McCain Aided Arizona Businessman

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April 22, 2008 10:06 AM

Known for his avowed stance against favors for special interests, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., introduced legislation sought by a major campaign donor, the New York Times reports this morning.

McCain also wrote a personal letter of introduction for the donor, Arizona developer Don Diamond, which Diamond used to win business, according to the paper.  McCain's office also arranged for Diamond, who has developed land once belonging to the military, to meet an Army official, the Times said, helping him close a deal which cleared him a $20 million profit.

The McCain presidential campaign told the paper the candidate "had done nothing for Mr. Diamond that he would not do for any other Arizona citizen." The legislation he introduced which benefited Diamond had broad support from local governments, it said.

It called the introduction to the Army official a "constituent matter," and said the letter was "a character reference," noting that other lawmakers had written similar letters for Diamond.

Diamond, who has reportedly raised over $250,000 for McCain's White House bid, defended his candidate to the Times. "I think that is what Congress people are supposed to do for constituents. . . When you have a big, significant businessman like myself, why wouldn't you want to help move things along?"

Noting that McCain sometimes expressed reservations about helping Arizona businessmen, Diamond told the Times he encouraged the senator to "loosen up."

The Times notes Diamond and his family has given over $55,000 to McCain's various campaigns, and over $600,000 to other candidates -- and expects a return on that. "I want my money back, for Christ's sake," the paper quoted Diamond as saying. "Do you know how many cocktail parties I have to go to?"