The Statement
In a September 19 speech in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and in campaign ads since then, Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain has tied Democratic rival Sen. Barack Obama to the bankrupt mortgage giant Fannie Mae, saying "somehow its former CEO had managed to gain my opponent's trust to the point that Senator Obama actually put him in charge of his vice presidential search."
He added that "[a]nother CEO for Fannie Mae, Mr. Raines, has been advising Senator Obama on housing policy even after Fannie Mae was found to have committed quote 'extensive financial fraud' under his leadership."
Learn the facts
The Facts
Former Fannie CEO Jim Johnson headed up Obama's vice-presidential search - an unpaid role he played for Democrats Walter Mondale in 1984 and John Kerry in 2004. He stepped down in June - about a week after the campaign announced his appointment - after reports that he received $7 million in mortgage loans at below-market rates from Countrywide, a company Obama criticized for its role in the financial meltdown. Johnson was at Fannie Mae from 1990 to 1998, working his way up to chairman and earning up to $21 million a year, according to reports.
On June 10, a day before Johnson stepped down, Obama said Johnson had a limited role and that "anybody who is tangentially related to our campaign" could have relationships that the campaign doesn't know about. "These aren't folks who are working for me," he said. "They are not people, you know, who I have assigned to a job in the future administration. And ultimately, my assumption is that this is a discrete task that they are going to be performing for me in the next two months."
The McCain campaign cites a July 16 Washington Post article that says another former Fannie Mae CEO, Franklin Raines, had "taken calls from Barack Obama's presidential campaign seeking his advice on mortgage and housing policy matters." In a September 20 speech in Daytona Beach, Florida, Obama called Raines "a Fannie Mae guy I've talked to for maybe five minutes in my life" and in a statement released by the campaign, Raines says he is "not an advisor to Barack Obama, nor have I provided his campaign with advice on housing or economic matters." In a follow-up to the Post article, the reporter who wrote the piece said Raines told her he took "a couple of calls" from someone at the campaign and discussed "general housing, economy issues."
Obama's campaign also has gone after McCain over campaign manager Rick Davis, who has worked as an influential lobbyist and whose firm reportedly worked for Freddie Mac, another major mortgage firm that was taken over by the government.
The Verdicts: True, for Johnson. Misleading, for Raines. While Johnson stepped
down after a short time on the job, Obama did appoint him to head his vice
president search, as McCain says. Raines, however, appears to have had limited
contact, at most, with the campaign.
From CNN Politics
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So Obama has two advisors in such circumstances.
How about McCain?
1?
10?
100?
HO W,,,,,,,A BO OU T,,,,,,,TH E,,,,,,O B A M A,,,,,,,,,F N M A ,,,,,,,,1 60 K,,,,,,
C O N T RI B U TI ON S,,,,,,,,F RO M,,,,,,,E X E C S ???
W HO ,,,,,,,,,A R E,,,,,,Y OU,,,,,,,,T RY IN G,,,,,,,T O ,,,,,,,,, K I D,,,,O B A M A ?
The debate can be pushed back a week- the election isn’t for 40 days; the bailout is going to happen in the next few days and we have to make sure we get it as close to right as we can.
This is rediculous. McCain is doing the right thing, and I appreciate it, even if it costs him the election.
Obama in the debate without a script or teleprompter.......LOL
"ahhhhhhh "
"ahhhhhhhh, good question….let's see"
"ahhhhhhhh, ok if I got this right I think…….no wait a minute"
"hmmm, interesting you asked that…"
"hmmmm, I wish Rev Wright was here right now"
" ahhhhhhh can you repeat the question…….I'm lost"
Commentator: " We're sorry folks , we're out of time"
OBAMA IS A JOKE!!!!
Rick Davis's firm was being paid $15,000 per month by FM up through August 2008. McCain's stunt today shouldn't distract media attention from that devastating little nugget.
Okay, ditto. What about the economy? What are the solutions to this problem? If you ask me 6 degrees of separation for everyone in Washington. Everybody is tied to somebody who was involved in the financial meltdown. MOVE ON!
McCain lies. Republican is simply not working. How many times do you need to get hit in the head before you realize who is swinging the club???
Love fact checks.
Another ploy from Mc-Cane and Sarah Short Skirt scripted by the RNC and Oil CEO's. SLEAZE....
You should add into this story something about Rick Davis' firm having taken $15,000 per month from Freddie Mac up until LAST MONTH!! Especially since no one is saying what that money was for...which means it's a retainer...which means that when Davis starts lobbying again, he'll have about $350,000 in advance payment from Freddie Mac...along with McCain's ear.
Can someone do a fact check on whether or not a presidential campaign has ever been postponed in the past. It would be good to know if this is a first.
Your fact checking is garbage. Why on earth do you take on the title "fact check" then miggle all around issues. In some instances basing your decision on statements of those involved. Get real.
McCains campaign manager, Mr. Black, was a lobbyist for Fannie/Freddie for the purpose of stopping any regulation of them. His law firm was paid $30,000 a month over many years!
Now, who has ties to Fannie/Freddie?
McBush is a faux reformer who hangs out with lobbists, and has them run his campaign. McSingle-task is a Washington insider masqarading as a reformer.
We've already been fooled twice........not again!
It's time to take our country back!
Obama/Biden in 2008 and beyond.
Was this before the Economy crisis CAUSED for him to suspend his campaign and the DEBATE with Obama, or was this one of the announcement he had decided to share with a report that was waiting outside of his door.
One thing is RIGHT, McCain is VERY concern about the Wall Street...ops...I mean Main street (another one of Obama's sayings McCain has begin to USE).
