The New York Times wrote about how Barack Obama, in addition to receiving millions in small-dollar donations, relies heavily on big donors and donation bundlers.
Meanwhile, the Washington Post reported that one of John McCain’s bundlers is the owner of an oil-trading company that recently inked defense contracts potentially worth more than $1 billion.
McClatchy newspapers also reported on how a middle-class couple from New York have written $61,600 in checks to McCain’s presidential campaign and the Republican National Committee, most of it within days of McCain’s decision to endorse offshore oil drilling. The woman, who drives a 1993 Chevy Cavalier, works as an office manager for Hess Corp., which does deepwater drilling. The donations, first traced by Campaign Money Watch last week, were part of $1.2 million in oil industry contributions to McCain’s Victory ’08 Committee, 73 percent coming after McCain reversed his long-held opposition to offshore oil drilling.
35 Comments
Connection to Big Oil isn’t helping the Republicans.
http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Linked_to_big_oil_incumbent_Tenn._0808.html
Incumbent Rep. David Davis lost his primary bid to Johnson City Mayor Phil Roe. Davis should have easily won the heavily Republican district but Republicans were fed up with Davis’ ass kissing of the oil companies.
Let’s hope McCain, Tiahrt and Roberts follow suit in the general election. With oil companies making record profits they know who to thank for their economic success, and the money isn’t going to Democrats.
Sometimes I do wish I could be a bigger whore. Have no morals and willing to eat my own babies. But then I am a human being, its not easy all the time but then neither is being a hollow shell I guess.
Canada allows recognized political parties free radio/TV time to discuss their policies and rebut the opposition and contains the amount a party can spend to about 70 cents per voter and no more than $60,000.00 per candadate. The ruling party in that country spent $18 million to get elected last time and the Prime Minister himself only spent $60,000. Unions and corporations cannot contribute to any camapaign and individuals are limited to $500.00. Federal funding is also avaiable, though I don’t know how that works. This kind of political funding is and Australian, New Zealand and I think, British practice as well, so being Parliamentary Democrcacies may not be any better, but costs seem a helluva lot more in tune with common sense. Did I read somewherethe next POTUS will have spent close to $1 billion to get elected?
Maggotpunk
Posted August 9, 2008 at 6:14 am | Permalink
Connection to Big Oil isn’t helping the Republicans
———————–
A connection doesn’t hurt either. Especially not with high gas prices. To deny the existence of the most predominant transportation fuel on the planet is just plain dumb.
…………………..
Since Brownlib saw fit not to put what the NY Times had to say about Obama’s contributor’s, I’ll do it.
Behind those larger donations is a phalanx of more than 500 Obama “bundlers,” fund-raisers who have each collected contributions totaling $50,000 or more. Many of the bundlers come from industries with critical interests in Washington. Nearly three dozen of the bundlers have raised more than $500,000 each, including more than a half-dozen who have passed the $1 million mark and one or two who have exceeded $2 million, according to interviews with fund-raisers. Hedge-fund executives, for example, have bundled large sums for Mr. Obama at a time when their industry has been looking to increase its clout in Washington.
sursum,
Canadian politicians are also greeted by a phalanx of reporters after sessions, and they are bombarded with questions they must answer. It’s a regular shooting gallery, and something no politician from this country would have the huevos to face. Can you imagine either mcsame or obama having to go through that? I would love to see it.
Politicians will take money from anybody. I bet Obama & the dems have collected big bucks from trial lawyers. News media reporting is one sided, they do not tell the whole story. Another reason the public is down on them, at least I am.
Ya mean, the “new politics” looks an awful lot like the “old” politics?”
I’m shocked, I tell ya. Shocked.
Obama gets fundraising help from gang-promoting rap music and hip-hop music artists.
Obama is supported by many radical Moslem groups.
Obama ALSO gets massive support from the Wichita Eagle — just about the worst shame of all!
AHaha, looks like Nathan got PART of his wish- a thread about the flip flop on the drilling positions. He just wanted it to be about Obama. HAHAHA.
aPAULing, if you feel the need to lie to get ahead, what does that tell you?
Darn it MP, I was going to link that story here. You beat me to it. Oh well, it’s worth repeating.
I’d read obama has a fraction of the budlers that mccain has. Not sure if that was total bundlers, or based on the amounts.
:lol:
Obama and “moslems:” I’m thinking it might play with the tinfoil crowd, which is what, maybe 4% of voting Americans. NOTE: upon close inspection, the link between Obama and “moslems” dissipates quickly, leading to the 4% number above.
McCain and Big Oil: now THAT’s a link that flat out resonates with every voting American (some choose to downplay it or even ignore it, obviously). NOTE: upon close inspection, the link between McCain and Big OIL grows stronger, leading to the 100% number above.
Let’s see, which of the above has the most staying power? Decisions, decisions, decisions….
:D
JMW: I also understand that the Prime Minsiter and all Members of the Cabinet (all of whom are elected Members of Parliament…no appointees) must also answer questions in Parlaimentary sessions by members on any topic or policy of the Government, while standing on their feet! The British call it Question Perod, a tradition also in the other 3 countries noted above. Supposedly, it’s like a verbal wresting match, with no holds barred. I wonder what the debating skills are like under that scenario, it must be delicious to see squirming on live TV!
Y’know, if we would only run our Presidential Elections the way the Constitution specifies, we wouldn’t have to suffer with these agonizing campaigns or the out-of-control fund raising.
I’m referring, of course, to the “indirect” or “representative” method, where states choose Electors, and Electors use their own best judgement [sic: your spelling checker needs help] to select the person _they_ feel is best qualified.
We just have to convince several million egotistical twits that “you really _aren’t_ qualified to pick the POTUS, you know.” Maybe you’re one of them. If so, I apologize for revealing the fact that you’re a fool.
pmom
I have not lied about a thing.
Obama DOES get fundraising support from Rap and Hip Hop stars, who promote gangs.
Obama DOES get support from radical Moslems.
(Obama’s “Moslem Outreach” guy, on his own campaign, just had to resign because of radical connections)
Here you go, another resignation, another radical in Obama’s camp:
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/022101.php
Paul, I’m glad you brought up support from radical Muslims because McCain had to return $50,000 he received from a Muslim in Jordan.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/07/AR2008080702133.html?hpid=topnews
I guess we’ll hear non-stop criticism from you about McCain like you constantly criticized Clinton for receiving money from Hsu.
“McCain and Big Oil”
Let’s get something straight. There is nothing evil about “big oil”. American stock holders, 401K plans, and mutual funds all contain “big oil” as part of a well balanced portfolio. This includes democrats investments too.
Petroleum products are used in every American household, and they have made our lives easier and provide many of the luxuries we enjoy in life.
A partial list:
Solvents
Diesel
Motor Oil
Bearing Grease
Ink
Floor Wax
Ballpoint Pens
Football Cleats
Upholstery
Sweaters
Boats
Insecticides
Bicycle Tires
Sports Car Bodies
Nail Polish
Fishing lures
Dresses
Tires
Golf Bags
Perfumes
Cassettes
Dishwasher
Tool Boxes
Shoe Polish
Motorcycle Helmet
Caulking
Petroleum Jelly
Transparent Tape
CD Player
Faucet Washers
Antiseptics
Clothesline
Curtains
Food Preservatives
Basketballs
Soap
Vitamin Capsules
Antihistamines
Purses
Shoes
Dashboards
Cortisone
Deodorant
Footballs
Putty
Dyes
Panty Hose
Refrigerant
Percolators
Life Jackets
Rubbing Alcohol
Linings
Skis
TV Cabinets
Shag Rugs
Electrician’s Tape
Tool Racks
Car Battery Cases
Epoxy
Paint
Mops
Slacks
Insect Repellent
Oil Filters
Umbrellas
Yarn
Fertilizers
Hair Coloring
Roofing
Toilet Seats
Fishing Rods
Lipstick
Denture Adhesive
Linoleum
Ice Cube Trays
Synthetic Rubber
Speakers
Plastic Wood
Electric Blankets
Glycerin
Tennis Rackets
Rubber Cement
Fishing Boots
Dice
Nylon Rope
Candles
Trash Bags
House Paint
Water Pipes
Hand Lotion
Roller Skates
Surf Boards
Shampoo
Wheels
Paint Rollers
Shower Curtains
Guitar Strings
Luggage
Aspirin
Safety Glasses
Antifreeze
Football Helmets
Awnings
Eyeglasses
Clothes
Toothbrushes
Ice Chests
Footballs
Combs
CD’s
Paint Brushes
Detergents
Vaporizers
Balloons
Sun Glasses
Tents
Heart Valves
Crayons
Parachutes
Telephones
Enamel
Pillows
Dishes
Cameras
Anesthetics
Artificial Turf
Artificial limbs
Bandages
Dentures
Model Cars
Folding Doors
Hair Curlers
Cold cream
Movie film
Soft Contact lenses
Drinking Cups
Fan Belts
Car Enamel
Shaving Cream
Ammonia
Refrigerators
Golf Balls
Toothpaste
Gasoline
That said, just who do YOU send your campaign funding too? Do you send your money to liberal candidates who will support YOUR views?
Well it stands to reason that the oil companies and investors will give THEIR contributions to candidates who support their cause.
Don’t be surprised if every American earning more than 200K sends a check to McCain. And every major corporation in America. Afterall, which candidate has promised to hurt them?
Nothing unethical here.
Big Oil and Big Arabs, don’t ya mean.
You made a point you had no intention of making there “American way”.
The way we waste the very valuable resource petroleum is shameful and stupid.
One use packaging that we then bury in the ground forever? Burning it up in antiquated engine technology?
And there’s only so much of the stuff to go around. Drilling it out faster only hurries us up running out of it.
BJ, our anger at “big oil” is misdirected. We should be mad at OURselves – the biggest abusers and wasteful users of oil.
Every time I see a big pick-em-up truck or an SUV I get mad. If only because they block my view from my little civic hybrid.
Everytime I review the Energy Act which gives car companies until 2022 to meet only 35 MPG (fleet average) I get mad.
And they should require ROAD tests for all those sweet looking ladies who drive SUV’s to feel safe (or big).
You can’t park them straight in a standard mall parking lot – and back them out without hitting something, NO LICENSE!
It still presents a couple very large problems for McCain, AmWay.
First, all US taxpayers send Big Oil a yearly check for something between $75 billion to $150 billion. That’s on top of buying gasoline at $4/gal, and it’s also on top of military spending dedicated solely to protecting Big Oil interests, aka US national energy interests. So we pay $4/gal, we pay to maintain an obscenely bloated military in large part for Big Oil’s benefit, and to top if off we STILL send about a $100 billion (with a B) in checks to ‘em each year just because they own sufficient Congress persons and the White House.
Second, if you count up “every American earning more than 200K” how many Americans do you count? ANS: < 5% of all households earn 200K. It’s a helluva price McCain pays for these votes, too. Ruinously costly, as I’m sure McCain will soon discover.
If you’re a thinking American who’s also not employed by Big Oil, then not only to you have every right to be disgusted with McCain’s link to it, you’re an idiot if you don’t. By any objective measure, Big Oil is — always HAS been, in fact — a pretty disgusting US corporate citizen.
More spin free bullsh*t puncturing from factcheck.
http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/did_obama_replace_the_us_flag_on.html
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/more_tax_deceptions.html
Pedant I don’t think the average American makes the connection to the military DoD budget as supporting big oil (actually I think the connection is it supports BIG defense contractors).
Did you include the federal government in your B Billions? They sure love to tax that big oil too.
I will agree shallow people will continue to be mad at “big oil” for all that’s wrong in life.
No different than a heroin addict being mad at his pusher, as the druggy sticks the needle in his vein.
Thinking people will realize everytime you point a finger on your hand at someone else – there are three fingers pointing right back at you.
But elections aren’t for thinking people. They are not rational or based upon facts. It’s the emotional irrational and sound bytes that get the votes. Like the current Obama ad attacking McClame on “big oil”.
Franklin
Posted August 9, 2008 at 11:20 am | Permalink
pmom
I have not lied about a thing.
Obama DOES get fundraising support from Rap and Hip Hop stars, who promote gangs.
Obama DOES get support from radical Moslems.
(Obama’s “Moslem Outreach” guy, on his own campaign, just had to resign because of radical connections
====================================================
Back it, bozo. The gang thing and the Muslim thing. And while you’re at it, list all of McCain’s people who resigned over their radical interests, including the RR’s.
