Clinton Campaign Briefing for Wall Street Donors Turns Into a Gift to Sanders

[Jefferson23]

February 18, 2016 6:35 p.m

Those who read this brief "campaign news" story from the New York Times' Jason Horowitz early Thursday morning may have missed its significance:

Robby Mook, the Clinton campaign manager, sat at the head of a conference table in the New York office of Clinton donor and Wall Street investor Marc Lasry, according to accounts from people in the room. Joining them for the state-of-the-race conversation over coffee were members of the campaign’s finance steering committee, including Maureen White, the former Democratic National Committee finance chairwoman, Alan Patricof, Michael Kempner, Robert Zimmerman, Betsy Cohen, Jay Snyder and others.

Mr. Mook told the donors that the outcome in Nevada, a state he ran for Mrs. Clinton in the 2008 campaign, was hard to predict and that, depending on turnout, Mrs. Clinton could win by a lot or win or lose by a tiny margin, according to several donors who requested anonymity to discuss the private meeting. But Mr. Mook stressed that the map leaned in Mrs. Clinton’s favor as the race moved to South Carolina, where he was confident she would win, and that she would do well on March 1, when more states voted.

I'm guessing the Times' ruthless editors took out "Sadly missing the irony" at the beginning of the next sentence:

The collected fundraisers, who for years have bundled checks for Mrs. Clinton’s campaign, listened approvingly as Ms. White, who seemed especially frustrated, expressed bewilderment that the campaign’s mobilization of grassroots support had been eclipsed in the news media by Bernie Sanders’s criticism of Mrs. Clinton as the establishment candidate representing big money ...

Donors also voiced some frustration with the lack of media scrutiny of Mr. Sanders, who they said was essentially getting a pass. They pressed Mr. Mook to demonstrate that the Vermont senator’s policy proposals were entirely implausible promises and that his responses to essentially all substantive questions drew on excerpts of his stump speech and rants about the “millionaires and billionaires.”

And here's the kicker:

One donor also asked Mr. Mook to go after the youth vote. With a straight face, attendees said, the operative took the suggestion under advisement.

in full: http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/02/team-sanders-exploits-clintons-wall-street-meet.html

[kcjohn1]

1. So we find out her donors influence her campaign. What will happen when she is in power?

[CoffeeCat]

35. And isn't is so interesting that these Wall Streeters are focused on Hilllary?

Why aren't these assholes advising Rubio's campaign?

Why aren't they playing arm-chair PR practicioner for Trump or Cruz?

They're all focused on Hillary. Looks like they've got a lot "invested" in her, don't they?

Lest we forget that the this little meeting was a "fundraiser" first and foremost. Hillary was picking up checks.

It wasn't until after everyone had their lattes that these Wall Streeter decided to demand the talking points that they wanted the Clinton camp to filter into the MSM.

HRC is beyond entrenched in Wall Street.

[jillan]

2. K & R!!

[CorporatistNation]

22. YEAH! Kick The Shit Outa THIS! So ... In a Word... HILLARYOUS!

Gotta LUV it!

[nashville_brook]

3. delusional. i love where they have it completely backwards w/r/t grassroots support vs media

"White, who seemed especially frustrated, expressed bewilderment that the campaign’s mobilization of grassroots support had been eclipsed in the news media by Bernie Sanders’s criticism of Mrs. Clinton as the establishment candidate representing big money ...

Sanders is where he is b/c he's running a grassroots campaign. the media doesn't cover him, even after NH he doesn't get anywhere near equal time or fair treatment by the media establishment. his criticism of HRC sticks b/c it's authentic and rings true.

it's like they're chasing their tails smelling poo and not realizing where it's coming from.

[frylock]

4. lol at "the campaign’s mobilization of grassroots support"

They just don't get it

[CoffeeCat]

5. Here's what I find truly mind blowing from this article

"[Wall Street] Donors also voiced some frustration with the lack of media scrutiny of Mr. Sanders, who they said was essentially getting a pass. They pressed Mr. Mook to demonstrate that the Vermont senator’s policy proposals were entirely implausible promises and that his responses to essentially all substantive questions drew on excerpts of his stump speech and rants about the “millionaires and billionaires.”

Wall Street mandated to Mook that he start hammering two specific talking points about Sanders. I bolded them:
1.) Demonstrate that Sander's policies are entirely implausible promises.
2.) Demonstrate that all of Sanders responses draw on his economic rants.