Obama/Biden 08
The SNL bit about McCain's negative ads and the fact that they are at the most half-truths were right on the money. Everytime I see one of those ridiculous ads where the rep campaign is stretching the truth or out and out lying, I think of that bit. How funny! The lying just goes on and on and on .........
obama means corruption.
McCain is just trying to draw the fire away from himself. While whining that the NYT is an Obama mouthpiece, McCain sets himself up to look like a fool.
No way, no how, No McCain!
I, my friends, am voting for Barrack Obama. Skip most of this article.
THE VERDICTS. Rains, however, appears to have had "limited contact with Obama's campaign. Misleading FACT.
Rick Davis, is in CHARGE of McCain's campaign.
At least, Obama has not lied his face off to the people of America.
mc liar
Sure hope Obama's teleprompter does not break down – he will not be able to think or talk without it. To even suggest McCain is afraid to debate is just too much. Obama was the one who was "chicken" to do Townhall debates – McCain is putting his "Country First" by wanting to stop the upcoming debate – Obama is putting himself "first" as usual. He also put a stop to debates with Hillary because he felt there had been enough debates!
Go McCain – someone has to look out for our benefit at those meetings with Congress – Congress is not looking out for us. And Obama does not want to attend? What does that say for him, not much.
Perhaps the good Senator from Illinois can fill the rest of us in on how he is being so calm about the Country's welfare – I think he is hand and hand with the crooks that got us here.
McCain is not persoally to blame for the mess we are in and to blame him for it is just wrong. I cannot believe Obama is going up in the poll numbers over this. Obama never did anything to help the economy while in the senate or now for that matter. Come on people, McCain should not have to take the blunt end of all this – he does not deserve it. But the blame on the people that really caused us this mess and make them accountable. McCain should not be made a scapegoat in this campaign for the mess we are in.
ABOUT MR R AINE S::
Three months ago, Falcon and his agency dropped a bombshell: a report that concluded Fannie Mae committed numerous accounting and earnings mistakes. The investigation began after members of Congress blamed OFHEO for missing similar problems at Freddie Mac.
Then the Securities and Exchange Commission’s chief accountant agreed with OFHEO, directing Fannie Mae to correct its financial statements, a move that could erase $9 billion in reported profit. The SEC and the Justice Department are investigating further, the company’s board has ordered an independent outside review, and shareholders have filed numerous lawsuits. Last week Raines and Fannie Mae’s chief financial officer were forced out by the company’s board, under pressure from OFHEO…
Whos the true leader, its not Obama, he's like a Clinton, ME ME ME. The true leader is McCain who is willing to set aside his campaign to make sure the country is taken care of............I'm voting McCain...
I think this should be partly true maybe....Johnson no longer works for the campaign...he hasn't since July I believe it was. A very short time.
Obama is as corrupt as all of the Washington boys...only problem is that he's hardly ever there and chooses to vote PRESENT instead.
Sorry Obama, you may be a great story teller but you aren't fooling anyone. I'd like you a whole lot more if you had a record to prove what your saying but for now it's just that...all talk.
So it's true that Obama definitely has a member of Fannie May as an adviser.
May explain his position on things...
Don't understand why this man still wants to debate. He says "this is just what the nation needs." What our nation needs is a temporary refrain from partisanship. Obama is again putting his own needs over Americans'.
Shame on you, Barack Obama
No,
True, for Johnson. False, for Raines!
So, one and five minutes make up for over 25 years of McCain's insiders and lobbyists?
McCain is doing the presidential thing, he is not shifting his
responsibility onto others. Go McCain, you know how to lead. Obama is
going to keep campaigning and trust the same bozo's that got us into
this financial crisis,to fix it, reminds me of Bush during Katrina
staying on his ranch and saying "good job Brownie".Shows the
difference that experience makes when there is a crisis.
Obama has no idea, all he cares about is himself and getting advise fm far left-winged liberals like Wright, Rezco, Airs... and who knows who else... the more we look under the rug, the scarrier he becomes. He can't even take care of his 1/2 brother in Kenya who lives in a hut. It will take people like me (conservative caring people), to send him some money. Obama why don't you tyr earing your Senator Salary or resign to run for President. Atleast McCain see's the seriousnous of the situation.
Keating scandal was a 500 Billion dollar bailout in 1990. Guess McCain didn't learn anything back then. (Or maybe he can't remember).
I bet McCain wants to run away and hide. The debate would allow Obama to nail him to the wall on all of his lies.
The whole Palin "no press" thing is a distraction. Nobody cares anymore about her. She's a smoke screen.
Wait a minute, CNN, where is your story on McCains' Rick Davis, whose company has been receiving $15,000.00 per month until last month from Freddie Mac. If you are going to look at Obama, then be fair.
John McCain's Straight Talk Express has been HighJacked... and he has lost his way
just another republican lie!
You can't be in Washington for long without being either A) a politician or B) a lobbyist! Get over it, people!
MCCAIN PREDICTED FANNIE MAE MELTDOWN 3 YEARS AGO.
OBAMA VOTED AGAINST MCCAINS LEGISLATION TO ACT.
MCCAIN CALLED THIS ONE BIG TIME!!!!
DEMOCRATS CHECK YOUR FACTS!!!!
What can I say? Obama. Johnson. Maybe Raines. Birds of a feather DO flock together.....
Fears that John McCain will come in to Congress and take credit for
all of their hard work!!! and they are about to reach a deal!!!!!!!!
Formal Notice: THE DEBATE WILL GO ON!!!!!
Is that with or without McCain?
