Bill Clinton has severed business ties with Los Angeles billionaire Ron Burkle, fearful that their deals could erupt into bad publicity damaging his wife's presidential bid, according to sources who know both men...The break-up is a major development in the world of political fundraising, where Burkle has risen to the top ranks, credited with channeling $50 million or more into Democratic coffers over the past 15 years....Burkle was one of Clinton's chief fundraisers while he was in the White House, a position that earned him a place on the Lincoln Bedroom guest list. After Clinton left the White House, Burkle brought the former president on board as a senior adviser at his investment firm, The Yucaipa Companies. (Full Story)
And another..oops:
How Bill Clinton's Aide Facilitated a Messy Deal Lawsuit Pending Over Spending
Wall Street Journal: For the past six years, the road to Bill Clinton has often run through Douglas Band, a 34-year-old former White House intern who has helped manage Mr. Clinton's time, accompanied him around the world and even fielded some of his calls. ... When Mr. Clinton left office in 2001, Mr. Band stayed with him. Without his young aide, Mr. Clinton said in a 2003 speech, "I could not get through the day." Adds one longtime Clinton associate: "When Doug calls up, it's like having the president call up. (Full Story)
And,
Bill Clinton's Midas touch Stock deal benefiting his foundation among shrouded successes
WASHINGTON -- In December 2004, former President Bill Clinton made a much-publicized appearance at a launch party in New York for Accoona, a new Internet search engine billing itself as a rival to Google...Clinton's presence at the gathering at Tavern on the Green in Central Park was a coup for the unheralded, privately held Accoona, which paid for the former president's appearance by issuing options for 200,000 shares of stock to Clinton's charity, the William J. Clinton Foundation. In 2006, the Clinton Foundation sold the shares for $700,000. (Full Story)
And,
Bill Clinton May Get Payout of $20 Million
Wall Street Journal: Former President Clinton stands to reap around $20 million - and will sever a politically sensitive partnership tie to Dubai - by ending his high-profile business relationship with the investment firm of billionaire friend Ron Burkle. (Full Story)
Isn't that what they call a "golden parachute" in the biz, Bill? I've been asked to "go away" more than once in my life and not once did anyone hand me 20 million bucks for my inconvenience. Just how does a fella get a gig like that? Inquiring minds will want to know... or should.
None of the above is anything like the bogus, chump change Whitewater real estate deal that bedeviled Bill's two terms in office. That deal amounted to something around $26,000, if I recall correctly. The deals Bill signed onto after leaving office have been real gushers, filled with real characters and more than a few questions about precisely what was afoot and what Bill was getting paid for doing.
I'm not just blowing past Obama's involvement with the sleazy Mr. Rezko. But Obama himself has described his decision to do business with the guy as "a bonehead decision." and donated contributions from Rezko to charity.
So, how does Bill describe the business deals noted about which netted him tens of millions?. Someone should ask. In the meantime voters should keep this in mind the next time the Clinton campaign drags Mr. Rezko out for another airing.
Okay, enough. If Democrats -- or the DNC -- decide to send Hillary into battle against McCain we will have four more years of Republican rule. Obama beats McCain in national polls. Hillary loses to McCain in those same polls. I have no idea why Hillary Clinton's supporters can't or won't see that they are about to do to nation in 2008, what Ralph Nader's supporters did to us in 2000. I can only hope they'll figure it out before it's too late.
Stephen Pizzo has been published everywhere from The New York Times to Mother Jones magazine. His book, Inside Job: The Looting of America's Savings and Loans, was nominated for a Pulitzer.
Mr. Pizzo: everything you write here is so much in line with everything else being written on this site. it raises all the same suspicions. You are obviously a Hillary Hater, and so are nearly all the writers on this list. But I question everything you say.
Consider that in your first example, of why we should buy Obama's empty, BS campaign, you point to Rush Limbaugh. who, recently, seems to have supported Hillary. I feel like I'm living in an alternate universe here, and that we've all gone mad. Can it be that you actually "believe" Limbaugh. Forgive me for saying so, but it's hard for me to fathom that a man able to write as well as you do, can, at the same time exhibit the brains of a cow. Must I accept that you believe that Limbaugh made a public display of supporting Hillary, and this "display" never aroused any suspicion in your mind? Do you mean to say, that it's necessary for me to tell you, that it's vastly, infinitely more likley, that Limbaugh is doing what he does best: lie, and especially, lie to gullible democrats. If Limbaugh creates the appearance of supporting Hillary, the very first thing that comes to the mind of anyone with half a brain, should be that he's obviously bullshitting us. He intends to weaken Hillary's chances in the election, by appearing to support her, since it's a certainty, that there are more than enough fools among democratic voters to turn the election toward Obama, if they discover that Limbaugh says he supports Hillary. Everything else you say, comes out of mainstream media, and their determination to destroy Sen. Clinton's campaign. I invite you to go to the current issue of the VILLAGE VOICE, and access an article entitled "Hillary & the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy," by Wayne Barrett.
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johncp (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 14 comments)
on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 7:21:17 PM
Unfortunately few are aware of Hillary's Project for New American Century sponsorship. Unfortunately few recall the tyrannical episodes during the Clinton Adminisrtation. Such as, Waco, Ruby Ridge, NAFTA, Crimes Bill Act(that is actually unconstitutional), and Welfare Reform that actually kicked the legs out from under the poor mothers and caused them to stay in poverty MORE than exit it.
Unfortunately many just don't have a clue. Unfortunately, Hillary will be more of the same with a tinge of Democratic policies. My homepage continues to BLAME Obama for what Hillary's staff says.
I'm in agreement with you and your article is superb and right on the money. Hillary wants McCain over Obama. They are Centrist (Mac and Hill). Obama is more leaning to the left. You can bet Limbaugh and Coulter were up to dirty tricks. Do they EVER have anything other than a bag of tricks?
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shirley reese (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 240 comments)
on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 9:06:16 PM
(Polls show that Hillary's support comes largely from the less educated, blue-collar Democratic party demographic. Not that's there's anything wrong with that.. but it should raise at least some question in the minds of voters. Call me an eliltist but, who would you chose to make a life and death decision for you -- well-educated people or not-so well educated people. But I digress)
No...that staement is not a digression into elitism but arrogant condenscension .
Yes, I'm a Clinton supporter. I have an under-graduate degree in Aerospace Engineering. I have a double Masters. One in Astro-physics and another in Liberal Arts. I have a substantial income. I'm liberal. I am not elderly...agian, I support Clinton!
But why do you speak of the middle-class Americans as being less than you are? I would rather trust middle-class Democrats as a whole, than the disdain of another Obama "foamer". Please, take some time off. I think that you have much to learn.
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Bob Kemper (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 6 comments)
on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 9:45:47 PM
