Kerry "Carries Water" for Top Telecom Donor

[JaneQPublic]

This from the Center for Public Integrity:

http://www.bop2004.org/bop2004/report.aspx?aid=4

Sen. John F. Kerry, D-Mass., whose largest campaign contributor lobbies on behalf of telecommunication interests, pushed the legislative priorities of its clients in the wireless industry on several occasions, a Center for Public Integrity analysis of campaign, lobbying and congressional records has found.

--snip

Kerry, who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, has sponsored or co-sponsored a number of bills favorable to the industry and has written letters to government agencies on behalf of the clientele of his largest donor.

Boston-based Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo P.C. has been the biggest financial backer of the Massachusetts Democrat's two decades-long political career in elected office, with its employees contributing nearly $187,000 to various Kerry races, including his current presidential campaign.

--snip

Mintz, Levin advertises communications law among its areas of expertise and lobbies on behalf of wireless industry clients such as AT&T Wireless Service, XO Communications Inc. and the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association. CTIA is the trade association of the wireless industry; its more than 320 members include carriers, manufacturers and wireless Internet providers. CTIA-affiliated companies and their employees have contributed at least $152,000 to Kerry. The amount includes contributions made to his presidential campaign and his previous election efforts, his political action committees and the 527 group that Kerry formed. Verizon employees donated close to a third of that amount ($45,400).

=============

The article goes on to say that Kerry and his wife have substantial holdings in telecommunications companies -- roughly 7 percent to 11 percent of the couple's combined $165 million to $626 million in assets.

On a related note, didn't Kerry vote for passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996?

[sandnsea]

1. Dean carries water for Vermont ski industry

Dean carries water for corporate farms. Dean carries water for energy industry. Do we want to keep going over and over and over this shit?

[JaneQPublic]

3. LOL!

You're going to have to grow a thicker skin, now that YOUR guy is in the frontrunner seat. Is the glare of scrutiny a little too bright for you?

[wyldwolf]

It isn't the glare of scrutiny...

It is the constant recycling of "breaking news" some Dean supporters are known for.

Since they can't find anything NEW to post, they have to resort to OLD stuff to spin and divert attention away from Dr. Dean.


My choices... in order...

[adadem]

2. Dupe from this morning

go take a look at Dean's list.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

5. They are posting this like 4 times a day now, lol.

[JaneQPublic]

10. LOL, which, compared to postings on Dean's speech, is hardly a start!

.

[blm]

12. great...now answer where is the quid pro quo?

.

[JaneQPublic]

14. As the article says...

"Kerry, who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, has sponsored or co-sponsored a number of bills favorable to the industry and has written letters to government agencies on behalf of the clientele of his largest donor."

Oh, and there was that little Telecom Act of 1996 that Kerry backed.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

16. Yes, the article

manages to imply wrongdoing, however, it's characterization is nothing more than that, a characterization. You are welcome to believe the worst about Kerry if you want, but you are doing him a disservice. If you look at the facts of the matter, and Kerry's total voting record, you'll see this is much ado about nothing.

As far as the Telecom Act of 1996 -- are you saying Kerry should have voted against it? Why? What are your arguments against the Telecom Act of 1996?

[redqueen]

18. Heard of ClearChannel?

For God's sake!

:wow:

[kerrygoddess]

20. Dennis's friend

Marrianne Williamson used to broadcast on Clear Channel. Maybe Marriane should unendorse Dennis?

[redqueen]

24. LOL

Sorry, but I don't think an ex-employee's endorsement is nearly as horrible as voting for the legislation which helped media to become as concentrated as it is.

Nice try, though. :)

[kerrygoddess]

33. Marianne Williamson never worked for Dennis!

She's a friend and the one of the founders of Global Renaissance Alliance:

Since its inception in l998, the Global Renaissance Alliance (GRA) has been dedicated to a marriage of spiritual and political principle. We are devoted to the creation of a new political consciousness, based upon the non-violent principles articulated by Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. Fundamental change, in the words of Dr. King, involves a "qualitative change in our souls as well as a quantitative change in our lives."