I am actually shocked that the McCain camp would accuse Obama of having "Fanni Mae advisors" when McCain's own campaign manager, Rick Davis, was getting paid $15,000 per month by Fannie Mae as recently as LAST MONTH!
It seems to me McCain wants people to focus their attention on every fact about Obama so that no one notice Palin's refusal to cooperate with the trooper case in Alaska. Wow, somehow this lady has managed to blame all on Obama, I am so voting democrat this year!
Obama says the economy is in bad shape, yet he keeps asking for money, even as he gets $8 million in one day.
Also remember 9-11, but also remember Obama promised to follow terrorists into Pakistan...funny cuz Pakistan won't let that happen. Obama seems ready to start another war with his naivette ways.
Fact, Rich Davis on their payroll, fact they lied, Fact Johnson was dropped. Fact, Davis is still there!
I think the whole plan is to keep Palin from having to debate.
Think about it: first McCain says they shouldn't debate Friday. Then he says, oh, ok, we can have the presidential debate take the place of the vice-presidential debate, and just move the vp debate to some point in the future. So clever!
JOHN MCCAIN SHOULD HAVE ADVISED INVESTORS THAT SILVER BANK WAS FAILING WHILE HIS OWN SON WAS CEO, HE SAID NOTHING AND INVESTORS LOST THEIR MONEY. JOHN MCCAIN WAS IN ARIZONA EVERY WEEKEND DURING THIS FAILURE WHEN HIS SON QUIT 2 MONTHS BEFORE THE FAILURE WAS ANNOUNCED. JOHN MCCAIN NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. IS HE TRYING TO KEEP HIS SON OUT OF PRISON AS HE HIMSELF DID WHEN HE WAS INVOLVED WITH KEATING 5. THESE ARE QUESTIONS PEOPLE SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT.
Once again CNN, you allow comments on an Obama fact check, but you won't allow them on a McCain fact check.
And by the way, why aren't you covering the Rick Davis-Fannie May lobbyist "reported" connection. Are you saying that you're better journalists than the New York Times and Newsweek?
There won't even be a session on friday night, it is suspended so this PROVES it was just a mccain tactic to get out of the debate or atleast stall it.
Instead of spending the $700 billion on a bailout for rich executives (welfare for the rich) give each legal citizen $3000 which would greatly stimulate the economy. Why should we send these Wall Street and Mortgage Broker ripoff artists all this money? Gimme a break!
CNN, please quit posting these stories with the facts "after the jump." This causes the false allegations to be posted in an easy-to-read fashion, while the facts are obscured behind another click.
Even the title becomes misleading, when the facts about the claim's falsehood is hidden on another page. I know it's a way to create extra click-thru on your web pages, but I think the truth is more important than to be hidden like this.
Please Post this CNN.
To make this story complete, please comment on the New York Times and Newsweek articles finding that McCain's campaign manager, Rick Davies, has been on Freddie Mac payroll for years, ending only last month – August 2008. He wasn't doing work for them, only providing access to Senator McCain.
I hope this cover ths issue and both parties will quit talking about the bridge to nowhere.
Right! So, the Rev Wright also had limited contact with Obama. He did not attend all of the sermons! Right!
What's absurd about this is that McCain DOES HAVE FREDDIE AND FANNIE MAE LOBBYISTS RUNNING HIS CAMPAIGN.
And he tries to say its Obama. Jim Johnson was with the campaign from May to June 11th when he was asked to step down.
Obama is a hypocrite.
Lies after lies after lies after lies.
Obama the only reason you are where you are today is because the likes of CNN have protected you for 2 years now and never asked you a tough question.
fact, Obama took more money from Fanniie Mae than any other Senator except Chris Dodd. I guess it's ok to preach about big business, and lobbyist, but you don't actually have to practice what you preach. He is such a phony. He rants constantly about big oil, and their obscene profits, while forgetting to mention he voted for the Cheney Energy bill that gave them even more profits. Does this man ever do what he says he is going to. I guess he counts on his supporters being to lazy or ignorant to actually look at how he votes on issues.
McCain tries so hard to find the boogey man instead of standing up like a man. Like a leader. Pathetic old man.
Fact? More McCain lies... period!
A week a few months back means "has advisors"? That's a REEEALLL stretch.
And nobody backs up that article from the Post, they have even posted other articles disputing it.
Why call yourself a fact check when the best you can do is say Davis's firm "reportedly" worked for Freddie Mac when in fact it did? That's the kind of sloppy journalism that has allowed this bald face lying to take place to begin with. You're not helping things with that kind of writing.
So basically the one guy they really had from Freddie Mac was an UNPAID vp vetter who stepped down from his position that he held for about a month. Rick Davis on the other hand....
You Republicans who have been slinging around the Freddie Mac mud on the Obama campaign must really hate things like knowledge, truth, and decent journalism.
You say: "Johnson was at Fannie Mae from 1990 to 1998, working his way up to chairman and earning up to $21 million a year, according to reports." That was 10 years ago on my calendar. What is the connection? What did John McCain do 10 years ago? Peddle influence!
This is the REAL reason why McCain wants to cancel the DEBATE with Obama on FRIDAY. It has nothing to do with HIM needed inn Washington or his fake concern about the people who will suffer from the economy crisis.………….He wants Obama to DEBATE with him on the VP Debate NIGHT………HE IS TRYING TO BLOCK PALIN DEBATE WITH BIDEN…HE IS TRYING TO BLOCK PALIN DEBATE WITH BIDEN……..HE IS TRYING TO BLOCK PALIN DEBATE WITH BIDEN…..…HE IS TRYING TO BLOCK PALIN DEBATE WITH BIDEN………..HE IS TRYING TO BLOCK PALIN DEBATE WITH BIDEN….…HE IS TRYING TO BLOCK PALIN DEBATE WITH BIDEN……….HE IS TRYING TO BLOCK PALIN DEBATE WITH BIDEN…HE IS TRYING TO BLOCK PALIN DEBATE WITH BIDEN…………………..
