John Edwards picks up endorsement of Virginia Dem. Party Chairman...

[SaveElmer]

Dick Cranwell

Nice pick up for Edwards...

So each of the three frontrunners has picked up some significant help here. Edwards gets Cranwell, news is that Gov. Kaine is going to endorse Obama, and Hillary snagged Mike Henry, Kaine's campaign manager and DSCC ad chief...

There is a time for reaping and a time for sowing. It seems that now is the time for sowing one's allegiance to our Presidential hopefuls. Today I'm endorsing John Edwards for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. I do so because of my strong feelings that the next presidential race is not about Democrats, Republicans, liberals or conservatives. It's about the future of America.

For the first time in my life, I have grave concerns about the future. Those concerns are sobering in that they teach that America does not run on auto-pilot. Like John Edwards, I believe America works best when it is building coalitions that sow the seeds of peace. Like John Edwards, I believe that America works best when working people prosper.

And like many Democrats across Virginia and the country, I believe "it's all about the general election, stupid." There is no second place in elections. We must support candidates who can win, if we want to secure the future.

John Edwards is the fastest horse in the race, the race that cradles that fragile thing we call the future, and the race that John Edwards will win in November 2008.

http://www.raisingkaine.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=7166

[Colobo]

1. Cool

Things start to level up.

[IndianaGreen]

2. How much did Edwards pay in bribery to get this endorsement?

To my great consternation and surprise, I found out through a recent LBN thread that at least some political endorsements were bought and paid for. Here is the thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3116017

Hillary doubled Obama's $5k month offer to South Carolina politican for endorsement

Yesterday, Jackson confirmed that he had decided to endorse Sen. Hillary Clinton, less than six days after his public relations firm, Sunrise Enterprises, agreed to a contract with Clinton's campaign worth at least $10,000 a month through the 2008 elections - a total of $210,000. (The contract has not been signed.)

A few days before that, Jackson was deep in negotiations with Steve Hildebrand, a senior strategist for Sen. Barack Obama's campaign. On the table was a contract worth in excess of $5K a month, beginning on 3/15/07. Separately, Obama was personally soliciitng Jackson's endorsement.

There's no question that the contract and the negotiations are legal. Sunrise is the oldest political consulting firm run by African Americans in the state and its services were in demand: at least five candidates, including Gov. Bill Richardson and Sen. Joe Biden, reached out to Jackson.

Endorsements sold to the highest bidder smacks of corruption. If a candidate's endorsement is the result of monies being funneled to an endorser's favorite business pals, the public has the right to know how much money was paid, and what conditions were attached by the endorser.

I don't know if Edwards paid for the Dick Cranwell's endorsement, but if he did, he should come clean with it. All candidates should come clean with it. Ideally, they should stop this practice because it brings their credibility and integrity into question.

Buying an endorsement is undemocratic and it is a corrupt practice that must be condemned by all.

[DaveinMD]

4. why assume the worst

just because one person acted in that manner.

[SaveElmer]

5. You wil have to ask the Edwards campaign...

Obviously a sitting Governor would not be paid for an endorsement, and Mike Henry is working full time for the Clinton campaign as a paid staffer...

[IndianaGreen]

8. All the candidates must be asked this question when they are endorsed

To me this practice is corrupt, and for us to dismiss it as "business as usual" do our republic a disfavor.

[KingofNewOrleans]

10. Edwards denies paying for endorsement!!

Kind of a new twist on the old accuse someone of beating his wife trick.

Fess up, you're really James Carville aren't you?

[SaveElmer]

11. You asked if Edwards paid for Cranwell's endorsement...

I doubt it, but I don't know...I do know Obama did not pay for Kaine's and Clinton hired Mike Henry full time (deputy campaign manager).

As to the practice of hiring consultants and having them follow with an endorsement...I don't like it, but it appears to be both legal and common. As long as that is the case, I am not willing to hold Democratic candidates to a standard the Republicans will not abide by. I am not willing to have our candidates martyr themselves at the risk of another 4 years of Republican rule...

It's one of those things that is going to have to wait as far as I am concerned...priority one is to get a Democrat elected. Once that happens this can be brought up...hopefully in the context of broader campaign reform.

[Adelante]

13. He has in the past, IG

"In 2003, Sunrise was hired by Axelrod and Associates to advise on media buys and consult on strategy for Sen. John Edwards's campaign. David Axelrod, now an Obama adviser, was Edwards's media consultant in 2004. Sen. Jackson endorsed Edwards, who won the primary."

http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2007/02/an_endorsement.html

[benny05]

23. What does this have to do with the endorsement?

It's perfectly legal to buy media advice from a NON-politican. Axelrod is not in office anywhere.

[Adelante]

27. It has to do with *IG's point*

Here:

1-In 2003, Sunrise was hired by Axelrod and Associates to advise on media buys and consult on strategy for Sen. John Edwards's campaign.

>Jackson owns Sunrise.

2-David Axelrod, now an Obama adviser, was Edwards's media consultant in 2004.

>Axelrod represented Edwards in the contract with Jackson.

3-Sen. Jackson endorsed Edwards, who won the primary.

Jackson owns Sunrise, got a contract from the Edwards campaign, and endorsed Edwards. Jackson owns Sunrise, got a contract from Hillary Clinton, and endorsed Clinton.

Perfectly legal, as you say; and morally unacceptable, which is IG's point.

[benny05]

28. I don't see any proof here

Please find it.

[Adelante]

29. Here is the link again - read the article

http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2007/02/an_endorsement.html

Take it up with Hotline if you think it's "fiction."

[benny05]

33. Raised some points

(1) It makes me question Clinton's "buying of votes" if Jackson doesn't take a salary, so I may have to give her the benefit of the doubt just as I do with Edwards and now Obama
(2) Campaign Chairpersons are paid by the party, not by the candidate, thus your cause-effect post still lacks evidence

[Adelante]

35. We may be having two different conversations

I responded to Indiana Green concerning a State Senator in South Carolina. So I don't understand your #2 unless it relates to Virginia, which I haven't addressed at all.

Jackson doesn't have to take a salary; he owns the business receiving the contract with the Clinton Campaign in 2008, just as he did with the Edwards Campaign in 2004, and in both cases, Jackson endorsed the candidate.

The practice described in Hotline is dirty. I don't know how else to describe it. If it is the ordinary commerce of political campaigns, it is even worse to contemplate than if it were an aberration. It should be stopped.

Clinton and Edwards, however, should not have all the responsibility. Five or six of our candidates are in that article and apparently would have paid if Hillary had not.

Every single candidate should STOP IT RIGHT NOW.

[benny05]

36. Here's what I thought we were talking about

(1) Edwards gets an endorsement from the VA Party Chairperson
(2) Someone wondered if Edwards paid the Chairperson to endorse him because in SC, Clinton hired Jackson (who is currently serving in their state senate, but also still has a consulting business) to help with media outreach.

(3a) Looks like Obama, via the same media consultant Edwards had in 2004, tried to do the same. We still don't know exact cause and effect.
(3b) Practice described in Hotlines appears "dirty", and I agree
(3c) I agree as well no one should have to pay for endorsements

(4a) State Party Chairpersons are probably not paid by candidates but by the Party, which was my point
(4b) Edwards did not donate to any candidate in 2005-2006, but did fundraisers for them; has taken no money from PACs or Lobbyists


Question from me: did Obama or his organization supporters quietly donate to Kaine's? Possibly. Not a bad thing as it is legal for any citizen to do so.

[Adelante]

38. I never said it was illegal

I say it's a very bad thing, Benny. I say it's a conflict of interest, corrupt and immoral, and damages our democracy.

We wonder why presidential campaigns cost $150 million and say, oh, we need those TV ads, but clearly that's not all that's happening with the money people are donating in support of presidential candidates. Jackson was paid off for an endorsement. It wasn't just the money, either, but the power, I understand that, because an unnamed candidate offered double what Clinton paid, which would have been close to a half a million dollars.

Endorsements bought and sold are votes bought and sold, public officials bought and sold, and elections bought and sold. It stinks.

[benny05]

40. From my post

(3b) Practice described in Hotline appears "dirty", and I agree

and

(4a) State Party Chairpersons are probably not paid by candidates but by the Party, which was my point and correlates to main post about Dick Cranwell endorsing Edwards
(4b) Edwards did not donate to any candidate in 2005-2006, but did fundraisers for them; has taken no money from PACs or Lobbyists

[Clark2008]

34. Edwards people can't seem to understand that he's

really just a politician.

[benny05]

37. Try again

With a salient post about General Clark and how he can win if he declares his candidacy.

I like General Clark in the sense of some of his posts on Kos, but in my mind your comment does not do him justice.

Constantly, you attack Edwards, and seldom do your comments appear on the big forums unless it is to attack Edwards, although I do like it when your posts leads others with your loyalty to him. I don't post on them because I know what he means to many, and I think he has the potential to be a good Dem candidate (if he declares) or serve somewhere in the Executive Branch if he wishes by anyone. He loves our country.

But the more like your comments have been, I think you are sort of disrepecting General Clark at the same time you show your support. General Clark did a great post on the Kos the other day. I was sorry I missed him live online. One of my fellow JRE supporters, Iddybud, met General Clark in person last fall, and said he was great to meet in person. She said he commanded esprit d'corps, but not in those words, to the ground boots of anyone running for office.

Edited to add comments.

[benny05]

25. See my other post

Speak for General Clark, not smear other people with fiction

[KingofNewOrleans]

6. Guilty until proven innocent, eh?

eom

[IndianaGreen]

7. We know of at least one case in which Hillary and Obama bid for an endorsement

and money exchanged hands. Knowing how money has corrupted politics, the burden of innocence falls on the candidate's campaign.

[venable]

17. nice slime post with no evidence whatsoever.

this is shameful. shame on you. when you have evidence, bring it. until then, play with a sense of decency.

[SaveElmer]

18. Well I don't think IG really was worried about Edwards...just a way..

To again criticize Hillary...which I think was the actual point of his post!

[venable]

21. I see, but there might have been a less condemning way to do so

as the subject line of IG's post clearly seems to accuse Edwards of operating this way.

[IndianaGreen]

41. I was criticizing the practice as corrupt, not Hillary specifically

According to the LBN thread that I referred to, Hillary and Obama were in a bidding war for an endorsement, an endorsement that was paid and bought for.

While some DUers have pointed out that such practice is not illegal, I am of the opinion that it is a corrupt practice that must be condemned by all, no matter who the candidate happens to be.

From now on, anytime a Democratic candidate announces the endorsement from a politician, the first question that I will ask is how much money was paid for the endorsement.

Hasn't it occurred to you that endorsements lose all significance once the average voter is informed that there was a quid pro quo between the endorsee and the endorser, and that money exchanged hands?

Is this the image we want to project as the alternative to the GOP?

[benny05]

24. Don't Think So

As this, when considers the following:

Edwards has never taken money from a lobbyist or PAC.

His own PAC last year raised money for him to travel to local, state, and national candidates and help them with fundraisers and campaigning, but didn't give them money directly.

So you can put this at rest.

[GreenTea]

3. Cheers for Edwards!

[ShortnFiery]

15. Yes, but our Governor Kaine (D) just endorsed Obama.

Go Figure? ;) :hi:

[SaveElmer]

16. And our Governor's campaign manager...

Went to work for Hillary Clinton...

[KingofNewOrleans]

9. BTW, if anyone wants to bust Kaine's balls

you could point out that Kaine endorsed Joe Lieberman last go around.

I still like Kaine anyway.

[Eurobabe]

12. He'll have egg on his face and shit in his shoes (Cranwell)

It's WEE bit early to go endorsing "primary candidates" now isn't it? Too bad if someone REALLY interesting gets in the race (I'm thinking Gore - down the road, or Clark) But the DNCers aren't going to endorse Clark, his pedigree isn't long enough :eyes: despite the fact that this man has worked his ass off for the American people as a 34 year veteran, and for the Democratic party since 2004.

It's a damn shame. I think these endorsement are all bullshit anyhow, like Virginians will really make up their mind because Cranwell says so and so is the one to choose. Methinks the party chairs have a little too much ego floating around.

[SaveElmer]

14. Cranwell carries weight with Democratic Party activists...

Who could provide volunteers, money and logistical support for Edwards....

My gut tells me Virginia is one of those places where Edwards should shine...

[benny05]

26. It's going to be a very competitive race

Through and through. I heard somewhere that the WH is the Dems' to lose, so there is much anticipation a Dem will win this one.

[Eurobabe]

30. Perhaps, but it's really early to be falling in line behind

a candidate, at least from a party standpoint. That was my reflection, nothing negative about Jonny Boy.

[benny05]

39. Except you just called Edwards

Johny Boy. "Boy" is a condescending remark to me (as it is to those who refer to lower social economic classes from the South), or really very early 60's song lyrics (meaning very outdated and teenish), but perhaps you didn't mean it that way.

[CarolNYC]

19. Jim Webb

I personally like Virginian Jim Webb's take on these early endorsements, posted to his recent Kos diary.....

Presidential candidate endorsements (146+ / 0-)

I have a great regard for Tim Kaine, and I also have a great regard for Barack Obama.  At the same time, I believe it would be inappropriate for me to be endorsing any candidate for quite a while.  The Democratic Party has a very strong field this year, and it's a long way to 08.  
by Jim Webb on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 02:47:00 PM PST

http://www.dailykos.com/comments/2007/2/15/164028/169/197#c197

:)

[SaveElmer]

20. Well I t hink it depends on what position you have...

If you are a political professional like Mike Henry...now is the time to jump in...

If you are a party activist like Dick Cranwell...now is also probably the time...the campaign has started..

As to politicians, Webb is probably correct there...I suppose Gov. Kaine felt that Obama had been so helpful to him that he decided to return the favor...I have no particular problem with it...other than he didn't endorse my candidate... :-)

[Texas_Kat]

43. Actually, it's not considered kosher for the Chair

.... of a State party to endorse ANY primary candidate.

Few do, because they are supposed to be (and appear to be) unbiased in managing the resources of the state party. It does, however, smack just a bit of desperation on Edwards part to pull this one out of his back pocket (Cranwell's always been an Edwards' guy so it's not 'new' news that Cranwell would endorse him eventually). If I were a Virginia Democrat, I'd be wondering how my Democratic party dues are going to be spent.

[KingofNewOrleans]

44. Actually Cranwell

endorsed Bob Graham last election cycle, though after Graham bowed out he did go to Edards.

[Eurobabe]

31. EXACTLY, Jim Webb is WISE...

These other people are fools for endorsing now. What's the rush?? To hook your wagon to a star?

[mnhtnbb]

22. Guess the fat lady hasn't sung, yet, Donohue.

[Tiggeroshii]

32. Kaine is still a pretty popular governor in Virginia

I think that will help Obama more than the others will help Clinton and Edwards.

[Catchawave]

42. This is better than the Kaine endorsement....

Because Cranwell had the cajones to say why, um, electable.

Love Tim Kaine, but he has no cajones....Tim, just raise the gas taxes and stop rolling over for the Republican General Assembly whining about ... whatever. We're stuck down here in South Hampton Roads.....kick ass :)