Democratic Convention Hosted by Republican Donors, Anti-Obamacare Lobbyists

[eridani]

http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/36824-democratic-convention-hosted-by-republican-donors-anti-obamacare-lobbyists

The Philadelphia Host Committee chair, former Gov. Ed Rendell, headed for Wall Street as soon as he left office, and has since represented a number of controversial special interests. In 2011, as New York was debating regulations on fracking, Rendell wrote a pro-fracking opinion column in the New York Daily News, while failing to disclose that he was a paid consultant at a private equity firm that had investments in the industry.

That same year, Rendell started providing paid speeches on behalf of the Mujahideen-e Khalq (MEK), a fringe Iranian exile group that was considered a terrorist organization by the State Department at the time (it was delisted in 2012).

The former governor also joined the group Fix The Debt — an organization backed by private equity billionaire Pete Peterson that advocates for cutting Social Security benefits — co-chairing its activities alongside Judd Gregg.

Rendell is currently a special counsel at the law and lobbying firm Ballard Spahr; earlier this year, the firm launched a new election law group, advising clients on campaign finance and lobbying strategy.

“The Democratic Party, especially the DNC, have never liked Obama’s policies to disengage lobbyists from campaign fundraising,” says Craig Holman, an expert on ethics and campaign finance with Public Citizen. “The party only went along with the restrictions because Obama was the party leader. As soon as Obama could no longer be viewed as the leader of the party, the DNC quietly repealed the lobbyist restrictions. The public learned about it only weeks later.”

[CobaltBlue]

1. ‘Let’s Call Establishment Democrats What They Are: REPUBLICANS’

[silvershadow]

2. You know this one brief segment basically sums up the entirety

of the absurdity we are in.

[surrealAmerican]

6. That is one hell of a clip.

"Animals look from Napoleon to Pilkington, from man to pig back to man, they find that they are unable to tell the difference.”
― George Orwell, Animal Farm

[Stellar]

10. and somebody had the nerve to say it was hurtful. smh!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017370713#post8

[CobaltBlue]

15. Stellar—I put article title quotation to indicate it’s the video’s title.

That way…it’s a posting presented with respect to a source. No one can twist it. But, hey, that person trying to get it hidden says a lot (and it is not good).

I am glad people on that thread want to discuss the topic.

[Stellar]

16. hear, hear! nt

[ananda]

14. ** This **

Sad to say, I never in my life thought I'd ever be
voting for a Reep.

But now I'll probably have to hold my nose yet again
and vote for Clinton.

Such days...

[erlewyne]

3. I refuse to have anything to do with the DNC

I am a Democrat at heart and have always voted Democrat.
I now draw a line. Of course the GOP is out of the question.

A democrat since Eisenhower but
I am against the DNC. My position is called between a rock and
a hard place.

Does this disqualify me to be a member of DU?

[diane in sf]

4. No, I never send them money, I just donate thru Act Blue and only to Progressives.

[erlewyne]

5. Thanks diane in sf

Act Blue and a progressive will soon get a donation from me.

[CobaltBlue]

7. ‘Harry Reid’s Bogus Smear Campaign Against Rep. Alan Grayson’

[Stellar]

13. Great video...

thanks for sharing.

[appalachiablue]

8. K & R. Great post, thanks.

[hobbit709]

9. We now have the D Wing and the R Wing of the Corporate Party.

One still talks a good show but usually fails to deliver, the other doesn't even try.

[G_j]

11. Comcast..

http://usuncut.com/politics/democratic-national-convention-comcast/

Comcast, which has been named America’s worst company, is an honored guest at this year’s Democratic National Convention.

Philadelphia, which is the home of the cable giant’s headquarters, is also hosting this year’s Democratic National Convention — at the Comcast Spectator’s Wells Fargo Center. And as the New York Post recently reported, the Democratic Party is offering prime access to convention activities and leading elected officials to Comcast executives who donate $100,000 or more.

These so-called “Empire Donors” are given access to members of Congress for photo-ops at the convention podium, slots at VIP dinners, and even tickets to a New York Yankees game with a “special guest.” Progressive advocacy organization Public Citizen told the Post the arrangement reeks of a corrupt, pay-for-play system.

“The company that chips in with $100,000 will have one-on-one access with the presidential candidate and congressional lawmakers as well, and they are buying influence in our government,” Public Citizen spokesman Craig Holman told the Post. “It’s one of the most offensive elements of our campaign process, an embarrassment that doesn’t pass the smell test and has never passed the smell test.”

..more..

[DLevine]

12. Damn shame. nt