The Democratic Comcast....er Convention

[Armstead]

This is a perfect example of why the notion of a democratoc Democratic Party seems curious at times. Bernie Sanders wins about 40 percent of the vote, and he and his supporters will be lucky to get into the DNC Convention parking lot

Corporate America though? C'mon in. We love lobbyists. Heck, we've invited the Head Lobbyist for one of the most hated and far too powerful corporations in America to be a Special Advisor. A company that tried (and fortunately failed because of intense public pressure ) to form one of the most awful corporate mergers in history with Time Warner, another wonderful company. And gosh, I'm sure it''s a coincidence that all kinds of other decisions regarding the Internet, Cable, Broadcasting and other are on the horizon.

"Nothing to see here citizen. Move on...."

From the Philadelphia Convention Website
http://www.phldnc.com/

Community and business leaders, elected officials, and local citizens are coming together to make the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia the most engaging and inclusive political convention in modern history.

Chair

Honorable Edward G. Rendell
Former Governor of Pennsylvania


Special Advisor
David L. Cohen

David L. Cohen? Who's he?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_L._Cohen

David L. Cohen is an American businessman, attorney, and political figure in Pennsylvania. He is best known for being a close confidant of former Pennsylvania Governor, Ed Rendell. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, and he is the executive vice president of Comcast the company’s chief of lobbying.

.....He served as Chief of Staff to Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell from January 1992 to April 1997.[8] He also was a partner in Ballard, Spahr, Andrews & Ingersoll.[8] In July 2002, he became Executive Vice President of Comcast Corporation, dealing with corporate communications, government affairs, public affairs, corporate administration, and serving as senior counselor to the CEO.

The Pennsylvania Report named him to the 2003 "The Pennsylvania Report Power 75" list of influential figures in Pennsylvania politics, noting that "No one–in or out of government–is closer to Ed Rendell than Cohen. No major policy decision, personnel, political or other decision will be made without his imprimatur or veto." In 2009, the Pennsylvania Report named him to the "The Pennsylvania Report 100" list of influential figures in Pennsylvania politics, and called him "one Philadelphian that all statewide Dems should know."

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/20/business/media/comcasts-real-repairman.html?_r=0

....Because of his association with Mr. Rendell, who also served two terms as Pennsylvania’s governor, and now President Obama, many assume he is a straight-down-the-line Democrat. He says that was never the case — he grew up with Republican parents and was one of what he believes to have been four Republican students at Swarthmore during his time there — but the rightward drift of the party drove him away, and for many years the bulk of his giving was to Democrats.

His giving and fund-raising on behalf of candidates is now split more evenly, though it still tilts toward Democrats. (The same is true of the money that Comcast gives through its political action committee — as well as of the political contributions made by most of its top executives, including Mr. Roberts.)

“My priorities in political giving are Comcast priorities,” Mr. Cohen says. “I don’t kid myself. My goals are to support the interests of the company.”

http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2015/06/12/comcast-exec-david-cohen-clinton-fundraiser.html

Fresh off the regulatory defeat of the $45 billion merger between Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA) and Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC), Comcast regulatory affairs chief David L. Cohen is set to host a $2,700-a-plate fundraiser for 2016 Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

The event will take place on June 26 at the home of Cohen and his wife, Rhonda. Those who donate $50,000 or more will have access to a private reception with the candidate.

[onehandle]

1. Philadelphia is Comcast's home town. They have a giant skyscraper here and are building another.

To think that they would not be associated with this gigantic event here is silly.

They were also heavily involved in the Pope's visit. Is that a conspiracy as well?

And FYI, I despise Comcast.

[ret5hd]

2. If Comcast gets an indulgence or two or ten from the pope...

it affects me not a whit. Hell, let 'im give Comcast complete absolution for all sins past, present and future.

However, I can't say the same about the Dem Party peddling their wares to the highest bidder.

[Scuba]

5. Lamest excuse ever.

The idea that any corporate lobbyist is setting Party policy is abhorrent to me.

[corkhead]

3. "Those who donate $50,000 or more will have access to a private reception with the candidate"

I'm sure all you Hillary people have some sort of pretzel logic rationalization of this.

[Txbluedog]

7. Elections need money....

If Sanders was the nominee he would have to do this too

[corkhead]

8. Not likely.

thanks for playing

[MisterP]

14. "voters have no right to hear everything a candidate says"

actually I'm not being sarcastic, I'm paraphrasing

[Ferd Berfel]

4. Maybe we should call it the Democrat CONcast

[Armstead]

10. Democratic COMvention?

[Ferd Berfel]

11. you win

[brooklynite]

6. All of Sanders' elected delegates will be welcomed into the Convention Hall...

But you knew that.

[Armstead]

9. I meant that metaphorically

[Ferd Berfel]

12. you mean like they were in NV

[Yurovsky]

13. Get used to the party having a "for sale" sign out front for the foreseeable future...

Goldman Sachs will have final say on economic matters, WalMart will never unionize, insurance companies will rake in billions w/o worrying about single payer, and of course the prison industrial complex and military industrial complex will thrive.

The little guy, not so much...

[Armstead]

15. I got used to it around 1992......Alas, I had hoped we'd move away from that

[Demsrule86]

16. At least the taxpayers won't be left holding the bag

Like we in Ohio will since the GOP can't get backing...oh send me a list of 'pure' companies that match your 'pure' politics and all...so important. We must have 'perfection' or nothing. Hey, Bernie or bust ...I would pick bust at this point. Of course, the long Primary (Bernie) nightmare is almost over. Win or lose we won't have to listen to his claims of 'purity'.