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First things first if it is true that Obama and Edwards receive no money from lobbyists. This would be the first time on this blog that Obama and Edwards would receive any compliments. They both get a compliment if they are not taking money from lobbyists. And it also should be noted that when each of them first appeared on the political stage, there was reason to take a second look until they entered the 2008 campaign and rhetoric became the driver. Edwards lost some credibility as mentioned here earlier by folding in the 2004 campaign. But the compliments first expressed are sincerely offered. Again, providing it is true, anyone refusing lobbyist money is worthy of praise at least for than lone act.

But the focus of the article referenced in this post is the main attraction. If you are one of those people who keeps giving Hillary Rodham Clinton a pass on her history and all misdeeds, her willing acceptance of special interest money as well as the insult to the public’s collective intelligence that lobbyist money is from real Americans too should do something to convince you of her character. Some would probably describe it as a lack of character. While the lobbyist money may include funds from real Americans, the purpose of the money offered has no noble intent. If you cannot understand purchasing influence by purchasing politicians, you really need to do some reading. Even if it does not result in criminal behavior, large contributions require a politician’s favorable response and support of contributor’s agendas if they expect to see repeat contributions in the future. And with the cost of campaigns rising to obscene levels, the temptation to accept the quid pro quo of lobbyist money is too great for most politicians to refuse. Clinton is no exception. And she has the audacity to claim there is nothing wrong with it.

Edwards, Obama Attack Clinton on Lobbyists
By TOMBARI BONKOO
According to financial reports, just last year, $2.55 billion were spent by lobbyists. Of all the money, pharmaceutical and insurance lobbyists spent over $305 million, of which Hillary Clinton was the highest recipient. Within the stated period, only a small faction of $760,000 was spent by nurses and social workers to lobby their interest. The Chamber of Commerce spent over $78 million in lobbying congress and the executive branch to help companies outsourcing jobs to China and India. Hillary Clinton was the biggest benefactor of all these schemes.

There was reference to Hillary’s India connection and the money she took to increase visas for special interest. That was reported here earlier. Perhaps the reason Clinton offered a health care plan in the 1990’s was to gain contributions for abandoning the plan. It could have been the idea from the beginning.

This entry was posted on Monday, August 6th, 2007 at 10:03 pm and is filed under Public Affairs, Money Matters, wordpress, Politics, campaign, election, Democrats, Clinton, lobbyist, disclosure, ethics, oversight, obama, Edwards. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.