The indictment of his Arizona campaign chair, Congressman Rick Renzi, caps off a bad, bad week for McCain. Renzi's indictment follows new questions about his favors for lobbyists, an FEC rebuke for his potentially illegal attempt to back out of public financing, and the scandal surrounding efforts by his Indiana campaign team to bend the rules to get him on the ballot.

McCain just announced Renzi as part of his 'Arizona Leadership Team' on January 26, even though the Congressman had been under investigation for more than a year for his role in a land deal and legislation to benefit a business partner. [Roll Call, 4/19/07] And Renzi joined McCain on his infamous walk through Baghad:

Here's a quick rundown of McCain's ties to Renzi:

January 2008: Despite Being Under Investigation, Renzi Named McCain's Arizona Co-Chair. Less than one month ago, John McCain's campaign announced its 'Arizona Leadership Team,' which included now indicted Congressman Rick Renzi, who was already under investigation "for his part in [a] land-swap deal." The Business Journal of Phoenix also reported that "McCain's business and political backers in his home state include about 20 influential lobbyists and political consultants who represent industries and other interests. They include former congressman Matt Salmon, John Kaites, Doug Cole, Chuck Coughlin, Stan Barnes, Marcus Dell'Artino, Steve Roman and Michael Preston Green. Bettina Nava as well as Wes and Deb Gullett who have worked for McCain in various capacities as well as held consulting or lobbying posts also are part of the Arizona senator's 2008 effort." [The Business Journal of Phoenix, 2/1/08]

April 2007: Renzi Joined McCain for "Orwellian Publicity Stunt" in Baghdad. After John McCain claimed there were neighborhoods safe enough for him to walk through in Baghdad, Cong. Rick Renzi joined him for a tour of a Baghdad market but sporting bulletproof vests while accompanied by "100 American soldiers, with three Blackhawk helicopters, and two Apache gunships overhead." [NBC Nightly News, 4/1/2007; Cong. Mike Pence, Press Release, 4/3/07] Headlines soon after the trip called McCain's statements "propaganda" and a "magic-carpet ride."

The Statesman Journal in Salem, Oregon, declared: "Brainwashed McCain is a straight-talker no more." An op-ed in the Rocky Mountain News called McCain's staged walk through a Baghdad market "a truly Orwellian publicity stunt." Chastened, McCain issued a half-hearted apology a few days later, saying he 'misspoke' when he pointed to his little walk under the protection of several platoons from the world's most powerful military as evidence of Baghdad's excellent shopping opportunities." [The Washington Post, 4/7/07; Rocky Mountain News, 4/10/07]

June 2006: McCain Issued Fundraising E-mail For Renzi. In June of 2006, "McCain sent out a fundraising e-mail to supporters.asking them [to] help Renzi... urged fellow Republicans to support Renzi's reelection bid." That December Renzi attended a Christmas Party McCain held for his Straight Talk America PAC, the atmosphere of which was described as "uneasy interaction between McCain's media 'base' and his new, Washington Republican donor base." [The Business Journal of Phoenix, 6/27/06; The Hotline, On Call, 12/5/06]