Ho hum.
These men had limited involvement with Obama, but they had some, so it's time to build a fire.
Now, when does McCain address his involvement with the Keating 5?!
THE POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK. GOOD GRIEF, CAN WE STICK WITH THE ISSUES?
WHO CARES WHO CARESWHO CARES
Hey – McCain's advisor gets paid $15,000 per month by one of these institutions – STILL.
OOPS – not McCain's advisor – McCain's campaign manager Rick Davis. Sorry for the "mis-speak"
LIAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can we get a fact check if McCain's Campaign Manager recieved $15,000 per month from Fannie Mae?
Let's line up voting records of the 2 candidates...and voting present doesn't count!
Listen to our Children please, while their voices are youthful they're hearts, dreams and aspirations are admirable.
They don't ask for more than food, clothing, love and a good home. You 2 can help us with 2 of those 3 basic elements by ensuring we don't loose our homes, stop blaming us for wanting what you told us was the American Dream, let's all work together to ensure we can keep our homes – PLEASE SUSPEND ALL FORECLOSURES EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY...
Please ensure we can feed, cloth and educate our children.
As you develop whatever plan you develop over the next few days..remember one phrase:
PLEASE LISTEN TO OUR CHILDREN...and I'll vote for whomever does vote to have their young, promising voices heard.
From a Proud Father of a 9 yr old 2nd invitro cycle miracle baby girl...who just wants someone as the President who cares and acts on behalf of his baby girl.
God Please Listen to our children and God Help America!
CNN....there are also some reports of a lobbying firm owned by Rick Davis (McCain's campaign manager) which continued to receive $15,000 a month from one of the mort. companies at the center of the credit crisis, beginning in 2005 and ending only last month....effectively contradicting McCain's claim that Davis no longer has ties.
It appears Obama talks and makes confirming statements before he even has a clue about who's on his payroll , the same case could be said about his record on money given by Fannie Mae to Obama he has been a large $$ recipient , but then studders away an explanation full of rhetoric, come to think of it he never gets asked tough questions by the media anyway, does he think americans are stupid? too many are not, that's why their not voting for him, he can't have it both ways. for the sake of justice and holding these crooks accountable Johnson will have to answer to the FBI at some point.
Maritza
THIS IS A POLITICAL STUNT TO SAVE MC CAIN THIS HAS ALL READY BEEN PROVEN WRONG...............MCA CAIN NOT READY TO LEAD FACE THE TRUTH
McCain should be looking in his own backyard....
It's only getting worse for John McCain's campaign manager, Rick Davis. Following the news that Davis was paid $2 million over five years as president of an advocacy group set up by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the New York Times now reports that Freddie Mac paid Davis's lobbying firm $15,000 a month up until last month. The firm was kept on the payroll because of Davis's close ties to McCain.
Does it look as if Obama has something to hide? He's NOT the one "trying to hide" and " delay" a VERY important presidential debate.
Obama wants to continue and speak to the American people this Friday.
Guess what? He CAN do more than 1 thing at a time. Unlike McShame
Oh, really? Please.........
AB OU T,,,,,,,,,,,H O U SI N G ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,F A C T S ::::::::::::::::
As soon as Clinton crony Franklin Delano Raines took the helm in 1999 at Fannie Mae, for example, he used it as his personal piggy bank, looting it for a total of almost $100 million in compensation by the time he left in early 2005 under an ethical cloud.
Other Clinton cronies, including Janet Reno aide Jamie Gorelick, padded their pockets to the tune of another $75 million.
Raines was accused of overstating earnings and shifting losses so he and other senior executives could earn big bonuses.
In the end, Fannie had to pay a record $400 million civil fine for SEC and other violations, while also agreeing as part of a settlement to make changes in its accounting procedures and ways of managing risk.
But it was too little, too late. Raines had reportedly steered Fannie Mae business to subprime giant Countrywide Financial, which was saved from bankruptcy by Bank of America.
At the same time, the Clinton administration was pushing Fannie and her brother Freddie Mac to buy more mortgages from low-income households.
Wow! Don't see this very often...
Obama "punked" by CNN.
The sun also rises.
It would actually make sense to talk to financial people about finances, wouldn't it? These petty acquaintance things are annoying and meaningless.
Jesus, Johnson worked with Sen. Obama a short time. Isn't this the pot calling the kettle black. How many lobbists and individuals who run big companies work in your campaign, Little J. I would say talk about the issues, but then you have no earthly chance in this election. You have to talk about "lipstick on a pig" and delay debates. What a child.
MCCAIN WANTED TO DEBATE OBAMA 10 TIMES WHERE WERE YOU LIBERALS WHINING ABOUT YOUR MESSIAH NOT DEBATING MCCAIN BACK THEN?
H-Y-P-O-C-R-I-T-E-S
WHY WOULD MCCAIN WANT TO DUCK A FOREIGN POLICY DEBATE ANYWAY? HE WILL CRUSH OBAMA.
Senator McCain was a fighter pilot who is willing to fight for Americans. Senator Obama was a professor who is willing to pontificate and ponder for Americans. Senator Obama should stay in his ivory tower in Chicago.
We need someone who will do more than vote present 130 times!
Democrats for leadership and McCain!
