In regards to Khalidi, however, the guilt-by-association game burns
John McCain as well.
During the 1990s, while he served as chairman of the International
Republican Institute (IRI), McCain distributed several grants to the
Palestinian research center co-founded by Khalidi, including one worth
half a million dollars.
. ...
A 1998 tax filing for the McCain-led group shows a $448,873 grant to
Khalidi's Center for Palestine Research and Studies for work in the
West Bank. (See grant number 5180, "West Bank: CPRS" on page 14 of
this PDF.)
The relationship extends back as far as 1993, when John McCain joined
IRI as chairman in January. Foreign Affairs noted in September of that
year that IRI had helped fund several extensive studies in Palestine
run by Khalidi's group, including over 30 public opinion polls and a
study of "sociopolitical attitudes."
Of course, there's seemingly nothing objectionable with McCain's
organization helping a Palestinian group conduct research in the West
Bank or Gaza. But it does suggest that McCain could have some of his
own explaining to do as he tries to make hay out of Khalidi's ties to
Obama.
http://www.thesabre.com/message_board/politics/2008/October/28/225555.php