Interview with CHARLES KEATING: Money Talks

Q. When you were asked whether the money you contributed to the so-called Keating Five -- Senators Alan Cranston, Dennis DeConcini, Donald Reigle, John Glenn and John McCain -- influenced them to help you, you said, "I certainly hope so."

A. That probably was a dumb way to phrase it. I was participating in a system. I have never asked to give anybody money. A politician will come to me and say, "Will you make a contribution?" And they usually suggest a size for you to go out and try and collect. Now I didn't make all those contributions; I went...