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Clinton Family Loan Mystery

April 05, 2008 11:19 AM

Those of us old enough to recall the 1990s can remember presidential half-brother and pardon recipient Roger Clinton, as well as presidential brothers-in-law Tony and Hugh Rodham -- all of whom were caught up in the pardon-gate controversy.

None of them has been seen much (or at all) during Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, not without good reason. I don't want to be too harsh, but let's just say they all firmly seem to fall into the Bill Carter mold of presidential siblings.

The reason I bring them up is because according to Bill and Hillary's just-released tax returns from 2000-2006, the Clintons paid interest on loans to family members every year from 2001-2006. (The Clintons applied for an extension on their 2007 filing.)

Who were these loans to and how much are they for? Were Roger, Tony and Hugh among the recipients?

Clinton campaign spokesman Jay Carson politely says that's none of our bee's wax.

"The Clintons made interest-free loans to some of their family members," Carson says. "The amount reported is imputed interest on those loans.  The IRS requires that an amount of interest be assigned to interest-free loans; it then taxes the loan giver as if he or she actually received that 'imputed' interest.   Thus, imputed interest is not actually paid by the loan recipient nor received by the loan giver.  The loans to family members are personal; the Clintons are going to respect their family members’ privacy."

Roger Clinton received a presidential pardon from his brother; Tony and Hugh were involved in that pardon controversy. Is it really none of the public's business if Sen. Hillary Clinton and her husband "loaned" any of them money?

- jpt

April 5, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (186)

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Yes, Hillary and Bill's loans to their family members are none of our business. However, the 10% to "charity" was entirely given to the Clintons' foundation. Not their church, not the United Way; to their eponymous foundation. They still have control over how that money is spent, quite a different thing than when I give money to charity.

That is, given that the money is spent. Which half of it hasn't been, it's just been written off on their taxes and is now sitting in a "charitable" slush-fund bank account.

Not to mention that they filed a six-month extension to avoid exposing their most recent tax filings.

Look folks, these are politicians we're talking about. They should ALL, Obama included, be *presumed* crooked. It's just that the Clintons aren't even pretending they aren't. They are totally and transparently power-mad; anyone who thinks otherwise is being willfully delusional.

Posted by: Michael | Apr 7, 2008 7:28:11 PM

Hill the Bosnian General specializin in Snipers' Brigade made it again: Penn fired by Colombian government, 10 million charity to the Clinton Fundation and many more millions for family members, 5 million self borrowing to stillbirt campaign, etc.,etc, God bless America and God bless Obama.OBAMA08.

Posted by: BKMC | Apr 6, 2008 3:47:54 PM

Everyone attacking Obama has very little to attack him for. Gee, generalizing about caucuses in Western states, when in fact Montana is a primary state. Wow, that's such a big issue!

How about Clinton lying about dodging sniper fire? Lying about being against NAFTA? Lying about bringing peace to the Middle East?

Attack, attack, attack. That's all Clintonites for Hillary know to do.

Posted by: Paul | Apr 6, 2008 3:46:13 PM

She should make her tax records for 2007 available. Did Rezko give her some money too? Why the delay? What is she hiding? I guess this pathological lier is up to no good. If she makes her records available later and something bad is found, what next?

Posted by: Oretega M | Apr 6, 2008 12:01:27 PM

I don't care for the Clintons, but I don't think family loans are our business. It might be of interest if they were paying the questionable sibs to disappear.

A lot in the comments about presidential pardons. In Lincoln's hands, they were used in the causes of justice and mercy after the war. The question in the Clinton's case is were they sold either for cash or for donations of large amounts to their library? Apparently Mrs. Clinton's brothers were caught taking money to get pardons by Bill. That isn't about justice gone wrong or mercy to a woman who lost all her other sons in a war. Selling pardons to truly bad people is evil. If that happened, we need to know about it.

Posted by: karela | Apr 6, 2008 4:08:12 AM

I agree - it's none of anyone's business.

The bigger point--missed here--is that they gave around 10% to charity. In fact they should also be commended for sharing their good fortune with not only their family members but others in need of help. But, of course, writing a story about the Clinton's generosity with their family and others wouldn't fit into a Clinton bashing narrative.

Posted by: LB | Apr 6, 2008 2:27:34 AM

@ Vena

Hillary is broke?

MARCH was her second best fund raising month!

Poor "Politico" crying that her campaign was broke and she should drop out...they helped her campaign raise even more money.


and lies? pleeeease Obama is as big a liar as Hillary!

Posted by: John | Apr 6, 2008 1:45:24 AM

Obama is a genius.....

he[senator obama] seemed to mistakenly categorize Montana as a caucus state, when it is in fact holding a primary.

"Some people have been saying these caucus states out west out don't count that much," he said. "I don't know about you, but I think they're pretty important. .. I'm tired of people saying that some states don't count. I think every state counts."

-Washington Post

Posted by: John | Apr 6, 2008 1:38:50 AM

Hillary has more experience and more years at washington. However, all we see is an inefficient candidate who is constantly broke, has not even paid her bills to small busines owners who helped her in Ohio. Clintons are rich, they have lots of money. Yt they squeez out the poor Americans. SHAME ON YOU HILLARY, YOU TELL NEW LIES EVERYDAY. No one trusts you or your husband Bill when it comes to telling the truth!!!! CHEATERS!

Posted by: Vena | Apr 6, 2008 1:34:05 AM

Ken, the one that is an Obama supporter, you will lose your mind when Obama loses to Mccain. You are totally kidding yourself if you think the Rev. Wright matter is dead, it is simmering and will come to a boil just before the Nov. election. The MSM is in the bag for Obama but when and if he gets the nomination it's 527 time.

Posted by: Tina D | Apr 5, 2008 10:29:17 PM

ken: yeah, and Hillary supporters will have the last laugh because of "polls", like the New Hampshire primary "polls" ! ha ha ha ha ha

Posted by: Hillary is the One | Apr 5, 2008 10:05:57 PM

ken: I'll bet you people are sending millionaire obama or millionaire McCain money contributions all the time !

Posted by: Hillary is the One | Apr 5, 2008 9:48:51 PM

"Send contributions to Hillary"

No we won't.

Btw, who is so foolish to send money to a multi-millionaire?

Posted by: ken | Apr 5, 2008 9:47:04 PM

alison: "and on May 6th: Obama will win NC by 10-12%"

not so somber alison, our man is up 23% in today's Rasmussen NC poll! :)

Posted by: ken | Apr 5, 2008 9:43:07 PM

I thought this was about private loans from the Clintons - I've been wondering throughout the campaign where Hillary's brothers were keeping themselves. I know they're not up for election, but they were both in big trouble after Bill's term of office - and one had legal troubles about timely child support payments to former wife, B. Boxer's daughter.
Would be interesting to know who they're lending to in their own circles.

Posted by: Sara | Apr 5, 2008 9:26:17 PM

Yet MORE anti-Hillary articles on this blog....

Posted by: Clinton is the One | Apr 5, 2008 9:25:02 PM

Tina D

Crist is a decent gov - way better than Jeb -- and I don't care about his "preferences"

I was just pointing out to the uninformed posters here - why he will never be on a national ticket

(you seem to understand this already!)

Posted by: AMBER | Apr 5, 2008 9:23:42 PM

hillary will win PA by 5-8%

and on May 6th: Obama will win NC by 10-12% and Indiana will be within a handful of points either way

then - Sen Clinton will being to hear the steady drumbeat of super delegates for Sen Obama

She can stay in and win Kentucky- that same day Obama will win Oregon

And she can still stay in --
Clinton will lose Puerto Rico and Montana

Michigan will be seated 50%/50%
Florida - nothing will happen till the nomination is decide

The race is over - and the little old ladies will stop giving their lunch money to the $109 million dollar candidate

The Clinton's will owe over $25 million to people who gave them $2.3 for the general in addition to $2.3 for the nomination and they have not started to reserve those funds until last month

As I was dumb enough to give early - I am expecting my $2.3 back!

It is the economy stupid!

