MUST READ: More Lobbyist Problems for McCain Campaign

Days after two senior McCain campaign aides resigned after news reports revealed that their lobbying group had worked on behalf of the repressive regime in Myanmar, a new report reveals more lobbyist problems for John McCain's campaign. According to the Wall Street Journal, the lobbying group co-owned by McCain campaign manager Rick Davis was working for an anti-West political party in Russia "at the same time" it "was being paid by the Republican presidential candidate's campaign." The story also notes that Davis introduced McCain to one of former Russian Prime Miniser Vladimir Putin's key confidants despite the fact that the Russian oligarch was "barred from the U.S. for allegedly lying to the FBI about his involvement with organized crime."

The following are excerpts of today's story:

McCain Consultant Is Tied To Work for Ukraine Party, Political Group Had Opposed Pro-Western Bloc
Wall Street Journal
By MARY JACOBY and GLENN R. SIMPSON
May 14, 2008

"A consultant to Sen. John McCain hired a public-relations firm last year to burnish the U.S. image of a Ukrainian political party backed by Russian leader Vladimir Putin, according to documents filed with the Justice Department. The lobbying firm of Davis Manafort Inc. arranged for the public-relations firm's work through an affiliate last spring, at the same time Davis Manafort was being paid by the Republican presidential candidate's campaign. The firm is co-owned by lobbyist Rick Davis, manager of Sen. McCain's presidential campaign, and longtime Republican strategist Paul Manafort.

"The Arizona senator has endorsed a political movement in Ukraine that is at odds with the Putin-backed Party of Regions. The work for the Ukrainian party represents the latest issue to arise for the McCain campaign involving aides' ties to foreign interests. Last weekend, the campaign parted ways with two former lobbyists for the military government of Myanmar after their ties were reported in Newsweek…

"In addition to its work for the Party of Regions, the Davis Manafort lobbying firm has pursued business deals with Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska, the Washington Post reported in January. In 2006, Mr. Davis introduced Mr. McCain to Mr. Deripaska, a supporter and confidant of Mr. Putin, according to the Post. The Wall Street Journal reported last year that Mr. Deripaska has been barred from the U.S. for allegedly lying to the FBI about his involvement with organized crime."

To read the entire article, click here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121072447597990171.html?mod=special_page_campaign2008_topbox