George Clooney: The Clinton campaign has not been very good at explaining, and this is the truth

[Miles Archer]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/bernie-sanders-hillary-motorcade-dollars_us_5713a8eee4b0060ccda38364

Sanders, who wants to reform the campaign finance system, has criticized Clinton for holding pricey fundraisers hosted by the Clooneys in both San Francisco and Los Angeles. Tickets for the Los Angeles event, which was co-hosted by Jeffrey and Marilyn Katzenberg, Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw and Haim and Cheryl Saban, were priced at $33,400 per person. A couple wishing to co-chair the event in San Francisco had to pony up $353,000.

Asked whether he thought the pricing was appropriate in an interview on “Meet the Press,” Clooney gave a convoluted explanation.

“Yes. I think it’s an obscene amount of money. I think that, you know, we had some protesters last night when we pulled up in San Francisco and they’re right to protest. They’re absolutely right. It is an obscene amount of money. The Sanders campaign when they talk about it is absolutely right. It’s ridiculous that we should have this kind of money in politics. I agree completely.”

But, he added, the money raised was going to help other Democrats. “(What the]) Clinton campaign has not been very good at explaining is this and this is the truth,” he said: “the overwhelming amount of money that we’re raising, and it is a lot, but the overwhelming amount of the money that we’re raising is not going to Hillary to run for president; it’s going to the Democratic ticket.”

[pnwmom]

1. Other DUers have chosen to leave out that paragraph about what Clooney said.

Thanks for highlighting the key words.

[rhett o rick]

27. Who gets to decide where the money goes?

Does DWS get to pick and choose who gets the money down-ticket? Maybe those loyal Super-Duper Delegates will get more. Clinton represents the culture of corruption we need to get out of our government.

[pnwmom]

32. Bernie has gotten DWS-assigned money in the past. Maybe you should ask him why he takes money

from the "corrupt" DNC.

[KittyWampus]

41. He's gotten money that CLINTON raised for him.

[rhett o rick]

54. .

[rhett o rick]

55. So you admit that the corrupt DNC is totally in charge as to who gets the money.

"Collusion between the Clinton campaign and the DNC allowed Hillary Clinton to buy the loyalty of 33 state Democratic parties last summer. Montana was one of those states. It sold itself for $64,100."

http://www.counterpunch.org/2016/04/01/how-hillary-clinton-bought-the-loyalty-of-33-state-democratic-parties/

The corrupt culture is supported by Clinton and supporters while the progressive wing of our party are fighting to get Big Fat Cat Money out of our government.

[pnwmom]

57. Only if you admit that Bernie is happy to take "corrupt" money. n/t

[rhett o rick]

58. Maybe if I go a little slower. The system is corrupt when the DNC uses the money

to get support for Clinton. Sanders didn't get any corrupt money. The DNC bought Super-Delegate votes. Corruption that you seem to rationalize as ok because it suits you.

[pnwmom]

59. Oh, right. The same exact money-- that she shared with him-is corrupt for her but not for Bernie.

[grasswire]

35. this is the first year under these rules

that's what Jeff Weaver said on MSNBC. Link to April 2 article with detail of how it works.

http://www.counterpunch.org/2016/04/01/how-hillary-clinton-bought-the-loyalty-of-33-state-democratic-parties/

[KittyWampus]

39. Interesting you ask that. The ONLY fundraising Sanders did was for Democrats

running against 2 openly gay candidates. There was a third, for full disclosure.

And all he did is make is possible to check a box to donate a small amount to those candidates.

Who chose them?

Why?

Simply because they supported Sanders and not because of their policy positions or bios?

Because they were running against gay candidates?

You asked a great question and it can be turned against Sanders quite easily.

Why hasn't Sanders done any of the actual fundraising HE AGREED to do?

BTW, Sanders received money raised by Clinton and didn't turn it down.

