Some superdelegates feed off Clinton's campaign

[Cheney Killed Bambi]

Source: Chicago Tribune

The firm owned by former Rhode Island Democratic state chairman and superdelegate Mark Weiner took in $678,000 from the Clinton campaign for supplying campaign products such as bumper stickers and yard signs. His firm, Financial Innovations, has been paid more than $1.5 million over the course of the campaign, according to the reports.

Factotum Productions, a Massachusetts business run by Clinton superdelegate Gus Bickford, was paid $8,000 in November for consulting that started the day he endorsed Clinton. Payments continued in February, to the tune of another $11,000. The campaign also made payments to Kathleen Healy, based at the same Westford, Mass., address as Factotum.

The Clinton campaign has paid the marketing firm run by a third superdelegate, Steve Grossman, about $3,000 for printing costs. The campaign owes the firm another $18,000, the FEC filing shows.

Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-superdelegates-clinton-webmar24,1,6772455.story

---

Bleah!

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. Uhh boyee.

This really does not look at all kosher.

[goclark]

2. Isn't that illegal?

Sounds like she is paying them for being in her corner.

[Genevieve]

4. i would think so...nt

[shadowknows69]

50. I would too but knowing the charade that is our government

There probably is a loophole to do this somehow.

[movonne]

3. Now super delegates are getting paid for their endorsement...wow..

[Genevieve]

5. recommended . nt

[papau]

6. Obama smears of Hillary do not seem to end - A lovely man to represent our party

[Genevieve]

7. The Chicago Tribune is Obama?

wow.

[papau]

the Trib reported - the DUers sold buying votes

[gateley]

9. ...

:spray:

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

10. Bill:

How is that an Obama smear? It looks like a news story to me. Kind of thing one generally finds in a paper. Besides, any of that information should be capable of being either confirmed or blown off the map.

But if it is true, it looks very bad at first blush, where most campaigns spend all of their time.

[papau]

24. the smear is translating giving contracts to others Dems into buying votes

The Chicago contract scene with Obama and Rezko includes court documents, admitted fraud, and an out of court settlement of money plus loss of contract - to be sure Obama's role - beyong getting Federal money into Chicago - is not yet known and the current Rezko trail is not going into this - so it is a media interest question.

But I would be smearing Obama if I posted that he helps his friends commit fraud via getting housing money for Chicago.

"selling votes" is also a smear

[Alexander]

27. Bickford started getting paid the day he endorsed Clinton. Spin that.

Patrick Fitzgerald says Obama's not involved in Rezko's illegal activites. Sorry, you lose this round.

[dysfunctional press]

33. how long have you been having these delusions...?

"The Chicago contract scene with Obama and Rezko..." ???? :rofl:

do you think that by linking them as a unit in your sentence it's going to somehow make it true?

[TomBall Democrat]

46. So, it's gone from a vast right wing conspiracy to a

vast left wing conspiracy?

:tinfoilhat:

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

55. Bill:

That is a Tu Quoque and deflection argument and does not address a thing germane to the initial argument. C'mon man. You initially postulated that the article was a smear, then you rejoin with a charge that might be a smear itself.

It. Does. Not. Compute.

[Up2Late]

29. Looks more like a Blog Post from The Washington Post reprinted as "news" in the Chicago Trib to me.

Are poorly sourced, re-printed blog posts "news" now?

[Alexander]

15. Shillbot spinning, whining and evading the facts never ends.

Don't like the article? Refute it.

[Kelvin Mace]

52. Either the people in question are getting paid

or they aren't.

If they are, its wrong. It is wrong of the Obama campaigner mentioned in the article as well.

[gateley]

8. Ewwww

"Factotum Productions, a Massachusetts business run by Clinton superdelegate Gus Bickford, was paid $8,000 in November for consulting that started the day he endorsed Clinton.

That's icky.

[The Doctor.]

11. Wow, with Obama's cash he could buy [i]all[/i] the superdelegates that way!

How funny. Westford was my hometown, no shit. I went to Frost elementary there, rode my bike to the "Lil'Peach" convenient store and guess what you coudn't find anywhere in the whole town...

Black folks. Never saw a one in the town in the 7 years I lived there as a kid. No, no one in the town was racist or 'white supremacist' that I knew of, there just weren't any black people there. We had to go to Boston to see any. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that the town would support Hillary, not because they dont like Obama, but because she's just more familiar.

Funny I never thought of that. Interaction makes a difference.

[BlueIdaho]

12. Buying SD's?

Really not ok. Not for HRC, not for Obama - just NOT ok.

[bemildred]

13. This story seems a bit thin.

It raises some questions, both "leading" candidates are mentioned, but you need more than the fact that politicians exchange campaign money to have a scandal. The headline seems a bit inflammatory.

[The Doctor.]

16. Well, it should be pretty simple to determine.

And it seems well laid-out. Her campaign appears to be paying superdelegates off indirectly.

Are you saying that the claims in the OP are false?

[bemildred]

21. I'm saying appearances are not facts.

The article points out that Mr Obama is also doing something like this, and the use of the words "feeds off" is what is suggestive. I support Obama, but I don't support this sort of "reporting". The facts are that Ms Clinton is buying campaign services from three supporters, and Mr Obama from one. I don't really see why a politician should buy campaign services from his or her opponents.

[The Doctor.]

37. That has a bit of a retro-active feel to it....

Don'tcha know there.

Perhaps "buying campaign services" from one's supporters is a great way to secure "supporters" from which to buy "support".

If you're lucid, then that didn't pass you over.

[bemildred]

54. Yeah, who knew politics is corrupt?

You are a f**king genius I guess, since you figured that out.

[The Doctor.]

57. And you're ok with that?

This sort of thing can't be allowed to go on.

No candidate should receive super delegate support from people they pay.

And yes, I am a f**king genius, thankyou.

[TheDoorbellRang]

22. Agree with you on this one

As you note, BOTH candidate's campaigns are mentioned here -- three of Clinton's SD's, and one of Obama's SD's. It seems like it would be a good idea to restrict this sort of thing in the future, as it smacks of buying a super D vote. Of course, I don't think any of us would be surprised to learn that there are favors being called in by some super D's to earn their support, but doing something about this particular tit-for-tat would be a start.

The one super D mentioned that looks like a blatant bribee is the guy who got some new business the day he endorsed -- that's a stinker.

[bemildred]

23. It seems clumsy, at least. One could wait a week or something.

But it seems sensible to me to use the services of your supporters in your campaign, so you need more than that. And it doesn't have to be one way or another, you could be buying the support, but you could also really want the campaign services from that supporter. I just don't see how it's a useful discriminator, it's too subjective.

[greyghost]

14. I was wondering when this crap would be coming to light. This is

just the tip of the iceberg. As Deep Throat said, follow the money.

It would be great if a few more investigative reporters existed in the MSM.

[splat]

17. Born yesterday? Superdelegates are party stalwarts who own businesses and know their customers

I can't believe so many of you think being a printer is illegal. Ben Franklin is aghast.

[frog92969]

18. Shame on you Hillary Clinton!

[splat]

19. How dare she buy bumper stickers from a fellow Democrat!!!

[frog92969]

31. What you said!

[Up2Late]

20. Wow!" SUPER DELEGATE Jeremy Bernard is a "... key fund-raiser for the Obama campaign" in Cali!?!

Hey! Thanks for posting this, that sound very damaging to Obama's campaign!

One of Obama's "Super delegate is a lobbyist and a "...key fund-raiser for the Obama campaign...?" Sounds like this guy better quit too!

"Jeremy Bernard...Only five months ago, he was sitting shoulder to shoulder with U.S. Senator Barack Obama in the back of a black SUV, speeding through West Hollywood on Santa Monica Boulevard, talking about the fine points of gay and lesbian federal legislation. An hour later, the Democratic presidential candidate was hitting every detail they had discussed in the car, but this time on network television. For Bernard, it was mind-blowing. The key fund-raiser for the Obama campaign was seeing his issues dramatically migrate from a personal chat to the national stage.

<http://www.laweekly.com/news/news/obamas-gay-gold-mine/18247/?page=1>

:evilgrin:

[ShortnFiery]

25. Let's compare: 1 Superdelegate = Obama fundraiser vs. 3 Superdelegates whose firm is paid 1.5 Mil.

Hum? ... I think I'll take three paid off Superdelegates for Clinton for ... say 1.5 Million. :P

[Up2Late]

28. Yes! LETS! Humm 1.5 million for bumper-stickers and campaign materials v. Obama Fund Raiser...

..., sorry, KEY Fund-raiser and Lobbyist in a quid pro quo deal to be an Obama "Super-delegate."

You should really quit while you are behind, or just keep digging, that works for me too.

<http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quid%20pro%20quo>

quid pro quo

Main Entry:

Function: noun

Etymology: New Latin, something for something

Date: 1582

:something given or received for something else; also : a deal arranging a quid pro quo

[ShortnFiery]

34. That hasn't been proven, but HRC has funneled 1.5 MILLION to 3 of her superdelegates.

One is PROVEN and the other is THEORY.

You should quit spinning before you lose ALL logical perspective. :crazy:

[Up2Late]

36. One hasn't been proven? Go look at his profile on the Obama '08 website! Proof enough for me!

Or read the article I posted, here's the link to it again, his lobbying work is referred to in the first paragraph!

Obama's Gay Gold Mine

A new breed of power broker is staking out the White House. Their names are Bernard and Gifford
By PATRICK RANGE MCDONALD
Wednesday, January 30, 2008 - 5:58 pm

Jeremy Bernard thinks he has been sucked into a time warp. Only five months ago, he was sitting shoulder to shoulder with U.S. Senator Barack Obama in the back of a black SUV, speeding through West Hollywood on Santa Monica Boulevard, talking about the fine points of gay and lesbian federal legislation. An hour later, the Democratic presidential candidate was hitting every detail they had discussed in the car, but this time on network television. For Bernard, it was mind-blowing. The key fund-raiser for the Obama campaign was seeing his issues dramatically migrate from a personal chat to the national stage.... (more at link) <http://www.laweekly.com/news/news/obamas-gay-gold-mine/18247/?page=1>

If anyone here is delusional it's you. Paying the person who prints your bumper stickers is not "funneling," it's called paying your bills!

When you pay your bills do you refer to it as "funneling money to CitiBank?

[madrchsod]

40. what is a "gay goldmine" ?

interesting headline by patrick

[hedgehog]

44. So, you're saying that ALL superdelegates should sit this one out

until the convention? I guess Bill Clinton's appointment book just opened up then! SUpporting a candidate is not the same as being paid by the candidate for your support!

[hedgehog]

48. There's more from the article

Hillary Clinton's campaign offered them a job too, and for more money, but Bernard and Gifford just couldn't see themselves raising the big bucks for a candidate who they felt was largely running on Bill Clinton's presidential record, which wasn't always good to gays. "The only way I could honestly sell her to people would be to say she's going to win," says Bernard. "What's the point of that? When we started our company, we wanted to pick only candidates we would be enthusiastic about. Obama was that candidate. He absolutely has the best record on gay and lesbian issues."

http://www.laweekly.com/news/news/obamas-gay-gold-mine/18247/?page=3

[Yavin4]

26. Wow, Spitzer Had To Resign for Hiring Whores eom

.

[truthisfreedom]

30. Honestly, it could be innocent. I'm an Obama supporter, but if Hillary supporters want to work for

her campaign, I'm ALL for it. People, let's support ALL Democrats, please?

[theredpen]

32. She's running out of money -- Clinton can't even BUY enough delegates now

[happygoluckytoyou]

35. bumperstumpers for hillary..... gop lite.....

i am only glad that she survived that trip to the middle east...

.... i hear that the attack was terrible and she barely had time to put on her cape and fly our of the way of danger

[berni_mccoy]

38. Heckuva Job Superdelegates! That's cronyism at it's finest. Clinton will be worse than Bush.

[rateyes]

39. Can anyone say "conflict of interest?"

Go figure that politicians would be involved in "vote buying."

[InfiniteNether]

41. No wonder she is in the red.

In the beginning of the campaign, instead of actually campaigning like Obama did, she spent a lot of money on expensive catering and fancy hotel rooms. Living it up, I guess, since she was going to win after Super Tuesday, anyway.

[ShaneGR]

42. This is really silly as both sides have SD's who benefit from the candidacy of their choice....

Anyone who thinks theres not a handful of candidates on the Obama side who havent profited financially is fooling themselves.

[DeeDeeNY]

43. The whole superdelegate system is a bad one

It really has to go. No good can come from it.

[Kber]

45. It may be morally questionable

but I believe it's entirely legal.

Mind you, I'm getting my information from the Jon Steward Daily show, so maybe I'm totally wrong, but he had an interview with a super delegate earlier this season and the guy said that even outright bribery wouldn't technically be illegal, simply ill advised.

Make of it what you will.

KB

[TomBall Democrat]

47. Is this against the election code?

This whole s-delegate stuff is a gray area for me.

Does anyone know the code? This may look bad, but not be illegal activity.

[happygoluckytoyou]

49. GOTTA WATCH THEM SUPERDELEGATES IN ITALY

But in listening over the weeks to Clinton's advisers make their superdelegate case, you can feel the criteria changing as the conversation ensues. I am reminded of the movie Stripes. John Candy, playing a new Army recruit*, hoodwinks another member of his troop. "You gotta make my bunk," he says earnestly. "See, we're in Italy. The guy on the top bunk has gotta make the guy on the bottom's bunk. He's gotta make his bunk all the time. See, it's in the regulations. See, if we were in Germany, I would have to make yours, but we're in Italy, and you gotta make mine. It's regulations."

[Pavlovs DiOgie]

51. That's exactly what I expect from the Ol' Girl...

[joeybee12]

53. And, of course, Obama has spent twice as much to woo superdelegates...

...but that's DIFFERENT. yeah, it's a smear if you only report on what one candidate has done.

[KittyWampus]

56. that is some expensive vote buying.

[Megahurtz]

58. Nothing more than BRIBES.

The Clintons trying to BRIBE their way in. Disgusting.

[Laelth]

59. That's brilliant.

Run up a big bill with a super-delegate's company and then dare them to switch allegiance. Think they will? Only if they expect to never get paid.

Wow. That is impressive. She not only bought their votes but keeps them loyal by not paying them. She's no amateur, to be sure.

:grr:

-Laelth