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Joe BidenCongratulations to our presumptive Democratic nominee, Joe Biden!
 

Zorro

(15,691 posts)
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 01:51 PM Dec 2019

About 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, it’s 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. He’s 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/

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
41 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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About Pete Buttigieg's wine cave dinner? I was there. (Original Post) Zorro Dec 2019 OP
I think Sanders and Warren have made too much of this. Ilsa Dec 2019 #1
they sure did ..... i don't think they QUITE told the truth. tsk tsk. Pete is awesome. trueblue2007 Dec 2019 #40
Prior to the French Revolution Turbineguy Dec 2019 #2
I remember gay rights in the 80s and 90s booley Dec 2019 #20
? TexasTowelie Dec 2019 #23
Many of them were not. David__77 Dec 2019 #24
Exactly booley Dec 2019 #25
The Democratic Party has evolved for the better over the years, which is great! David__77 Dec 2019 #26
Sam Nunn was THE reason we ended up with "don't ask, don't tell". not_the_one Dec 2019 #39
Thanks for posting. Laffy Kat Dec 2019 #3
"Hall is wealthy and has a beautiful home" progressoid Dec 2019 #4
Gross. nt redqueen Dec 2019 #5
And wasn't he up to his eyeballs in the Savings and Loan scandals? Hassin Bin Sober Dec 2019 #8
Yeah, but he had to pay a 100 million dollar fine so... progressoid Dec 2019 #10
ooppppsie... pangaia Dec 2019 #19
A Kaiser Health VP steps forward to rebut Warren? crazytown Dec 2019 #6
... BlueMTexpat Dec 2019 #7
I am in the Napa Valley right now, and I still don't want to vote for any wine-cave-dinner-er. paulkienitz Dec 2019 #9
Be careful with that. redstatebluegirl Dec 2019 #16
It's not about refusing the money, it's about throwing events full of "access". paulkienitz Dec 2019 #27
I'm sorry I have to disagree, I don't see the big deal with this. redstatebluegirl Dec 2019 #28
Nothing is stopping them from contributing, if they want to do so unconditionally. paulkienitz Dec 2019 #29
I can't afford wine. JoeOtterbein Dec 2019 #11
Whatever your thoughts are on Pete or the wine cave, money has corrupted our politics and government dlk Dec 2019 #12
Who gives a flying F&$K about wine cave NoMoreRepugs Dec 2019 #13
"I invented the internet" crazytown Dec 2019 #17
Gore was in at the conception.Dean's scream was into a directional mic in a packed room of screamers Hekate Dec 2019 #32
Well said. NoMoreRepugs Dec 2019 #33
We seem to want to lose this election via purity tests. redstatebluegirl Dec 2019 #18
Short bitter answer... Hekate Dec 2019 #31
i figured there'd be a zorro there! certainot Dec 2019 #14
Pfffft. $185 bottle of wine? Zorro Dec 2019 #38
Rich people should not spend their money on Democratic politicians, ChiTownDenny Dec 2019 #15
I read this in the Post this morning. Great column! Nitram Dec 2019 #21
This is the stupidest argument ever. Happy Hoosier Dec 2019 #22
I wonder if some of the purists could be so kind as to provide us a list Docreed2003 Dec 2019 #30
It happens here every gd presidential season. My shorthand for this is... Hekate Dec 2019 #35
Lol that's perfect..thank you! Docreed2003 Dec 2019 #36
I like how they call the guy that wrote this.. aidbo Dec 2019 #34
KICK FOR the WINE CAVE! Cha Dec 2019 #37
Would Bernie would have been OK if the fancy fete wasn't in a cave, but at a millionaire's house? ehrnst Dec 2019 #41
 

Ilsa

(61,675 posts)
1. I think Sanders and Warren have made too much of this.
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 01:57 PM
Dec 2019

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.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

trueblue2007

(17,138 posts)
40. they sure did ..... i don't think they QUITE told the truth. tsk tsk. Pete is awesome.
Tue Dec 24, 2019, 12:26 AM
Dec 2019
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Turbineguy

(37,206 posts)
2. Prior to the French Revolution
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 02:06 PM
Dec 2019

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.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

booley

(3,855 posts)
20. I remember gay rights in the 80s and 90s
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 04:46 PM
Dec 2019

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

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

TexasTowelie

(111,280 posts)
23. ?
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 04:57 PM
Dec 2019
Dems weren't' really all that far from the Republicans
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

David__77

(23,214 posts)
24. Many of them were not.
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 05:02 PM
Dec 2019

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.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

booley

(3,855 posts)
25. Exactly
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 05:07 PM
Dec 2019

Getting the Dems to be more gay friendly or even for civil rights didn't' just happen.

