Posted on 02/07/2006 7:43:16 AM PST by Chi-townChief
WASHINGTON -- Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) received a dressing down Monday from Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who accused the freshman of using the ethics reform issue for "self-interested partisan posturing."
In a sarcastic letter, McCain accused Obama, the Senate Democrats' new lead spokesman on ethics, of not wanting to sincerely negotiate a bipartisan reform of lobbying.
Obama replied Monday that he was "puzzled" over McCain's letter and pledged to continue to work together on reform.
"I confess that I have no idea" what prompted the letter, Obama wrote Monday. "But let me assure you that I am not interested in typical partisan rhetoric or posturing. The fact that you have now questioned my sincerity and my desire to put aside politics for the public interest is regrettable but does not in any way diminish my deep respect for you nor my willingness to find a bipartisan solution to this problem."
FROM OBAMA'S LETTER TO MCCAIN:
"I know you have expressed an interest in creating a task force to further study and discuss these matters, but I . . . believe the more effective and timely course is to allow the committees of jurisdiction to roll up their sleeves and get to work on writing ethics and lobbying reform legislation that a majority of the Senate can support."
FROM MCCAIN'S REPLY TO OBAMA:
"I would like to apologize to you for assuming that your private assurances to me regarding your desire to cooperate in our efforts to negotiate bipartisan lobbying reform legislation were sincere. . . . "I'm embarrassed to admit that after all these years in politics I failed to interpret your previous assurances as typical rhetorical gloss . . . "I understand how important the opportunity to lead your party's effort to exploit this issue must seem to a freshman Senator, and I hold no hard feelings over your earlier disingenuousness."
McCain's criticism a first
The McCain letter represents the first time any senator -- or any local, state or federal official of note from either party -- has publicly criticized Obama. He has been riding a wave of popularity, appealing to Democrats and Republicans, since summer 2004, when he gave a keynote address at the Democratic National Convention.
That the slap comes from the popular McCain, a champion of lobbying reform who has a history of reaching across the aisle, makes the Arizona Republican's public rebuke more significant.
McCain started his letter on a mocking note, saying he wanted to "apologize" for "assuming" Obama's private assurances of working together were sincere.
After staying above the fray for his rookie year, Obama took on his first partisan role last month by agreeing to a lead role in the Democratic ethics drive. The push comes in the wake of Republican lobbying scandals, an issue that could determine if the GOP loses control of the House or Senate in November.
"I failed to interpret your previous assurances as typical rhetorical gloss routinely used in politics to make self-interested partisan posturing appear more noble. Again, sorry for the confusion, but pleased be assured, I won't make that same mistake again," McCain wrote.
'Disingenuousness'
McCain noted that an ethics reform plan he introduced with two Democrats, Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska, was evidence of his commitment to including "members of both parties."
McCain went on to accuse Obama of not sharing the same goal of cooperation.
"I understand how important the opportunity to lead your party's effort to exploit this issue must seem to a freshman Senator, and I hold no hard feelings over your earlier disingenuousness," McCain wrote.
He concluded, "Again, I have been around long enough to appreciate that in politics the public interest isn't always a priority for every one of us. Good luck to you, Senator."
This rancorous episode brings together McCain, who ran for president in 2000 and may try again in 2008, and Obama, who may be eying a White House bid in the future. The letter surprised the Obama camp with its fiery tone, but McCain is known for his temper, although not for holding grudges.
Obama's new role
McCain's letter, publicly released by his office, was triggered by a letter Obama sent him last Thursday, the day after a meeting of a small working group of Democratic and Republican senators on ethics legislation. Obama was invited to the meeting in his new role as the Democratic spokesman on ethics.
In Obama's Thursday letter -- e-mailed to reporters by the office of Democratic Senate leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) -- he urged McCain to swiftly advance an ethics bill co-sponsored by only Democratic senators. No mention was made of McCain's own bill.
McCain says he's not delaying
Obama accused McCain of wanting a time-consuming task force on the ethics issue.
Instead of having a "task force to further study and discuss these matters," Obama wrote that he would rather have Senate committees "roll up their sleeves and get to work."
McCain took exception to Obama's task force comment, because it made it seem, he wrote, "as if to suggest I support delaying the consideration of much-needed reforms rather than allowing the committees of jurisdiction to hold hearings on the matter. Nothing could be further from the truth."
What Obama called a task force instead was, McCain wrote, a "bipartisan working group" that could be helpful in drafting legislation.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who chairs the main committee dealing with the reform plans, told the Chicago Sun-Times that her panel is already at work on ethics.
"I don't know what more Sen. Obama is seeking," Collins said. "The committee is proceeding in a transparent and bipartisan way."
She said she was not offended if McCain wanted to put together a working group on the side and was "surprised and disappointed to hear about Sen. Obama's letter.... This would have been the last thing that I expected."
Obama phones McCain
Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs denied that Democratic leaders pressured Obama last week to write the letter. Obama, for his part, insisted one of the things about the Senate he values the most is the collegiality.
"It was in this spirit that I approached you," Obama wrote McCain on Monday, "to work on ethics reform."
Obama placed a call to McCain's office Monday afternoon, but the two never connected. By Monday night, they still had not talked.
lsweet3022@aol.com
Admit that I complain and don't appreciate McCain but this time he is correct. I am shocked that he sent this letter but it was way past due.
these guys will represent the two tickets in the 08 pres elect
He is right, this is not "typical" partisan rhetoric, it is "election year" partisan rhetoric...
Call a spade a spade so to speak! I bet that stirs up some hate and discontent.
Apparently his intention is to blaze new trails in partisan rhetoric and posturing. The typical stuff wasn't working so well.
In all the years I've watched politics, I don't ever remember a US Senator writing or saying something as bone crunchingly sarcastic as this letter.
They say Macain has a temper and I guess this proves it.
This is McCain on the offensive against Hillary's possible VP candidate.
Hit 'em first, hit 'em hard, hit 'em continuously. Obama will just be a Jeopardy answer by the time '08 roll around.
Question: Who was the rising black Senator first thought of as being VP timber before a tongue lashing by Senator McCain?
Answer: Obama from Illinois.
Or Hillie ensuring that Obama's no threat. If the guy wanted to be elected to national office, he shoulda been a Pubbie.
Wonder what he will do when he loses?
LOL.
It's funny that the Donks had to get someone who hasn't been in Congress long enough to get soiled to lead their ethics reform schtick.
Obama would be well advised not to argue with a psycho.
I still want to know what the issue is. Would I even agree with McLame?
If it's a good issue, and if McMeMeMe is right, then look for him to apologize or otherwise de-fang his letter in the near future.
Dan
Serves Obama right for getting between McCain and his cameras. How dare he try to steal McCain's rhetorical thunder on this?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA ... Oh yea .. I believe him .. not!
 Question: Who was the rising black Senator first thought of as being VP timber before a tongue lashing by Senator McCain? Answer: Obama from Illinois.
Didn't you mean Answer: Obama from Illinois. Question: Who was the rising black Senator first thought of as being VP timber before a tongue lashing by Senator McCain? |
how's that again???
LOL, yeah I did. Coffee, lots more and lots stronger.
Wide awake now, got my miles in on the bike, raring to kick some Democratic, terrorist's defending a**.
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