Liars...Liars...liars...meanwhile macain has lobbyist up the waazoo and his camapaing is headed by Rick davis...who was paid by Fannie Mea, freddie mac all the way up until a couple months ago $15,000 a month...McWar is a fraud
Fact check has already debunked this. Raines is NOT an advisor to Obama. He never has been. It is just another lie the McCain campaign promotes. They have nothing but lies. Give it up.
Johnson stepped down June 9Th...Davis still in McCain's ear, Pfotenhauer still in his ear, Black still in his ear, Scheunemann still in his ear...how many more lobbyist and crooked senators like Gramm are pulling McCain's strings?
Washington is nothing but Politicians or Lobbist. I bet you can not walk a half a block and not run into one or the other.
OBAMA IS HONEST. MCCAIN IS A SLEEZY POLITICIAN AND A CROOK! LAY OFF OBAMA!
Did Johnson get $15,000 a month to get them close to Obama? I don't think so!
WOWWOW are you in a comma?
SICK __OF__ALL__CAPS__COMMENTARY__IF__ALL__U__CAN__
INTELLECTUALLY__MUSTER__IS__A__FEW__WORDS__IN__BIG__
LETTERS__MAKE__A__BUMPER__STICKER
Sen McCain at the debate:
My friends, I've been lying and stretching the truth for weeks about Sen Obama. My friends, I will continue to put fear in your eyes so you'll pick me. My friends, I picked Gov Palin because that is what the right wing repugs told me to do. I really wanted to pick Joe Lieberman but they told me I couldn't. My friends, remember I was a POW. My friends, Sen Obama is still a celebrity but don't judge the celebrity that Gov Palin is getting right now. My friends, my friends, my friends...............
It seems as if both sides have ties to lobbyists. The main difference is probably that Senator McCain has a team of them working for him.
Senator Obama's ad on the subject spells that out quite clearly.
I do like how the media is fact checking both campaigns claims. That is wonderful. Some days, the tv seems to be full of these campaign ads. Now, I just wait to hear what the MSM has to say to determine what is true and what is false.
Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
McCain as Philly Graham and George W Bush and Palin and HIMSELF!!!
Obama Forever!
What should come first the Country or Obama's ambitions. Our country should always come before a man's hope.
McCain's calling off the debate stunt is clearly an effort to distract from another big story today, Rick Davis, a major lobbyist-advisor on his campaign staff was being paid right up to August 2008 by Freddie Mac to ensure "access" to the candidate.
Rick Davis !
Keating 5 !
No McSame-NoShame /Pain
Who cares?
Obama is from a dysfunctional family and has no idea how to relate to people in any degree of intimacy or authenticity! He needs healing not not a challenging new job!
Give Obama a break – send him back to the senate to grow up!
McCain/palin 08!
They are authentic reformers!
what happened to the story about Daley and his comments that "his pal McCain" was the uber lobbyist? That you couldn't even talk with him unless you hired one of his buddies.
Was that too real a news story for CNN now?
The Cable News Enquirer?
Rick Davis !
Keating 5 !
No McSame-NoShame /Pain
Tho I must admit he & his VP choice have much in common, shallow,shameless liars !
Obama has 300 crooks and criminals who are his economic advisers. That is obviously because none of them know horse squeeze about the economy – but they do know 300 ways to siphon money from taxpayer funds.
So?
Governor Palin has an intuitive gift of listening and relating to people. Her political sense is inherent!
This makes her the best candidate America has had in a very, very long time!
Straight talk from the reformer and maverick Senator John McCain!
Looks like the right wingers are still foaming at the mouth here.
Unfortuantely, doesn't look like there is anything here to be excited about. More lies from the McCain camp.
Democrats...a party divided: It's good to see that you prefer scripted soundbites to thoughtful responses. LOL
If McCain wins, I just hope you're right about him....for my sake.
Check the rest of his record. Check with the N.R.A. and find out how he is rated with the N,R.A.. Check and see how he got fellow opponents kicked off the ballot for the seat he was running for in illinois
this man cannot be trusted do your home work, it is all public record
Come on CNN, fact check the Obama-Penny Pritzker tie. He's ostensibly put one of the people responsible for the Superior Bank collapse and a plethora of subprime loans in charge of his finance. Nothing on that? Can I entice you by noting that she's also an heiress and you could do a house/car count?
OK, so John McCain lied in yet another ad ... too bad all the other news outlets debunked this one first, CNN. Here's a thought, instead of covering McCain's false ads, why don't you wait and cover one that actually turns out to be true? That'd be news ...
I love how you all condemn McCain while ignoring the fact that Obama took money from Fannie Mae, he was only topped by one other senator. Obama is a fraud!
If McCain doesn't want to be the Republican candidate anymore, maybe they should find another one...and make it snappy!
The McCain supports comments above, keep bring up the false statement that Obama has no record of positive actions. This is nonsense, however if these blind fools will look at McCains record and false statements – TALK ABOUT A FLIP FLOPPER – let them vote for him. If he get elected they will get what they deserve. More jobs going overseas, more taxes (not his health plan HE WILL TAX YOUR HEALTH BENEFITS PROVIDED BY YOUR EMPLOYER – that should help you a lot. I'm afraid this country will continue to decline as long as there are voters that won't face reality. Is thera a hidden racial bias here? Otherwise why vote for a candidate who will work for the wealthy rather than us?
Okay, so McCain puts the campaign on hold and pushes the first Presidential debate off – canceling the VP Debate. Does this not keep Sarah Palin off the hotseat with Biden, or am I missing something?