Took years of work.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

David__77

(23,214 posts)
26. The Democratic Party has evolved for the better over the years, which is great!
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 05:11 PM
Dec 2019

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.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

not_the_one

(2,227 posts)
39. Sam Nunn was THE reason we ended up with "don't ask, don't tell".
Tue Dec 24, 2019, 12:16 AM
Dec 2019

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.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Laffy Kat

(16,354 posts)
3. Thanks for posting.
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 02:36 PM
Dec 2019

I'm glad I read the opinion.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

progressoid

(49,824 posts)
4. "Hall is wealthy and has a beautiful home"
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 02:59 PM
Dec 2019

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...

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

Hassin Bin Sober

(26,271 posts)
8. And wasn't he up to his eyeballs in the Savings and Loan scandals?
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 03:45 PM
Dec 2019

Didn’t he get a $300 million dollar bailout?

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

progressoid

(49,824 posts)
10. Yeah, but he had to pay a 100 million dollar fine so...
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 03:55 PM
Dec 2019




If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

crazytown

(7,277 posts)
6. A Kaiser Health VP steps forward to rebut Warren?
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 03:31 PM
Dec 2019

Shocked I tell you, etc.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

paulkienitz

(1,295 posts)
9. I am in the Napa Valley right now, and I still don't want to vote for any wine-cave-dinner-er.
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 03:47 PM
Dec 2019
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

redstatebluegirl

(12,264 posts)
16. Be careful with that.
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 04:32 PM
Dec 2019

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.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

paulkienitz

(1,295 posts)
27. It's not about refusing the money, it's about throwing events full of "access".
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 05:15 PM
Dec 2019

And to be clear, I meant I don't want to vote that way in a primary.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

redstatebluegirl

(12,264 posts)
28. I'm sorry I have to disagree, I don't see the big deal with this.
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 05:16 PM
Dec 2019

I would rather rich people gave their money to us than them. Of course we can be pure and not win.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

paulkienitz

(1,295 posts)
29. Nothing is stopping them from contributing, if they want to do so unconditionally.
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 05:19 PM
Dec 2019
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

JoeOtterbein

(7,697 posts)
11. I can't afford wine.
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 03:57 PM
Dec 2019

I drink cheap beer and cook at home. Saves tons!

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

dlk

(11,425 posts)
12. Whatever your thoughts are on Pete or the wine cave, money has corrupted our politics and government
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 04:08 PM
Dec 2019

We pay a price for it.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

NoMoreRepugs

(9,257 posts)
13. Who gives a flying F&$K about wine cave
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 04:23 PM
Dec 2019

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????

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

crazytown

(7,277 posts)
17. "I invented the internet"
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 04:32 PM
Dec 2019

A test of a good politician is whether dirt sticks.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

Hekate

(90,189 posts)
32. Gore was in at the conception.Dean's scream was into a directional mic in a packed room of screamers
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 06:23 PM
Dec 2019

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.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

redstatebluegirl

(12,264 posts)
18. We seem to want to lose this election via purity tests.
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 04:33 PM
Dec 2019
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Hekate

(90,189 posts)
31. Short bitter answer...
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 06:19 PM
Dec 2019

yes

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

certainot

(9,090 posts)
14. i figured there'd be a zorro there!
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 04:23 PM
Dec 2019
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

Zorro

(15,691 posts)
38. Pfffft. $185 bottle of wine?
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 08:18 PM
Dec 2019

Sorry, I don't go for the cheap stuff!

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

ChiTownDenny

(747 posts)
15. Rich people should not spend their money on Democratic politicians,
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 04:31 PM
Dec 2019

only on Republican politicians, as it states in the bible.
/s

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Nitram

(22,663 posts)
21. I read this in the Post this morning. Great column!
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 04:46 PM
Dec 2019
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Happy Hoosier

(7,068 posts)
22. This is the stupidest argument ever.
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 04:50 PM
Dec 2019

No winder our voters get disheartened. We have a REAL enemy, and it's not each other, FFS.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Docreed2003

(16,817 posts)
30. I wonder if some of the purists could be so kind as to provide us a list
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 05:35 PM
Dec 2019

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

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Hekate

(90,189 posts)
35. It happens here every gd presidential season. My shorthand for this is...
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 07:34 PM
Dec 2019

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.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Docreed2003

(16,817 posts)
36. Lol that's perfect..thank you!
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 07:42 PM
Dec 2019
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

aidbo

(2,328 posts)
34. I like how they call the guy that wrote this..
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 06:26 PM
Dec 2019

..a “vice president of a health care company” when he’s actually in the insurance biz.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

Cha

(295,899 posts)
37. KICK FOR the WINE CAVE!
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 08:09 PM
Dec 2019
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

ehrnst

(32,640 posts)
41. Would Bernie would have been OK if the fancy fete wasn't in a cave, but at a millionaire's house?
Tue Dec 24, 2019, 12:30 PM
Dec 2019

Last edited Wed Dec 25, 2019, 10:28 PM - Edit history (1)

Mr. Sanders was cheered at a fancy campaign fund-raiser at the Hollywood home of Syd Leibovitch, a high-end real estate agent, and his wife, Linda, on Wednesday night.

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/

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
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