McCain’s position on Russia determined by campaign advisor/lobbyist

Randy Scheunemann, McCain’s senior foreign policy and national security advisor, was, until very recently, a paid lobbyist for former Soviet Bloc countries.

At various times from 2001 through early this year, Eastern European countries including Georgia, paid Scheunemann and his partner, Mike Mitchell, more than $2 million.

Scheunemann works to pave the way for these countries to be admitted into NATO. In fact, two of Scheunemann's clients, Latvia and Romania, were admitted to full NATO member status in 2004.

Late last year, Scheunemann was still on Georgia's and the McCain campaign’s payroll. McCain might take his hard line stance on Russia because it plays well with some of the GOP base; but there is little doubt that McCain's rhetoric and policies would please the countries Scheunemann has worked for.

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