McCain’s Curious Cloakroom Call
The NY Times gets into its own scholasticism argument. Instead of wondering “How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?” reporters David Kirkpatrick and Michael Cooper wonder where does Sen. John McCain have to be physically to violate campaign fundraising laws.
Senate ethics rules expressly forbid lawmakers to engage in campaign activities inside Senate facilities. If Mr. McCain solicited campaign contributions on a call from government property, that would be a violation of federal criminal law as well.
McCain used his campaign cell phone. He could have easily walked outside into Washingon’s already hot air. Being in the Senate cloakroom offered no advantage. Current laws and ethics rules aren’t in line with technological reality.
I would hope this would teach McCain that candidates, interest groups, and politically active citizens should be given slack when taking part in the political process. He should know he’s not pure and holy.
“McCain Call Raises an Ethics Question” [via memeorandum]
