What is it about the Clintons and money? Whenever the question of their personal finances comes up, there always seems to be more layers to the story than when peeling an onion. Of course they bring the art of the disingenuous to new heights on a regular basis as we try and parse the truth out of even the most innocuous statements, but the money thing is always hyper sensitive with these two. When Deep Throat told Bob Woodward to "Follow the money", it was implied that the money could, in fact, be followed and that was in the bad old days of Watergate. Dick Nixon must be spinning in his grave at the slack that the MSM cuts for the Clintons' financial antics; or, perhaps the Duo has just worn everyone out.
After much prodding from the Obama camp, the Clintons finally released their tax return information for the years 2000 through 2007. Of course, they used the old Friday night release trick to minimize media scrutiny, but hey, they finally did it. Not to put too fine a point on it, but these guys are fat! Their $109 million in income catapults them into the top .01% of American taxpayers. Given that when Bill left office in 2001, the Clinton's were said to be burdened by massive debt from defending against the various scandals surrounding Bill's presidency. Quite a contrast, especially given the shroud of genteel poverty surrounding Bill's early years. This in spite of the fact that he attended an exclusive eastern college to which he arrived driving a new convertible. He also attended an Ivy League law school after spending a few years in England as a Rhodes Scholar, and except for a short stint teaching law, he has primarily spent his entire career working for the government. Sorry, I meant to say in public service.
Okay, so they wrote some books, Bill went on the lecture circuit and they made some dough. What's the harm? Keep in mind that it's his position as former president that provides his marketable interest. Also, let's set aside how this process cheapens the presidency as we already know the high regard Bill holds for the office. But, in addition to being an ex-president, he is also the husband of someone who could be the next president. As Bill travels the world picking up fat speaking fees, how much of that is soft money for future access? Bill's money cannot be contributed to his wife's campaign beyond minimal limits. This is why the question as to the source of Hilary's $5 million loan to her campaign, like most things financial linked to the Clintons, begs for more explanation. Even the $10.2 million in charitable contributions reported by the Clintons has a wrinkle as almost all of it went to the Family Foundation, which has yet to spend half of it. Moreover the payments that this foundation has made illustrate how close to the wind they are sailing to a conflict of interest. For example, the $100,000 donation to a South Carolina Library during that state's primary could be seen in a different light.
In addition to the speaking fees and book money, approximately $15 million in income is hazily described and seems to stem from business dealings and partnerships. You would think they might have learned from Whitewater. These lucrative, but fuzzy, arrangements include over $ 3 million in consulting fees from Vinod Gupta's shadowy InfoUSA and a cozy deal with Ron Burkle's Yucaipa Companies of Los Angeles which has paid him an estimated $12.5 million and from which he stands to realize another $20 million as he negotiates an exit from the deal. Interestingly, one of the principal investors in this venture is the emir of Dubai who has come under criticism by the State Department for human rights violations.
In the meantime, Hillary's campaign is in trouble on several fronts, not the least of which is financially. Her Campaign coffers are woefully low. The controversial loan to her campaign was necessitated by a slowing of campaign contributions, perhaps in recognition of the fact that she is trailing Obama for the nomination and the only scenario that seems to put her on top of the ticket involves a crowd of Super delegates in a vast smoke-filled room. In an absolutely exquisite piece of irony, it was recently reported in POLITICO that the Clinton campaign is delinquent in paying for its employees' health insurance. The woman that wants to provide universal health care can't seem to cover her own troops.
Our only hope for a peaceful summer and a respite from more Clinton escapades is for Hillary to submit to the inevitable and bow out of this race and allow the Democrats to take their best shot in November with Obama. But, I wouldn't bet on that happening if I were you.
1 comment:
I almost hope Hillary manages to sleaze out of Denver with the nomination. Because then, every day John McCain can remind the country that this woman, who promises free health care for all cannot even insure her own staff.
Apparently, HRC thinks that things are "free" if she chooses not to pay for them. Hence, she thinks she's providing free healthcare for staff. But the actual term for things we take and don't pay for is "stolen". Like when she and her husband took everything in the White House that wasn't nailed down in 2000. Those things weren't free, they were stolen.
But money will not be a problem for long in HRC's campaign. Let's not forget her incredible skill in the commodities markets. This is a woman who managed to turn a $99,000 profit on a $1,000 investment! (Read Blood Sport by James Stewart if you want the whole seedy story.) All she has to do is put 50 or 60 bucks into the Pork Bellies market, and presto. She'll have like, a gazillion dollars!
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