[rhett o rick]

56. Totally false alligations. And my question was, "Who decides on where the money goes?"

This is corruption at it's worst. We need to get the cheaters and liars out. Get the Big Fat Cat Money out of our government.

[passiveporcupine]

42. The money is going to the DNC

That is, the money that doesn't go to Hillary, and apparently some of it going to Hillary shouldn't be.

But...the DNC is neoliberal establishment, so the money they get to invest in the party is still going to be used on corporate dems first. That's what we need. A stronger establishment.

If that money were being equally distributed to all dems running, it would be nice, but it still doesn't change the narrative.

We need to change this politics for money game. Every year it is getting excessively worse. We are wasting soooo much on campaigns when we have so many other more urgent needs for that kind of money. We need to go back to public financing of candidates and kill Citizens United, and Hillary is not going to even try. She is so good at the money game, and it has helped her so much, she is never going to give it up (that sounds like a rick astley song...someone should use that for a meme).

[pnwmom]

43. Bernie Sanders has gotten doled out money from Hillary fundraisers -- so he's accepted

money from the "establishment," too.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2580925

WASHINGTON (AP) — New York Sen. Hillary Clinton shared her wealth in March, doling out $190,000 in contributions to Democrats in Iowa, New Hampshire and elsewhere, according to a campaign report filed late Thursday.

Clinton's political action committee, HILLPAC, raised $272,477 and spent $327,484 in March, according to the group's filing to the Federal Election Commission.

SNIP

Clinton spokeswoman Ann Lewis said the donations were aimed at strong candidates in key election battles around the country. She said the Iowa and New Hampshire donations were part of a larger effort to help Democratic candidates for governor in 2006.

The Senate Democrats' campaign committee, the House Democrats' campaign committee and the national committee each received $15,000.

Two congressmen trying to make it to the Senate also got boosts from Clinton. Rep. Bernie Sanders, who is running for the seat held by retiring Vermont lawmaker Jim Jeffords, received $10,000, as did Harold Ford Jr., of Tennessee, who is campaigning for the seat being vacated by Majority Leader Bill Frist.

[passiveporcupine]

45. Not an issue

At that time he was not running on a revolution. He was still using the same system everyone else was. There is no way to win against the system without a revolution. That's why this revolution is so big. No one had tried to fight the system before. Nobody had the balls to stand up to it.

Bernie's got balls.

[pnwmom]

46. Of course he was! He has ALWAYS been running as a revolutionary.

Here is a book that was published about him in 1989.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Peoples-Republic-Vermont-Revolution/dp/093305078X

The People's Republic: Vermont and the Sanders Revolution

Greg Guma's exploration of the "revolution" goes far beyond Sanders and his impact on Burlington. The factors behind the initial surprise victory, the tension between leftist ideals and pragmatic politics, the evolution of an effective political coaliton outside the two-party system -- all these topics and more Guma investigates, with an eye on global political implications as well as the immediate local impact. The People's Republic is for all those interested in progressive politics and political history, not to mention those in places where a similar "revolution" is possible.

[passiveporcupine]

47. Not a revolution at a national level like this

Which is what it will take to make any changes to the national system.

[pnwmom]

48. Being a revolutionary is the whole reason he ran as an Independent to the Senate.

He was refusing to be part of the "establishment."

And yet he was happy to take money from Hillary.

[passiveporcupine]

50. Back then it was the only way to stay in the game

But then you know that, and this is one of the silliest games I've seen played here yet.

You are all wasting my time and I'm done with your stupid crap.

[oberliner]

49. "At that time he was not running on a revolution" ??

That's definitely false.

[djean111]

2. Right. Uh-huh.

I do not believe that.

[roguevalley]

14. George underestimated the outrage out here in peon land and he's feeling the heat

he wants it both ways. He wants to be a lib and he wants to support corruption.

[panader0]

19. ^^this^^

[BreakfastClub]

20. That's ridiculous. Why would he want to "support corruption?" Is that like when

they hated us for our freedom? Give me a break.

[rhett o rick]

30. When it's put that way it makes it sound soo bad. Maybe he should have said, "George wants to

support the status quo." Which of course we all know means "corruption".

This primary has two sides. Those that want to end the culture of corruption and the Clinton side.

[CentralCoaster]

3. So, more very bad judgment from her self. I don't expect her judgment to improve over time.

I'm going to just put a check in the box:

√ Hillary- disqualified, poor judgment.

[ismnotwasm]

4. Yeah I agree with him

It's very easy to under-estimate the conspiracy theory woo woo crap that proliferates all over the Internet, not to mention politics as seen in memes. I do get why Hillary doesn't over-explain-- she can't explain enough for her detractors. This however, is something that could have used a few words. I can't believe Clooney got protested for a Denocratic fundraiser, but I adore his response.

[rhett o rick]

31. Maybe you can't see that this primary is about fighting Big Money

in government. Even Clooney recognizes it. The Clinton side embraces it. "The ends justify the means."

[ismnotwasm]

61. This primary is about electing a Democrat for POTUS.

[ThePhilosopher04]

5. If the money is going to establishment Democrats, who vote for establishment policies

I see a distinction with no difference. That's why Bernie is right to control who he chooses to raise money for instead of a blank check to the DNC. All he has to do is tweet to his followers that a certain candidate needs help and Bernie Nation will spring into action for that candidate. We're already seeing it with Tim Canova vs DWS. He can also target other establishment Dems who need to be primaried.

[ismnotwasm]

6. So let the entire Democratic establish fall-- except for the one Sanders approves of?

I don't think so.

[ThePhilosopher04]

8. Yes. The Democratic establishment is the problem. Not the answer.

Now we have an organized movement and vehicle to fight it. Ain't America great!

[ismnotwasm]

11. Okey dokey.

[djean111]

16. I live in Florida and see Debbie DINO and Bill Nelson at work. Bill is a DINO, Debbie actually

openly supports her GOP cronies against other Democrats. Sorry, but no more money from me to the DNC. Not that it was ever very much. That new Democrat Coalition is advised by the Third Way, and getting bigger. I will absolutely not enable that.

[ismnotwasm]

18. Okey dokey.

[jwirr]

9. In the article talking about the Hillary/DWS/33 State Democratic

Party deals it tells us that the states collect the money from rich donors and forward it to the DNC who sends most of it to Hillary's Victory Fund. Only a small portion of the collected money goes back to the states who can give it to local candidates.

This is a way to launder the money that was once banned by President Obama.

This is a sick joke on the people of the US and maybe even of people like Clooney.

Not to mention that in that deal the states pledge their Super-Delegates to Hillary.

I do not ever remember this being done where the State Parties preempt their voters by sending huge amounts of money to one candidate and freeze the decisions of the Super-Delegates. This is totally shameful.

[vintx]

12. Yep this is just another lie, it seems. Wish I could find that article.

She's lucky there are so many gullible people. Especially so many rich ones.

[jwirr]

17. Google: How Hillary Clinton Bought the Loyalty of 33 State

Democratic Parties. It is on this site.

[Uncle Joe]

23. Somebody needs to fill Clooney in on how the Hillary Victory Fund works.

[ismnotwasm]

