Hillary’s pay-for-play troubles, continued
Scroll for updates…nomination hearing liveblogging…12noon…not one tough GOP question about her ethics problems…Fla. Dem. Sen. Bill Nelson says her ties to Bill Clinton’s global foundation (and, by extension, his donors) only enhances her “credibility”…Lugar’s duh of the day: Bill shouldn’t accept any more money from foreign governments…Hillary mum…
I linked to a taste of Hillary Clinton’s pay-for-play problems last week.
Timed to her first SecofState nomination hearing today, the AP spills the beans of at least a half-dozen cases of Hill intervening on behalf of Bill’s donors.
When it rains, it pours:
Secretary of State appointee Hillary Rodham Clinton intervened at least six times in government issues directly affecting companies and others that later contributed to her husband’s foundation, an Associated Press review of her official correspondence found.
The overlap of names on former President Bill Clinton’s foundation donor list and business interests whose issues she championed raises new questions about potential ethics conflicts between her official actions and her husband’s fundraising. The AP obtained three of the senator’s government letters under the Freedom of Information Act.
Clinton was to begin her confirmation hearing Tuesday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Under an agreement with President-elect Barack Obama, Bill Clinton recently released the names of donors to his foundation, a nonprofit that has raised at least $492 million — including millions from foreign governments — to fund his library in Little Rock, Ark., and charitable efforts worldwide on such issues as AIDS, poverty and climate change.
The letters and donations involve pharmaceutical companies and telecommunications and energy interests. An aide to the senator said she made no secret of her involvement in many of the issues. Bill Clinton’s foundation declined to say when it received the donations or precisely how much was contributed.
Pharma companies aren’t such greedy, evil corporate demons when they’re pouring money into hubby’s coffers, eh, Hill?
Pharmaceutical company Merck & Co. is also a member of the Clinton Global Initiative, company spokeswoman Amy Rose said. Merck joined CGI in 2006, when dues were $15,000, and also was a member in 2007 and in 2008, when membership dues rose to $20,000. As part of its commitment to CGI, Merck sponsors public health initiatives around the world, Rose said. Merck joined CGI on its own initiative, she said.
Sen. Clinton wrote a November 2005 letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt urging approval of the human papillomavirus vaccine. Merck applied in December 2005 for approval of its HPV vaccine, Gardasil, and the vaccine was approved for use in females ages 9 to 26. Merck is still seeking approval for use in older women, Rose said.
Rose said Merck’s participation in the Clinton Global Initiative was unrelated to Sen. Clinton’s letter. Merck didn’t communicate with Clinton or her office about its HPV vaccine and was unaware of her letter before it was sent, Rose said.
Another letter involved an issue important to Barr Laboratories. Sens. Clinton and Patty Murray, D-Wash., wrote to Leavitt in August 2005 urging that “science, not politics” guide the agency and “that a decision be brought swiftly on Plan B’s application.” Leavitt’s office described the Clinton letter as pertaining to Barr’s application for Plan B, the emergency contraceptive also called the morning-after pill.
Barr Laboratories gave $10,001 to $25,000 to Clinton foundation, the charity’s donor list shows. Barr joined the Clinton Global Initiative in April 2007, spokeswoman Carol Cox said. Cox didn’t comment on Clinton’s letter.
Commenter Flyoverman wonders if feckless Republicans will be hands-off with John McCain’s good friend: “My fear is no Republican is going to call her out on these kinds of things at the confirmation hearings. Republicans ‘do the dance’ when confronted with these issues. Conversely, Democrats have no problem ‘Borking’ conservative nominees whenever they can. It makes blood shoot out of my eyes Republicans are such wimps. The truth is the truth and it should not be swept under a rug in the name of bipartisanship.”
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Update: Hillary’s giving her statement on how she’ll fix the world. Can’t help thinking of her classic mocking of Obama. Remember?
“The sky will open, the light will come down, celestial choirs will be singing and everyone will know we should do the right thing and the world will be perfect.”
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Update: Scenes from the nomination hearing…
*Barbara Boxer praises Hillary for “setting aside her ego” and “helping her greatest rival” for “the good of the country.”
Boxer adds: “And I mean that sincerely.”
*Crybaby George Voinovich is blubbering effusively about Hillary’s “Smart Power.”
*Lugar’s duh of the day: Bill shouldn’t accept any more money from foreign governments…Hillary mum.
*Fla. Dem. Sen. Bill Nelson says her ties to Bill Clinton’s global foundation (and, by extension, his donors) only enhances her “credibility.” GOP senators sit by and do and say nothing.
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- Hillary Clinon WHORES Herself for Bill Clinton’s Donors As The U.S. Senate Sits On Its Hands | FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog
- Sister Toldjah
- ButAsForMe! » Hillary’s pay-for-play troubles, continued
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- Hot Air » Blog Archive » Pay for play: More Hillary work for donors exposed
- CDS Personified, Fake Pay to Play Concern, Questionable Donations, & the Biased Bloggers « Probably my worst quality…..
- Clinton Inc. Still in Business and Taking Money « Rantings of mine
- Hillary’s Pay to Play problems continue! Geithner faces question of immigration status of former housekeeper and taxes! | Fire Andrea Mitchell!
- Hillary Acted At Least 6 Times to Help Husband’s Donors « Conservative Thoughts and Profundity
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My fear is no Republican is going to call her out on these kinds of things at the confirmation hearings. Republicans “do the dance” when confronted with these issues.
Conversely, Democrats have no problem “Borking” conservative nominees whenever they can.
It makes blood shoot out of my eyes Republicans are such wimps. The truth is the truth and it should not be swept under a rug in the name of bipartisanship.
Hillary Clinton learned her political skills at the feet of Chicago’s Saul Alinsky. Bill Clinton learned his from the Hillbilly Mafia surrounding Little Rock. Together, they are the ‘Perfect Storm’ of corrupt politicians (an oxymoron if ever there were) with the scheming Socialist and the ‘Aww Shucks’ rogueishness of the Oxford educated Hillbilly.
Prediction: Nothing will come of this. Doesn’t matter since she is a dem. Move along, people. Nothing to see here.
Pay for play is a euphemism. It is graft.
Hillary’s confirmation hearings is on now. Why is John Kerry giving a speech and talking up global warming initiatives? Wow, he goes on and on.
Where this would be death to a Republican nomination, Hillary will probably skate by with minimal problems. The only caveat would be lefty enemies who may want to finish her off. My theory is that the Clintons still have an influential power base that will be tough to dislodge.
It was the Democrats promising to clean up Washington. As I recall Nancy and Harry were promising the most open and honest government EVER!
“Corrupt politician” is not an oxymoron. Also, Bill did little or no studying at Oxford. He partied and networked. My apologies for being a school marm on these points.
I must agree with Flyoverman.
Republicans, in particular the 12 weak RINO senators that just voted with Dems, will not speak a word of these issues with Clinton.
The rule of law in our government has become old hat. Ethics is a complete joke.
There would have to be video of Hillary Clinton plunging a knife into Mother Theresa’s chest for her not to be confirmed.
Where’s an apparition like the Ghost of Christmas Past (Vince Foster?) to point to Hillary in condemnation, when you need one?
I think a big reason that there will be no “grilling” of the She Wolf has to do with “pay-back”. There is no one in congress that is clean enough to point a finger at anyone and stand up to any scrutinity of anything they have done.
It’s the “cover your back” game…..
LOBOMAN – Good one! In my book, they ARE all thieves and cheats.
Interesting, she doesn’t even have the defense on the Merck story of doing it “for her constituents”, Merck is a NJ headquartered company.
Unfortunately this will go no where, the Republicans on this committee are too wimpy to go after one of their own; which Hillary Clinton now is, since they all are more interested in being “Senators” than being “Conservatives”.
