Hypocrisy charge leveled against McCain

McCain can be called a lot of things, but I think hypocrite is not one of them. Nevertheless, a reporter from National Journal is trying to stir up a hypocrisy controversy that does not exist. We all know that McCain has been the leading critic of pork-barrel spending in Congress. We also all know that while the Dems are tearing themselves apart, he is on his bio-tour reintroducing himself to the American people.

Today National Journal's Hotline Blog smells a hypocrite:

John McCain has railed against earmarks in Washington and on the campaign trail, but tomorrow his week-long bio tour heads to Jacksonville's Naval Air Station Cecil Field, a big-time beneficiary of pork. Between 2001 and 2005, Cecil Field received almost $10M in earmarked funds, according to Citizens Against Government Waste.

Here's the skinny:

$1M in 2005 for operation and maintenance

$1.2M in 2004 for operation and maintenance

$2.5M in 2003 for operation and maintenance

$2M in 2002 for operation and maintenance

$3M in 2001 for operation and maintenance

$215K in 2001 for an economic development initiative

One assumes that Cecil Field is somehow a part of John McCain's bio, and that -- not the fact that it has been a federal earmark recipient -- is the reason for stopping there. And given McCain's age, Cecil Field would likely not have been receiving federal earmarks at the time because the practice had yet to infect Congress.

Even if Cecil Field has absolutely nothing to do with McCain's past, he did not earmark these funds. Finally, there is hardly a military installation in this country that has not received federal earmarks. Should the would-be Commander in Chief not visit any of these facilities that house those who he wishes to command?