25. You mean this?

https://www.opensecrets.org/jfc/summary.php?id=C00586537

Beneficiaries
Recipient Party Type** Office Sought Total
Clinton, Hillary D C Pres $4,440,000
DNC Services Corp D P $2,263,436
Democratic Party of Wisconsin D P $207,278
Democratic Party of Oklahoma D P $140,000
Democratic Party of New Hampshire D P $74,700
Democratic Party of Pennsylvania D P $70,500
Democratic Party of Texas D P $69,100
Democratic Executive Cmte of Florida D P $66,200
Democratic Party of Nevada D P $66,200
Democratic Party of Colorado D P $66,000
Democratic Party of Ohio D P $66,000
Democratic Cmte of Utah D P $64,100
Democratic Party of Alaska D P $64,100
Democratic Party of Mississippi D P $64,100
Democratic Party of Montana D P $64,100
Democratic Party of Oregon D P $64,100
Democratic Party of South Carolina D P $64,100
Democratic Party of Tennessee D P $64,100
Democratic State Cmte of Massachusetts D P $64,100
Georgia Federal Elections Cmte D P $64,100
Idaho State Democratic Party D P $64,100
Michigan Democratic State Central Cmte D P $64,100
Minnesota Democratic Farmer Labor Party D P $64,100
Missouri Democratic State Cmte D P $64,100
Rhode Island Democratic State Cmte D P $64,100
West Virginia State Democratic Exec Cmte D P $64,100
Wyoming State Democratic Central Cmte D P $64,100
Democratic Party of North Carolina D P $64,000
Democratic State Central Cmte/Louisiana D P $64,000
Indiana Democratic Congressional Victory Cmte D P $64,000
Democratic Party of Arkansas D P $63,000
Maine Democratic State Cmte D P $59,800
Democratic Party of Virginia D P $43,500
* denotes an incumbent

[jwirr]

24. Love the name Bernie Nation. That is us.

[dinkytron]

7. Keep your hawk, Clooney. We'll take our sparrow.

[polichick]

10. And the Clinton Foundation is all about good works. Get a clue Clooney.

[vintx]

13. +1

[Yurovsky]

15. +2... nm

😡

[VulgarPoet]

36. +3.

[grasswire]

21. But most of the money given to the campaigns...

...must be immediately returned to the DNC and that largely goes to support Clinton's campaign.

DNC changed the rules this year. First time it is done this way. Now the state campaign must RETURN most of the money to DNC to support Clinton.

Laundering, of a sort.

Under handed.

MSNBC today wonders if Clooney didn't know that fact.

[jwirr]

26. So they actually talked about the 33 states on MSM? Wow.

[grasswire]

33. Weaver was on.

Pointing out that Clooney forgot to say, or doesn't know, that the money goes to the DNC ultimately.

[jwirr]

34. Good for him. He is a great campaign manager.

[salinsky]

28. Given the choice ...

... I'd rather party with Clooney than get a handshake from the Pope, any day of the week.

[DebbieCDC]

29. I'm sure it makes George feel SO much better about that obscene money to believe this bull n/t

[Lucinda]

37. KNR

[mhatrw]

38. Like everything else about the Clintons, the Victory fund is rigged.

It is a nothing but shell corporate to allow Hillary Clinton to get around the personal contribution limits on all of her top 1% supporters.

[Zira]

40. Still playing both ends, huh George?

Didn't anyone ever teach you that if you stand next to Kissinger and support him, you look bad?

I'm guessing a whole lot of Hollywood just isn't all that into you anymore or you wouldn't be trying to disassociate with Hillary and her 1% campaign financing. Too late. Deal with the fallout.

[lumberjack_jeff]

44. "Isn't very good at" = "hasn't felt the need to"

The public doesn't need to know what she plans to do. You have to be on her side of the noise machine to learn that.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

60. Or "doesn't want to stoop to that level, to talk to the hoi polloi, the unwashed masses"

She should merely be carried to her coronation, roses (or dollar bills) strewn in her path.

[ridgenvalley]

51. Why doesn't he give to the individual Democratic candidates

he chooses. Is that so wrong? I give plenty to Dem candidates, but I don't need DWS doling it out for me.

Methinks Georgy Porgy is feeling a bit contrite.

[Zen Democrat]

52. Heard someone on NBC say that most of the Clooney money DID mostly go to Hillary herself.

Maybe she told George something different.

[arcane1]

53. Left unsaid: only incumbents and those running against incumbent repubs will get any of it.