Mark Penn Is Not The Problem
The departure of Mark Penn from his central role in the Clinton campaign revolved around the question of "transparency", or as the Times put it, "his private business arrangements again clashed with her campaign positions." He would be by Hillary's side today if someone from the Columbian Embassy hadn't ratted him out. But there is a far greater issue of transparency with someone much closer to Mrs. Clinton--her husband. In 2005 and 2006 the William J. Clinton Foundation received donations of $216 million, the bulk of it from only 18 donors.
But what we don't know is how much of the Clinton Foundation money came from government or private investors eager to curry favor with what was presumed to be the heir apparent to the U.S. Presidency. Since the foundation haul has been growing at a rate of 70% per year, the assumption is that 2007 was a record setting year. But unlike the foundations of the "vast right wing conspiracy" like Heritage, the Clinton Foundation publishes no annual report listing its donors. Until Bill and Hillary agree to publish that information, any attempts to pretend that they have dealt with the problem of "private interests clashing with campaign positions" is fraudulent.
I know it's a small point, but it is a source of constanct aggravation that people cannot seem to correctly spell Colombia or Colombian.
April 7, 2008 4:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's the height of paranoia to suggest the Clinton Foundation represents a quid pro quo arrangement with candidate Hillary Clinton. It is also comes from a perspective peculiar to the anti-Clinton wing of the Democratic party, who would project ill-intent on just about anything "Clinton."
When the foundation refuses to produce a donor roster in order to fulfill its privacy policy, no doubt this will be the apocolyptic moment when we know Bill Clinton is the great satan, no matter how many African children he saves.
It's utter nonsense mouthed by those with a political axe to grind.
April 7, 2008 4:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is pathetic. I've decided to support Obama's candidacy, sure. But to suggest that the Clinton Foundation is anything other than a pretty effective force for good just sucks.
April 7, 2008 9:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
On the other hand, such a scenario has explanatory power, in the face of Clinton's absolute desperation to win, at any cost to the Democratic Party.
April 7, 2008 11:49 PM | Reply | Permalink