Braun hired by Dean for $20K

[Renew Deal]

Moseley Braun Wins By Losing: Back on the national stage again, Carol Moseley Braun left the presidential race Wednesday in better shape than when she entered it a year ago, reports the Chicago Sun Times. By running for president, Moseley Braun tried to rehabilitate her image and situate herself as a "player" in national politics again. But it was her decision to throw her support behind Howard Dean at a time that will be beneficial to him that may help her more than anything.

In a dance that started last week, Patricia Ireland, Moseley Braun's campaign manager, started talks with Dean campaign manager Joe Trippi to explore coming on board. She was eventually turned over to Dean senior adviser Jon Haber and the two negotiated her departure. Braun will campaign for Dean three days a week with the campaign picking up her expenses, and she'll be paid about $20,000 as a consultant.

Braun also has a campaign debt of about $300,000 and Haber said that the Dean campaign "will help her with her debt."

Moseley Braun will go to New Hampshire and South Carolina for Dean. In South Carolina, the campaign is hoping her track record on the Confederate flag issue can help Dean deflect any problems he has with African-Americans.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/02/26/politics/main502099.shtml#Wins

[BurtWorm]

1. Good for her. It's nice when Dems help Dems!

Thanks for posting this. :toast:

[Renew Deal]

2. Anything I can do

:)

[Kool Kitty]

127. Good for both of them.

She's definitely an asset. I'm glad she'll be around-a smart, classy lady.

[Renew Deal]

3. I predicted this.

The other day I suggested this and got roasted. It seemed over the top. BUT it's TRUE. Here are my words.

Isn't that how Dean gets most of his endorsements.

Cash and offers of power.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=108&topic_id=106247#106271

You heard it from me first.

[Cassandra]

6. Since you didn't read this in the previous thread, I'll repost it.

No. That isn't "how Dean gets most of his endorsements". Most of the unions and others who endorsed him early on said he was the one who worked for the endorsements the hardest. Moveon.org said they offered technical help to all the Dem candidates but that Dean was the only one who took them up on it. The service unions said that Dean worked harder to earn their endorsement than anyone, including Gephardt. They hardly had any contact with the other candidates at all. At the beginning of the campaign, Dean didn't have enough money to buy anyone off. Dean has worked his butt off and all you can do is smear him. You might consider being ashamed of yourself, rather than spending your time spreading rumors.

[AP]

20. There was something funky about the union endorsement too, if I remember

correctly. Didn't a DK supporter post here recently about meeting a member of a local who said the national org strongarmed them and they had no say and they were mad?

To be fair, someone else said that that happened occassionally, and happened in 2000 too.

[Cassandra]

39. I would be surprised if every member of any local...

always agreed with the national union. That doesn't make it funky just because some people had different personal preferences.

[AP]

46. It was the head of the local who was pissed, and it was because...

...they usually get a say, apparently. They didn't with Gore and didn't with Dean.

(and this is all from memory)

[AP]

47. Link to first thread with bad title, but many good arguments:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=124870

[lurk_no_more]

51. I talked to some AFSME members that said that very thing

at the Fla. Convention, they were told who they were supposed to support by the union rep. they said they had no vote in the unions decision to back dean, they were told to be on the bus to the convention if they weren't working and to wear their union/dean shirts.


And then there were none!
” JAFO”

[AP]

54. Thanks for the confirmation.

[Eloriel]

78. But the reality is -- just in case anyone actually cares about that --

These decisions (who a union or any other PAC for that matter) supports is NOT usually a decision made by all the members. In fact, I'd find that unusual -- not to say it doesn't or hasn't happened somewhere, sometime -- but it's definitely not typical.

(I often wonder if these, um, "criticisms" which are intended to paint Dean in a bad light are made out of ignorance, or just plain spite.)

[AP]

92. I think the point is there at least two anecdotes of locals being mad that

the national endorsed Dean. Granted, they're anecdotes. However, the issue raised by CMB tonight is the motivation Dean's endorsers have for endorsing him. And it wasn't long before someone popped up who had reliable hearsay evidence of a local confused and angry about what they say as an endorsement that didn't make sense.

[Justice]

136. I thought AFSCME was different than other unions

My recollection about these posts was slightly different.

I thought the issue was that AFSCME changed the basis upon which its endorsements were given.

I thought the posts said that AFSCME endorsements historically came were a result of a vote of the union membership - that is why they were historically viewed as more significant than other unions.

This year, the top brass at AFSCME didn't do that - they voted as a board and made their decision to endorse Dean. The endorsement is meaningful - but perhaps not as significant as it has been historically because now it is based on the same "thing" as other unions - a vote of the board, rather than the membership.

[Renew Deal]

34. I actully read it and tried to respond.

It was locked.

I had said in the other thread that Dean was a master politician for the reasons you meantion. The problem with this is that she was done with a week ago but she still wasted everyone's time. On top of that she was Dean's hired gun at the debate. I am not spreading rumors. The areticle is there for you to see. And like I said, don't blame me. Blame CBS, Dean, Braun or whoever.

[Cassandra]

50. Thank you for trying

Most candidates who are not the front runners in the primaries try to get something for their endorsement; often an influential position if they don't already have one. I don't think Dean bought her, but I have no problem with his having this eloquent woman as part of his campaign. Other candidates will horse trade later with whomever is the nominee. They'll trade delegates and endorsements for jobs and having their ideas added to the party platform. Why paint normal politics as something sinister?

[srpantalonas]

12. stop saying Dean is corrupt

This is perfectly legitimate. This is not pay-to-play--they have a ton of consultants. She was dropping out months ago and just held on as long as she could to get her message out. Campaign debt is no fun thing--give her the benefit of the doubt.

[Renew Deal]

22. I never said Dean was corrupt.

I would have given her the benefit of the doubt if she didn't act like a hitman for Dean. That's the problem with this. Nothing else.

[NWHarkness]

42. Your implication was obvious

.

[AP]

61. impllication: desperation. Not corruption. Desperation.

But there is something unethical about CMB spending a week pretending she was running for president and using that time to puff up Dean and attack his rivals.

(Was Dean hiding behind CMB's skirt?)

[Eloriel]

94. Throughout the whole debate "season," at every opportunity CMB

made an effort to calm things down, be a peacemaker, change the tone, bring balance to the discussion. I and many others appreciated that about her, AND, I believe that if you went back and looked at the transcripts, you'd see that Dean was sometimes a beneficiary of that, tho it was fairly subtle. So, if my perception is accurate, no BIG change there.

I think in the last couple of debates, given that she probably knew the handwriting was on the wall ("nothing to lose" by speaking up more forcefully) and perhaps because of becoming more comfortable in the debate setting, she felt freer to tell it like it is.

IF there were ongoing negotiations, she would have of course felt even more protective about him, tho we don't know when these conversations were taking place. CMB said it was AFTER the last debate she approached him. So, the timing isn't real clear.

But there was NEVER any doubt among us Dean supporters that she likes Howard, and vice versa. Never. It was clear from near the outset, and if you missed those clips of she and Dean dancing, well -- it was really cute. He respects her, she respects him. They are allies.

[AP]

102. First time she ever told a lie was when she said "John" voted with Bush ..

...too much or a lot, or whatever it was. JRE pointed out that she got it exaclty wrong. If she was talking about Kerry, it was still bad information.

She never did that until the last two weeks.

[bearfartinthewoods]

139. El. i agree with you in part. she was a peacemaker in the begining

but i posted here that it was obvious that she had dean's back during the last two debates. this is very disappointing to me. and i say that with total assurance that i'd make the same statement no matter who hired her in the same manner and with the same timeing.

for her to go on the daily show and express such sincerity in the purpose and intent of her cnadidacy when she knoew she was days from this deal is very disheartening.

[bearfartinthewoods]

137. that's a problem for me but also the fact that this

'business as usual' came from the man who is running on changing the way politics works.

[AP]

23. Legitimate, but her endorsemetn loses credibility.

They lose a ton of credibility. Now you have to reconsider everything CMB did and said for the last two weeks.

Also it makes them all seem so unprincipled.

[bearfartinthewoods]

150. it's been two days and i'm still steamed.

[Name removed]

41. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[lurk_no_more]

36. OMG you were right

There's someone else that does that isn't there?



And then there were none!
” JAFO”

[Duder]

4. Good hire

She'll be a great addition to the Dean campaign.

[Clark Can WIN]

105. I believe that the disclocusre of the Dean campains payment to Ms. Braun

will be damaging to them both. I thought better of CMB, until now.

[bitchkitty]

129. She got $20K from Dean -

how much did Clark get from those Republican fundraisers? He's a millionaire now, if a recent thread bragging about how much money he's made since he left the military is true.

Why the double standard? At least she's endorsing a Democrat.

[beaconess]

132. I don't know - why don't you tell us?

n/t

[Clark Can WIN]

152. Clark is not at the sad end of a bankrupt campaign and desperate for cash

as CMB obviously is. Clark released all of his records. Where are Dean's? Who holds the double standard now?

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[hellhathnofury]

9. I'll hire you, don't pay much though. But it's a job.

[Renew Deal]

13. $20K in under 2 months?

That's not much?

[Duder]

28. She might have made more

working for Stephens bank.

[Renew Deal]

40. Unfortunately

between ethics problems and sheer qualifications, she's not qualified.

[Duder]

55. Too bad she doesn't have the 'right' qualifications or

Ol' Jackson might have made her president.

[hellhathnofury]

53. That's not my 2008 offer.

My offer is: drop and endorse and you'll win a new shiny nickel!

Welcome to my 08 campaign! The poor man's run.

[RetroLounge]

7. Yawn

:boring:

[wtmusic]

8. Good move

She is respected and will bring many votes Dean's way.

[Renew Deal]

10. She was a hired gun at the debate.

There is something wrong with that. She knew she was going to start collecting checks. Her kitchen sink attack on Edwards and the others was paid for by Dean for America.

[mzmolly]

33. Proof? The story doesn't say that.

:hi:

[AP]

43. The proof would be in her demeanor & context. Dean didn't want to be mean

to the other candidates because he was already suffering in polls for being nasty.

He gets Carol to do his dirty work. Who does she attack? The people threatening Dean. Who does she defend? Dean.

Had she ever done this before? No.

[Clark Can WIN]

74. I was very sad to see this

I had heard about Carol having previous humiliations. I enjoyed her commentary and valued her perspective.

It saddens me to see her sacrifice good judgement in favor of financial considerations.

I hope that her new "consultant" status and the whole seedy nature of this transaction will not escape the press attention that it richly deserves.

[Leilani]

84. I wasn't sad & I was not surprised

Never could understand all the fawning over CMB in this race.

She was defeated in her Senate seat because of ethics issues, some involving money.

Clinton made her an ambassador as consolation.

She never had any real support; she took up room on the stage that could have been used by serious candidates.

Now it seems she drops out, questions concerning money again, & she was dishonest in her role in the debate. She was already on the Dean team, therfore her attacks were bought & paid for.

[mzmolly]

75. Then she must have been hired 3 months ago when she first defended Dean

However you'll note Dean responded HIMSELF to the charges made against him.

I'm leaving this BS conversation to the people who choose to part take.

Sleep well. :hi:

[Renew Deal]

45. She was talking to the Dean campaign a week ago

and the debate was less than a week ago. Was she showing off her skills while wasting everyone elses precious time up there.

[KaraokeKarlton]

131. Are you saying that CMB shouldn't have been able to talk?

Simply because she was fed up with the pig-piling on Dean? I guess she can only talk if she says something you agree with, then?

:eyes:

[bearfartinthewoods]

140. i'll say it

if she knew she was withdrawing she should not have attended the debate. it was a waste of the time that could have been divided between the candidates that intended to continue.

[AP]

145. Yes. If she knew she wasn't running for herself, why's she there?

To work for Dean.

It's unseemly. Do you see any other tag teams up there on stage. What would you think if they let Edward's wife get a spot on stage, and they gave her 1 minute every 9 minutes to talk and then gave her an opportunity to ask a candidate a question?

Would that be right?

[drfemoe]

86. cbs spins chicago sun

Braun is the first 2004 Democratic presidential hopeful to withdraw in favor of Dean. She had dinner with him after Sunday night's debate, at which time he asked for her support.
http://www.suntimes.com/output/elect/cst-nws-braun15a.html

[angee_is_mad]

35. what votes?

what votes would her endorsement bring, that he doesn't already have. I think that her endorsement is symbolic at the most.

[hellhathnofury]

11. Well...

:nuke:

[Renew Deal]

16. At least you are consistent.

And you are almost at 1000. Counting down...

[hellhathnofury]

25. I'll be there within the hour!

Btw: insinuation

:nuke:

[Renew Deal]

49. Congrats on 1000!!!

:toast:

[hellhathnofury]

52. Merci! To peace on DU!

:toast:

[deminflorida]

14. In South Carolina, Ambassador Braun must compete with....

Ambassador Andrew Young. Also former Mayor of Atlanta...I might add and an Icon of the African American Community in the South.

It will come down to who the African American community trusts and remembers as a representative Presidential Administration...

Carter or Clinton.

My guess is Clinton.

But it will be a nice play anyway for Trippi.

[hellhathnofury]

31. Carter of Clinton?

[MIMStigator]

15. They were in TALKS when CMB was Dean's attack dog in the debate?

?

[windansea]

24. obviously n/t

[AP]

"Did I pass the interview?"

[mzmolly]

72. Proof? You are WRONG.

In a dance that started last week, Patricia Ireland, Moseley Braun's campaign manager, started talks with Dean campaign manager Joe Trippi to explore coming on board. She was eventually turned over to Dean senior adviser Jon Haber and the two negotiated her departure. Braun will campaign for Dean three days a week with the campaign picking up her expenses, and she'll be paid about $20,000 as a consultant.

The debates were last Sunday, the talks likely began AFTER that. Pathetic smear to say the least.

[AP]

85. Her demeanor changed dramatically. Was she trying to show Dean what she

could do in the last two debates?

[Leilani]

95. "negotiated her departure"

Huh?

There were negotiations for her departure?

I thought when someone dropped out, they dropped out?

[Cassandra]

130. The smart ones

negotiate their departure. She couldn't offer him delegates or rich backers but she can offer him her eloquence and calm, good sense.

[Lobo_13]

17. Less inflammatory title

Same bullshit story.

[angee_is_mad]

18. well she got what she wanted

a job!

[Tatiana]

110. Did we call it, or what?

Like a said, she's a opportunist.

[JNelson6563]

19. Delightful news!

I think she will be a great addition to our campaign! I am glad she has come on board.

Welcome to the team Carol!

Julie

[MIMStigator]

21. Those debate attacks MAKE SENSE NOW

everybody was thinking huh?? Now it makes sense

[mzmolly]

30. She has defended Dean before and tried to re-focus the efforts on

Bush.

Yep, add Carol M Braun to the *EVIL CORRUPT DEAN CAMPAIGN* :eyes: :scared:

Gimme a break.

[AP]

37. Question is, did she believe what she was saying?

[MIMStigator]

48. looks like it didn't matter

.

[mzmolly]

56. Oh no, I'm sure she is a corrupt bitch who did it for the money.

Aren't all Dean supporters, volunteers, campaign consultants corrupt? Goodness why would CMB be any different? ;)

Add her to the shit list gang. It's growing now with many formerly well respected Democrats/activists and concerned citizens.

I heard Dean paid:

Tom Harkin
Ann Richards
J Garafalo
Molly Ivins
Al Gore
Sheila Jackson Lee
Jesse Jackson Jr.
Martin Sheen
Paul Newman
Rob Reiner
Elijah Cummings
Catherine Zeta Jones
Michael Douglas
Whoopie Goldberg
.........

and many other people *sssshhhh, don't let the cat out of the bag.

[AP]

57. Again, how many on that list spent two weeks pretending they were running

for president, and used their time to puff up Dean and attack the people Dean wanted to attack?

[mzmolly]

66. NO ONE spent TWO weeks pretending they were running for President

they spoke *days* ago. Probably AFTER the debate. There is nothing to the contrary in the story. You are all doing what you always do to Dean. Smearing him with out regard for anything and taking anyone who supports him down the sewer too.

Wow?! I come here day after day and leave in utter dis-belief. I can't believe this conversation. It's beyond comprehension.

[janx]

70. sshh!

Look at Huck's face.

[AP]

80. I'm counting back to when her demeanor change dramatically. Who wasn't...

...a little stunned when she asked Edwards that dumb question and when she used inaccurate information about his voting record to smear him as pro-Bush (who's line of attack is that? Sounds more like Dean's).

[AP]

81. Without regard for "anything"?

I have regard for what I can see with my own two eyes, and what I can hear these candidates say.

[Renew Deal]

58. I see some cock roaches on that list

[AP]

69. Technically, CMB is a cockroach too -- she was a Dem senator who couldn't

pass real health care reform.

[Lobo_13]

91. You forgot those evil bastards

The Folksmen

[AP]

32. yes. they were unprincipled.

[stickdog]

107. How does this news make sense of Sharpton's low blow?

Huh?

[beaconess]

134. So, let me get this straight

Sharpton says that, according to a report by the Center for Women in Government, Howard Dean had no minorities in his cabinet as governor and asks him if it's true. Dean admits that it is. Sharpton tells him, "While I respect the fact you brought race into this campaign, you ought to talk freely and openly about whether you went out of the box to try to do something about race in your home state and have experience with working with blacks and browns at peer level, not as just friends you might have had in college."


A few minutes later, Carol Moseley Braun says that, according to a report from Congressional Quarterly says that John Edwards voted with Bush more than any other Senator. CMB tells him, "And yet you stand up here and call Howard a hypocrite. This is not right." Edwards corrects her and informs her that the CQ report says just the opposite - that he voted against Bush more than any other senator. And it turns out that CQ's report says just what Edwards said it did.

And you say that Sharpton leveled a low blow, while you've been praising CMB as "a great asset."

Hmmm.

[AP]

147. Right on!

[Clark Can WIN]

26. I would seriously question the endorsement of a PAID

staff memeber. Especially one in debt. Kind of cheapens the whole sorrid affair, doesn't it?

Let's hope that this revelation recieives the coverage that it deserves. Typical work mr trippi.

[funky_bug]

125. I wouldn't worry about it getting buried

Haven't you heard? Lehane is eeeeeeeeeevil.

/sarcasm off.

[LuminousX]

138. You are right, all Dean endorsements should be nullified as suspicious

Look, people take from endorsements what they want. When Gore endorsed Dean, Gore was not saying, 'all Democratic voters ought to vote for Dean.' When Sen. Paul Simon endorsed Dean, he was saying that in his opinion, Dean was the best choice. Ditto for Bradley, Conyers, Cummings, Harkin, Molly Ivins, Jesse Jackson, Jr., Ann Richards, and the whole slew of members from the Progressive Caucus.

None of them are saying that you should not form your own opinions.

So if you discount Braun's endorsement because she has taken a consulting position with Dean, that is fine, but to disparage her over it and attempting to find a way to nullify it, is a bit ... I can't use the words I want to due to the new rules.

[AP]

148. With stories like this, they will be.

[Karmadillo]

27. This looks terrible. While the likes of Zell Miller

are apparently willing to whore for free, imagine how we at DU would have reacted if we had learned he had been in negotiations with the Bush Administration and had announced his endorsement only after receiving an offer of $20,000 for consulting and a promise of assistance to help pay off a $300,000 debt.

[oasis]

117. Who do you think bought in bulk those stupid books of Zell's? GOPeee.

[MoonRiver]

29. Well, it looks like politics as usual.

:thumbsdown:

[MIMStigator]

38. couldn't they have waited a week?

?

[candy331]

65. Might be some real compassionate

conservatism showing here. Obviously she is in financial trouble and needs the help. Dean has said he would direct raising money to help Democrats to get elected in fact recently money was raised to help a Democratic candidate. I guess a real compassionate conservative would have told her to get lost. I only wish that they would have waited for a little while to let it out though, timing is everything and this may look suspicious to some even though there is nothing wrong with it. Will Sharpton blow his stack in the media and at the next debate saying she only entered as a spoiler for him and now here is the proof. I will e-mail Dean campaign to be ready for this and not be caught by surprise although I still believe Sharption in the end will throw his support to Dean too.

Dean 04

[Rose Siding]

44. That seems fair

She'll be able to reach a lot of voters for the Dean campaign. Welcome aboard Carol! :toast:

[janx]

59. Bleachers, we're so happy that you are a DU supporter.

Your analysis has helped our forum.

[Renew Deal]

62. Blame CBS, Dean, Braun

I am just the messenger.

[janx]

64. Oh yes.

WE KNOW.

[Name removed]

60. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Clark4VotingRights]

63. Is that typical for those giving endorsements to get a salary?

eom

[AP]

77. In all fairness,

I think some Kerry endorsers are also paid staff.

Kwasei Mfume is one I'm pretty sure about. CQ or The Hill had a story about it a hear ago.

But Kerry's supporters have been consistent from the beginning, they don't try to fool anyone, and they didn't pretend they were running for president for even a day in order to puff up Kerry and attack his opponents.

[beaconess]

98. Kweisi Mfume has NOT endorsed Kerry and certainly isn't paid by Kerry

As the president of a 501c3 organization, he cannot engage in partisan political activity. A while back, the Kerry campaign mistakenly listed him as an adviser, but they corrected it almost immediately. Mfume is often consulted by all of the campaigns about his views on issues of importance to the NAACP and its membership, but he does not play favorites and has not and will not endorse anyone.

[AP]

99. Hmm. I'd love to get a second look at that article in The Hill.

Pretty sure it was the Hill. I'm almost positive they listed him as a paid advisor. But maybe it was just a smear to make Kerry's support seem unprincipled.

In any event. glad to hear that Mfume is consulting with everyone.

[beaconess]

101. I don't think it was a smear.

My recollection is that the Kerry campaign gave them incorrect information.

[Clark4VotingRights]

100. Good catch beaconess. Remember when Trent Lott threatened

the NAACP with loss of their tax exempt status if they continued
to criticize the Pugs?

Asshole.

[MIMStigator]

67. She was already talking to Dean about $ when she was being his attack dog?

?

[drfemoe]

88. not according to the source story

Braun is the first 2004 Democratic presidential hopeful to withdraw in favor of Dean. She had dinner with him after Sunday night's debate, at which time he asked for her support.
http://www.suntimes.com/output/elect/cst-nws-braun15a.html

[bearfartinthewoods]

141. there were contact prior to this. the other article said it started

earlier than sunday. she knew during the debate. the dinner was just the face to face deal signing.

[DemBones DemBones]

68. Money or no money, I've lost most of my respect

for CMB. She's always played up to Dean a bit but it's expected that some candidates would be friendlier to each other than others. But the last couple of weeks it was more obvious, as she defended Dean and attacked his rivals, that it was a bit more than that.

Her performance at the last debate, when she was already negotiating a deal with Dean, is particularly shameful. She went on to appear on The Daily Show, where she maintained she was a serious candidate. I thought when I watched it that it was very odd of her to make that appearance when she knew she'd be out of the race and endorsing Dean the very next day.

We all know politicians make deals with one another but I can't recall ever seeing quite such a breach of ethics in past campaigns. She should not have played attack dog for Dean once she had started negotiating with him. That's simply unethical and dishonest.

Dean should have refused her offer of endorsement because of the way she's behaved in recent debates but the main onus of blame is on CMB because she was actually misleading voters about her intentions and loyalties. Dropping out before Iowa was bad enough, but acting as Dean's defender and attack dog in an official debate while she was negotiating a deal with him is rephrehensible. It shows a real lack of principles.

[Clark4VotingRights]

87. Ya know, Jon Stewart even complained about that the next day

In his own jokey way, but he sure seemed stunned that she'd
make a campaign appearance on his show in parallel with
endorsing Dean.

This is just...honestly I don't know what to think.
I don't know if this is typical.
I do know it smells bad.

[Pax Argent]

90. To me it shows wisdom

For the past few weeks (months?) we've watched these people and their followers attack each other with reckless abandon. Off topic, but Bush and Rove have to be laughing their a@#$ off at the concept of party unity shown by the Dems.

CMB made the connection that the toes that you step on today might belong to the rear end you have to kiss tomorrow so she swore off Dean-bashing early. Apparently she did well with this decision and it was smart under the circumstances.

If the others made this connection it might cut down on some of the vitriol. At the end of the day we should all be on the same team.

[Name removed]

71. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[MIMStigator]

73. pretty soon the anti Dean folks will be putting out negative flyers

on the cars of other candidates supporters

[Jerseycoa]

76. You sure called this one, Bleachers

:(

[EXE619K]

79. Could it be possible that

Dean and Braun actually had a special personal relationship that might have contributed to this situation?

It's no secret that the two have held a close affinity towards one another prior to the past two-weeks(eg. Iowa Jefferson/Jackson dinner)?

