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AP quoted McCain's answer to Renzi resignation question, but didn't note Renzi is former McCain campaign co-chairman

March 04, 2008 6:22 pm ET
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SUMMARY: An Associated Press article reported that Sen. John McCain was asked "whether Republican Rep. Rick Renzi should resign from office," but the article did not note that McCain named Renzi a co-chairman of his presidential campaign in Arizona months after it was reported that Renzi was under federal investigation.

4 Comments

In a March 3 article, Associated Press writer Amanda Lee Myers reported that Sen. John McCain was asked "whether Republican Rep. Rick Renzi should resign from office," but Myers did not note that McCain named Renzi a co-chairman of his presidential campaign in Arizona on March 21, 2007, months after it was reported that Renzi was under federal investigation. McCain's campaign website no longer lists Renzi as a campaign co-chairman.

Myers reported, "Asked whether Republican Rep. Rick Renzi should resign from office, McCain said he can't make that decision for him. 'But I do believe Congressman Renzi should have the same benefit as every citizen of America, and that is the right of innocence until proven guilty.' "

McCain donated $5,000 to Renzi's campaign from his leadership political action committee, Straight Talk America, in April 2006, sent a fundraising email on Renzi's behalf in June 2006. In April 2007, the FBI raided Renzi's family business in connection with the federal investigation, and in August 2007, Renzi announced he would not seek re-election. On February 22, Renzi was indicted on 35 counts by a federal grand jury.


From the March 3 Associated Press article:

During a news conference at Sky Harbor, McCain also addressed other issues.

Asked whether Republican Rep. Rick Renzi should resign from office, McCain said he can't make that decision for him. "But I do believe Congressman Renzi should have the same benefit as every citizen of America, and that is the right of innocence until proven guilty."

Renzi, a three-term lawmaker whose district covers much of rural Arizona, was indicted last month on 35 counts including charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering and extortion. The Justice Department accuses him of engineering a swap of federally owned mining land to benefit himself and a former business partner and stealing from his insurance company's clients.

Renzi has denied wrongdoing.

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    • Author by IRONY 101 (March 04, 2008 6:38 pm ET)
         
      John McCain has already assured us that the people serving on his campaign are all honorable people...including the 60 lobbyists. Why should anyone mention that Rick Renzi also served as McCain's campaign co-chairman in Arizona? If he served for McCain then he must be honorable. In fact, by not mentioning that Renzi served for McCain the reporter was probably intentionally trying to conceal the fact that Renzi is an honorable man. Typical liberal bias...   ;>)
      Report Abuse
      • Author by mary59 (March 04, 2008 6:47 pm ET)
           
        That's 'ole straight talkin' maverick man hisself!
        Report Abuse
        • Author by Col. Harlan Sanders (March 05, 2008 12:00 am ET)
             
          There's only so much room when you're putting together an article like this.Including the additional facts may have taken up space better used to promote straight-talk and Maverick-ness.
          Report Abuse
    • Author by nativeofsf (March 05, 2008 7:20 pm ET)
         
      Why am I getting the feeling there's a mirco-chip embedded in McCain's skull?  Obviously placed there, covertly, by the Bush administration — under the direction of the BigMoron himself. Therefore, the evil continuation of America's downfall will proceed, if this clown gets elected, via covertly-overt mind-control?  That's surely one way to have a third term in office.
      Report Abuse

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