Daily Beast: The Shady History of Mayor Pete's Wine Cave -and the Ultra-Rich Couple That Owns It

[crazytown]

The Shady History of Mayor Pete’s Wine Cave—and the Ultra-Rich Couple That Owns It

(snip) The cave in question—more of a wine basement, if you want to get specific, built for storing and aging wine in barrels—has been a gathering place for Democratic politicians long before Warren pointed to it as evidence that Buttigieg is too close with wealthy donors to be able to deny them access, appointments and special favors down the road. Owned by Dallas billionaires Craig and Kathryn Hall, the cave’s fundraisers have benefitted at least a hundred Democrats over the years, in the estimation of California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

(snip) The Halls are the near-typification of what Warren described in the debate as “people who can put up $5,000 or more in order to have a picture taken, in order to have a conversation, and in order, maybe, to be considered to be an ambassador.” In 1997, one year after donating hundreds of thousands to Democrats seeking reelection, Kathryn Hall was nominated and confirmed as the U.S. ambassador to Austria, a position for which she had been angling for close to a year.

(snip) Although the practice of rewarding heavy-hitting fundraisers and donors with ambassadors is common—roughly a third of such positions are traditionally given to financial backers—Kathryn Hall’s four-year tenure in Vienna was not the only benefit of the couple’s close relationship with the politically powerful.

Craig Hall’s real-estate empire—facing massive debt as the Texas oil boom weakened in the late 1980s—was saved when then-House Speaker Jim Wright held up a bill meant to help recapitalize the struggling Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation in an apparent attempt to force federal regulators to let Hall’s company restructure its debt.

(snip) The eventual ethics investigation into Wright’s role in the savings-and-loan scandal would force him to resign from Congress. Hall would later pay $102.5 million to settle claims by a taxpayer-funded asset management company, which had paid out $364 million to cover insured deposits in Hall’s insolvent savings-and-loan operation.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-shady-history-of-mayor-petes-wine-cave-and-the-ultra-rich-couple-that-owns-it

[JoeOtterbein]

1. K n R ! Thanks for posting! nt

[Demsrule86]

2. Why would you post this? And we need big Democratic donors...and Warren hands are not

clean...she has taken money. I hate to see this. We need money to win. I think she and this is unfair to Buttigieg who is not wealthy and needs money.

[BeyondGeography]

3. Maybe I'm a square, but I prefer Warren's idea to give ambassadorships to qualified diplomats

rather than rich donors or their spouses.

The point here is Trump ran against business-as-usual and it was part of how he won by 74 EV's. And if you don't think he'll run what about-ism into the ground with stuff like this in order to deflect from his own criminality, we disagree.

[Demsrule86]

6. She attacked Buttigieg not Trump...and it is punching down in my opinion...not a good look.

Also she has accepted donations. I have no issue with funding a campaign.

[SWBTATTReg]

4. I agree w/ you on this. What is the purpose of flinging this mud? Money is always needed ...

for these campaigns, and I trust Buttigieg...obviously some feel otherwise, and need to fling some mud to make an impact, especially in view of the fact that some democratic candidates already have had to drop out due to lack of funding already in this presidential cycle. At least Buttigieg and Warren didn't enlist the aid of foreign adversaries.

[Demsrule86]

8. Not every donor is looking for something either...we have demonized our donors and it will help

the GOP if we continue.

[SWBTATTReg]

11. Exactly. Not everyone is out for a buck, and quite a few people really do want to make a ...

positive difference, and as you say, aren't looking for anything back in exchange. Quite a few people are in fact, this way, give and don't expect anything in exchange.

[Demsrule86]

21. I thought the criticism was off about Pete's fundraiser....we all need money to run...

And Warren has taken money also ...no reason she shouldn't or Pete shouldn't.

[left-of-center2012]

5. Maybe we could attack Trump instead of Pete?

Too many playing the 'circular firing squad' game.

All these attacks by Democrats on Democrats will be used by the GOP.

[Demsrule86]

9. I agree.

[brooklynite]

7. This is an OUTRAGE! People reliably raising money for DEMOCRATS??? Where will the MADNESS end???

[Demsrule86]

10. I now have a burning desire to find a wine cave ASAP.

[brooklynite]

12. Ask and you shall receive...

Hocking Hills Winery, Logan, OH

http://www.hhwines.com/

[Demsrule86]

14. Thanks...did you have fun at the debate?

[Demsrule86]

15. I am so going to this...you knew I lived in Ohio...very observant brooklynite.

Thank you again...I saved the link ...closed for the season. I solemnly swear not to corrupt any candidates while I am there.

[BeyondGeography]

13. This is how the (R) terrorists win

Link to tweet

[Demsrule86]

16. And? Seriously so what. she was more than qualified.

"Ambassador to Austria Hall September 3, 1997, Kathryn Walt Hall was nominated by President Clinton to be U.S. Ambassador to Austria. She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on November 6, and was officially sworn into office on November 21, 1997.
Kathryn Hall, of Texas, has had a distinguished career as a successful businesswoman, community activist, and humanitarian. Ms. Hall was the President of Kathryn Hall Vineyards, Inc., and of Walt Management, Inc., an inner-city housing and development company. Before becoming U.S. Ambassador to Austria, she was also Managing Director and Partner of Hall Financial Group, Inc., an investment firm.

Kathryn Hall began her public career as Assistant City Attorney in Berkeley, California. Later she joined Safeway Stores, where she was responsible for developing and administering one of the nation's first and largest affirmative action programs. Subsequently she worked as an attorney and businesswoman in Dallas, Texas, where she was active in many civic issues. Ms. Hall has been a leader in numerous business organizations, including the Dallas area Chambers of Commerce, the Dallas Assembly, Commercial Real Estate Women, and the Texas Retailers Association. Long committed to social issues, Kathryn Hall has also been active in her community. She has served on numerous non-profit and institutional boards, addressing issues related to social care and mental health. Ms. Hall co-founded the North Texas Food Bank, served on the U.S. House of Representatives Hunger Advisory Committee, and was the Director/Vice President of the Texas Mental Health Association. In 1995, Ms. Hall was appointed by President Clinton to serve on the National Advisory Council for Violence Against Women. Ms. Hall was also appointed by President Clinton to serve as a trustee of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Kathryn Hall earned an A.B. in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and a J.D. from the University of California Hastings College of Law. She speaks French and German."

[BeyondGeography]

18. IOW, zero FP, diplomatic or even int'l experience

Clearly, a hire on the merits.

[Demsrule86]

20. She is a very talented woman...and Ambassadors are more than diplomats...

She is very impressive...I really think you are going overboard on this.

[Demsrule86]

19. Yeah well it paid off ... and Gingrich had to resign...as you may remember.

We did well.

[oasis]

17. Get the money! Dems need money in order to win!💵💵💵💵💵

All Dems💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵.