MyDD :: McCAin in the Pocket of Big Beer

McCAin in the Pocket of Big Beer

by fbihop, Fri Jun 06, 2008 at 04:03:24 PM EST

Over at the New Mexico Independent, the online news organization for which I write, Gwenyth Doland writes about the politics of beer.

John McCain's wife, as you all know by now, is beer heiress Cindy Hensley McCain. What you may not know (or remember) is that Cindy McCain's father and uncle -- former bootleggers -- owned the Ruidoso Downs racetrack in the 1950s. Back then the Hensleys caused quite a stir with their connections to a reputed mob boss named Kemper Marley, who later was implicated in the 1976 bombing death of Arizona investigative journalist Don Bolles.

McCain's father in law was a bootlegger, a racetrack owner and finally a beer distributor, according to Doland.

McCain is famous for staying above the fray when it comes to lobbyists -- but not for any particular reason. He has this reputation even though he has many lobbyist friends. Not just friends, but people in his "inner-circle" as well as at the helm of his campaign.

But back to the alcohol lobby and their grip on McCain. McCain loves to pretend to be above the fray; but this had a convenient side-effect when he headed the Senate Commerce Committee beginning in 1997. From a 2000 Houston Press article:

The Senate Commerce Committee has a number of alcohol-related issues in its purview, including the labeling of alcoholic beverages and the regulation of alcohol advertising. But you wouldn't know it from looking at the committee's agenda since McCain took its reins [in 1997]. John McCain's influence regarding alcohol-related legislation comes from his inaction, rather than action. As a committee chairman, McCain has the unilateral power to kill a bill simply by refusing to put it on a committee agenda or schedule hearings. And since McCain was elected chairman of the committee in January 1997, that's exactly what has happened. George Hacker, director of the Alcohol Policies Project of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, says it's very hard to get alcohol-related legislation heard in Congress, and more difficult since McCain took the helm of the Senate Commerce Committee. "Having someone with no interest and who really refuses to take an interest in alcohol is a serious problem in the Commerce Committee," Hacker says.

And oddly enough, it seems that McCain is a particular favorite of the alcohol industry in the Senate. He's received more money than anyone else seeking an office in DC except for one other candidate. From The Boston Globe

The alcohol lobby is one of the most influential in Washington. Although McCain has recused himself on alcohol issues, he has not refused the industry's money. Out of all candidates for all federal offices in 2008 -- the White House, Senate, and House -- McCain has received more alcohol industry money than all but two. The top recipient was Senator Hillary Clinton of New York, with $210,750,

Tags: John McCain, Lobbyists (all tags)

Permalink :: 17 Comments :: Post a Comment

You know what, I don't (2.00 / 1)

like attacks on Michelle Obama, and I don't like attacks on Cindy McCain. I don't care about her family or the dreaded "alcohol lobby." A lot of Ameircans probably favor that lobby anyway.

by TomP on Fri Jun 06, 2008 at 04:16:14 PM EST

It's not just about Cindy (none / 0)

There's an obvious conflict of interest here about McCain that is only tangentially related to his wife.

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Fri Jun 06, 2008 at 04:21:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: You know what, I don't (none / 0)

Yeah, I barely mentioned his wife. And it seemed appropriate since, you know, she made her money from the very industry McCain failed to regulate and receives large amounts of cash from.

New Mexico politics from the local perspective.

by fbihop on Fri Jun 06, 2008 at 04:39:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Why did my father not have so romantic a past as (none / 0)

to be a bootlegger or smuggler?

by aggieric on Fri Jun 06, 2008 at 04:26:21 PM EST

Re: Why did my father not have so romantic a past (2.00 / 2)

because you're not old enough, or you don't live in the south. there were a LOT of bootleggers during prohibition - my grandparents, for example. and NASCAR was founded by the good ol' boys who honed their driving skills hauling moonshine in the dry south.

another famous american whose father was a bootlegger- john f. kennedy.

get it? this is a bogus line of attack against john mccain. it's also a little cheesy to attack his wife for the actions of people she's descended from.

by campskunk on Fri Jun 06, 2008 at 09:06:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: McCAin in the Pocket of Big Beer (2.00 / 1)

Unless alcohol becomes a necessity and the industry starts price gouging I don't see how the alcohol lobby is a real danger to consumers.

by JustJennifer on Fri Jun 06, 2008 at 04:27:21 PM EST

Funny thing (none / 0)

When your product is basically a poison, it might be good to have congressional oversight of its use and potential abuse.