The Clinton's may be rich but their campaign is broke - and the sourcing dries up more every day

Posted by: alison | Apr 5, 2008 9:21:06 PM

Kerry, I hope you are right. Tim Russert had Christopher Hitchens and Andrew Sullavan on his show. Could he be more obvious, two people who HATE Hillary. You would think he would have someone on to balance the coverage, but they don't even care what they look like. I have never seen anything like the media hate-feast.

Send contributions to Hillary.

Posted by: Tina D | Apr 5, 2008 9:14:32 PM

Kerry, I hope you are right. Tim Russert had Christopher Hitchens and Andrew Sullavan on his show. Could he be more obvious, two people who HATE Hillary. You would think he would have someone on to balance the coverage, but they don't even care what they look like. I have never seen anything like the media hate-feast.

Posted by: Tina D | Apr 5, 2008 9:12:58 PM

The media are working feverishly to drive Hillary out of this primary, but their machinations won't work. The seasoned, tested Hillary Clinton will will make a far better President than the inexperienced, unvetted Barak Obama. I don't want a President who has to ask everybody else what to do. I want a President who understands the issues and already knows what to do. That candidate is Hillary Clinton!

Hillary will win PA!

Posted by: Kerry | Apr 5, 2008 8:57:07 PM

William posted:

"This is nuts! I just loaded a family member 50k on Thursday to help save their home. Because the family member and their spouse lost their job. Their company was moved to India.

It's none of anyone damn business who loans whom what! Why are we not talking about what is happening to families in America. Before we are forced to speak Chinese! The stupidity here is outragous!"

Bravo!!! You are sooooo right!!

Posted by: countallthevotes | Apr 5, 2008 8:53:28 PM

julescator posted:

"that makes Obama smarter than Bush"

My God, I would hope so. LOL I will give you that one. LOL

Posted by: countallthevotes | Apr 5, 2008 8:50:47 PM

John,
I agree with you. Crist/McCain would be a formidable ticket. I used to live in Tallahassee. Crist is a VERY effective governor and had to undo all of Jeb Bushes missteps and did it quietly and effortlessly. He enjoys tremendous support among Dems and Repubs. He is the man to watch. Only thing is I don't know that Floridians would want to loose him so soon.

Posted by: countallthevotes | Apr 5, 2008 8:46:11 PM

ADAMS:


You're right.


You had a dream.

Posted by: questioner | Apr 5, 2008 8:26:52 PM

do that vanessa


ta ta

Posted by: questioner | Apr 5, 2008 8:12:19 PM

and Kerry has been everywhere that will give him a mic talking about his support for Obama.

I think Kerry should go away because he couldn't beat Bush in 04!

and every democratic supported him, he was the Obama of '04 , and Kerry couldn't seal the deal in the GENERAL!

Posted by: John | Apr 5, 2008 7:38:08 PM

@ HANK

Charlie Crist is going deliver Florida for McCain and Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Texas McCain is leading or tied with Obama in the polls.

Texas, the state which I live in, goes Republican in the GE.

and most of the states Obama has won in the primaries/caucuses have a history of leaning Republican.

and what about Michigan?

Posted by: John | Apr 5, 2008 7:29:33 PM

"Obama is toast."

So far only Hillary is toast, and in GE we'll see, won't we? My expectation is that McCain will be nowhere at the end of it, but we'll wait and see.

Posted by: hank | Apr 5, 2008 7:24:30 PM

@ HANK

Obama's Iraq adviser didn't publish the paper...it was discovered by the media.

Posted by: John | Apr 5, 2008 7:23:13 PM

@ HANK

How many times is his Iraq strategy going to change?

Republicans will call him a flip flopper and swiftboat him! John Kerry in '04 anyone? and Kerry didn't have a loony pastor in the wings like Obama does.

Obama is toast.


Posted by: John | Apr 5, 2008 7:21:22 PM

Actually I thought Hillary's use of the word "Hurled" was a bit telling... as she walked in from hearing about his assassination she 'hurled" her book bag...

really... you mean as a little girl she didn't toos, throw, or chuck her bookbag? No, she hurled it. Because hurl in that sense [not the sense of throwing up] is a word young girls fo that era often used.

She "hurled" it.

Riiiiiight. Can anyoen say... poor speech writer?

