After Congressed passed the bailout plan for nearly $1 Trillion, both the McCain and Obama campaigns have been pointing fingers and trying to place partial blame for the financial mess. The McCain campaign accused Obama of having connections with former CEO of Fannie Mae, Franklin Raines- although those "guilt by association" attacks are starting to backfire on the McCain camp- due to other media reports revealing that McCain's campaign manager, Rick Davis, who was a Freddie Mac lobbyist and on Freddie Mac's payroll as recent as August, 2008.

Read HERE for more on the McCain campaign and his campaign manager Rick Davis' direct connections as a Freddie Mac lobbyist. Earlier in the campaign, McCain had to fire his Economic Advisor, Phil Gramm, for making controversial remarks regarding the sub-prime mortgage crisis, and the teetering economy along with gas prices:

"We have sort of become a nation of whiners. You just hear this constant whining, complaining about a loss of competitiveness, America in decline..."

Phil Gramm Steps Down After 'Whiners' Comment (CNN)
Foreclosure Phil (Mother Jones)

As the nation faces a great financial struggle ahead, most Americans are starting to lean toward Obama when it comes to the economy, which has overshadowed "Homeland Security & Terrorism" and the Iraq War when it comes to the major issues. The McCain campaign has resorted to "guilt by association" adds and charges from the stump [Sarah Palin], similar to those that the Hillary Clinton campaign spread during the DNC primary elections- trying to link Obama with William Ayers, a 1960's radical who was apart of the Weather Underground- officially labeled a domestic terrorist group by the FBI.

McCain Gets More Aggressive "Who is the Real Barack Obama?" (CNN)

Guilt By Association? How About The Keating 5, McCain?

In summary, the "Keating 5" were 5 US Senators who were investigated for Savings & Loans scandals during the late 1980's and early 1990's concerning Charles Keating- who was then, CEO of Lincoln Savings & Loan Association. One of the 5 Senators who were investigated and attended hearings on behalf of the Senate Ethics Committee, was John McCain. McCain was only found guilty for having "poor judgment", but evidence shows that he was greatly responsible for contributing and pushing for less regulation on the savings and loan market, which caused the economic crisis at the time.

As we move through October, the Presidential race tightens up, and politics get dirty. One camp accuses the other of running around with terrorists and taking campaign funds from the same companies as they are, and the other camp leaks dirty laundry of Senator's Past concerning the economy and scandal. If anything is clear, the "guilt by association" tactic used by the McCain campaign has back-fired in a big way. Implying that Barack Obama hangs out with terrorists is seemingly desperate and ridiculous at the same time, and now the Obama campaign has unleashed their own website slamming McCain on the Keating 5 scandal. Eye for an Eye? If the economy remains the #1 spotlight issue, McCain is going to have a hard time regaining ground.

Fact Check on McCain & Keating 5 (CNN)

Keating 5 Economics (Obama For America)

Keating 5 (wikipedia)