The very IDEA that this woman can even be THOUGHT OF as Secretary of State is sickening. She’s a totally corrupt as her W.C. Fields-nosed husband. Always has been, always will be. It’s all about HER.
And THEM. They’re the “guests that wouldn’t leave”.
Apparently the poobahs running the Senate have allotted all of one day for hearings into the appropriateness of Ms. Clinton to head up the State Dept. I’m so relieved by their thoroughness.
Clinton Global Initiative certainly needs a looking into-but with Harry Reid and the Democratic control of the Senate I doubt it will happen. But WE need to hold any Republicans accountable who do not at least try. ‘Borking’ is a nasty weapon but it IS the weapon of choice for the Democrats and we dare not NOT use it.
I wonder if the “maverick” McCain will create a new “Gang of 14″ to help Clinton be confirmed?
Reddog,
Given the source and scope of ‘Billary’s’ political machine, the ever widening of Democrat Party scandals, a Congress that lards special interest projects into each and every piece of legislation, Congressional representatives being caught in illicit or highly suspect activity (think Jefferson, Murtha, Cisneros, Richardson, Studds, Spitzer, Cunningham, etc.) or even only the second Presidential Impeachment in American history, one can easily conclude the level of corruptness in politics.
Graft, corruption and borderline behavior is common at all levels of politics. The Democrat Party seems to revel in such behavior.
I think you mean a redundancy, not an oxymoron. An honest politician, now…
Shrill and Obingy are going to save the world?
A twofer I can live without!
Expert textpert choking smokers,
Don’t you think the joker laughs at you?
See how they smile like pigs in a sty,
See how they snied.
I’m crying.
(From: I am the walrus)
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! haaaa…. *sigh* whatever. jjmurphy said it. Move along. Nothing to see here.
The Democratic controlled Senate confirmation process is a real joke. All the liberal hacks will be asked a few puffball questions and confirmed. Lack of skill, qualification for the position, basic dishonesty, bad associations will be ignored for them.
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The Senate record in the past stinks–very well qualified conservative candidates with good track records and excellent qualifications were trashed. John Bolton was a prime example–he did an excellent job for the U.S.A. there. He worked for our country–not for the U.N. anti-American agenda.
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Hillary Clinton and her disgraced husband “B.J.” started out as poor politicians in Arkansas. They are now worth over $100 million due to their influence peddling and questionable financial dealings. No Democrat Senators care about this. A very qualified Secretary of State–Condi Rice–will be replaced by an unqualified political hack–Hillary.
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The American people will pay bigtime for electing the corruptocrats and corrupticans in the Senate and House. We are going to get what we deserve soon. There is very little integrity or love for country in Congress–only the desire to get rich at our expense.
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John Bibb
The Republicans don’t have what it takes to put any pressure on these hearings. And even if they did ask a few pointed questions, they are going to roll over and play dead when the Dems start browbeating them on Obama’s appointments. I’m not sure we have anybody willing to stand up for what is right.
You’re right John Bibb. We have a new ruling class in the USA, as closed and inbred as the worst of the European monarchies of old. They are a self-perpetuating lot of the worst this country has to offer. They do not care about this country or its Constitution. They only care about power, and keeping that power.
I watch some the Hillary conformation hearings and now I feel totally depressed. Why can’t we have politicians with the courage of George Washington, the eloquence of Jefferson and the integrity of John Adams?
Further proof that Hillary Clinton’s (and Bill’s) worst political enemies lie in the Democrat not Republican party.
What a prophet our gal Hill is becoming.
Does that mean she is practicing Zen?
Hillary: “US committed to ending the war in Iraq.” Democrats just can’t say Win the damn war, can they. What cowards.
The rebublicans can’t call her out on the pay/play because they are all on the same payroll as the Billandhill team. Each one has been bought and paid for by the same players that Hillary is working for and now their hands are tied. Don’t want to stop that money flow ya know.
“The AP obtained three of the senator’s government letters under the Freedom of Information Act.”
The “appearance” that AP is actually searching for information to relay facts to the masses is quite refreshing.