In the spirit of building more deeply non-violent social and political structures, we invite you join with us as we participate in a concerted, strategic grass-roots effort to support Congressman Dennis Kucinich's proposed legislation to establish a Cabinet-level Department of Peace within the Executive Branch of the U.S. Government. http://www.marianne.com/

[redqueen]

35. *sigh*

Guess I should have been more specific: I meant an ex-employee of ClearChannel.

:eyes:

[blm]

40. His brother and COWORKERS wouldn't have donated for 18 years

if Kerry hadn't voted for legislation opening up tthe telecom industry which was needed in the Boston tech corridor in 1996?

Is that what you want people to believe?

[sandnsea]

13. You guys keep posting it

Stop defending it and it'll go away. And be sure and look who has posted the few attacks on the speech. It's not usually us.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

15. Dean's self inflicted wound is part of the political landscape.

It is a major story in America right now. Millions of Americans who knew nothing about Dean a few days ago now think of him as a joke.

I don't think it was a big deal because I've seen Dean for awhile now and it is nothing new. But the reaction in the country has been decidedly negative. Sorry, but those are the facts.

[sandnsea]

11. For the last ten years

I have. He has a terrible record of cozying up to corporate interests. And I've also looked at his recent contribution list too. AOL, Microsoft, IBM, GoldmanSachs, Citigroup... I can't wait for the 4th quarter numbers to come out!

[Feanorcurufinwe]

4. Sorely misguided

Kerry Campaign statement:

"Senator Kerry has friends and family who work at Mintz Levin, ranging from his brother to former classmates who work in this Boston-based firm. In addition to having been elected to the Senate four times, John Kerry has been Lt. Governor and run for Congress in Massachusetts, so a lot of these folks go way back with him. It should come as no surprise that they would be supportive of his campaign for president and any effort to make anything more of it is sorely misguided.

On all issues, including issues important to the wireless industry, Senator Kerry makes his decisions based on what is sound policy and what is best for the people he represents.
http://www.bop2004.org/download/KerryStatement.pdf

If you wish to believe the worst about Kerry, that is your choice, but I think most people will look at the facts of this matter and conclude there is nothing to it.

[TLM]

7. Someone posted the list of Kerry top 10 doners...

and they're all the same kind of corporate special insterest... did he go to school with all of the folks buying his influence?

[Feanorcurufinwe]

9. Your characterization is false.

Those who wish to make informed choices should look at the information themselves: http://www.bop2004.org/bop2004/ and decide what it means.

[JaneQPublic]

17. Kerry has the most in Wall St. campaign contributions

http://money.cnn.com/2004/01/16/markets/election_demsmarkets/index.htm

[redqueen]

19. Ouch

That's ugly. Wall Street is dirty, dirty money.

[blm]

22. These are individuals. Ones who invest in eco-friendly businesses.

Robert Rubin and others. Kerry's money is clean.

You would prefer Wall St. types who bet on Defense spending or invest in eco-friendly businesses and alternative energy research. Kerry plans to fully fund that research like the space program.

Get HONEST folks. Use LOGIC and HONESTY. You'll find greater comfort in what you find.

[redqueen]

26. Sorry, blm

But I just don't trust politicians anymore. I did, back when I was young and naive, and I happily voted for Clinton, twice. Then Bush was elected, and I started digging for myself, and found out how truly compromised the political process / system really is in this country.

I don't have anything against Kerry but your claim that all the money that Kerry received from people in Wall Street is all 'clean' is something I'll be taking with a huge bag of salt. We're talking about over a million dollars. Can you really tell me that you know for certain that it's all from above-board types? I think a closer look at his votes on securities legislation is in order.

Up until now I've taken other DU'ers on their word that he had a solid progressive record. Now he's in the spotlight and I find out he didn't support Byrd's amendment, and that he's the second biggest recipient of Wall Street money.

That isn't going to be brushed away easily. I'm still ABB, but this is very disappointing.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

30. Sorry, redqueen

but you know full well that Kucinich would love to have that money. I respect DK and his views, but to somehow imply that he is 'not a politician' is ridiculous. What is he if not a politician? Money fuels campaigns in America today, and when someone wants to make a contribution, it is accepted, unless there is something illegal or unethical about it. No politician would ever say: "I won't accept money from people who work on Wall St." or "I won't accept money from people who work in the telecomm industry" because both good and bad people work in those industries, both Republicans and Democrats.

[redqueen]

31. Don't put words in my mouth

I never said nor implied that Kucinich wouldn't like to have more funds.

Neither did I imply that he was 'not a politician'. (?!)

I do not think that Kerry should have turned away donors, but I do think that a review of his votes on the legislation is in order. If there's nothing there, then fine.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

43. Maybe I misread your previous comment.

I encourage you to review Kerry's voting record:

http://www.vote-smart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=S0421103
http://www.vote-smart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=S0421103

[blm]

37. A candidate cutting Defense programs and investing in envirobusinesses

is going to be a big deal to the stockmarket.

[kerrygoddess]

23. Kucinich's take:

Communic/Electronics $102,135
Defense $1,750 (maybe towards the Department of Peace?)
Finance/Insur/RealEst $57,030
Lawyers & Lobbyists $32,350

http://www.opensecrets.org/presidential/sector.asp?id=N00003572&cycle=2004

[Feanorcurufinwe]

21. Why couldn't Dean convince his Wall St. buddies to contribute?

Could it be that after all those years of picking winners and losers, they recognize a loser in Dean, and a winner in John Kerry?

[kerrygoddess]

32. What do you call investment bankers who donate to Rainforest Preservation

PHILANTHROPISTS:

Goldman Sach's has dontated to Kerry and Dean. They are on the "top 10" list. Seems that they do a lot of good for the world and the environment. Perhaps their interest in Kerry is because of his work for the Environment!
***************************

Goldman Sachs to Create Nature Reserve in South Chile
December 15, 2003
SANTIAGO, Chile - Investment bank Goldman Sachs said last week it would create a nature reserve in Tierra del Fuego in southern Chile in a stretch of rare forest acquired from a U.S. forestry company which had planned to harvest the timber.

Goldman Sachs obtained the land after purchasing defaulted bonds of the U.S.-based real estate and forestry firm Trillium Corporation.
The bank decided over the last week to transfer the land to its charitable fund which will work with conservation organizations in 2004 to manage the reserve...The 680,000 acres of lenga forest, which is similar to beech, is on Tierra del Fuego island, which Chile shares with Argentina. Lenga is found only in southern Chile and Argentina and is considered of significant ecological importance.


Rose said Goldman Sachs would set up a Chilean foundation and choose an environmental organization to manage the reserve by the end of 2004. "This is essentially a gift to the Chilean people," Rose said.
Environmentalists celebrated another victory in Chile this week when the government agreed to create a nature reserve out of a huge tract of land in southern Chile owned by millionaire U.S. businessman Douglas Tompkins.

http://www.ran.org/news/newsitem.php?id=861&area=home

[jpgray]

6. $187,000 lifetime contributions? LOL, divide that by 20+ years.

Feel free to post your results. :)

[blm]

8. This article proves how ETHICAL Kerry is. Thanks for posting.

Kerry received that money in individual donations from his brother's COWORKERS and did so over an 18 year period.

Bush gets that in one campaign cycle from one Pioneer.

Would you like to pretend that Kerry would NOT have received that money over an 18 yr. period from his BROTHER'S COWORKERS if he hadn't voted for telecom legislation in 1996 that benefitted one company that the firm represented? Didn't that legislation help Boston's tech corridor?

Can you please point to the quid pro quo as YOU see it?

[Snivi Yllom]

25. oops

we need an outsider

[Feanorcurufinwe]

27. Dean on donors: "they do get access — there’s no question about that"

But the governor himself has said the donations buy access. “People who think they’re going to buy a contract or buy some influence are mistaken,” Dean famously said during the debate over a campaign finance reform bill in 1996. “But they do get access — there’s no question about that. ...They get me to return their phone calls.”

<snip>

— After years of pushing for the companies to absorb the excess costs of their expensive contract with Hydro-Quebec, Dean’s Department of Public Service agreed to let ratepayers be billed for more than 90 percent of what those excess costs are expected to be in the coming years. The extra costs will be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

— The department also agreed to allow the utilities to sell Vermont Yankee to a Pennsylvania company for a price that was expected to be $23.8 million by the time the deal closed. Shortly before the Public Service Board was to make a final decision on that sale, another company stepped in and offered more than seven times as much. That sale to Entergy Nuclear Corp. is currently before the board.

— After it became clear in the late 1990s that selling Vermont Yankee was a top goal of the utilities, the administration failed to heed warnings for more than two years that the money the nuclear plant was paying for emergency planning was much less than was needed. An administration official said there was concern about interfering with the sale.
http://timesargus.nybor.com/Legislature/Story/43125.html

Nuclear power plant safety, or helping his energy industry buddies?

It's an easy choice for Dean.

[kerrygoddess]

34. Dean's Donors

AOL Time Warner $61,975

Microsoft Corp $25,100

IBM Corp $22,750

Goldman Sachs $16,000

Skadden, Arps et al $14,449

Citigroup Inc $14,100

Hewlett-Packard $12,850

McKenna, Long & Aldridge $12,700

Morgan Stanley $11,450

Walt Disney Co $11,450

http://www.opensecrets.org/presidential/contrib.asp?id=N00025663&cycle=2004

Retired $1,567,317

Lawyers/Law Firms $931,981

Education $718,705

Health Professionals $488,494

TV/Movies/Music $469,593

Misc Business $400,780

Business Services $398,433

Printing & Publishing $358,279

Securities & Investment $316,625

Real Estate $292,816

Computers/Internet $264,986

Misc Finance $211,754

Other $193,188

Civil Servants/Public Officials $183,279

Non-Profit Institutions $121,775

Hospitals/Nursing Homes $101,190

Construction Services $96,975

Misc Manufacturing & Distributing $57,350

http://www.opensecrets.org/presidential/indus.asp?id=N00025663&cycle=2004

[WilliamPitt]

28. Isn't AOL/TimeWarner Dean's biggest contributor?

Just askin'.

:)

[Julien Sorel]

29. This silly kind of shit is demeaning, and is the exact

sort of thing that put Dean in the hole in which he now so perfectly fits. Nobody gives a shit about Kerry's holdings, and 7-11% would just about match the telcom weighting of the S&P 500 anyway, so it isn't as if Kerry has poured money into the sector. People care about what a candidate will do for them, not the paranoid, stupid mudslinging that clownishly passes for debate here. Keep digging that hole deeper, and go onto your candidate's blog and urge everyone to do the same. The deeper Dean buries himself, and the deeper the ... interesting ... people who support him dig, the better for the Democratic party.

[JaneQPublic]

36. LOL! Afraid the target is going to be on your boy next? (nt)

[Joe the Revelator]

38. Petty Petty Petty

at least the attacks on Dean had merit. I think people can see through these types of attacks and relies that they come from nothing more then disappointment over Dean's finish in Iowa

[blm]

39. Point to the quid pro quo.

Would his brother and his coworkers NOT have donated to Kerry for 18 years if he hadn't voted for legislation that benefitted ONE of their clients in 1996?

[JaneQPublic]

44. He "sponsored or co-sponsored a number of bills favorable to the industry"

It's detailed in the article. Try reading it before you respond.

[blm]

45. I did. But you're avoiding the bottom line question.

Would his brother's coworkers NOT donate money over 18 years if Kerry had NOT voted in favor of legislation in 1996 that was also favorable to ONE of their clients?

[Julien Sorel]

41. Be my guest.

Keep inventing and attacking. It does wonders.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

42. Who Cares?

Kerry's no worse than any legislator in this system, and I think he is actually a man of good integrity.

DTH