This Just In....

McCAIN CHIEF OF STAFF MARK BUSE WAS LOBBYIST FOR FREDDIE MAC

The Washington Post reports:

"Mark Buse, a longtime McCain adviser and now his Chief of Staff, signed on as a Freddie Mac lobbyist, and earned $460,000 in lobbying fees in late 2003 and 2004, according to lobbying disclosures. Buse was one of many strategic hires made by Freddie Mac in its efforts to sew up support and manage opponents on Capitol Hill, a push that peaked in 2004 with the retention of 34 outside lobbying firms.

Over the past decade, Freddie spent more than $95 million on lobbying, while its sister company, Fannie Mae, spent more than $79 million. McCain campaign spokesman Rogers said Buse "met with, obviously, a variety of staff", but that Buse never spoke with McCain about Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae.


Personally, I like the part about not talking to McCain. Buse would be the first to know that (1) the staff drives the text of any legislation and controls a Senator's information flow and; (2) an old military and politician trick is to create a zone of deniability around the person in the sensitive/powerful position.