McCain’s Role With Nonprofit Institute Draws Scrutiny

The International Republican Institute, a nonprofit group that aims to promote democracy in closed societies, has been led for 15 years by John McCain, the Republican presidential candidate, reports The New York Times.

Under Mr. McCain’s tenure, the institute, which operates free of the limitations that restrict campaign fund-raising, has solicited millions of dollars from over 500 defense contractors, lobbying firms, oil companies, and other corporations, many with issues presented before Senate committees Mr. McCain served on, the newspaper writes.

“Over the years, Mr. McCain has nurtured a reputation for bucking the Republican establishment and criticizing the influence of special interests in politics,” the Times says. “But an examination of his leadership of the Republican institute — one of the least-chronicled aspects of his political life — reveals an organization in many ways at odds with the political-outsider image that has become a touchstone of the McCain campaign for president.”

Mr. McCain declined to be interviewed for the story. A spokesman for his campaign said Senator McCain “has never requested nor offered to take a position on legislation in exchange for, or because of, contributions to I.R.I.” He added that Mr. McCain was “proud of I.R.I.’s work in countries from Peru to Serbia to Mongolia.”

(Free registration is required to view this article.)