Maybe its not so much the financial meltdown he doesn't want to discuss on stage with Obama (a Harvard Law graduate and Constitutional Law Scholar), but seeing his VP ripped to shreds in front of a nation-wide audience. Better to keep her for Photo-Ops with friendly dignitaries who praise her good looks – but avoid discussing issues.
The old McCain might have been a reformer. The new "improved" version is simply a politician, running to keep ahead of his lies.
deb: please ask Obama about his connections with Ayers, Rezko,
wright , farrakhan etc.
when we go to Washington , D.C. next year , we hope to see Cindy Mccain in the White House.. There is nothing wrong with Michelle
Obama , But we just want a more attractive and charming First Lady greeting foreign visitor and americans in the White House who are proud of our country.
Sorry It is People First for People make a Country! and it starts in the community, local neighbor to neighbor.
Current McCain no debate, back to Washington with hisi comfort of friends
Obama is smart ,strong and stays the course this is a person who sincerely cares about this Countrty and We The People...
Obama 2008
D.Claire
Mccain't may not be personally resposible for our economic crisis because he doesn't even realize that we are in one. And he surely has done nothing to help keep us out of one. Our economy cannot handle another republican in office. KEEP GOIN STRONG OBAMA!!!!!!!
Both are senators still and have the responsibility to fullfill their duties as senators to the people. McCain realises this. Obama is already the president of the USA. He does believe he is owed the presidency. If he loses on NOv 4th his lawyers will be suing in federal court for affirmative action. As his loss was due to under representation of blacks in the states he lost and should be awarded one electoral vote for each state he lost. Wake up fellow citizens read Obamas lips. "I dont intend to loose this election at any cost."
Pelosi, Reid and Obama. reminds you of Larry, Curly and Moe of the Three Stooges fame. And put Biden in there as well and you can see the tragedy for the American People.
Both Obama and Biden voted at least twice for the famous bridge to no where. Then Biden told Katie Couric that FDR appeared on TV during the great depression of 1929. Funny since Hoover was president and TV didn't come into use by the presidents until much much later.
What stooges the Democratic leadership selected. Enny, Menny, Minney, Moe or Larry, Curly and Moe with Biden.
an earlier fact check on cnn about who got more contributions from fannie mae:
VERDICT
Partially true, but misleading. Donations don't come from companies. A list of employee contributions puts Obama second, but a different list including lobbyists and directors shows McCain getting more
Johnson was at Fannie from 1990 to 1998. While there have been concerns with Fannie and Freddie for a while now, Johnson was CEO before Enron, Worldcom, etc. This should be vetted, but you will find these relationships with any politician, including McCain.
The real question should be about lobbyists and special interests. Was Johnson in a position to lobby Obama for anything?
McCain is a lair and enjoys a good laugh at the expense of the American people. He honestly believes we are stupid.
McCain is lethal to America and we need change!
McCain= Bush We can't afford 8 more years of the same crap!
I always wondered what kind of idiots can stand to watch CNN. After reading these comments, now I know. With Biden talking about FDR going on TV in 1929 and Obama never knowing which of the "57 states" he's in, who are the clowns? Even if Obama had 400 economic advisors I don't think he could find them all. The probably all speak Russian or Chinese anyways.
jimmy September 24th, 2008 8:31 pm ET
deb: please ask Obama about his connections with Ayers, Rezko,
wright , farrakhan etc.
when we go to Washington , D.C. next year , we hope to see Cindy Mccain in the White House.. There is nothing wrong with Michelle
Obama , But we just want a more attractive and charming First Lady greeting foreign visitor and americans in the White House who are proud of our country
___________________________________________________
HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA....jimmy Cindy McCain is a mistress who married DOWN
How in the world can you say the Raines claim was merely "misleading"? It is a flat out lie! That Washington Post article has been discredited and it is widely reported – with a hint of effort you could have known this – that Raines at MOST had a 15 minute conversation with an aide to the Obama campaign, which HE initiated to try to arrange a meeting with Obama. That is IT! You need to fact check YOUR fact check! Initially I had a lot of hope that you would turn this into something great. Now I think you're reverting back to the same old lazy non-journalism that got us into the Iraq war. I expect better from you, CNN.
Factcheck should note that service between 1990 and 1998 predates the mortgage crisis. Like saying Abe Lincoln was responsible for Grant's troubles as president.
Fact check is nothing more than another obama whxxx.
Jimmy, do you have any fresh slander points? These are getting VERY stale and no none is buying your load of fertilizer.
Anyone still defending these two corrupt, and incompetent parties needs to wake up. They both got us into this mess, and don't deserve to lead this nation any longer. It is no longer the lesser of two evils, they are just evil. This AMERICAN will vote none of the above, Ron Paul, or Bob Barr for President, and Libertarian for the rest of the ticket. I am all done with these two parties. I don't care if Obama, who is clearly a socialist, is elected because I am going on strike. I refuse to participate in a punitive socialist society and will make every effort possible to avoid contributing to the leaches that make this country suck.
"We need someone who will do more than vote present 130 times!"
We need someone who will miss the vote 407 times!
110th congress
John McCain: 407 votes missed (63.8%), 231 votes cast
Barack Obama: 290 votes missed (45.5%), 348 votes cast
Hillary Clinton: 206 votes missed (32.3%), 432 votes cast
J. Biden: 193 votes missed (30.3%), 445 votes cast
Hey, where's the big story about how Obama and Biden voted for funding the "Bridge to Nowhere" every time it came up for a vote? Here you have two guys laughing and making jokes about Palin because she did change her mind on the bridge and decide that it wasn't worth after she became more educated on it but these two yahoos kept voting for funding the bridge. Who's the idiot here? Why isn't the media making this one of the top stories of the week? Oh, that's right – they are Obama zombies, under his spell and being totally slanted. Freedom of the press has now become a joke!
McCain is absolutely doing the right thing by going to Washington and skipping a silly debate because he is concerned about this bailout situation. It is, without a doubt, the biggest issue to face a President and Congress since the Depression. Obama is too busy rehearsing for his big debut debate and doesn't want to bothered by this issue. Obama will just say he's "present" again and let someone else make the big decisions. Obama, more of the same nothingness. McCain, willing to stand up for what is right! Go McCain/Palin!!!
It was 160k from employees from Fannie not from it execs. McCain however received much more from Fannie Execs than Obama did and almost off of the contribution to McCain came from execs.
"Perhaps the good Senator from Illinois can fill the rest of us in on how he is being so calm about the Country's welfare – I think he is hand and hand with the crooks that got us here."
Or maybe he is being calm and composed because that's WHAT A PRESIDENT SHOULD BE IN SUCH A SITUATION!
It doesn't appear the Republican care about the AMerican voters. THis bail out is the final slap in the face. I do not trust what the Republicans are doing and McCain is a Republican. First and foremost.
American voters stand up and let the politicans know how you feel about this bail out. It is not good for America. Practice your freedom of speech. Speak up now and let them know we will not be voting for the incumbents in 42 days.
This bail out is a bad idea.
I don't know if it's already been mentioned but did anybody notice that the plan to juggle the debates conveniently means that the VP debate is rescheduled? I believe that the whole idea is nothing more than a ploy to give the McCain camp another week or two to put more lipstick on a bulldog.
Republicans....last 8 years bush in office and 6 years in congress and none of them seem to remember the situation we are in now. Those that voted Bush in office (and now are voting for mccain) think that we care about what they say now? How dare you try to sweep what the bush administration and the republican led congress (along with McCain) under the rug!! McCain was a big part of that. 9 homes, 12 cars? And who is calling who an elitist? McCain really isn't in touch with the average American.
Here are the facts about Fannie May and Freddie. Obama received $126,349 from Fannie/Freddie employees compared to $21,550 for McCain. However, McCain received $169,000 from directors, officers and lobbyists compared to $16,000. You be the judge but please get your facts correct.
I agree with the statement that McCain is trying to keep Palin from having to debate.
Obama signed nearly 1 billion of dollars in earmarks and he thinks he can fix the economy??? lol you guys are actually voting for him??? Wow..interesting. Maybe Obama can sell you a snowball in the anartica... I think he could. lol
Typical McCain telling half truths all over town.
Sure hope McWhine's transimitter does not break down – he will not be able to think or talk without it. Obama is the one not afraid to debate. McWhine was the one who was "chicken" to do debates – McCain is putting his "Country Last" by wanting to stop the upcoming debate – Obama is putting American first as usual.
Go Obama – someone has to look out for our benefit at those meetings with Congress – Republican Congressmen & Senators are not looking out for us. And McWhine does not want to attend the debate? What does that say for him, not much.
Perhaps the good Senator from Arizona can fill the rest of us in on how he is being so sleazy about the Ketting 5 corruption- I think he is hand and hand with the crooks that got us here.
McWhine is blaming Obama for the mess we are in and to blame him for it is just wrong. I do believe Obama is going up in the poll numbers over this rediculous accusation. McWhine never did anything to help the economy while in the senate or now for that matter. Come on people, McWhine should have to take the blunt end of all this – he does deserve it. Let's blame on the people (Repung's trickle down, de-regulation policy) that really caused us this mess and make them accountable. McCain is one the reason for the mess we are in.
I have to hand it to Obama, I think he'd make a good snowball salesman in the Anartica. Actually, he would probally do quite well.
McCain is in panic mode! It's too late johnny boy. Mr. Deregulator. He know what's in store for him if he participate in the debate Friday. His campaign will be officially over instead of temporarily suspended if he goes to the debate Friday.
$15,000, hmmm, sounds small money as compared to millions Obama and Axelrod have been getting.
How about million dollar backyard that was gifted by mafia Rezko ?
Obama likes to get expensive gifts, not cheap $15,000 ones.
Clinton should have been there.
McCain: is a coward. He's running away. Can only deal with one issue at a time. Pathetic.
McCain is most experienced at financial failures and the effects of inadequate regulation . . . Remember the Keating 5 and S&L Disaster in the 80's, where he tried to intimidate regulators into not prosecuting $500M in illegal investments by S&L's in order to protect Cindy's precious nest egg? These are documented facts, check them out.
If you want lot's of experience (just no ethics or judgement) then vote for McCain.
Obama is worst then other politicians in the sense that he is equally corrupt and yet claims to take the high road while his campaign is dishing out all garbage about McCain and Palin. Haven't they been calling McCain 90% Bush though McCain is poles apart from Bush. Actually Obama resembles more like Bush. He has no experience, and he talks about fixing Washington and bipartisanship! I guess he is copying Bush's election speeches from 2000. But the moment he is down in polls the true mean Obama emerges. I am sure after being fooled by Obama, the people will be so sick of politicians that turnout in the next election will be historically low.
The only reason that McCain suspended his campaign and canceled the debates is because his poll numbers are tanking.He figured if he shook it up a bit people would get distracted.Guess what it worked with Palin,It worked the first day of the debate when the storm was coming,The DRAMA he loves it..The republicans think that means he's a mavrick.Well ladys and gentlemen that drama.He needs a T.V.show not four years in the white house AS OUR PRESIDENT.
Hillary already convinced me not to vote for Obama! Remember what she said? ...she said that between McCain & Obama, McCain would be a better choice because of Obama's lack of experience.
