While Senator John McCain cuddles up close to Bush Campaign operatives, he may just get caught up in their dirty dealings. The Associated Press reports about one of his new hires:

With an eye toward the 2008 presidential campaign, GOP Sen. John McCain of Arizona has hired one of President Bush’s top re-election advisers to help run his political action committee. Terry Nelson, political director of the Bush-Cheney campaign in 2004, will be senior adviser to Straight Talk America, according to several official familiar with the hiring.

What the AP conveniently leaves out is Nelson’s past involvements in the DeLay - TRMPAC money laundering scandal. MyDD puts the pieces together:

The political director for the Bush-Cheney re-election campaign testified Friday before a grand jury investigating charges that corporate money was used illegally in 2002 state legislative races.

A spokeswoman for the Republican National Committee confirmed that political director Terry Nelson testified.

So while John McCain bloviates about campaign finance reform, he’s hiring scandal tainted Bush operatives. Another hallmark of the Straight Talker speaking out of both sides of his mouth.