How about your dog McCain, putting out pure bulls**t ads on Obama? I suppose lying is okay in your book, as long as your dog does it? Very sleezy, moron.
That sounds awfully fishy, an office mgr. that drives a 93 cavalier sending mcbush over 60,000! She must live frugally just so she can send all her savings to John.
What’s fishy about it? How much have YOU saved for retirement?
Or are you waiting for the gubermint handouts too?
BTW, I drive cars until the engine falls out. I don’t value BIG trucks, SUV’s or other phallic symbols pleasing modes of transportation.
Like very few others, I will be like the couple who died in Kansas who had lived a very frugal life – but donated millions to their chosen cause.
At present time, I am putting even MORE in the markets. I am buying low…..
American_Way
Posted August 9, 2008 at 8:52 pm | Permalink
Like very few others, I will be like the couple who died in Kansas who had lived a very frugal life – but donated millions to their chosen cause.
—
:D
Sure. You know the one thing couples like that have — that you now no longer have — and that I suspect is at the very heart of “live frugally leave millions?”
Modesty. :wink:
So Phantom your bank account is less than 2,000 dollars, like most Americans, you have not saved for retirement?
“Barack Obama, of course. But trudging through OpenSecrets.org, a searchable website of the Center for Responsive Politics, I managed to find a total of $1,761,696 in donations by corporations and lobbyists among its 100 top donor list.
In fact, the big 4 categories are below:
Obama’s Donors, Top 100, CFRP
Donor Class Largest Donor Total
Financial $375,978 $1,252,826
Business $131,485 $336,090
Communications $43,483 $66,236
Insurance $40,150 $43,150
In the financial sector, one and a quarter million dollars have found their way into the Obama campagin. The largest donor was Goldman Sacs at $375,978. JP Morgan Chase was second with $216,459 while Citigroup coughed up $181,787 and Morgan Stanley only produced $109,025 to finance Obama’s campaign.
Time Warner led the big business contributors to the Obama campaign with $131,485, followed by GE at $47,450 and Microsoft at $44,250. Last time I looked, each of those were ‘corporations’.
AT&T, you know, the communications corporation, kicked in $43,483 and among insurance corporations, Blue Cross/Blue Shield managed to send along $40,150 to the Obama campaign.
Other corporate contributors include Boeing, Walt Disney, Vivendi, UPS, Lockheed Martin, General Motors and American Airlines.
I even managed to find contributions from Pfizer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly & Co. and GlaxoSmithKline to the tune of $23,350. And apparently Big Oil didn’t want to be left out in the cold with Chevron, BP and Exxon Mobil contributing $27,059 to the non-corporation funded Obama campaign.”
If Obama took a penny, he is just as “guilty” or “sinful” as McClame (for whatever reason libs think this is sinful or nasty).
Now I don’t get it, but if MCclame is guilty, so is Obama. Or do libs have degress of sin?
Now why would Obama do this? Why protect donations to political campaigns from BROKE people?
Obama Bill to Protect Charitable and Religious Donations from Bankruptcy Passes Senate
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today said that legislation he introduced with Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) that would allow individuals in bankruptcy to continue giving to churches and charities has passed the Senate. The legislation is expected to pass the House when Congress returns in November.
“For millions of Americans, charitable giving and tithing is an essential part of their lives,” Obama said. “And in a country where 37 million citizens live in poverty, we should be encouraging charitable giving, not limiting it. This bill will clarify that the Bankruptcy bill passed by Congress last year – a bill I voted against – did not change the law to prioritize creditors over religious institutions and charities.”
“In the case of his relationship with Rezko, Obama has also been slow to acknowledge the full extent of his relationship.
It was only last week that he revealed Rezko had raised some $250,000 in campaign contributions for him.
The campaign had initially claimed Rezko-connected contributions were no more than $60,000, an amount the campaign donated to charity. Then the figure grew to around $86,000, and there were additional revelations that put the amount at about $150,000. Obama’s $250,000 accounting was a substantial jump and clearly contradicted earlier campaign statements that Rezko was just one of “thousands of donors.”
Is either candidate lilly white?
Here it is. The smoking gun. Picture of Obama with a convicted terrorist.
http://www.apfn.org/APFN/schlussel011001.jpg