John McCain had role in original Wilmington DHL deal (Losing 8,000+ jobs)

[RamboLiberal]

Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer

Washington -- When Republican presidential candidate John McCain meets Thursday with citizens and officials in Wilmington, Ohio, he won't need a playbook to understand why they're worried about deep job losses at the local freight airport.

Little known to those citizens, McCain and his campaign manager, Rick Davis, played roles in the fate of DHL Express and its Ohio air park as far back as 2003. Back then, however, their actions that helped DHL and its German owner, Deutsche Post World Net, acquire the Wilmington operations resulted in expansion, not retraction.

In a private meeting Thursday, Wilmington residents will ask McCain for help in stopping DHL's proposal to quit using the airport as a hub, which could cost more than 8,000 jobs. DHL says that it wants to stay in the freight business but that it can stem financial losses if it can put its packages aboard the planes of a rival -- United Parcel Service -- before delivering them in DHL trucks. UPS flies out of Louisville, Ky., so the proposed change would render the Wilmington airport unnecessary.

None of that was anticipated in 2003, when McCain and Davis, who was a Washington lobbyist before managing the presidential campaign, first got involved. Several Wilmington civic leaders said that what happened in 2003 created an economic gain for their community, lasting several years.

Read more: http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1218011630135640.xml&coll=2

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Mary Houghtaling, who runs a hospice in Wilmington, Ohio, choked up as she told McCain of DHL's plans to close its domestic air hub in her town, a move that could throw 8,600 people out of work. "This is a terrible blow," McCain told her. "I don't know if I can stop it. That's some straight talk. Some more straight talk? I doubt it."

http://www.dailykos.com/

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYxrevYydL8

Bush & Republican voters in Ohio, you vote for them why?

[MadMaddie]

1. I don't know if I could stop it! There is hope for ya from the

Rethuglican nominee.

He probably won't remember it come tomorrow!

[JaneFordA]

3. "Why...?"

Because those are the proud "one issue" only-ers until it's THEIR jobs on the line. Let the punishment fit the crime.

[MadMaddie]

4. That sums it up

Even if their own quality of life will suffer they refuse to accept the truth.

Welcome to DU!:hi:

[CitizenPatriot]

2. man

too bad we can't get that on a tv news story before he comes to town or pass it out in fliers before people go into the town hall meeting, since I've heard the "maverick" only let's in those who are invited now. so much for free press and democracy in action. the maverick can't handle unvetted questions. maybe this is part of his anger management program. "john, you won't get angry if you never have to hear anything you don't like." that's what money, 500 dollar shoes, and an elitist attitude gets you at the "town hall" debate. so much for him being "one of us".

[Frisbee]

5. If you never have to hear anything you don't like.

That's why I CAN'T WAIT for the first debate. Obama needs to be sharp, confident and go for the kill. No politeness, no respect, call him on every lie or mistake, and needle him until he snaps. It shouldn't be too hard to expose him for the senile fool he is.

[bluesmail]

6. DHL has closed it's rural hubs has USPS delivering their pkgs.

I know this because I am a Rural Carrier and have been delivering DHL pkgs, (and flats, aka magazines, catalogs) for about the last 3 weeks.

[truthisfreedom]

7. Sad!

[Truth4Justice]

9. OT, but its no secret that DHL has been trying to move to LTL freight in the US.

I think DHL is slowly moving out of parcel, which of course will benefit UPS and you you lucky dog. UPS is a good company to work for.

[Gabi Hayes]

8. The Plain Dealer and Karen Tumulty, who quoted the CPD article, both

missed the key point, I think, in this story, and one that only the WashPost and TPM Muckraker have spotlighted. It's been out since June 26, so they should have seen it....wonder why they didn't include it. I haven't seen/heard it anywhere else. the other stories left out the part (bolded) that should spell HUGE TROUBLE for McCain:




In 2003, for instance, DHL Holdings (USA) and Airborne hired Davis to lobby the Senate to facilitate a merger. Hotly opposed by shipping giants FedEx and United Parcel Service, the merger encountered opposition from Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) on the commerce committee.

McCain took steps that helped Davis's clients. He thwarted Stevens's effort to insert language into legislation that would prohibit foreign-controlled companies such as DHL from holding certain military contracts.

Davis's firm earned $125,000 from Airborne in 2003 and $465,000 from DHL parent company Deutsche Post World Net (USA) from 2003 to 2005, records show.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/25/AR2008062502858.html?nav=rss_politics&sid=ST2008062502934&pos=

[qwlauren35]

10. I don't see how this hurts McCain

He brought them the hub. That makes him the good guy!!!!

Even if he can't keep it for them, he's still the one who "tried".

I'm missing how this could possibly hurt him.

[WriteDown]

11. I'm in the same boat....

Doesn't look like he or DHL is the bad guy. Looks unavoidable.

[AzDar]

12. K & R ...

'Why', indeed.
:kick: