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Obama, Clinton Shower Cash on Delegates
February 14, 2008 5:30 PM
ABC News Rick Klein Reports: They're by far the most influential 796 Democratic voters in the country, and they're being . . . showered with cash by the two remaining Democratic candidates?
It's not quite as unseemly as it sounds. But an eyebrow-raising study from the Center for Responsive Politics shows that "superdelegates" have received at least $890,000 in political contributions from Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton -- going back to 2005 -- with Obama sending a larger share of cash to the influential party insiders.
The study found that Obama has sent more than $694,000 from either his campaign account or his political action committee to superdelegates -- the members of Congress, governors, and other party leaders who receive automatic votes at the Democratic National Convention.
About 40 percent of the elected officials who have endorsed Obama have received campaign contributions from him, the center reports. Those superdelegates have received a total of $228,000 from him.
By contrast, Clinton sent out only $195,500 to superdelegates, and only 12 percent of her superdelegates received money from her for their campaigns, according to the report.
And quantities may count.
"In cases where superdelegates had received contributions from both Clinton and Obama, all seven elected officials who received more money from Clinton have committed to her," the report states. "Thirty-four of the 43 superdelegates who received more money from Obama, or 79 percent, are backing him."
While such contributions are perfectly legal, they shine a light on another element of the little-understood process by which the Democratic Party chooses a nominee: Superdelegates could determine the nomination, and many of them are politicians themselves, with their own reelection campaigns to worry about when they make their choices.
February 14, 2008 in Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (192)
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Hey Roca, when we get reports of a new threat to America, and Obama doesn't take action,....well, you better be ready to tuck your head between your knees and kiss yourself goodbye! We need national security. All you liberal, let's sing about hope, people disgust me. Yes, the war in Iraq has drug on for too long, but we have been safe from attacks. You need to have a strong leader. Obama is an orator, not a decision maker- "Prsent" 137 times...etc
Posted by: buyseomeexperience | Feb 14, 2008 6:09:57 PM
Obama sent more than $694,000 to superdelegates,members of Congress, governors, and other party leaders in order to buy votes at the Democratic National Convention. Obama's squeaky clean image is exposed! It is "bribe" money to gain votes. He ain't what he would like to portray. He is the snake oil salesmen, full of empty talk.
Posted by: tigerjcs | Feb 14, 2008 6:11:51 PM
Obama's policies are the same ones that got Detroit into such a mess. I wonder if his proposed tax cuts are his way of bribing the public. It's starting to make sense.
Posted by: Sally | Feb 14, 2008 6:13:09 PM
Isn't that called vote buying? aka Bribery.
Posted by: Patriot2008 | Feb 14, 2008 6:13:15 PM
To Okdokethen:
Yes, and we even have pin-heads like you voting. Your comments about Obama's wife are disgusting. These racist, bigotted comments are not what this election is about. I haven't decided whom I'm voting for yet, but McGain, Obama, Clinton, and rest are a good field of candidates this year.
Posted by: Den | Feb 14, 2008 6:13:16 PM
Obama is right! Time IS on his side. The more we hear about him the more we want him to step aside.
Posted by: JAS | Feb 14, 2008 6:15:39 PM
I'd say I'm surprised that the Clintons hadn't contributed more, except that they can call in old favors, rather than curry new ones. I'd take a look at the individual donations by either side before getting worked up about this. Part of getting things done politically is helping get like-minded people elected.
Posted by: David | Feb 14, 2008 6:16:12 PM
I think it's time for an IRS audit to make sure every last cent has been reported and taxes paid for it.
Posted by: Patriot2008 | Feb 14, 2008 6:16:35 PM
Can somebody please answer this question. If Obama believes that superdelegates are irrelevant why has he pandered to them? This guy is no lone ranger, he's just another politician. Nader was right, he's just an ineffective politician.
Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Feb 14, 2008 6:18:37 PM
buyseomeexperience, tell that to the families of the 52 people killed in London 07/07/2005 because of the war in Iraq. Politics of fear is what has cost the lives of 4000 US serice men and women in Iraq. If you voted for bush in 2000 and 2004 you have blood on your hands just like GW. Fear is all that is left of a party that is bankrupt of ideas.
Posted by: Evan | Feb 14, 2008 6:19:57 PM
Obama's just passing the bribe along. The $300K bribe he received on his house is just being passed to the super delegates. I wonder if this changes the taxes due? Maybe they can ask him during the Wisconsin debate. Oh, I forgot............
Posted by: Chris | Feb 14, 2008 6:21:10 PM
Yes, this is disgusting. But it is nothing compared to what the Kennedys did in the 1960 election, both the democratic primary and the general election.
Posted by: Wayne | Feb 14, 2008 6:22:13 PM
Maybe Obama thought that Larry Sinclair was a superdelegate! He was short on cash and decided to pay him off some other way.
Posted by: Jeff | Feb 14, 2008 6:24:47 PM
Wow. So Obama's buying votes?
Posted by: Matt | Feb 14, 2008 6:25:00 PM
David, the reason she did not give more was that she ran out of money.
Posted by: Evan | Feb 14, 2008 6:26:20 PM
This is just great. While they are both bribing super delegates mine and millions of Florida citizens don't count. And we wonder why the world question what we stand for.
Posted by: tom | Feb 14, 2008 6:28:44 PM
This is how you bring CHANGE Mr. Barack Hussain Obama?
Shame on you.
Posted by: Someone | Feb 14, 2008 6:29:40 PM
I wonder, how one can argue that Obama is bribing superdelegates, when Hillary leads Obama in superdelegates 234-157
Posted by: Eric C. Graham | Feb 14, 2008 6:36:43 PM
Ok, look at Hillary she paid for her superdelegates everytime Obama do good the media always try to bring him down.If Hillary win the demoncrate nonimee see how many American people would either stay home or vote for Republican candidate see if I am a demoncrate would vote for Republican and my friends would also I wish these negative thoughts peole leave Obama along. The demoncratic party would come to a end if they put Hillary as the nonimee watch and see we the American people would not support demoncrate in the general election. The people are for Obama
Posted by: Dre Atlanta | Feb 14, 2008 6:37:13 PM
David: Good point. Why pay super delegates to help get themselves re-elected when you can call in old favors 'markers' for free! I am not at all concerned about a black or mix President. Or, am I really not living in the United States after all? My copy of the Constitution says nothing about race being a qualification. But, then again it was written when most blacks were still slaves.
Posted by: tcnz | Feb 14, 2008 6:40:14 PM
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