I guess it just shows that no matter how "respectful" you are for your opponent's candidate, it all ends up in the sink.

Stealth technology is such a wonderful thing!

[LoZoccolo]

82. I don't really see what this has to do...

...about who should be the Democratic party's nominee for president.

LoZoccolo wins by losing...he makes zero dollars and zero cents writing letters to Iowa...he loses time he'll never get back in the Democratic Underground message forums...:boring:

This is part of how candidates can get what they want even if they don't get traction. They build up a base of supporters, make a deal with a candidate with a bigger following, and throw the supporters their way. It's a strategy for getting some of what you want, and I don't criticize either party in this deal for doing it.

[lurk_no_more]

83. This is really sad

a paid endorsement, with an attack clause, priceless!

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss!


And then there were none!
” JAFO”

[MontecitoDem]

89. Seems to me Braun stayed in just long enough

to try to split the black vote in DC, thus ensuring Dean wasn't embarassed by a Sharpton win. Speaking of which, am I wrong or did Dean promise Iowa would always be "first in the nation" while simultaneously running in the DC primary. What gives with this guy? CMB was going to be my candidate based on NWPC endorsement of her and my undying need to see more women out there. She blew it for me - total loss of respect.

[AP]

96. Ouch. Good catch.

Highly probably. If I had to bet, I'd double down on that one. (I'm not even sure what that means, but it sounds good.)

[MontecitoDem]

103. Yeah - look at the totals from DC:

Dean = 43%
Sharpton = 34%
Braun = 12%

[DemBones DemBones]

112. WOW -- Sharpton WOULD have beat Dean in D.C. w/o Braun!

Or come so close it would humiliate Dean.

I watched the DC debate and the only ones in attendance were CMB, Kucinich, and Sharpton. Dean had promised he'd be there but didn't show so they set up an empty chair for him. (The others had said they wouldn't attend.) Sharpton stated that DC voters should remember who showed up for the debate when they voted.

CMB DEFENDED DEAN at the DC Debate, too.

Now it makes more sense -- she stayed in long enough to help Dean in DC.

[MontecitoDem]

116. Timing is suspicious

don't you think? This is why I think she is a sell-out. Less about the money and more about letting down African American voters.

[bearfartinthewoods]

142. sweet tea...i didn't even think of that...

sheeeesh...

[cryofan]

93. sharpton & Braun teamed up to attack Dean, thus getting offer from Dean?

Here is a speculation: before the debate where Sharpton attacked Dean on race, Braun and Sharpton colluded in order to get a piece of the Dean pie. SHarpton agreed to attack Dean on race....thus making Dean vulnerable on race, and ,thus, when Braun later offers to work for DEan (for a fat price (she also gets money for her debt), Dean agrees--Dean now needs Braun and he is now willing to pay her that price.

Later on, Braun can cut Sharpton in on whatever crumbs she is able to glean from the Dean campaign.....

[MontecitoDem]

97. I think you are flat wrong

about Sharpton. He will not sell out this way. Whatever else he is (opportunist, media hound, dance-machine) he will not cut a $$ deal with Dean campaign. (Maybe I'm a wishful thinker . . .)

[MoonRiver]

104. If that's what happened,

it seems to have backfired. CMB had lots of accusations about ethical violations leveled at her in IL. I always defended her. Now, I wonder.

[bearfartinthewoods]

143. me too...plus i sent her money twice

[stickdog]

106. And how much is Kerry paying Rand Beers?

This is insulting.

Is there any reason why Dean SHOULD NOT hire an clear asset like CMB to help with his campaign?

[MontecitoDem]

108. What's a bummer is

CMB - not Dean. She sold out. Personally, I think Dean did what most long-time politicians would do. I don't blame him, although I won't vote for him in the primary.

[DemBones DemBones]

119. The difference is that Rand Beers was never a candidate.

CMB was a candidate and was acting as Dean's defender and attack dog in the last couple of debates, while she was negotiating with Dean for a good offer in exchange for her endorsement. That's the issue: CMB has behaved in an unethical manner.

As a poster just observed, she stayed in long enough to pull 12% of the votes in the DC primary. Dean won with 43%, while Sharpton had 34%. Thus, CMB staying in for that vote helped Dean avoid the embarrassment of Sharpton either beating him or tying him in a vote held before Iowa. When you think of it, Dean should probably be paying her more!