Think about it people...those of you who want the government to do more for you! You tax your bosses more and then what happens? You might end up with a small tax break but what will happen in the long run is that while you have a little extra cash available it wont be long before you waste it and then guess what...you boss cant afford you anymore!
McCain can't even work on one thing at a time.
Obama has a silver lining the same way a hurricane looks pretty as it comes ashore.
A taxpayer voting for Obama is like a chicken voting for Colonel Sanders.
Can you please tell the truth, socialist?
To VC.MD just to let in on a little something... WHO WAS FOR THE DE-REGULATIONS REGAN,BUSH,BUSH#2.WHO ELSE, MCCAIN DO YOU SEE A PATTERN HERE...
Twisted some more facts to your and your man's view again CNN? We don't believe a thing from CNN!
I use to like McCain in 2000 .Thank God I woke up.The republicans are taking my money but even worse my childrens money,and so on,and so on.
Of course the son-of-satan would take money that didn't belong to him because he came to
1 steal from the poor
2 kill your dreams
3 destroy our hopes
oh my I hope this is not racist. NO OBAMA-NO BIDEN
It almost seem like this entire election has come down to who has worked for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. What about all those other companies that went under? Please let's not dumb down this election.
Fackcheck.org is nothing more than a whoxx for obama.
They really think people are stupid with their half truths and all lies.
They only check what they want to.
They are nothing but a bunch of liars now.
So some of you are indicating that we are the socialist,who put out the 700 billion dollar plan.then try to scare everyone on voting for it.PLEASE...
How about McCain is a sheep in wolf's clothing...
What a FREAKING JOKE McKen and Barbie are. I want to gag!!!
Democrats – a party divided: You must get saddistic pleasure in lying. Work for McCain.
Just a little tid bit ,I just heard one of McCains guys who is in the campaign just a couple of weeks ago is still getting paid 15,000.00 for not doing anything from no other than who? Fannie NO, YOUR KIDDING ME.Can't wait to talk about that...
Again, giving Obama the benefit of the doubt. Cnn, you are shameless. Check the facts if you are going to do a fact check. If you don;t have any nfo on Raines, then don;t mention him. You are speculating in a fact-check article, morons.
I guess McCain should stop relying on the reporting of the Washington Post, which ran three separate stories about the conection of Raines to the Obama camp, none of which the Obama camp objected to, until McCain pointed out the connection.
Strange.
we need obama who can multitask
It is apparent that a lot of people don't do their own fact checking on factcheck.com. If they did they would see that employees of Fannie Mae (that's everyone from the mailroom up to the corporate level) made donations totaling 160K Corporations in and of themselves cannot donate to a candidates campaign. Secondly, Rick Davis has received several million dollars of consulting fees from Fannie Mae and is a campaign manager for Sen. McCain which is completely different. Obama has no lobbyist on his staff compared to the 163 that work for McCain. Remember that it was former Texas Republican Senator Phil Gram (McCain's chief economic advisor) who put forth the legislature that created the degregulation of the financial sector in the first place. I challenge everyone to go out to factcheck.com and see every single from McCain that has been debunked over and over, from Rezko to Ayers to Daley, and the current Gov. of Illinois. McCain is no longer the maverick he once was, he has adopted the same fear mongering, and outright lying that President Bush did to him in the Republican primary of 2000. Now who's the "real change agent"
Christopher Dodd (D-Conn) is the Committee Chairman for the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
The following was taken from his website: As Chairman, Senator Dodd sets the committee’s agenda; guiding the consideration of legislation under committee jurisdiction. A 26-year member of this Committee, Sen. Dodd has made his first year as Chairman about protecting consumers and their investments, ensuring that investment in our nation is monitored and that ultimately, Americans benefit from it, and keeping our economy on sound footing. Chairman Dodd’s second year as Chairman will continue to focus on helping working families and protecting our nation’s economic security.
I don't think HE did his job, do you??????????? He has been on this committee for 26 years, come on, he had to of seen this coming?????
"country first" what a joke. half of mccains supporters are people that the democratic party stands for but they are just too blind or too narrow minded to see that. Barack Obamas agenda is to focus on the issues and problems in this country, not every other country in the world. thats "country first". do you truly deep in your hearts care whether iraq has a democratic government and free society? what about our democracy and freedoms here in america? now us average hard working americans are going to be stuck paying for this economic meltdown for years to come. im sure that the republicans will just blame this disaster on the clinton administration as they have in the past..
Can McCain/Palin think of something else other than trying to distract from their joke of a campaign? This crisis has been going on for over a week, to which initially McCain's response was "the economy is fundamentally sound". Now, with the debate 2 days away, he wants t postpone it and "work on the economic problem, THAT UNTIL TODAY, went virtually unnoticed by him?" What a joke and another ploy to make folks think he's SO CONCERNED ABOUT THE ECONOMIC CRISIS, THAT HE HELPED TO CAUSE!!
JOHN McCAIN – NOT READY TO LEAD, OR MULTI-TASK!
You altruistic idiots are in for a surprise.....Obama's team will be getting indictments! And.....Obama will be found in the money trail! You'll see. He's just another corrupt politician! I switched from Hilary to McCain. No regrets!
HOW come this site lies on facts? Why is the comments closed on Oboma stating the surge did not work? if you notice all the blogs that anyone could say anything bad about Obama are closed on this site. Give me a break!. Obama never said the surge would not work? on CNN own show i have the video clip of him saying that statement, CNN states "Missleading" yea that is what CNN is your own archive footage shows OBAMA saying those very words in the begining of his campaign. SHAM on CNN editor for being so Libral!