So this is why Obama was trying to get away from Richardson so fast.
President-elect Barack Obama took big money from a man at the center of a federal probe that has forced one of Obama’s top Cabinet picks to withdraw.
Financial records show the Obama campaign got more than $30,000 from California financier David Rubin, the target of an investigation into donations and possible “pay-to-play” deals involving New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, Obama’s pick for commerce secretary.
Now I know I’m speculating here, but if a man like Rubin is in the habit of throwing money at politicians in exchange for favors, why is it such a stretch to imagine the same thing going on with Obama? I hope he at least got a picture with His Holiness for$ 28,500.
In late September, Rubin attended an exclusive Los Angeles fundraiser for Obama, held at the Beverly Hills’ Greystone Mansion.
Rubin’s money went to a joint Obama-DNC fund ($28,500), the DNC itself ($26,200), and to the Obama campaign ($2,300), according to the database of campaign donations at OpenSecrets.Org.
Hmm…. Well maybe Obama didn’t know what kind of man Rubin is, and certainly couldn’t know that people might find taking donations from such a person inappropriate, to say the least. Uh…wait a sec…
News of the federal investigation into Rubin’s New Mexico dealings had broken less than three weeks earlier.
So let me get this straight. Richardson is involved with some slimebag who he’s been giving favors to in exchange for contributions. He then introduces him to his boss, which earns him a few brownie points from Obama (…maybe even a cabinet post?) . Later, when a pesky grand jury gets too close to connecting the dots in Judas’ little game, the Obama nation cuts him loose to fend for himself. Change? They’ve taken the George W. playbook to the next level. Eight years of GWB and his use of cronyism and big dollar payoffs has brought this country to its knees. And Obama is going to be nothing but more of the same. Obama’s supporters seem to have that same kind of “fall on your sword” loyalty to Obama that Bush’s lackey’s gave to him, even though he never returned loyalty to ANYONE. At least until now it seems like Richardson is just going to slink off quietly and take any serious media attention to this matter with him into obscurity.
But at least there are some Democrats who are starting to grow a backbone, like DiFi, for example, who is the only Democrat with enough sense to tell her colleagues to drop their opposition to Senator Burris so they can get on with the work of the people of this country. Don’t expect the story to go away anytime soon though, as Obama’s narcissism will not allow an offense like this to stand. Which brings us to Blagojevitch. That man doesn’t know the first thing about loyalty. He seems willing to throw a wrench into the works if it is the last thing he does. That makes things a lot more interesting. Ok, now pass the popcorn…
January 6, 2009 at 11:37 pm
Wonder who will replace Halliburton and KBR in Obama’s Hall of Shame during the next 4 years. You want to buy a government? No need to look any further than Washington DC. If it weren’t so pathetic it would be funny. Replace one lying s.o.b. with another on January 20th and we have another day of business as usual.
I cringe at the thought.
January 7, 2009 at 12:15 am
OMG this is just too good. Seriously, you can’t make this shit up! What a pathetic sham he is but hell American people were stupid enough to elect Bush so I guess they’re stupid enough to believe the bullshit Obama was selling.
January 7, 2009 at 7:25 am
I’m going to go purchase some more popcorn. These piddly two boxes are not going to be nearly enough.
January 7, 2009 at 8:43 am
Obama’s Administration will more than likely be much like the Bush Administration in the Frat Boy humor, the arrogance and the ineptitude. That it will be corrupt is a given.
As Lisa and Joel sang all those years ago “Money Makes The World Go Round”. Change? Nonsense! Unless you mean the change you’ll be digging out of the sofa cushions to buy a loaf of bread.
January 7, 2009 at 11:20 am
The only change will be the names of the office doors, and most of them are just changing what doors they will be posted on.
January 10, 2009 at 1:01 am
[...] dear friend, GaryChapelhill is following the money in the post, Money, Money, Money… at Electric Blues: So this is why Obama was trying to get away from Richardson so fast. [...]
January 10, 2009 at 8:39 am
Jr.jr will surpass his predecessor! (I think it’s why the Bushes picked HIM – so they would be missed next time)
And to answer your question – no stretch at all. After all, Obama was kicked a little something when Blago was making it as well! (which is possibly why Fitz decided to go with the senate seat sale instead)
January 10, 2009 at 8:53 am
On last week’s McLaughlin, Pat Buchanan’s pick for least reported story of the year was Obama’s connections to corrupt player in Illinois, particularly Rezko. The media has portrayed him as so pure and noble that it will take awhile for the reality to sink in. Once an image of a person is formed it can be very resistant to facts. That is a big reason Bush got reelected. The same thing happens with opinions on issues. The Republicans know this and make every effort to frame public opinion. The Dems just sit back and let it happen.
Right now they are working furiously to get the idea out there that government spending by FDR did not help us get out of the Depression. The ironic thing is they say WWII did but fail to mention that it did help because of all the GOVERNMENT SPENDING on weapons. (Think that’s their hidden message – more defense spending?) The fact is that the economy was getting better under FDR, but slumped in ‘37-’38 after he cut spending. However, it was still much better than it had been when he took office. They are also blaming the housing crisis on government policies – the 30 year old Community Reinvestment Act, Fannie and Freedie – when the truth is that it was the private lenders that made the vast majority of bad loans, a repeat of the S&L meltdown. The facts clearly do not support their argument, but they are out there making it anyway. I am afraid it is working because I am starting to hear these “facts” from friends and family members.
Obama is the only one who plays the game well. Too bad he isn’t making the case for progressive principles instead of simply promoting himself.
January 10, 2009 at 9:22 am
I also read somewhere, probably dakinikat, that the rebound in the 80’s under reagan was also a result of govt spending on the military, not trickle down as the conservatives, and I guess now the “liberals” want to pretend. what a bunch of inept morons.