Posted by: James in Idaho | Apr 5, 2008 7:13:11 PM

@ herta

If Hillary Clinton cries she is weak, but if Hillary is emotionless she isn't human. Please makeup your mind and I don't see what MLK has to do with picking our next President unless you want to say MLK was truly post race, which he was, and Obama, who is biracial is not! He plays the race card at every opportunity even to defend a "pastor"(using that word loosely) who blames white americans for all the problems of african americans. i'm hispanic and i don't hear my people blaming white people for anything.

Posted by: John | Apr 5, 2008 7:04:21 PM

JOhn - look at the board! If Hillary is sooo good why is the rookie beating her?

Posted by: julescator | Apr 5, 2008 7:03:43 PM

John - that makes Obama smarter than Bush. Obama has to work with what's happening right now. He knows he can't walk away from the impossible situation Bush and Hillary put us in. He will end the war as resonably as possible. We will never win this war I dont' care if we stay they for 200 years and are flying the Chinese flag! Get a grip. If this war could be won, we would have won it already! We have the finest militay in the world - are you getting a clue yet?

Posted by: julescator | Apr 5, 2008 7:02:29 PM

@ Juliescator

His endorsement is very important because he's from North Carolina!

'nuff said.

I'm nineteen and sadly I know more than you about how politics works!

Posted by: John | Apr 5, 2008 7:00:07 PM

"Hillary had met and heard MLK"

That's why I compared her tearing up to Bobby Kennedy's speech. I hope I don't have to inform about Bobby's relation to Dr. King and his love for the african american people, many of whom were in his audience in Indianapolis, only to be totally devastated by Bobby's announcement. "These are my people," Bobby said with a sincere feeling of political responsability and love about black people struggling in America and fighting for their rights.

Bobby was a leader, Obama is a leader, Hillary is tearing up.

Which makes me realize that you and other idiots would slam Obama for saying something even remotely like Bobby Kennedy said.

Posted by: herta | Apr 5, 2008 6:58:15 PM

@ Juliescator

Obama Iraq strategist has plans to keep a residual force of 60,000 to 80,000 troops in Iraq until the END of 2010.

So what does that make Obama?

lol.

Posted by: John | Apr 5, 2008 6:58:08 PM

@ julescator

More disrespect from the Obama camp.

John Edwards, of N. Carolina, a Presidential wannabe? and his wife, Elizabeth Edwards, who has cancer and is supporting Hillary Clinton's healthcare plan because it cover people who have preexisting conditions such as cancer.

Keep that up so you'll cut Obama's lead in North Carolina!

Posted by: John | Apr 5, 2008 6:55:16 PM

JOhn - right back at ya - and just what exactly has Hillary done. Pick our China and steal furniture from the White House? Oh yea - she is a BIG LIAR. On i'm so sure those are ideal traits for a commander in chief. lol lol Only an idiot would think we need to be in Iraq.

Posted by: julescator | Apr 5, 2008 6:53:42 PM


and if Obama doesn't have Hillary as his veep, do you honestly believe Clinton supporters would jump on the Obamawagon?

Posted by: John | Apr 5, 2008 6:51:56 PM

john - remind me again why I think Elizabeth Edwards comments matter? Who is she - a wife of a wannabe presidential hopeful? Give me a break. You are the first person I have heard quote Elizabeth Edwards lol lol - Hillary's camp sure must be desperate! Next you will be quoting Bugs Bunny!

Posted by: julescator | Apr 5, 2008 6:51:07 PM

and that is because Elizabeth Edwards hates Hillary Clinton!

Posted by: John | Apr 5, 2008 6:49:44 PM

WL - Hillary is knocked out - she just refuses to leave the mat. She is stubborn like that. It was hers to lose and she is losing it. Most people are allergic to liars, no matter how many presidents you slept with! Hillary is a disgrace to women and a disgrace to great public officers! Get her outta there!

Posted by: julescator | Apr 5, 2008 6:48:59 PM

@ julescator

On healthcare...if her plan is horrible, why does JOHN EDWARDS' wife support it over Obama's?

Posted by: John | Apr 5, 2008 6:48:14 PM

@julescator

"he is the best thing that has happened to America"

Why?