They’d just say it was photoshopped by Karl Rove.
And you people say she was a “do nothing” senator, with no track record. You don’t call this a track record?
OK, so she’s no Obama, but she’s learning. Give her some time under Yoda to learn “The Chicago Way.”
The dems don’t care about this stuff….when it involves fellow dems. They’ll make some lame excuse, not caring whether anyone buys it or not and confirm her.
There isn’t a Republican with any spine in the Senate so none will bring any of this up or complain about it. They are a bunch of jellyfish. They are a disappointment, a terrible example to young and old alike and weak kneed.
Ethics? Conflicts of interest?
With the Clintons, this is a dog bites man story.
If these 2 were ever involved in something that didn’t stink to high heaven, now that would be newsworthy.
Don’t expect the Republicans in Congress to provide any hurdles for Democrats to have to jump over for anything they want to do. The “Ds” own the whole show now. They will be limited only by the level of their creativity. Republicans exist only as window dressing.
We all KNOW the Senate is full of limp-wristed, corrupt, ethically challenged RINOs who won’t call out Clinton on anything. We all know if they did the MSM would ignore it or brand them racist, sexist homophobes who hate “strong women.” And we all know that Democrats cannot be questioned on ethics and conflict of interests.
I have said it before but can you imagine what would have been done to Condi Rice if she appeared before the same committee with the same kind of background? In fact, she would have been BORKED by the MSM and the Senate BEFORE she ever appeared!
If the leftists didn’t have double standards they would have no standards at all. Welcome to “Hope & Change LLC.”
Will anyone have the guts to remind Hillary of her infamous kiss on both cheeks with Suha Arafat? Will anyone ask Hillary why she was so silent when Suha accused Israel of poisoning Palestinian children? Will anyone ask: “Hillary, why did you let Suha get away with it and why did you smooch with her afterward?”
The infamous photo is still on the web. I don’t know if there is video of the sickening event.
I’ve long maintained that as GOP folks arrive in DC, they are given a spinectomy, which is then transplanted into the likes of Dirty Harry Reid and Puff Daschle!
Since Reagan’s last term as POTUS, there has been an ever-increasing “do-nothing, see-nothing, know-nothing” attitude in government. Politicians have gradually evolved toward the “pay-for-play”, “quid pro quo”, “scratch-my-back” mentality and away from high moral standards and country first attitudes. Unfortunately, politicos have learned that there is no penalty for this behavior because most voters vote for name recognition, glitter, and star power rather than substance. The corruptocrats and the sheeple are a marriage made in hell.
I would like to see someone play the tape of Obama making fun of her foreign policy experience…and then ask her how she got this job!
BARF. Brings to mind something I read on the blogs last week to the effect that someone has often referred to Bill and Hillary as the “Bonnie and Clyde” of politics. So very true. And as Rush said last Friday, “…we are SO screwed…”. Double BARF. Gonna be a LONG road…and “We the people” asked for it. There’s a whole flock of “chickens” circling in the sky, waiting to come home to “roost”, and boy when they do…
Yeah, I know, but speaking metaphorically, of course chickens don’t “fly”, but you get my drift, I think. Or, the “piper’s” bill is gonna be huge when it comes due.
RobM, she was born in raised in Chicago, she’s a pro at ChiTown Politics!
She almost ran for the Senate in IL, but the Chicago machine didn’t want her.
JDinTX, No one even brought up what the future Labor Sec said when asked if she was in favor of the “something” check (senior moment) which would allow open votes in any company to unionize. She answered that she would not discuss it “in public”!
What is so wrong with a sec. of state who’s husband is gettting millions from different countries???
Oh wait…
Republican Senators sit politely. Meanwhile, you have Harry Reid, who says of fellow Senator John McCain, “I can’t stand him.”
These Rinos all have “Kick Me” signs on their rumps.
The first Republican Senator that the Democrats openly hate will get my full admiration and support.
Flyoverman – that would be Senator Joseph McCarthy.