Not a policy wonk, I hadn't been aware that John McCain sponsored another Bill as recently as 2005 that went after First Amendment rights of Grass Roots organizers and some feel gun owners, in particular. It was so bad, conservatives in his own Party tried to work to cut him off.
Conservatives rallied against the Bill, not likely to be effective with a McCain presidency.
The leadership also wants to checkmate a reform bill that Sen. John McCain introduced in December.
It didn't work and McCain failed to give a clear position as recently as last year. Then something miraculous happened - he decided to give a run for the presidency another shot. He did a sudden about face leaving those he has worked with on such First Amendment limitations in the past "surprised." Straight talk. Yep, that's John McCain - for him. For everyone else, it's no talk back, if you ask me.
In letters circulated on Capitol Hill this week, the National Right to Life Committee and Gun Owners of America warned senators that votes on the grassroots lobbying provision would affect legislative scorecards they tabulate for each lawmaker.
Sen. Bob Bennett (R-Utah) has sponsored the amendment to the lobbying reform package that would strip the provision. His amendment is expected to come to the floor for a vote today, said advocates opposing it.
Bennett said he was “a little” surprised to hear that McCain would support him but was “delighted.” McCain is considered one of the most authoritative voices on ethics- and lobbying-related issues in the Senate.
While McCain has privately told conservative groups that he will side with them, he was not ready to reveal his position yesterday. He opened yesterday’s floor debate with a 15-minute speech on the lobbying reforms under consideration. While he urged his colleagues to support the creation of an office of public integrity, he made no mention of grassroots lobbying.
McCain’s past allies in battles to reform government strongly support disclosure and were surprised to discover his position had changed.
“We saw him supporting it last year,” said Craig Holman, a lobbyist for Public Citizen.
“It surprises me and it will surprise the rest of the reform community. I was really expecting him not to get involved in that provision and I had received no indication from his office that he was leaning against it.”
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