What has he done for America?

He gave Americans an anti-war speech, but supported the war in congress?

He tells America the war should never have been waged? Which is an insult to the relatives of the 4,000 troops who died in Iraq. He is saying their deaths were in vain.

Posted by: John | Apr 5, 2008 6:42:51 PM

Hey William - you are correct! But then your family member is not running for president. We need to know if we have crooks in the White House, before we put them in, not after! The Clintons are suspect, as usual.

Posted by: julescator | Apr 5, 2008 6:42:04 PM

@ Jay

and when Fox news covers anti Obama stories like Wright, why is it "FIXED" news?

It is called a right wing/racist/biggoted news organization by his supporters.

But when it covers Hillary Clinton it is a beacon of INFORMATION.

Double standard.

Posted by: John | Apr 5, 2008 6:38:20 PM

John McCain is a C- student. Don't the Republicans have a person with a brain to lead the party. There is no way I am going to listen to John Mc Bush for 4 years - no way. It's a shame that people are so jealous of Obama - he is the best thing that has happened to America is makes these other people look like idiots. Look at what they have done to this country with all that experience. Next time we need a smart president - we can see experience is over-rated!

Posted by: julescator | Apr 5, 2008 6:37:54 PM

@ Jay

I guess this is like Obama's SELMA story or Obama's JFK/African airlift story?

On healthcare, leave out anecdotes, who has the better Healthcare plan?

Hillary does.

For starters, hers is actually "universal".

Posted by: John | Apr 5, 2008 6:34:44 PM

This is nuts! I just loaded a family member 50k on Thursday to help save their home. Because the family member and their spouse lost their job. Their company was moved to India.

It's none of anyone damn business who loans whom what! Why are we not talking about what is happening to families in America. Before we are forced to speak Chinese! The stupidity here is outragous!

Posted by: William | Apr 5, 2008 6:34:34 PM

Iraq and The Economy are what matter...

not some PARDONS or family members!

Posted by: John | Apr 5, 2008 6:25:23 PM

McCain just needs the right ECONOMIST/FORMER GOVERNOR...Charlie Christ of Florida (win win for McCain because Obama disenfranchised Florida) and McCain will be the 44th President.

Posted by: John | Apr 5, 2008 5:54:39 PM

@ hank

and what's worse is an Obama Iraq strategist has plans to keep a residual force of 60000 to 80000 troops in Iraq until the END of 2010!

Who knows how long it will take to withdraw those troops.

(and of course his campaign has denied it.)

McCain and Obama have the same plan!

End the war, but keep troops in Iraq.


Posted by: John | Apr 5, 2008 5:48:15 PM

@ hank

Billy Cunningham and McCain had the exact same relationship!

and McCain himself apologized...not some spokesperson!

This is a series of attacks from Obama and his camp trying to paint McCain as a warmonger...

"McCain wants to stay in Iraq for a hundred years"
-Barack Obama

Posted by: John | Apr 5, 2008 5:43:15 PM

@ marian

Obama uses the "African American President" argument when it suits him.... which seems to be all the time.

If you don't support him then you're a racist.

Posted by: John | Apr 5, 2008 5:33:40 PM

@ marian...

hey genius, it WAS WOMEN's HISTORY month in MARCH!


lol.

Women's history month follows Black history month.

Disregarding all the facts, you must be an Obamaican

Posted by: John | Apr 5, 2008 5:29:58 PM

"Guess whose HEALTHCARE PLAN the Edwards are agreeing with? I'll give you a hint... NOT OBAMA'S!"

So?

I didn't notice America's great enthusiasm for Edwards' ideas about health care, or the unquestionable wisdom of the Edwards family, but I may have missed something. I DO notice a great enthusiasm for the man who, other than Edwards, succeeds in preventing a Clinton return to the White House.

Posted by: Greta | Apr 5, 2008 5:28:01 PM

@ John
"We doesn't use the argument: Hillary has a chance to be the FIRST FEMALE President. We don't play the gender card."

Wow! You're lying even a lot harder than your heroine. All over her official site Hillary is presented as an 'advocate for women'. And check her official blog with all the highlighting of women serving the country, and those official statement - all by women - about Hillary being such a great advocate for.... women again! LOL.

All this in stark contrast with the Obama site. Nowhere Obama is portrayed as advocate for black Americans, and just imagine that his site would be about highlighting only black people's services to our country... Nothing would against the general and embracing spirit of the Obama campaign which is about ALL Americans.

In other words: the OPPOSITE of what you say is true, so yes, you MUST be a Clintonite.

Posted by: marian | Apr 5, 2008 5:21:22 PM

@ Greta

Guess whose HEALTHCARE PLAN the Edwards are agreeing with? I'll give you a hint... NOT OBAMA'S!

Posted by: John | Apr 5, 2008 5:16:46 PM

Bill wants Hillary to bow out as well. He knows the race is over.

Why else would he now say that Hillary needs to win North Carolina? He said the same about Texas and Ohio, when Hillary still had a lead. But North Carolina... today's Rasmussen NC poll gives Obama a 23 point lead.

"Bill Clinton said Friday in Charlotte that his wife's presidential bid hinges in many ways on whether the New York senator wins North Carolina's Democratic primary.

Speaking to about 4,000 at a rally at UNC Charlotte, the former president said Hillary Clinton would likely have to win the state's May 6 primary to have any chance at winning the overall popular vote and ultimately overtaking Sen. Barack Obama as the party's nominee."

While Obama is 23 up? What Bill is saying here is: Hill, this race is over.

Posted by: Greta | Apr 5, 2008 5:11:30 PM

The Clinton's used their personal money to proivde family members interest free loans: that's really none of the publics' buisness because that was not public money. It's a seperate matter from the pardon's which are the president's perogative; through after a second term he should pay no political price.

If you want to refight the pardon mess, that's one thing, but these loans are clearly off bounds IMO. There is a line between what is a personal issue and what is a private issue. This reminds me of Sen. Obama's staff not telling you he was smoking; they probably didn't know he was off the wagon. But you still felt the need to self righteously call them out as you feel a need to call the Clinton's out here.

There are a lot of other issues waiting for true reporting that DO matter to citzens: not the least of which are the lack of plans the McCain camp apparently has. God Forbid the media deal with Mr. Free Ride.

Posted by: Rhoda | Apr 5, 2008 4:59:33 PM

@ hank

I've seen all of Hillary's televised speeches and rallies and i've never heard that story. Sorry. It is NOT "the overall narrative of the Clinton candidacy".

Hillary's overall narrative is her SOLUTIONS.

Posted by: John | Apr 5, 2008 4:46:24 PM

Who came up with the idea that Chelsea, a grown up woman, should say 'my mom' all the time on the campaign trail, instead of 'Hillary'?

He or she should be fired.

Btw. did you hear about her mom's new lies in her dramatic health care stories? Fake, fake, fake.

Chelsea's mom should be fired as well.

Posted by: Greta | Apr 5, 2008 4:25:34 PM

Maybe he makes millions giving speeches because he is the best Democratic President since JOHNSON, no offense Carter.

People used to respect him before Obama was on the scene....and that's because Obama hasn't even served as President.

People don't even know if he'll be a GOOD President or if he can even beat McCain in a general election!

Posted by: John | Apr 5, 2008 4:20:05 PM

"In other words, she has thrown the caucus states and their voters under the bus."

And Obama is throwing MI and FL under the bus.

So, I guess we're even.
Posted by LOM
---------------
Senator Obama has consistently stated he would abide by whatever the DNC decided as long as it was fair.

The Democrat National Committee made the rules and applied to ALL states. Michigan and Florida CHOSE to defy the DNC and moved up their primaries from their scheduled primary dates. So, the DNC, true to its word, penalized MI and FL by not seating those states' delegates. Please don't forget that ALL the states and ALL THE CANDIDATES AGREED to the DNC rules. Hillary went so far as to say MI and FL did not matter--but, then, Hillary was wearing her "inevitability crown" which the media had bestowed upon her head by claiming Hillary was "the shoe-in" and "the inevitable nominee". When she discovered her "inevitable crown" had fallen off her head, she began hollering that the delegates from these states be counted in her favor; when that did not work, she then demanded redoing the primaries. Florida and Michigan have decided there will be NO redoing of primaries or caucuses. SO, just how is Senator Obama responsible for this??? It is, in fact, the Florida and Michigan state leaders that threw their states and their voters under the bus. To blame Senator Obama is not only outrageous, it is asinine.

Posted by: NinaK | Apr 5, 2008 4:18:22 PM

For those who want to continue to say MI and FL broke the rules are not seeing the bigger picture. They are CRITICAL swing states in the general election and if they feel the slightest disenfranchised by any candidate, it's going to be a tougher sell in the GE.

If Obama is such a great leader, where is his leadership in resolving this issue one way or another? His campaign has been relatively quiet on the issue other than proposing state-wide caucuses. Gee, that isn't transparent, is it?

Posted by: LOM | Apr 5, 2008 4:15:51 PM

FL and MI had a way of being seated, according to the DNC rules:

a. They could hold second nominating contests
b. They can appeal to the DNC's credentials committee

Posted by: LOM | Apr 5, 2008 4:12:14 PM

"In other words, she has thrown the caucus states and their voters under the bus."

And Obama is throwing MI and FL under the bus.

So, I guess we're even.
Posted by LOM
---------------
Senator Obama has consistently stated he would abide by whatever the DNC decided as long as it was fair.

The Democrat National Committee made the rules and applied to ALL states. Michigan and Florida CHOSE to defy the DNC and moved up their primaries from their scheduled primary dates. So, the DNC, true to its word, penalized MI and FL by not seating those states' delegates. Please don't forget that ALL the states and ALL THE CANDIDATES AGREED to the DNC rules. Hillary went so far as to say MI and FL did not matter--but, then, Hillary was wearing her "inevitability crown" which the media had bestowed upon her head by claiming Hillary was "the shoe-in" and "the inevitable nominee". When she discovered her "inevitable crown" had fallen off her head, she began hollering that the delegates from these states be counted in her favor; when that did not work, she then demanded redoing the primaries. Florida and Michigan have decided there will be NO redoing of primaries or caucuses. SO, just how is Senator Obama responsible for this??? It is, in fact, the Florida and Michigan state leaders that threw their states and their voters under the bus. To blame Senator Obama is not only outrageous, it is asinine.

Posted by: NinaK | Apr 5, 2008 4:06:13 PM

usforsale

I don't get it, I wouldn't pay 2 cents to listen to the lying Clintons. However, I suspect a lot of the the money is for buying influence with President Hillary.

Posted by: SuziQ | Apr 5, 2008 4:05:51 PM

so bill earns all that money because he likes to talk. im would think if one wanted to invest he would hire someone from wallstreet this is more like what can you do for me once your back in the white house the only ones who lose are us whoever sits in the big chair we lose its time we start thinking about how to put it back to what it was meant to be a a goverment that works for the people

Posted by: usforsale | Apr 5, 2008 3:59:45 PM

"In other words, she has thrown the caucus states and their voters under the bus."

And Obama is throwing MI and FL under the bus.

So, I guess we're even.

Posted by: LOM | Apr 5, 2008 3:41:00 PM

@NinaK | Apr 5, 2008 3:10:48 PM:

I never said anything about how WA state went. I was talking about the state of the entire contest and how it's not over.

I have no doubts that the results of the caucuses are still going to favor Obama. That has been the trend of caucuses across the nation. Washington is unique that we got to pay $10M for a primary as well which showed that the state did not favor Obama to the degree that the caucus did. Whereas the caucus overwhelmingly went for Obama, it is not a true reflection of how the state feels as was evident in the results of the primary.

Posted by: LOM | Apr 5, 2008 3:39:17 PM

Don,

If you're close to someone in high power you can make money. I know some people who have been in the inner circle of Clinton fund raisers but they are now making overtures to Obama. I guess it's just a matter of good business for them.

What's dirty is when the "public servant" favors his buddies over what is best for the constituency.

