Lobbyists have contributed $181,600 to Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) in the first half of 2008 despite the presumptive Republican nominee's criticism of their industry.

“We are 100 percent behind McCain,” lobbyist Kathryn Braden Huffard told The New York Times.

McCain won't take money from tribes but accepts it from lobbyists. He adopted a strict policy against lobbyists working for his campaign but the co-chairs of his Indian committee are Indian lobbyists.

“John McCain is the biggest enemy of special interests in Washington,” a campaign spokesperson told the Times. “He spearheaded campaign finance reform. He fought Boeing’s tanker deal with the Air Force, and he led the investigation of Jack Abramoff.”

As chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee from 2005 through the end of 2006, McCain spent the overwhelming majority of time on the Jack Abramoff lobbying investigation, gaming and gaming-related issues. Half of his hearings focused on Abramoff or gaming.

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Illinois) accepted around $6,000 from lobbyists in the first half of 2008, the Times reported.

Get the Story:
Lobbyist Reports Show $181,000 for McCain (The New York Times 7/27)
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