New story on McCain

Hess Corporation "Office Manager" And Her Husband Both Gave $28,500 To Elect McCain
By Greg Sargent - August 4, 2008, 2:14PM

As we reported below, ten Hess Corporation executives and Hess family members each gave $28,500 to the RNC's committee to elect John McCain president, just days after he reversed his previous opposition to offshore drilling.

But the story gets better.

It turns out that Hess executives aren't the only ones who gave such huge sums to elect McCain -- generosity towards McCain apparently extends down into lower levels of Hess staff. A lower level employee gave the same, too, and so did her husband, even though he works for Amtrak.

The FEC filings show that Alice Rocchio, who's identified as a Hess office manager, and her husband, Pasquale Rocchio, who's described as an Amtrak "track foreman," each separately donated $28,500 to the RNC-McCain fund, which is called McCain Victory 2008. They gave the money on June 24th, the same day that eight other Hess execs and family members each shelled out the same amount.

So the Rocchios, who live in Flushing, Queens, donated a total of $57,000 to McCain's efforts.

I just reached Ms Rocchio and she insisted adamantly that the contributions were theirs.

"It was my option to give," she told me. "This is my favorite candidate...I fully acknowledge that [the donation] was done by myself personally, my own doing." She added that the same went for her husband.

When I pointed out that the Rocchios' job titles seemed to jar a bit with the size of their donations, Ms. Rocchio said that no one could guess the real income levels of other people.

"No one knows what someone's income taxes say," she told me.

Ms. Rocchio declined to say whether the contributions had been bundled by another Hess employee or who bundled them.


Late Update: It should also be noted that FEC reports have no record of any Federal political contributions for the Rocchios before 2008. They both gave the maximum of $2,300 to McCain's campaign this year.

Also, special thanks to TPM Reader AT for spotting this.

Late Late Update: Turns out the two rent their home.

Obama is the biggest joker of the summer.

Used to be against offshore drilling but now leaning for it.

Used to be against using the Strategic Petroleum Reserve but now for it.

No experience.
No solutions, only speeches.
No love of country.
No higher taxes.
No keeping his word.
No new kind of leader.

NOBAMA!

Way to go Obama.....and we count the Press to report the news to us...that GOD for the internet.

Since McCain can’t fund and advertise at Senator Obama’s level Joe Jealous Scarborough decided he was going to help him out. All last week and even on Monday, Morning Jealousy constantly played Senator McCain over and over again… And this morning how many times did we see Senator Obama AD, answer Zero. The main topic of today’s conversation was Bill Clinton.
Let’s see if Morning Jealousy will give Senator Obama the free advertising it gave Senator McCain…  We doubt it.
As quoted by a Political Republican Strategist it what would have cost Senator McCain 40 Million Dollars to run these add that he got for free on the NBC network, and he is a republican who looked disgusted at the media’s unfair behavior? Contrary to Joe Jealous Scarborough and Pat Buchannan’s behavior not all Republican behave like bigots. Mike Murphy, Ed Rollins, Mel Martinez and Chuck Hagel are among the stand outs who actually do want this country to go in a better direction. And there is no internal struggle between being a Republican or American, they have all chosen to be Americans first. Let all hope that the Pat Buchanan’s and Joe Jealous Scarborough’s is a dying Breed.
God Help us all and let’s hope Karma hits people like Joe Jealous Scarborough in a way of declining rating.
As I and many others have stated before, Morning Jealousy will be on an Olympic Scheduling Break and this will be the time for CNN Morning Show to get its act together and steal the viewer ship away from the irresponsible conservative race bait driven show.

Please Barack. Passing out rebate checks is not an energy policy. An energy policy requires that you produce more enrgy then we produce today. Until you meet that requirement, please stop babbling.

C-H-A-R-L-A-T-A-N

Per Politico, it has been running for about a week in battleground states, but the campaign never released the ad to the press.
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So that's your excuse for not posting this? Politico had this up at 4:57 am.

And you still haven't embedded the first video...

I'm hoping Obama can explain how raising taxes on oil and oil companies solves the energy problems this country faces.

Doesn't the press watch TV?  You sound whinny.  "They didn't tell us".  Are they required to tell you everything?  Get to work!  Is everyting just supposed to be handed to you?  

 

Oh, my, god.  A "secret" campaign ad, available to the voters' eyes only, and not to the press.  I love it.  It feels kind of clandestine, almost like sneaking a kiss in the bathroom or something.

