Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumAbout Pete Buttigieg's wine cave dinner? I was there.
You may have some questions about that famous wine cave fundraising dinner in Napa Valley last weekend. I may be able to help, as I was there.
The location for the event was the Hall winery near St. Helena, Calif. Yes, its a beautiful place, and, yes, that chandelier over the table was kind of remarkable. The whole scene that evening left me and my partner slack-jawed.
Our host was the celebrated and pioneering female winemaker Kathryn Hall and her husband, Craig. She served as ambassador to Austria under Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Hall is wealthy and has a beautiful home, and she chooses to use both to advance candidates and causes she believes in.
Anyway, who else was there? Well, I mentioned my partner. Hes a professor at a community college in the Bay Area. There was also a dean from another local community college system.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/12/21/about-that-wine-cave-dinner-i-was-there/
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Ilsa
(61,675 posts)This is how campaign financing works right, unfortunately. I'm sure others, like Sen. Harris would have appreciated such an event to keep her in the running. I'd throw a party for all of them (except Tulsi) if I had the money to help Dem candidates.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
trueblue2007
(17,138 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Turbineguy
(37,206 posts)I'm pretty sure there were a few aristos who had figured out that their situation was unsustainable.
The current rise of the wealthy is in a large part due to reaganomics and it's outgrowths. Even Bill Clinton mentioned that after leaving the White House. He had become a wealthy man because the system helped him.
There obviously are rich and successful people who want to live in a functioning and fair society. And these are people who can help candidates get elected.
Rich people spend their money on nice stuff.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
booley
(3,855 posts)I remember how for years wealthy gay donors gave to the Democrats.
Thing is when it came to gay rights, the Dems weren't' really all that far from the Republicans. The ban on gays in the military was practically led by Democrat Sam Nunn, a Democrat
So after a while when Democrats cam knocking looking for money, those rich gay donors closed their wallets and asked the Dems, What are you going to do for me?
And slowly the Democratic party became more gay-friendly. Not the only reason it happened but a big part of it.
Great story, right? Proves rich people just want to help?
Ehh Not quite. Because for every Gay donor wanting equality, there are ten or more wealthy donors who want to not do anything about climate change, who want tax breaks for themselves, who want privatization, breaking up unions, weaker laws protecting those who don't' have money.
Even those gay donors I mentioned above aren't' so clean. They were also wealthy business people and I assure you they were getting something for their money even before gay equality was an issue for them.
Every time we have had both parties work to stop progress, like health care, we can follow the money to see why.
Long story short, when rich people give money they want something in return. Don't' assume what they want is what you would want. Nor can you expect the bad money to be weeded out from the "good". The process itself is corrupting, even when it's for something we like.
Oh and here's a link about how politicians only listen to you if you have money
https://www.vox.com/2014/4/18/5624310/martin-gilens-testing-theories-of-american-politics-explained
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
David__77
(23,214 posts)I don't see anything problematic about that statement. It's in the last couple decades that the Democrats mostly lost its very conservative wing, that included elected officials who opposed enacting basic legal protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Getting the Dems to be more gay friendly or even for civil rights didn't' just happen.
Took years of work.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
David__77
(23,214 posts)And I support its further evolution to expand the horizon of what we conceive of as "rights." These should be progressively expanded in the economic and social realm. Humanity as a whole has some further progress to achieve.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
not_the_one
(2,227 posts)Bill Clinton tried to do the right thing about gays in the military, and Sam Nunn made it his personal mission to stop him.
That resulted in "don't ask, don't tell", which was its own disaster. Bill never had a chance, due to Nunn.
So much could have happened, so much quicker, if Nunn hadn't been the bigot that he was. It took decades of slow, baby steps to get where we are today.
Look at how much influence the military accepting gays into their ranks, had.
And now the turd is trying his best to undo what HAS been accomplished, regarding gays in the military.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Laffy Kat
(16,354 posts)I'm glad I read the opinion.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
progressoid
(49,824 posts)Plus the homes in Dallas, Maui, and Paris.
Sadly they currently have to charter jets but are considering purchasing one.
Thankfully they don't have to charter a yacht. They have this little $43M tugboat...
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
redqueen
(115,096 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Hassin Bin Sober
(26,271 posts)Didnt he get a $300 million dollar bailout?