[bearfartinthewoods]

144. rand beers is running for prez? who knew...

[joefree1]

109. Wow, attacking Carol Moseley Braun, a new low

Congratulations to all responsible. The beat goes on.


Images from Dean Rocks the House of Blues, Hollywood
From wtmusic http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=919849
From Joefree1 http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=921300

[TLM]

113. Anybody who supports Dean goes in the meatgrinder...

Jesus could come down and endorse Dean and some people would line up to crucify him again.

[MontecitoDem]

114. "Take the Men's Only sign off the

Opportunists' Front Door."

[TLM]

111. WTF... two days ago these same people were attacking Dean

for not hiring enough minorities... now they're attacking him for hiring CMB as a consultant. Talk about attacking ANYTHING, even when it contradicts yesterdays attack.


Odd how Clark being a consultant for a pile of defense contractors is no big deal and getting paid to heap praise on republicans and help them raise money doesn't matter.

Yet Dean hires CMB as a consultant and somehow THAT'S not right.

[MontecitoDem]

115. If you read my earlier post

and many others here you'd notice the attacks are at CMB, not Dean.

[oasis]

118. Serious questions are "attacks" only to the party being questioned.

[joefree1]

120. thanks for agreeing that "attacks are at CMB"

>>"If you read my earlier post"
Posted by MontecitoDem
and many others here you'd notice the attacks are at CMB, not Dean.<<

This is sad. Carol is a great person and does not deserve these rethuglican-like attack politics.

[MontecitoDem]

122. As I said before,

this is a cruel blow for me. Many times I argued with folks who claimed CMB was unethical. I didn't believe it. When this election process started, she was MY candidate. But I do believe she waited to drop out in order to ensure the DC primary for Dean by splitting the black vote - and that is pretty low.

Do you have some other argument for her timing?

[joefree1]

124. Yeah, she thinks Dean is hot stuff

And she thought she could do something about all the negative stuff some are throwing at Dean. She's a smart lady. She probably knew she would get attacked too.

But then she's also getting high marks from NOW. See the following:

NOW Salutes CMB's Historic Bid for President (warning postive stuff)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=125484
http://blog.deanforamerica.com/archives/[e-mail]

So is NOW on the Dean payroll too?

[MontecitoDem]

126. I have a feeling

you don't even read the posts you are responding to. I SUPPORTED CMB partly because she was endorsed by NWPC (national women's political caucus and NOW). Pat Ireland, her campaign manager, used to head NOW.

So do you have any answer to my timing question or are you just going to post more pictures?

[joefree1]

128. See #124 and sure here's some more pictures too

Obviously I don't have any problems with her "timing."

Now the pics you requested. Check out my asses. :hi:




On edit: I'm not wasting my time trying to disprove a negative. It's up to you to convince us of a conspiracy. But I'll look forward to the opportunity to post more pics.

[bearfartinthewoods]

146. no, they're on the sucker list, like me.

we decided to give CMB a dollar a day to keep her in the race.

[TLM]

121. That is a good point....

[beaconess]

135. Oh, please

if you don't understand the difference, you really need to take a closer look.

The issue is not that Dean is hiring a black woman as a consultant, the issue is that the day after dropping out of the race, a presidential candidate joined the campaign of another candidate as a paid consultant. The fact that she is African American does make this any more savory nor does it do a thing to obviate Dean's abysmal record on diversity as governor of Vermont.

[ACPS65]

123. How surprising

.

[gulliver]

133. This is corruption and a terrible thing to do. It will hurt Dean ...

... if the other candidates choose to make an issue of it. CMB can't take a paying job with Dean after being a candidate herself. That should be forbidden by the party.

We'll have 90 candidates next time instead of just 9 if this is allowed to stand. It can't be tolerated.

Not taking money and then endorsing Dean is fine. Not taking money and then accompanying Dean (expenses paid but no more) would be fine. This is corrupt.

[Tim_in_HK]

149. It does look a little bad . . .

On the whole, I think there are good things and bad things for the Dean campaign in this:
The good: they got all three of CMB's supporters.
The bad: they just made Illinois more difficult to win.

[Cuban_Liberal]

151. Yay! Let's mine the archives for negative stuff!

:eyes: