McCain has great vision and policy planning!

[zero]

As a Senator, McCain himself wrote a Presidential election campaign loophole, whereby Presidential candidates can use "private corporate jets" without any penalty.

Now, as a Presidential candidate he is using his wife's corporate jet for campaign purposes, without penalty, and at a greatly discounted rate.

This shows McCain has great vision!

[cbelt3]

Sorry, I don't get this. You're complaining about a politician who is NOT spending the public's money (in this case his campaign's money, which is financed by the public to a degree) ?

WTF ?

You think he should have put in an earmark for his own AirForce Gonnabe 1 or something ? Or gotten the K street lobbyist gang to pay for it all off the books ?

Please explain how this is bad. I actually applaud politicians spending their own money. Hopefully that will encourage them to be a bit more careful when they have their hands on MY money.

[mattkime]

>>Please explain how this is bad.

Its bad because the jet is essentially a VERY EXPENSIVE campaign donation that would not be allow in cash form.

[zero]

He is taking advantage of a tax loophole, and campaign contribution loophole he exclusively created for HIMSELF.

It only benefits him, his wife, and costs other republican and democratic nominees, and the everyday taxpayer.

[karsen]

From TBO.com:

Given Sen. John McCain's signature stance on campaign finance reform, it was not surprising that he backed legislation last year requiring presidential candidates to pay the actual cost of flying on corporate jets.

The law, which requires campaigns to pay charter rates when using such jets rather than cheaper first-class fares, was intended to reduce the influence of lobbyists and create a level financial playing field.

But during a seven-month period beginning last summer, McCain's cash-short campaign gave itself an advantage by using a corporate jet owned by a company headed by his wife, Cindy, according to public records.

McCain's campaign paid a total of $241,149 for the use of that plane from August through February, records show. That amount is approximately the cost of chartering a similar jet for a month or two, according to industry estimates.

The senator was able to fly so inexpensively because the law specifically exempts aircraft owned by a candidate or his family or by a privately held company they control.

The Federal Election Commission adopted rules in December to close the loophole - rules that would have required substantial payments by candidates using family-owned planes - but the agency soon lost the requisite number of commissioners needed to complete the rule-making.

Because that exemption remains, McCain's campaign was able to use his wife's corporate plane like a charter jet while paying first-class rates, several campaign finance experts said.

McCain was not available to be interviewed, a campaign spokeswoman said. In response to written questions, the spokeswoman, Jill Hazelbaker, said his campaign had acted legally and ethically in paying first-class airfares for Cindy McCain's corporate aircraft.

[karsen]

[quote zero]As a Senator, McCain himself wrote a Presidential election campaign loophole, whereby Presidential candidates can use "private corporate jets" without any penalty.

He is taking advantage of a tax loophole, and campaign contribution loophole he exclusively created for HIMSELF.

It only benefits him, his wife, and costs other republican and democratic nominees, and the everyday taxpayer.
I've yet to see a Senator pass any legislation alone. It takes more than one person to put something through, so to say he made the rule HIMSELF is ridiculous.

He's not the only one who can benefit from this either. There were other candidates who owned or operated business with private jets.

How does it cost the other candidates and taxpayers money? The jet is owned by a family member and he is still paying first class rates to use it. As best as I can tell he is not asking for handouts to pay for it.

[JoeH]

> How does it cost the other candidates and taxpayers money? The jet is owned by a family member and he is still paying first class rates to use it. As best as I can tell he is not asking for handouts to pay for it.

The costs of operating the plane are written off as a business expense. That reduces the company profits, and also taxes. I doubt the 1st class rates cover more than a portion of the costs, so in essence all other taxpayers end up subsidizing the campaign.

[karsen]

[quote JoeH]> How does it cost the other candidates and taxpayers money? The jet is owned by a family member and he is still paying first class rates to use it. As best as I can tell he is not asking for handouts to pay for it.

The costs of operating the plane are written off as a business expense. That reduces the company profits, and also taxes. I doubt the 1st class rates cover more than a portion of the costs, so in essence all other taxpayers end up subsidizing the campaign.
I don't pretend to know the tax regulations regarding the plane usage, but don't taxpayers subsidize all campaigns?

[Grateful11]

He may have great vision but from what I've heard he doesn't have much of a memory.
He has to have Liberman standing nearby to correct his mistakes.

[JoeH]

Other than the direct presidential election money, that check off on your taxes, no. And the candidates only get that money if they agree to certain spending limitations, or they can turn it down and only use contributed funds from individuals and PAC's. A campaign contribution is not tax deductible.