I wonder why?  Maybe so the voters could decide for themselves what it means, instead of having the press tell them?  

Oh, one question, though.  Doesn't the press watch television?  This ad was about as "secret" in the states were it was run as Nixon's "secret" bombing of Cambodia.  

Doesn't the press watch TV?  You sound whinny.  "They didn't tell us".  Are they required to tell you everything?  Get to work!  Is everyting just supposed to be handed to you?  

 

The Idea of taking the fight McFosile(fuel), got me excited like a baby! I'm donating $47 today for Obama's B-day for this Ad,more money to come when get my pay check!

This is major reason why Obama is dropping in the polls. America wants an energy policy, not whatever Obama is trying to bs us about.

Yay Mark!  Quick response, thanks!

Link to above story posted by Capt. smash, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Hess Corporation "Office Manager" And Her Husband Both Gave $28,500 To Elect McCain
http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/08/hess_corporation_office_manage.php

VIDEO: Last month, John McCain made a big-time reversal in announcing his support for off-shore oil drilling and since then energy executives and employees donated $1.1 million to his campaign. Guest host Mike Barnicle discusses in the Hardball Big Number.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/25890768#25890768


Big Oil Fuels John McCain's Straight Talk Express
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ4eeQzDlgM&eurl

Thanks for the research Capt Smash.  Anyone know why the MSM is not commenting on the web ad Sen McCain's campaign put out LAST month?  The ad asked viewers if they are worried about "what other changes Sen Obama would make"?  It then proceedes to show a picture of the Statue of Liberty with Sen Obama's Face, Mount Rushmore with 4 Sen Obama Sculptures on it and most interestingly of all, a $100 bill with Ben Franklin's picture that is replaced with Sen Obama's?  Overall I thought the ad was funny, just like the Moses ad was kind of funny, but the way the McCain camp screamed race card like scalded cats, you'd never know they'd put that particular add out just a couple of weeks ago.  They said Sen Obama brought race into the debate when he said it 3 times in one day, as if race is Beetlejuice and only appeared because those conditions had been met.  Would love to see an objective analysis about the double standard the McCain camp is using here, but I doubt it will happen here.    

I've seen this ad (Florida) but I guess since Britney and Paris aren't it in, the Press didn't see the need to air it for free like they did for McSame or even acknowledge it exists!

In order to gain independence from Foreign Oil, Barack has proposed a comprehensive plan with both short range and long range aspects.

T. Boone Pickens said some good things about the Obama plan and has also said that "we cannot drill our way out of this problem".

McCain says Drill, Drill, Drill. Sounds to me about as reasonable as his Bomb, Bomb, Bomb, Iran plan. ;)

We need to deal with complex interconnected issues in a complex manner as Barack has proposed. Sound bites will NOT lower our gas prices nor provide future generations with energy independence

COTOTP
Obama-Biden '08

Good ad, and at least it's all true, unlike McCain's ads which are false and misleading!

Obama slammed Mcsame at the town hall today.
Tied Mccaint right in the big oil pockets.
26 years and what HAS he done? (ps..nothing)

I wonder if McCain figured out that they aren't going to show him Obama full hand until debates... Lets be fa-real... McCain was a the bottom his class: Well Obama as we all know was at the top of his class.  So a debate is about brains and who has the biggest brain.  hummmmmmmm,this is a world of info not, the days of strong-arming things are dead...

Yeah, McCain is sitting in the pocket of big oil like a baby kangaroo seeking maternal comfort. To have the little people do your dirty work is unspeakable and should be hung out to dry with all McCain's other dirty laundry. Using the Rocchio's to mask enormous political contributions on behalf of McCain, and McCain accepting the contributions, is abuse of public trust and not deserving of public office.

Just wondering how come you have the Obama rebuttle to McCain ads but no McCain rebuttle to the Obama ads?

Not a bad ad, certainly nothing the Repigs can say is false.  It didn't exactly bowl me over, but you gotta keep stuff simple for most Americans.

Good Job Capt. Smash!

dems should jump on the feds to investigate what those people made and what is in their accts... he's an amtrak guy and her an office manager and they donated 57,000?  Pleeeez!

Folks, think about it. What's brining down oil proces now - conservation and lower demand. This is a chance for us to break the grip of the oil-terrorists. Forget about drill, drill, drill. It's conserve, conserve, conserve. This is the front line on the effort against terror. With current and ongoing conservation and a plan for renewable energy (see Picken's Plan)we can win this war!

