ASPEN — Jet-setters retreating to this mountain town may no longer hear GOP presidential candidate John McCain’s recorded voice welcoming them to town, at least for a while.
McCain is among list of notable visitors who have recorded messages for the Pitkin County Airport. In separate recordings, the Arizona senator warns travelers about security regulations and welcomes them to “one of the most beautiful places on Earth.” But someone complained to airport officials that McCain’s message may give him an unfair boost in the presidential campaign.
“My druthers are to pull it off,” Pitkin County spokeswoman Pat Bingham said. “I don’t want to tip the scales of this election.”
Bingham began the celebrity spots last year as a fun way to capitalize on the area’s A-list commuters.
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WASHINGTON — President Bush sent the Senate a new slate of Federal Election Commission nominees Tuesday, an attempt to break a Senate confirmation deadlock that was greeted coolly by the Democratic leader.
Bush nominated Democrat Cynthia Bauerly, legislative director for Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.; and Republicans Caroline Hunter, a member of the Election Assistance Commission, and Donald McGahn, who has served as counsel for the National Republican Congressional Campaign. But he would not withdraw the nomination of Hans von Spakovsky, a former Justice Department official who does not have Democratic support.
The stalemate has left the FEC without a quorum to conduct business despite record fundraising by presidential candidates.
Also pending is action on McCain’s decision to bypass public matching funds during the primary.
