Obama Lawyer Critical of McCain Cell Phone Tower

[kpete]

Source: Washington Post

Barack Obama
Obama Lawyer Critical of McCain Cell Phone Tower

By James V. Grimaldi
The Obama campaign's top lawyer today criticized John McCain for accepting free cell phone towers from two wireless companies that placed the devices on his wife's remote ranch in Arizona to improve a coverage dead zone.

"This is John McCain's display of his maverick ethics: He believes he is entitled to free cell service while other Americans have to pay for theirs," said Bob Bauer, general counsel of the Democratic presidential candidate's campaign and chairman of the political law practice at Perkins Coie LLP.

The Washington Post reported last night that Verizon Wireless and AT&T installed portable cellular towers on the ranch, located in a canyon 12 miles southwest of Sedona, providing consistent coverage to the ranch for the first time.

In response to the reports, McCain campaign spokesman Brian Rogers told the Associated Press, "This story is a disgrace. The McCain's went through the process that is available to anybody who subscribes to one of these cell phone companies to inquire about getting service."

Read more: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/10/16/obama_lawyer_critical_of_mccai.html#more

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Verizon is claiming that they installed the towers at the request of the Secret Service. Great answer. Except the Washington Post just uncovered that it's a lie. They agreed to build the towers, signed a contract with Cindy McCain to build the towers, BEFORE the Secret Service got involved. So now we're back to whether AT&T & Verizon violated federal law by making an illegal contribution to John McCain's campaign, and whether John McCain violated Senate ethics rules as well.

Verizon spokesman Jeffrey Nelson attacked The Post's story as "wrong," saying, "Verizon received a request from Mrs. McCain, but declined. Subsequent to that, the Secret Service made a legitimate request for a temporary tower for its work and Verizon complied as is required by our contract with the agency."

However, interviews and public records filed in the development services offices of Yavapai County, Ariz., reveal a different timeline. Getting cell coverage was the culmination of an effort begun in early 2007 by Cindy McCain, when her staff first requested coverage through Verizon's Web site, according to the McCain campaign. After discussing the matter with the company, Mrs. McCain offered land for a permanent cell tower. She gave Verizon authorization to act on her behalf to seek permits from the county. Verizon hired contractors to draw up the plans and Cindy McCain signed a contract in May.

[Solly Mack]

1. K&R

[achtung_circus]

2. K & R nt

[ramapo]

3. We get lousy cell service when on vacation

Every year we rent the same place in Rhode Island. Verizon's cell service is crappy. Can somebody direct me the the page on Verizon's web site where I can request a portable tower be set up for my next visit?

[Plucketeer]

4. Just contact the secret service.

[Dystopian]

5. KandR.

peace~

[IllinoisBirdWatcher]

6. GEE, anybody? My house has very poor cellphone reception...

I've called and called and called, and they tell me nothing can be done for my neighborhood.

Dear Brian Rogers,
Please tell me how I can get COWs set up here.

[FatDave]

7. No shit!

I even explained to a prior cell company that I liked their phones and their service, but I had to switch because they just didn't have good coverage at my new home. You'd think they would have offered to put a tower in my back yard.

[nc4bo]

8. There goes that dirty ethics word again. Follows this ticket around like

swarm of fruit flies on a ripe banana.

How long before it reaches the CorpMedia?