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Fri Jun 06, 2008 at 04:42:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Funny thing (2.00 / 2)

Congressional oversight of alcohol consumption? Seriously?

by Mobar on Fri Jun 06, 2008 at 04:44:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Crimeny. (none / 0)

Yes. You do realize that alcohol is a poisonous substance, right? We have a bureau 1/3 dedicated to controlling it.

Check this:

http://www.naaapi.org/documents/powermas ter.asp

Nationwide, a campaign of black leaders, then Surgeon General Antonia Novella and representatives of anti-drinking groups that were also fighting against PowerMaster had caught the attention of Washington, resulting in action by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

In early July 1991, the BATF informed Heileman brewery that they were pulling approval to the PowerMaster label. They cited a passage in the laws established by the Federal Alcohol Administration Act of 1935 that forbade the labeling or advertising of beer as being "strong, full strength, extra strength or high test," all words that could be construed as indicators of a product's alcoholic strength. The BAFT also stated that the word "Power" violated federal laws. Heileman was allowed to sell its existing stock of PowerMaster for the next four months but would have to stop any advertising of the product. Father Pfleger was overjoyed by the BATF ruling. "When we are spiritually strong, there's no problem we cannot overcome. We have a serious alcohol problem in the African American community,and this means that something worse won't be added to it," said Pfleger, then added, "Big business better watch out if it's doing something wrong."

G. Heileman Brewing basically created and marketed a malt liquor for the Chicago market with a 5.5 to 6% alcohol content, about 50% stronger than normal alcoholic drinks. The name "PowerMaster" was a transparent ploy to market to blacks.

The Feds stepped in and shut them down because they were deliberately feeding an alcoholism problem in Chicago's African American community.

Now do you see why it might be nice to not have congress in Big Beer's pocket?

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Fri Jun 06, 2008 at 05:04:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Crimeny. (2.00 / 1)

Alcohol is poison. But I spent the last few years developing an immunity to ethanol.

The "PowerMaster" example is of regulating the marketing of alcohol, not consumption. And the law used to regulate it was from 1935, so again, I wonder what new legislation is needed but goes unpassed?

Additionally, the locals complained because the brewery was marketing to the local AA community, but the feds stripped approval because of the name(suggesting strength), not who it was being marketed to. It's not illegal to target certain demographics of the adult population. And as reprehensible as it may seem in some instances, it shouldn't be illegal to do so. As for the sinister nature of malt liquors... and the suggestion that 6% is an outrageous level of alcohol, please consider that wines frequently exceed 10% and hard liquor is openly labeled at 50% and higher.

I can see the importance of the federal government ensuring that alcohol (like any other substance designed for human consumption) is produced safely and transported, labeled and marketed appropriately. I don't see where they are currently lacking the power to do so, so without specific examples I'm not going to fear the influence of the Big Beer lobby.

One example of the power of Big Beer... here in Missouri (home of Anheuser Busch) our rules of the road provide that the driver cannot have an open container but say nothing about passengers. Every session someone tries to change that, but it always gets shot down. But since I enjoy drinking in the back seat on the way to football games, I'm happy for their influence.

by Mobar on Fri Jun 06, 2008 at 06:05:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: McCAin in the Pocket of Big Beer (2.00 / 1)

My response was similar. What alcohol legislation is needed?

by Mobar on Fri Jun 06, 2008 at 04:43:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: McCAin in the Pocket of Big Beer (none / 0)

See above.

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Fri Jun 06, 2008 at 05:04:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: McCAin in the Pocket of Big Beer (1.00 / 1)

**Wouldn't it be more precise to say that McCain is in the "panties" of big beer?

If the choice is between hope and fear, always choose hope. BC

by greylox on Fri Jun 06, 2008 at 05:51:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

C'mon, people. (none / 0)

I know it's friday and everything, but seriously.

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Fri Jun 06, 2008 at 06:03:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I wouldn't mind having a big beer in my pocket. (none / 0)

Oh. Different thing. My bad.

Join the Matthew 25 Network and help Democrats win the next generation of evangelicals.

by mistersite on Fri Jun 06, 2008 at 04:32:12 PM EST

I don't get it (2.00 / 1)

You say right there that he recused himself from alcohol related issues, so what has he done wrong, other than take lobbyist money. Why single out the alcohol lobby?

John McCain wants to make abortion illegal

by Lost Thought on Fri Jun 06, 2008 at 05:02:22 PM EST

Re: I don't get it (none / 0)

He made it impossible for any alcohol regulation bill to be even heard, let alone discussed or passed.

He had the authority to kill any such legislation before it got off the ground -- and did so. He essentially said, "Hey, beer/liquor companies, free ride for as long as I head this committee!"

New Mexico politics from the local perspective.

by fbihop on Fri Jun 06, 2008 at 05:23:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

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