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McCain saved money by using wife's jet

WASHINGTON, April 27 (UPI) -- Republican presidential hopeful John McCain used the corporate jet belonging to his wife's company at little cost, records show.

The presumptive GOP nominee used the jet owned by a company headed by Cindy McCain at a discounted rate despite supporting legislation last year requiring presidential candidates to pay the actual cost of flying on corporate jets.

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The New York Times reported Sunday that the Arizona senator's campaign paid a total of $241,149 for the use of the Cessna Citation Excel from last August through February, paying only about what it would cost to charter a similar jet for a month or two.

"This amounts to a subsidy for his campaign, which is notable given how badly they were struggling last year," said Sheila Krumholz, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan group that collects and analyzes campaign data.

McCain's campaign was able to use the corporate plane owned by Hensley & Co. like it would a charter jet while paying first-class rates.

McCain spokeswoman Jill Hazelbaker said the campaign acted legally and ethically in paying first-class airfares for the use of the corporate aircraft.

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