Keep pointing out McCain's voting record (when he's actually voted, that is) for the past 26 YEARS. He's AGAINST anything important to a Democrat....or veteran for that matter (i.e., against the GI Bill). If the media won't point this out, than Obama's camp SHOULD! 26 years is a LONG time to do nothing!

It seems a palpable shift has also been made by the Obama campaign. No more Kerry-style "above the fray" attitude to McCain's distortions...

http://www.political-buzz.com/

Apparently NoBama has NoIdea about McCain's flip-flopping.

At least Obama doesn't attend biker rallies where many women willingly bare their breasts.

Why is it that the media never gives the full text of what Senator Obama, just a sound bite that does not give the true picture of what is being said.  Yesterday I watched the complete speech Senator Obama, gave in Michigan.  It made sense and gave answers to many of the silly questions that Senator McCain, had asked.  It gave a clear picture of where Senator Obama, sees the nation going and the direction he feels it should go.  I agree if it were not for the internet and reading four different papers each day the average American, would believe what they are being told by the TV pundits.

Contrary to Joe Jealous Scarborough and Pat Buchannan’s behavior not all Republican behave like bigots. Mike Murphy, Ed Rollins, Mel Martinez and Chuck Hagel are among the stand outs who actually do want this country to go in a better direction.
justwaitandsee (Sent Tuesday, August 05, 2008 11:57 AM)

Yep. The bigotted, obnoxious, and disingenuous attitudes being displayed by so many Republican politicians and talking heads is why I changed to Democratic this year.  I may not agree with the party on a good bit of issues (I didn't agree with all Republican ones either), but at least most seem far more genuine when they talk and act.

If the Republicons want to get back to a respectable party they need to toss these losers out and start acting like Ed Rollins, Chuck Hagel, Michael Smerconish, and others.  Just be genuine, honest, and have policies that are for the people, not the corporations.

There is only an issue if the donations are illegal. Otherwise, only the sensibilities of certain people are offended and who gives a **** about that?

Most people on this post have no compunction about offending my sensibilities on a regular basis, so the fact that McCain gets oil money (Obama got money from Hess also, at a March fundraiser.  I assume it was returned?)is rather satisfying to me and not one bit of a problem.

Obama has altered his stance on drilling also, but apparently AFTER he got money from Hess.  So, the question is, was he paid or rewarded?

Good ad, and at least it's all true, unlike McCain's ads which are false and misleading!
-----------------------------------------------------
Yes, like Obama's first energy ad yesterday, which factcheck.org debunked!  The Messiah would never mislead us, he's a new kind of politician!

That's how you hit him, with the truth and a sensible well thought out plan. this is a great ad. !!!!!!
Poor Mccain he can't put two thoughts together. HE IS NOT PRESIDENTIAL !!!!!!!!!

It is kinda funny. These oil guys are making these huge donations by using loopholes in the McCain-Feingold campaign finance laws.

McCain is basically known for one thing in Congress. Despite being there forever, his claim to fame is that campaign finance legislation, which is universally considered to be a failure.

And now his campaign is benefitting from that failure.

Its all part of McCain just being McCain.

The Obama campaign needs to push back harder. They need to  keep repeating that Obama, unlike McCain, is not a one note candidate on energy or anything else.  That he is not about taking rigid, inflexible stances and beating up all those with different points of view. That wrong-headed approach is what has brought us to where we are today where defeating the other side is seen as more important than accomplishing anything positive.  

Obama needs to make clearer that he is for a wide range of solutions to the energy problem and that if some off shore drilling is part of a good compromise package he won't oppose it because he'd rather get things done than defeat every proposal from the other side.  

That's why he is also open to adjusting his strategy for getting us out of Iraq as circumstances demand so long as the goal remains bringing our troops home and returning sovereignty to the Iraqi people within as close to a 16 month time frame as possible while securing American interests and preserving gaons for the Iraqi people.  

He needs to be the guy who is serious about breaking gridlock, getting things done by looking for ways to resolve conflicts and create win/win solutions for the American people as a whole, while the  Republicans are the ones fixated on dividing us by pointing to Democrats as the enemy, and questioning their patriotism.

