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Clinton Library Donors Remain Secret

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September 27, 2007 2:20 PM

ABC News' Rick Klein and Eloise Harper Report: Former president Bill Clinton said Thursday that he will not reveal the names of donors to the Clinton Presidential Library unless he is required to by law, rebuffing pressure from his wife's rivals for more disclosure.

"We don't believe in one set of rules for us and another set for everybody else," the former president said at a news conference in New York. "The people that have already given me money, I don't think I should disclose it unless there is some conflict of which I am aware -- and there is not -- because a lot of people gave me money with the understanding that they could give anonymously. And if they gave publicly they would be the target for every other politician in America."

At Wednesday night's Democratic presidential debate, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., said she was "sure [the former president would] be happy to consider" making public the names of donors to the library. But she refused to say whether she had asked him to do so.

"I don't talk about my private conversations with my husband," Clinton said.

She also touted a bill she’s sponsored that would require "sitting presidents" -- though not former presidents -- to reveal any donation to their presidential libraries. "I think that's a good policy," she said.

The former president said that if such a bill becomes law, he will also disclose donors to his library, even though he would not technically be covered by it.

"If she becomes president, I will treat as if we are covered by that, and I will disclose all of the donors to our library and activities if she becomes president," President Clinton said.

At Wednesday’s debate, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., called on all presidential libraries to disclose their donors. Obama has filed a bill in the Senate that would require disclosure of all contributions to presidential libraries -- including Clinton's.

"I think it's important not only that all this information is disclosed, but I also think that we need to have a situation in which we are disclosing the funneling of large donors," Obama said.

Under current law, presidential libraries are treated like any other charitable organization, and are not required to disclose their donors.

But some have called for that law to change, so the public has access to more information about individuals, companies, and foreign governments that may seek to influence policy through their donations. Recent presidents, including Clinton and Bush, have begun raising money for their libraries while still in office.

The issue of contributions to the Clinton library has gotten fresh attention in recent weeks with the widening scandal surrounding disgraced Clinton fund-raiser Norman Hsu. Hsu has given widely to the Clintons and their causes; he raised $850,000 for Sen. Clinton’s campaign, and gave $30,000 to the Clinton Global Initiative.

Those contributions have been returned. But Clinton aides have declined to say whether Hsu has given any money to the foundation that funds the Clinton Presidential Library, or whether such funds have been returned.

The Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock, Ark. -- which will eventually include a library, a 30-acre park, an archive, and a school of public service -- has raised $165 million from private sources, according to press accounts. None of those sources must be revealed, under state and federal law.

In 2004, a reporter for the New York Sun offered a peek inside the library's fund-raising machine. The reporter, Josh Gerstein, reviewed a list of donors that was available to the public on a touch-screen computer mounted on a wall inside the library; the computer no longer has that information.

Among the entities who have been reported to have given more than $1 million toward the presidentical center: the governments of Dubai, Kuwait, and Qatar; the Saudi royal family; a deputy prime minister of Lebanon; filmmakers Steven Spielberg, Stephen Bing, and David Geffen; Wal-Mart and Wal-Mart heir Alice Walton; the Anheuser-Busch Foundation; and Vin Gupta, chairman and CEO of infoUSA Inc., a telemarketing firm that has come under scrutiny for its handling of private information.

September 27, 2007 in Vote 2008: Democrats | Permalink | User Comments (21)

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Gee, a Clinton doing something shady?
Who would've thought?

Posted by: Jerry | Sep 27, 2007 2:41:15 PM

Jerry let me enlighten you.

Every Politician in office whether Republican or Democrat will have to make decisions that will be questionable based on information you and I do not receive. When you talk about President Clinton, although he did make mistakes, he will be remembered historically as one of the Best Presidents unlike, unfortunately, the current President.

Posted by: sue from texas` | Sep 27, 2007 3:15:39 PM

Well, I'll tell you what, how 'bout if both Clinton and both Bushes reveal the donors for their libraries at the same time.

Posted by: Sean | Sep 27, 2007 3:31:58 PM

Something shady, secretive, exclusive, only the letter of the law associated with the Clintons? No way. This couple is seeking to have onet set of laws for them and another set for everyone else. Please don't press him because he'll redefine the word "donor" for you.

Posted by: Getalife | Sep 27, 2007 4:00:48 PM

Typical democrat, always hiding who contributes to their political careers:
Hugo Chavez, Ahmadinejad, Castro, etc..
Probably through Hsu. I can't vote Democratic in 08 because I don't believe Socialism/Communism is good for America.

Posted by: pedro | Sep 27, 2007 4:03:23 PM

Don't question Bill to much,he will start pointing his finger again...and you know were that has been.

Posted by: Richard Larsen | Sep 27, 2007 4:22:27 PM

If they are not for profit, why disclose? This law is aimed only at Clinton, at this time. If all libraries were made to release their donor list and Clinton refused then it would be an issue, until then leave it well enough alone.

Posted by: china | Sep 27, 2007 4:39:55 PM

Grow up and get some education. Socialism and communism are not synonymous. Perhaps they didn't teach you that wherever / if you went to school.

Posted by: albert walsh | Sep 27, 2007 4:52:20 PM

I think if disclosure was required, folks would be thinking twice about voting for Hillary.

This is not an election for Hillary, its an election to give Pres Clinton, a third term. You can see how things are going on the campaign trail, Hillary slips an Bill is right there to spin the Press. An the MSM listens to his every word.

Posted by: homjett | Sep 27, 2007 5:43:14 PM

McGovern, I remember 1968 I was in the U S Army Where was Bill? Smoking? I voted for George Wallace. Good Luck Hillary, you're going to need it.

Posted by: Paul Osborne | Sep 27, 2007 7:00:37 PM

Half are probably felons! Criminals always find one another!

Posted by: geddesman | Sep 27, 2007 10:15:22 PM

Ron Paul is the ONLY Candidate who can be trusted with the highest office of the land post Bush..

He has a 10 term proven track record of unwavering obedience to the Constitution.

This kind of character cannot be bought or sold.

Wake up Americans, our country is being destroyed from within, we need a man who we can trust to bring this ship back above water.

Posted by: Bob Dylan | Sep 27, 2007 10:57:31 PM

Will Bush even have a library or will it be just a bunch of big vaults? I have the impression that everything will be termed as Executive Secrets and kept far from all prying eyes for a long, long time. Opened only after every living soul here today is long dead.

Posted by: Rick_VT | Sep 27, 2007 11:37:43 PM

Can everyone spell "Hsu". They've probably already dedicated a whole aisle of "How-To" books to him. How to illegally get another worthless democrat elected that is!

Posted by: joe nunybis | Sep 28, 2007 4:19:40 AM

The Clintons always skirt on the ege of what's legal so this is no surprise. Who knows maybe they got more money from the Chinese. Afterall, Bill gave them very serious US technology.

Posted by: skylark | Sep 28, 2007 8:06:46 AM

Have Presidents Reagan and Bush disclosed their lists of donors? If yes, there's a case for President Clinton doing likewise. If not, I don't see the issue.

Posted by: dawn | Sep 28, 2007 10:48:29 AM

we are still waiting for clintons medical records to be released.
I wonder if Carlos Vignali the drug lord is a secret donor?
clinton pardoned him so maybe he donated a few bucks to the library.

Posted by: darknessesedge | Sep 28, 2007 5:38:57 PM

Hmm hmm, secret for a reason?

Posted by: mangoo | Dec 5, 2007 1:11:44 PM

President Clinton is a private citizen, just like you or I. If you build a new house and your great aunt, second removed, donates to it, are you going to call the press and tell everyone? Wake up America !!!

Posted by: Go Bulls | Feb 7, 2008 9:25:49 AM

He is a private citizen, but his spouse is running for public office and what is his is hers. The public have a right to know what they are hiding. If there was nothing to hide, then why not release the donors to clear the air, since her credibility has been tarnished. She is using her words as a" mistake" Maybe the Rev.Wright misspoke also. He is human as well.I love her choice of words. Point well taken if the Media buys that.

Posted by: B.M. | Mar 25, 2008 3:46:03 PM

Maybe Rev. Wright misspoke. She lied. So did Rev. Wright made a mistake. Who knows what is said in the White Churches! The Civil Rights movement happened over 40 years ago. Clinton "misspoke" just over a week ago.

Posted by: B.M. | Mar 25, 2008 4:08:51 PM

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