So, we've got these two talking points--mandated from Wall Street--to Mook.

Guess what? It wasn't even 24 hours and these talking points: 1.) Sanders is promising unicorns/rainbows; 2.) Sanders is a one-trick pony--made their way onto the Internet.

These talking points were all over DU. They were repeated incessantly on DU! They were the talking points of the day--yesterday and today.

Anyone else find that interesting? We're learning a lot about how the system works; and who is allowed to work it; and where the Clinton campaign is targeting their talking points that were mandated from Wall Street.

YIKES!

Amazing how those talking points were filtered through various media outlets and into internet outlets as well.

Maybe it's my years spent in corporate public relations/media relations. I find this completely fascinating. Anyone else?

[Jefferson23]

6. Yes, it is fast. Krugman used the unicorn too, didn't he? n/t

[CoffeeCat]

7. By understanding that these Wall Street thugs

mandated talking points they wanted out there about Sanders--you can analyze who used them.

You can begin to understand how the system truly works.

Very revealing.

First off, why the fuck are Wall Street powerbrokers dictating what Hillary Clinton's campaign says about Bernie Sanders? Secondly, why does Mook comply with these fuckheads?

Three, what about Krugman and the rest of the MSM who also took up this banner?

Has our country completely lost it? Who are the adults in charge here?

Wall Street wants Hillary Clinton to hammer Bernie on two points, Unicorns and One-Trick-Ponies. Yes, sir! We're right on that sir! And Mook filters the message to the corrupt media members and social media flacks who carry that Wall-Street mandated message.

Do people realize the corrupt, sick, anti-Democratic system they're participating in--like a bunch of lemmings?

It's truly--mind blowing.

[Jefferson23]

8. I think Bernie expected just about all of them to go after him, and they are.

Yes, I think Americans are well aware of the corruption, it is evident whether
the voter is Democrat, Republican and Independents. It is one common
denominator the parties share.

For Clinton, the polls gave a good view of her trustworthy ratings exiting NH,
dismal. I don't know how she changes that, must be the Republicans fault,
again.

[CoffeeCat]

9. I expected the establishment politicians, and establishment media

to go after Sanders. And of course we know that the corporations, in particular Wall Street, are no friend to Bernie Sanders.

However, I am shocked that these events happened.

Mook and Clinton met with Wall Street to pick up checks. Yes, we get that she's bought and paid for. That's old news.

I just never realized the extent to which Wall Street thugs could dictate to a presidential campaign--the daily talking points. I'm astounded that Mook complied--and the rest of the media did as well.

I mean, a bunch of hedge-fund managers aren't marketing or PR experts. They aren't campaign managers. Yet, their wishes came true. Our politicians are good little soldiers for the corporations.

What a window into our system! I don't even think our politicians are in control anymore.

[Jefferson23]

10. I look at it this way, lets say this OP is half accurate, maybe even less..give the other

side that much. Does that really change much of what we've seen the Clinton
campaign and its surrogates do to message? I don't think so, not when you
can refer to direct quotes from a major player from WS who said, unequivocally,
Bernie Sanders is dangerous.

There is a lot at stake for these people, much more than just Clinton's
desire to be president. It's not so much about her, as it is about their
interests.

[Eric J in MN]

12. The meeting was yesterday and the Krugman article was two days ago. NT

NT

[Jefferson23]

13. That changes what exactly for you? n/t

[Eric J in MN]

15. It means Krugman wasn't told to write that article based on this meeting. NT

NT

[Jefferson23]

17. I don't know Krugman to use anyone else's words. I do know the parroting

is evidenced enough in writings and the meeting took place thus the Sanders
campaign response.

[CoffeeCat]

28. As stated below--Krugman released a short article yesterday at 12:44 p.m.

which would have been a couple of hours after that meeting took place.

Krugman's article: http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/02/17/what-has-the-wonks-worried/?module=BlogPost-Title&version=Blog%20Main&contentCollection=Opinion&action=Click&pgtype=Blogs

I actually found the article on DU. LOL. OMG.

The DU post was titled: Bernie Sanders Needs to Disassociate himself from fantasy economics right now!
"Krugman and his silly facts.
Who the hell does he think he is, anyways? Some sort of Nobel prize winner in economics? Pffffftt!"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511258685

Could it be---Wall Street tells Mook the talking points---Mook tells Krugman he needs a story NOW--Krugman writes and his messaging gets filtered down.