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
progressoid
(49,824 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
pangaia
(24,324 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
crazytown
(7,277 posts)Shocked I tell you, etc.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
paulkienitz
(1,295 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
redstatebluegirl
(12,264 posts)I love Elizabeth, but she has kept company with some really well healed business people in the past. She can say what she wants right now, but she will need LOTS of money if she is the nominee, I don't think any of them can say for sure they won't take the money.
Like it or not, you can be a purist or not, but it takes a ton of money to win a national election. If we want to win, we need money. I don't like it either, but I am a realist rather than a purist.
All I care about is beating 45, nothing else. I am growing tired of this circular firing squad this campaign has been running.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
paulkienitz
(1,295 posts)And to be clear, I meant I don't want to vote that way in a primary.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
redstatebluegirl
(12,264 posts)I would rather rich people gave their money to us than them. Of course we can be pure and not win.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
paulkienitz
(1,295 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
JoeOtterbein
(7,697 posts)I drink cheap beer and cook at home. Saves tons!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
dlk
(11,425 posts)We pay a price for it.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NoMoreRepugs
(9,257 posts)fund raisers or purity tests?? Squabble, spread doubt, take your eye off the prize and let the Orange Anus win again and see the Constitution destroyed.
Are some here really that STOOPID????
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
crazytown
(7,277 posts)A test of a good politician is whether dirt sticks.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Hekate
(90,189 posts)The "test" of a good politician is not whether "dirt sticks" -- the test of a really filthy political campaign is whether they can make lies stick to good people.
Keep that straight.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NoMoreRepugs
(9,257 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
redstatebluegirl
(12,264 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Hekate
(90,189 posts)yes
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
certainot
(9,090 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Zorro
(15,691 posts)Sorry, I don't go for the cheap stuff!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
ChiTownDenny
(747 posts)only on Republican politicians, as it states in the bible.
/s
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Nitram
(22,663 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Happy Hoosier
(7,068 posts)No winder our voters get disheartened. We have a REAL enemy, and it's not each other, FFS.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Docreed2003
(16,817 posts)Of those individuals who are frowned upon from donating to the Democratic Party and our candidates. Do we need to provide our W2's to ensure we're not over the limit in income for the purists? Should I not donate because I'm a physician and I might be trying to influence healthcare issues? What professions or backgrounds are just not acceptable for donations? Smdh...this is the most ridiculous shit I've seen
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Hekate
(90,189 posts)NO TRUE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE
-- should ever charter an airplane
-- should ever fly better than Coach
-- should ever have a house the complainer cannot afford
-- should ever be clever enough, or lucky enough, to accumulate more money than the complainer has
ANYONE CALLING THEMSELVES A DEM CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT SHOULD INSTEAD
-- wear sackcloth and ashes to show solidarity with the least of these
-- walk everywhere from coast to coast to reduce their carbon footprint, preferably barefoot
-- live in a small tract-house at best
There's more, based on repeated (not to mention repetitious and predictable) complaints I have read here at DU over the past 17 years.
I hope that helps.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Docreed2003
(16,817 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
aidbo
(2,328 posts)..a vice president of a health care company when hes actually in the insurance biz.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Cha
(295,899 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)Last edited Wed Dec 25, 2019, 10:28 PM - Edit history (1)
Tickets for the event sold for a minimum of $250. Those who spent the maximum, $2,700, or who raised $10,000, were invited to a pre-event reception, according to the invitation.
The 14 co-hosts included Cindy Asner, the former wife of the actor Ed Asner, the actress Mimi Kennedy, and Benjamin W. Decker, whose website notes that he was once called the legendary Hollywood P.R. maven by Forbes magazine, and used to produce celebrity-driven red-carpet movie premieres.
The fund-raiser at the Leibovitch home was the type of event that most politicians typically hold. According to a pool report, guests dressed in blazers, jeans and cocktail dresses were treated to valet parking, and aides estimated about $150,000 would be raised from roughly 300 people there. It was the ninth such event of his campaign, his aides said, according to the pool report."
..................................................
The truth is there are many people in this country who have money but also believe in social justice.
https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/10/15/bernie-sanders-has-fund-raiser-at-fancy-hollywood-home/
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden