this guy is claiming to have done is NOTHING and certainly doesn't detract from his ability to help select a VP. Nonetheless, it is amazing how few people have clean hands in business and politics.

Saddening.

Another example of unwarranted Republican attacks forcing a highly qualified individual to step down. Johnson wasn't Obama's close friend and advisor. He was never going to be involved in the administration. He has no influence, nor would he have had any influence on policy. He's just a volunteer Obama brought on to be part of a commitee that would research and provide a list of potential VP's. The Republicans have shown that they will stop at nothing to tear Obama down, no matter how petty issue is.

This is non-news! Has mainstream Media forgotten that the clown who headed up Dumbya's VP selection was Shotgun Dick Cheney, who chose himself…

Good deal. I hope that Obama asked this guy to resign. If Obama is going to set a standard, and criticize others, he needs to follow his own standards.

Just another link in the Obama chain of BAD JUDGEMENT.

This is why we Hillary supporters cannot support Obama, not because of bitterness, race, or any other fabrication the Obama camp decides to create since they cannot understand their candidate's lack of qualification.

PUMA!

Jim Johnson just got thrown under the bus boy its really crowded down there

So unnecessary for him to have to step aside for receiving a mortgage, even if it was from company causing foreclosures. Most companies are causing foreclosures these days. I got a mortgage too, guess I should quit my job!

Obama/Clinton '08

This is so stupid. Johnson didn't do anything wrong. This sort of everyone who's perceived to get a good deal should resign is stupid. Pretty soon, there won't be any people left in these campaigns.

Stupid Republicans..

another bad judgement that he's not responsible for?

Good move

Paging Charlie Black… hello Mr. Black, are you there??

Oh no, he got a good rate on a mortgage, let's call out the lynch mob. Ok, if you know someone at a bank that can get you a good rate on a mortgage wouldn't you take advantage of it too? It's not like they gave him a million dollars and he only had to pay back 500k. He got a good terms, what's the problem?

EMPTY SUITS, CORRUPTION, HATRED, RACISM ETC. I HAVE BEGUN MY HEALING PROCESS AND I AM ACTUALLY DOING MUCH BETTER THAN EXPECTED.

NO VP FOR HRC. SHE IS TOO GOOD FOR #2 SLOT. I WANT TO SEE THIS MAN GO DOWN WITHOUT HER. SHE'S BEEN THROUGH ENOUGH!!

I LOVE YOU HRC - YOU'RE MY HERO!!

I guess now Obama has to replace Jim Johnson with an angel from heaven in order for simple minded people to get over petty crap! NO ONE IS PERFECT, GET THAT IN YOUR HOLY HEADS anti-Obama folks AND LET'S MOVE ON!!

dum dum dum dum another one bites the dust !!!!!!!!!!!

Thank goodness they dealt with this quickly!
There's no room for hypocrisy in politics!

Ch-ch-changes…

I hope that John McCain will take this as a cue to get rid of all of the lobbyists who are paid on his staff. Realistically, I can't see that happening - it would leave him with a staff of one or two staffers - max! I wish that Barack Obama had not accepted this resignation - but public perception should be crystal clear so that John McCain will be left to answer for all of his lobbyist contacts. He should stammer through that nicely in front a a putrid green screen. That's not change we can believe in my friends…
The republicans are going to have a harder time remaining in their holier than thou stance. Stay tuned…

If this is the worst that anyone can come up with, its going to be a pretty good week for Barack.

MAYBE ALL OF THEM WILL DECIDE TO LEAVE.

If I was him I will do the same. Not giving the enemy a stand to pour out their wrath. McCAIN said what ? I do not care when the troops come home. He should know very well that I care, and He has surely lost my vote.

Indepent for Obama

Bad Judgment that Obama picked him in the first place to help select a VP nominee.

I think Silly Season is upon us again.

I’m sure Hillary Huckabee and Billyboy Redface are the ones who hipped the Rethugs to Jones’ dealings with Countrywide. Jim Jones is known non-Clinton supporter so it serves her interests to have him not be a part of the vetting process. We’ll probably find out Caroline Kennedy ate Elmer’s Glue in the third grade and wears men’s boxer short, next week. Hilly and Billy never cease to amaze us.

This was so "not a story" and it is sad that he had to resign.
Totally blown up out of proportion.

PROBABLY A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. WONDER IF SOME FAVORITISM INVOLVED???? IN D.C.!!! WHAT A SHAME. HARD TO BELIEVE. OH, WELL.
LET'S JUST DECIDEDON SENATOR CLINTON. IT SHOULD BE HER POSITION ANYWAY. WELL, REALLY SHE WON THE POPULAR VOTE, SO SHE IS THE PRESUMPTIVE NOMINEE FOR PRESIDENT IN THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF 18M PEOPLE.
WOULDN'T IT BE REMARKABLE TO SEE SOMETHING REALLY FAIR
HAPPEN IN THAT REGARD? A CLINTON/OBAMA TICKET IS WHAT SHOULD BE ANYWAY. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE (WE THE PEOPLE) FEEL THAT WE SHOULD DECIDE. ANY PLANS TO HAVE SOMEONE PLACE SENATOR CLINTON'S NAME IN NOMINATION. I THINK THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN. ANYBODY???ANYBODY????

Thanks for playing . . . yawn . . .

The back door dealing; cronyism; shady deals; questionable ethics. et al will begin to ooze out of the Obama camp as Americans begin to know this totally unknown and totally inexperienced candidate

Wow it worked….my first CNN posting! And all you have to do is declare Obama the savior!

This network is worse than MSNBC

Here's why I am surprised. The Republicans are going after random Obama VP searchers. Doesn't it seem like they have better targets to attack than VP searchers?

It took George Bush 4 years to lose his first high profile pick. This is one more proof that NObama is a 2 year old in a grown up world. With the entire Democratic machine at his disposal, they can't even choose a VP without a mess. Imagine the entire country in his hands. God forbid.

Maybe Obama should vet the vetters.

God bless you mr. Johnson. I love your statement!

This is absolutely ridiculous. Now we need to vet the vetter?