Shortly after Newsweek reported that:

The campaign recently tapped Doug Goodyear for the job, a veteran operative and Arizonan who was chosen for his “management experience and expertise,” according to McCain press secretary Jill Hazelbaker. But some allies worry that Goodyear’s selection could fuel perceptions that McCain—who has portrayed himself as a crusader against special interests—is surrounded by lobbyists. Goodyear is CEO of DCI Group, a consulting firm that earned $3 million last year lobbying for ExxonMobil, General Motors and other clients.

Potentially more problematic: the firm was paid $348,000 in 2002 to represent Burma’s military junta, which had been strongly condemned by the State Department for its human-rights record and remains in power today. Justice Department lobbying records show DCI pushed to “begin a dialogue of political reconciliation” with the regime. It also led a PR campaign to burnish the junta’s image, drafting releases praising Burma’s efforts to curb the drug trade and denouncing “falsehoods” by the Bush administration that the regime engaged in rape and other abuses. “It was our only foreign representation, it was for a short tenure, and it was six years ago,” Goodyear told NEWSWEEK, adding the junta’s record in the current cyclone crisis is “reprehensible.”

Yet in politics, even the hint of scandal can be a death knell for anyone but the political veterans. So yesterday, The New York Times and Politico both reported that Goodyear had decided to resign:

“Today I offered the convention my resignation so as not to become a distraction in this campaign,’’ Mr. Goodyear said in a two-sentence statement. “I continue to strongly support John McCain for president, and wish him the best of luck in this campaign.’’

The political landscape is a volatile one, the merest glimmer of a scandal will have people jumping all over it, that seems to be the nature of our politics.