Another hole in McCain's maverick myth

Again, kudos to Crooks & Liars for digging up this gem - it's John McCain criticizing then-President Clinton in the late 1990s during an appearance on Nightline about his fund raising tactics. The media has mercilessly painted McCain as a maverick and as someone not influenced by money and fund raising. I never believed it in the first place, but many continue to use the "M word" whenever referring to the Arizona senator.

I believe there have been times where I have probably been influenced because the big donor had - buys access to my office, and we know that access is influence. And honestly, that taints us all. It taints me.

If I were on Obama's campaign team, I would definitely be running this clip in political advertisements.

Hmm, McCain pressuring the FCC on behalf of a major contributor? Some Maverick, that McCain.