Obama's VP vetter steps aside
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/06/11/art.jim.ap.jpg caption="Jim Johnson is no longer involved in Obama's VP search."]
WASHINGTON (CNN) - A key member of Barack Obama's vice-presidential search team, James Johnson, is stepping down after criticism over a mortgage he received, the Obama campaign said.
"Jim did not want to distract in any way from the very important task of gathering information about my vice presidential nominee, so he has made a decision to step aside that I accept," the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee said in a statement.
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. Obama has criticized Countrywide in connection with the subprime mortgage crisis.
Great job Obama Campaign. As long as the Dems practice what we preach the rightwingers don't stand a chance of retaining the White House
If Obama keeps up at this pace he is no longer going to have a staff. He repeatedly uses bad judgement in every decision(Jermiah Wright, James Johnson etc...) he makes.
Gore-Kerry-Obama=Republican Presidents
You happy Mr. McCain? This guy was not even a lobbyist but I heard even Lou Dobbs try to refer to him as one.
Now let's see you get rid of all of your PAID lobbyists in your camp my McCain. How about statring with PHIL GRAMM who's actually been helping you write economic policy.
i miss Hillary. last night i had a dream we were on a date. on a more serious note..................... i miss Hillary!!!!
When is McCain's lobbyist who is running his campaign will step down? Fair is fair otherwise don't criticize
And the vetters get vetted by the vetters that get vetted by the vetters.....and so on.
It is getting tougher and tougher for both sides to find anyone who hasn't made some kind of sweetheart deal with someone....
I find this MOST interesting.
Unnecessary but seems to limit the blood thirsty press. Can someone tell me why McCain and the republicans keep referring the Iraq war as a war on terror. Only people they are fighting in Iraq are Iraq's who don't want them there. Only an idiot would think for the billions of dollars they are paying, not counting the lives being lost on both sides, you cannot better fight terror. For that much money you could get half the terrorists to murder the other half. Just plain stupid.
Obama can certainly pick some real losers.
Like Wright, first he defends and then he rejects.
And Obama throws ANOTHER one under the bus! Man, it's getting crowded under there...........!
This is sad grabbing for straws LOL Not a payed Staffer
You did the right thing, stepping aside Mr. Johnson. If only more of McBushes lobbiests would do the same.
Can't forget to vet the vetters. This is geting ridiculous.
He probably did not want to WORK for the corrupt Obama.
I congratulate Jim Johnson for making a rational decision.
was he telling a joke
Somebody on Obama's team got a sweetheart deal on a property like the one Obama got from Resko? It was OK for Obama but not his staff.
That's ridiculous.. his only job was to help look for possible VP candidates. What does some mortgage thing have to do with that.
Nothing to see here citizens. Move along now.
That's my man Obama. Any man with lies to lobbyist goes away, any money from lobbyist gets returned.
Obama will be the first President of United States People in a long time, so far there had been Presidents of Corporate America and Special Interest Groups.
Obama is no better than the other ones. Hillary should have won!!!
Well I guess they should have vetted the vetter. LOL sounds like "the vindow vipers comes at midnight!"
THIS IS NOT NEWS?
Fixed noise must have made a big deal about Mr. Johnson!
I guess it gives Obama's campaign the air of being squeeky clean, but I think he should have held tight. It also makes it appear that Obama will cave to any Republican criticism. That makes him look weak. Otherwise, it's no big deal.
OK lets keep the ball rolling CNN. This is not news. Look @ the economy and job market. This man is a volunteer. Let's talk about folks who are loosing their paid jobs!!!!
Surprise!!!!! Another rat in the woodpile!!!! Will this be the last?? Ya, right!!