Is that how political campaigns and the media work in America today? If so, you'd all better be scared shitless.

If so, this is Fascism, and everyone's purchased and serving the corporations. That's not a democracy.

[CoffeeCat]

16. Wasn't Krugman's article released yesterday late afternoon? Is this incorrect? (nt)

[Eric J in MN]

21. 'My Unicorn Problem' February 16, 2016 10:01 am

http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/02/16/my-unicorn-problem/

[CoffeeCat]

23. I didn't see that article. I was looking at Krugman's article from yesterday.

This Krugman article was posted yesterday 2/17 at 12:44 p.m.

"Sanders needs to disassociate himself from this kind of fantasy economics right now."

http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/02/17/what-has-the-wonks-worried/?module=BlogPost-Title&version=Blog%20Main&contentCollection=Opinion&action=Click&pgtype=Blogs

[Eric J in MN]

11. The meeting was yesterday morning and her campaign started arguing these things before then. NT

NT

[CoffeeCat]

14. Well these talking points were hammered online

all day yesterday and today--incessantly.

Your point is noted about the Krugman article. I have not looked at what media said what/when yet.

However, it is notable that those specific talking points were filtered down and heavily disseminated on DU and other online outlets.

They were also prevalent on morning news/morning shows today.

[CorporatistNation]

24. Nice Summary Coffecat!

The Whole Dirty Mess is Disgustingly ... Familiar!

[jillan]

26. Take any day at DU and see what the talking point de jour is - then go to google

and google it.

It's really quite eye opening.

[Kittycat]

31. Tonight: someone said he just reverted back to stump speeches.

In one of the town hall threads.

[snagglepuss]

18. K nR Bkmrd

[Oilwellian]

19. This is just stunning

It's so blatant and in your face graft and corruption. The emperors are exposing themselves and I hope Bernie takes advantage of this gift.

[CoffeeCat]

25. It appears that the Bernie camp is "taking advantage of this gift"

https://berniesanders.com/press-release/are-wall-street-donors-managing-clintons-campaign/

LAS VEGAS – The New York Times reported yesterday that in a meeting held in a large Wall Street investor’s office, big-money donors instructed Secretary Hillary Clinton’s campaign manager Robby Mook to go after Sen. Bernie Sanders for offering so-called “unrealistic proposals” and by claiming that all his solutions are related back to “millionaires and billionaires.”

Not surprisingly those are exactly the attacks that the Clinton campaign is now dutifully lobbing.

“One of the biggest differences between our campaigns is that Bernie’s campaign does not take its marching orders from Wall Street and big-money donors,” Jeff Weaver, Sanders’ campaign manager, said. “It’s shameful that the Clinton campaign is parroting attacks at Sen. Sanders that The New York Times has documented come right from her big-money backers. Now we are beginning to get a glimpse into what goes on in all those closed door meetings with Wall Street interests.”

The mega-donors also asked Mook to highlight the Clinton campaign’s support from small donors. But just 17 percent of her individual contributions last year came from small-dollar donors, compared to 74 percent for Sanders. Nearly 60 percent of her campaign committee’s money came from donors who gave the legal limit to her campaign.

[Jefferson23]

32. Yep. +1.

[SoapBox]

20. More shady Clinton crap...

I am so over the Clintons.

[TTUBatfan2008]

27. This is a problem.

After angrily declaring on a debate stage a few weeks ago that big donors have zero influence with her, we now have an article from the New York Times (most respected newspaper in the world perhaps?) that shows her statement to be untrue. Clearly the donors have a lot of influence. But maybe the New York Times is part of the vast right wing conspiracy against the Clintons?

[Jefferson23]

30. I think there are lots of competing interests/motives that over lap and intersect.

Having the meeting on record doesn't help Clinton...we'll read the next
spin cycle soon enough.

[CoffeeCat]

33. I was telling my husband about this debacle and he said

"Why in the hell did they let The New York Times in the meeting?"

I think the Clinton campaign has gone full Doofenshmirtz

[Jefferson23]

34. Why? I will repeat what the WS executive said, Bernie Sanders is dangerous.

We just have to keep working and stay focused, they will be throwing the
kitchen sink out there every day..just like Bernie warned after the NH win.

[JonLeibowitz]

29. commenting to save this for later. n/t K&R