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Scraping the bottom

Robert Squier
Several years ago, at a Senate hearing, I heard Robert Squier, a pioneer of big-time, big money campaign consulting, trying to explaining why candidates at times take contributions from questionable sources. He said that when you're at a point in a campaign when you're desperate for cash, that's when problems start.

I was reminded of Squier's remarks reading the NY Times story about Hillary Clinton's campaign cash troubles (I'm not picking on Clinton - this happens in a lot of campaigns at all levels). The story says "the campaign is actively hunting for new wellsprings of cash" and facing a "daily challenge ... to scrounge up new names of people to ask for money." Clinton, according to the piece, is has been "exhorting fund-raisers to `think outside the box.'"

One place they're looking may be outside the "box" of campaign finance laws - 527's and other groups that spend money purportedly independent of the campaign. One fundraiser said, somewhat defensively and not too convincingly, "These are very smart people who are being very thoughtful about it." The word "thoughtful" conjures up notions of being careful to do the right thing (as opposed to pushing the legal envelope). I doubt it.


Tags: fundraising, campaigns, money&politics (all tags)


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Clinton Cash

The Clintons have taken $15 million (w/ ano 20 on account) from the Emir of Dubai. This while HRC sat in the US Senate. Dubai is a repressive antisemitic anti Israel oligarchy and no friend of the US. While Christians can have churches in Dubai, proselytizing is a crime.
The Emir does not give away money out of the goodness of his heart. He owns the Clintons.
Now HRC announces that she wants to include the United Arab Emirates under the same security umbrella as Israel. Presumptively that she will "obliterate Iran" if it attacks her patrons. This is not influence peddling. It's treason.

by miri on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 01:15:53 PM EST


Hillary vs Obama

I see that COMMON CAUSE is Obama Cause.  I see two posts here, attacking Hillary, and in the first case, the statement is made that the poster is "not picking on Clinton," then he proceeds to pick on Clinton.  This first post, generates other anti-Hillary posts.  I was considering attending a Common Cause meeting, until I read these posts.  If Common Cause condones this empty and ludicrous propaganda, you will have saved me the necessity of attending your meetings.  These anti-Hillary posters need to take a couple of things into account.  1) Obama, or his surrogates, is currently being accused of delilberately, and criminally, tampering with various aspects of the Texas Caucus votes, and voters.  2) More democrats have voted for Hillary, than have voted for Obama.

I press these two points not simply to indicate to COMMON CAUSE and to these anti-Clinton posters, that the democrats have given "more" support to Hillary, than they have to Obama, but  more importantly, to point out, that I can easily (with my eyes blindfolded) find the most injurious and damaging comments imaginable, to direct against Obama, who I consider an utter fraud.  If you publish these ugly charges against Hillary, I can match them, easily, with equally, or far worse charges against Obama.  

by johnpolifronio on Sun May 04, 2008 at 07:48:55 PM EST


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