When they accuse him of flip-flopping he should say it's silly to equate seeking constructive compromise with flip-flopping.  That should be his main thrust:  If you thought he was a liberal ideologue as opposed to a conservative ideologue you have misunderstood what he's about.  He's about bringing Americans together to  find practical solutions and that means hammering out deals where both sides need to give a little to move forward for the country.    

McCain accused him of preferring to lose a war to win an election, a direct attack on his honor and patriotism.  Here's how Obama ought to turn it around.  Obama ought to say that when politicians would rather see their opponents lose than see the American people win, it's time for a change.  

It's time for leadership that knows we can only win by making a good faith effort to come together to find the solutions we need both here at home and in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, in fighting terrorism and  building better relationships with our valued allies.  

McCain has chosen the old lose/lose path.  Obama will always strive for win/win.  That should be the message.  That doesn't mean unicorns and singing children or Moses parting the waters.  It means good old fashioned hard headed American can-do spirit and practicality over the out of touch, ivory tower, think tank ideology of the far right OR the far left.

The Obama campaign needs to push back harder. They need to  keep repeating that Obama, unlike McCain, is not a one note candidate on energy or anything else.  That he is not about taking rigid, inflexible stances and beating up all those with different points of view. That wrong-headed approach is what has brought us to where we are today where defeating the other side is seen as more important than accomplishing anything positive.  

Obama needs to make clearer that he is for a wide range of solutions to the energy problem and that if some off shore drilling is part of a good compromise package he won't oppose it because he'd rather get things done than defeat every proposal from the other side.  

That's why he is also open to adjusting his strategy for getting us out of Iraq as circumstances demand so long as the goal remains bringing our troops home and returning sovereignty to the Iraqi people within as close to a 16 month time frame as possible while securing American interests and preserving gaons for the Iraqi people.  

He needs to be the guy who is serious about breaking gridlock, getting things done by looking for ways to resolve conflicts and create win/win solutions for the American people as a whole, while the  Republicans are the ones fixated on dividing us by pointing to Democrats as the enemy, and questioning their patriotism.

When they accuse him of flip-flopping he should say it's silly to equate seeking constructive compromise with flip-flopping.  That should be his main thrust:  If you thought he was a liberal ideologue as opposed to a conservative ideologue you have misunderstood what he's about.  He's about bringing Americans together to  find practical solutions and that means hammering out deals where both sides need to give a little to move forward for the country.    

McCain accused him of preferring to lose a war to win an election, a direct attack on his honor and patriotism.  Here's how Obama ought to turn it around.  Obama ought to say that when politicians would rather see their opponents lose than see the American people win, it's time for a change.  

It's time for leadership that knows we can only win by making a good faith effort to come together to find the solutions we need both here at home and in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, in fighting terrorism and  building better relationships with our valued allies.  

McCain has chosen the old lose/lose path.  Obama will always strive for win/win.  That should be the message.  That doesn't mean unicorns and singing children or Moses parting the waters.  It means good old fashioned hard headed American can-do spirit and practicality over the out of touch, ivory tower, think tank ideology of the far right OR the far left.

Again for the low information voters (repukes) - U.S. refinneries are running at 98% capacity, so therefore where do you think the oil that we drill now for will go? Here is a clue for the clueless repukes - ON THE WORLD MARKET, this will make exon an even greater profit, and we, the rest of the informed citizens will not see a drop of it. Now I ask you, how will that benefit us again????? anybody

McCain is the lowest form of human being. . if it's possible to describe him this way. . . .just because he was a POW, everything he does is EXCUSED and dismissed. . .NOT discussed and examined with full disclosure for the  American people to understand what he's talking about. . . because in all honesty, since the NEGATIVE campaign ads have come out,  he's reduced his stature 10-fold. . .NOT worth the POTUS.
He's acting like a child, and we've HAD ENOUGH of child-like; cowboy style; college prank politics !!!!
If we elect this man,  we deserve what we get. . .and the world will laugh at the great USA !!McCain   has changed his mind (if he still has one) on EVERY ISSUE and continues to use 'talking points', and  hopefully during the debates, we'll see if he needs an index card to keep track of what he's supposed to say !!!

OIl problems have been on an increase in the last 30 years,McCain has been Senator for 26 of these 30, now his way to get our vote is to flip flop on what he had voted for and say drill, drill here now! Wow how long did it get for him to answer this one quetion? Answer is McBush 26 years!!!!!!!! Obama 08

I'm hoping mclame can explain how giving tax breaks to oil companies lowers gas prices or increases oil supplies?

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