Bill Clinton's Kazakh connection

[ProSense]

Bill Clinton's Kazakh connection

WASHINGTON TIMES EDITORIAL
February 2, 2008

Bill Clinton helps a Canadian mining magnate win a lucrative uranium contract from Kazakhstan's state-owned nuclear holding company Kazatomprom. The magnate subsequently donates $31 million to the William J. Clinton Foundation and pledges $100 million more. Both men deny it until the New York Times tracks down a very happy Kazatomprom executive. Amid this revelation, Hillary Clinton is trying to conduct a presidential campaign.

Through no fault of her own, this series of transactions constitutes a very serious problem for Mrs. Clinton, for the simple reason that Bill's business affairs are also her own. The rules for Clinton Foundation fund-raising are much more lax than the rules that govern political campaigns. No laws appear to have been broken and the Canadian businessman in question, the highly successful Frank Giustra, is by all accounts a man of propriety. But no one can reasonably argue that Clinton Foundation donations are meaningless in Mrs. Clinton's political calculations or for her own financial interests. No American should need to question what Mrs. Clinton's interests would be as president, if, in some future crisis, White House hotlines are burning over Kazakh uranium.

Clinton Foundation donations that materially affect Mr. Clinton must also be considered to do the same to his wife as she seeks to be president. And here, we're talking about hundreds of millions of dollars in uranium interests in a highly repressive society with a highly repressive government. In American presidential politics, this leaves many questions.

There is much uncharted territory as a former first lady makes a serious presidential bid, but this is an easy call. In the event that Mrs. Clinton becomes the Democratic nominee, Mr. Clinton will be compelled to give back the $31 million even though it will disrupt his foundation's very worthy activities. Mr. Clinton has already begun to sever many of his existing business relationships to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest. A president's judgment must be above question — whether that president is a man or a woman.

Clinton responds on Kazakh issue

[NWHarkness]

1. The Moonie Times doesn't like Clinton

We get it.

[KittyWampus]

11. Moonie X doesn't like Democrats or free thinkers of any kind.

[mediaman007]

2. I'll bet the Washington Times did the same research on Dick Cheney's

Haliburton stock. No doubt Bill Clinton will have to make arrangements to limit his financial activity during a Hillary administration, but the Times has watched Cheney rake it in for 8 years.

[Dogmudgeon]

3. The Washington Times?

It's not just RW, it's not even accurate much of the time.

In the event that Mrs. Clinton becomes the Democratic nominee, Mr. Clinton will be compelled to give back the $31 million even though it will disrupt his foundation's very worthy activities.

Actually ... no. It isn't Bill's money, it's the foundation's. If he does give it back, it will be because of political "leverage".

Clinton, Obama, it makes no difference, the Washington Times staff (and a small staff it is, indeed) just makes stuff up. The Washington Times is a Moonie paper that is as much of a joke as Fox News.

If you're going to be Obama's press agent here, at least use real newspapers.

--p!

[ProSense]

5. It's only a good source for

anti- Obama spin?

Bill Clinton runs the foundation, his call!

You can get more details here.

[Dogmudgeon]

6. Since you don't like to read ...

"Clinton, Obama, it makes no difference, the Washington Times staff (and a small staff it is, indeed) just makes stuff up."

You can get more details if you stop frothing at the mouth and READ.

--p!

[ProSense]

9. I read it, but they didn't make up the $31 million, and had nothing to do with Bill's lie. n/t

[creeksneakers2]

8. All those people with AIDS in Africa should just go die then?

The editorial is full of it too. Bill Clinton had very little or nothing to do with the uranium deal. There is no reason the money is tainted. And even if it is tainted, wouldn't giving it to charity be the right thing to do?

The Washington Times argues Bill should halt all his charitable work. That's an awful idea. Bill raises billions for good causes.

[ProSense]

10. What a ridiculous comment! n/t

[creeksneakers2]

13. Its logical questions about a ridiculous editorial.

[ProSense]

15. All

praise Kazakhstan for its efforts on AIDS?

Do you believe Bill needs to sell his soul for fundraising]?

If that's what Hillary believes, she doing a pretty good job of putting up an opposing front.


What's ridiculous are the excuses being offered for Bill's dubious deal: Cheney did it too!

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Dogmudgeon]

7. That's, what, the 15th time you've posted that?

Good grief -- that's desperation!

You guys are pulling out all the stops.

You'll do ANYTHING to win!

--p!

[BenDavid]

12. ILLEGAL? NOOOOOOOOOOO. Key word is EX-PRESIDENT

[rug]

14. You left out his blowjob from Borat.