Posted by: SuziQ | Apr 5, 2008 3:22:59 PM

One of the Rodham brothers made millions of dollars as an attorney in the big tobacco settlement in Florida while Bill Clinton was president. It was one of those deals where the attorneys got rich, the tobacco uses received nothing, and politicians took credit for going after 'big tobacco'. It was nothing more than a big show that took money from the tobacco industry and gave it to a bunch of attorneys -- many of whom had connections with politicians.

Posted by: Don | Apr 5, 2008 3:14:56 PM

NinaK,

I voted for Obama in Washington also! I'm proud of us too!!!

Posted by: SuziQ | Apr 5, 2008 3:12:58 PM

I am on my way to the Washington state legislative caucus to throw my support to Hillary! This race isn't over yet folks -- the pundits need to find another day job.

Posted by: LOM
----------------
LOM, Senator Obama won the Washington Caucuses by HUGE margins; not only that, he also took every county, in other words, the entire state.

Hilliary and her campaign belittled Washington State and ALL other caucus states as unimportant, they don't matter, they don't count, and they are undemocratic, therefore the voters don't count, as they too, are unimportant, we do not matter, and we are "undemocratic"!!. In other words, she has thrown the caucus states and their voters under the bus. She has done the same to the smaller states that voted for Senator Obama in the Primaries. SO, you see, the eleven(11) states Senator Obama won in a row did not and do not matter to Hillary. In fact ANY state won by Senator Obama is NOT important to Hillary. ONLY the BIG states with the BIG delegate count mattered to her! Talk about throwing more than half of the states, that have voted for Senator Obama, under the bus!!
I am ashamed of Hillary, Bill, and her camp. I am ashamed of you as well for supporting Hillary when she discounts us as not important!!

I am a Washingtonion and very proud our state has shown we do not want the Clintons back in the White House under any circumstances. Thank you, fellow Washingtonions for standing up for what is right!

Posted by: NinaK | Apr 5, 2008 3:10:48 PM

John Adams,

You say the McCain voters are non-thinkers and I disagree.

I believe character counts and McCain has shown a level of character that all of us have to be grateful we've never had to face. He could have had early release from POW camp and chose to not jump the line due to the "first man in is first man out" code in the military. In doing this he knowingly subjected himself to certain torture and possible death at the hands of the Viet Cong. That took unbelievable strength of character and selflessness. i give him extreme credit for that. I'm not saying this would make him the best President but he certainly has an ability to think of others before himself and I think that's one of the qualifications of a great leader.

In contrast, we have Hillary lying about sniper fire and then, or so I've heard, making a joke on Leno about how she and Chelsea were really in the Hanoi Hilton....as if that was a laughing matter. The woman is pathetic and NUTS.

Posted by: SuziQ | Apr 5, 2008 3:09:06 PM

I was interested in Obama until I heard his pastor. How can anyone sit there and listen to this? And he was saying the opposite of what I thought Obama was about which is putting the end to the divisiveness. I'm also worried that he is naive but I suppose if he becomes President that all the President's men and the daily intelligence briefings will leave less room for error. Other than that I find him very likable and more importantly, intelligent and measured. I doubt he'll yank all the troops out of Iraq - we've still got troops in Germany! If he could get an initiative going to get us off foreign oil so we could quit feeding our enemies I'd consider him a hero.

Hillary is corrupt - the way she has compromised everything that any of us would consider principles to get herself power - and money - is enough for me. I don't care what government programs with other people's money she comes up with to buy my vote. No way am I voting for her. Ever.

Posted by: SuziQ | Apr 5, 2008 3:01:35 PM

Clinton has ruined any chance of being offered the VP slot with her lying ways and irreverence toward the Democratic party's liberal base....And Obama never heard his sickening preacher preach hate for the whie man...another hypocrite.

Posted by: Scotty | Apr 5, 2008 2:48:48 PM

Loans to family members? If this is the worst thing you can find in 8 years of tax returns? PATHETIC, The point is simply that their relatives are all crooks...and it runs in their family.
Both Democratic candidates stink and are far from the best this party has to offer.

Posted by: Scotty | Apr 5, 2008 2:42:42 PM

I want nader and bloomberg to go with obama if he does not get the nomination -go as independents.
I swera he will win as an independent of they dont gove him the nomination. daliya