Candidates’ earmarkers
Does it matter who wins?
THE HILL-Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.) have taken strong stands against earmarks in an effort to portray themselves as fiscally responsible reformers, but they have also relied on fundraisers and advisers who have fueled the explosion in special spending projects.
At least 19 of McCain’s biggest fundraisers have lobbied on appropriations bills in the past year and a half. Many of them have tried to steer funds to colleges, municipalities and companies that have hired them, according to public records.
At least three of Obama’s biggest funders have lobbied on spending bills, and one, Alan Solomont, lobbied for an appropriation to the Boston Medical Center as recently as 2006. Solomont has since stopped lobbying.
It is a bad workman that has a bad saw,