2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumObama unlikely to go to NJ to stump for Barbara Bouno
That's totally fucked up.Some times democrats are there own worst enemy. http://www.northjersey.com/news/Trailing_in_polls_Christies_Democratic_opponent_Barbara_Buono_unlikely_to_lure_Obama_to_NJ.html?mobile=1&ic=1&iphone=1
forestpath
(3,102 posts)Rhetorical question. Of course he does.
JustAnotherGen
(31,818 posts)What he did was show up twice for the people who voted for him twice when his presence was sorely needed. NJ does not see candidates during Presidential elections, as we are not a battleground state. We don't see them the way a place like Florida does.
In attendance when he toured the damage the first time . . . Menendez and the late Lautenberg. Our Senators at the time - and Menendez not only ran against the opposition, but against Christie. He would be a better boost than Obama right now.
And when she closes it to 10% - we need him, Booker, and anyone else who can lend us a hand to get out here. It's not about Buono - it's about Democrats in NJ who really know this piece of crap that calls himself Governor.
But here's the thing - she already closed his lead by 10%. It's only 20% to go. And she acknowledges that we - the volunteers - are doing this. We are helping her to help ourselves.
There's a small part of me here that wants to win so we can thumb our noses. Just so we can. And not just at Republicans.
monmouth3
(3,871 posts)Divernan
(15,480 posts)It's damned heroic for a person to agree to be a candidate when the odds are great against them going in. It's called flying the flag for the party, and if the party wants to get people to do this, the party owes them some support - if not financial, at least a personal appearance by a high-ranking, well-known politician.
I suggest that Bill Clinton can forego the $1/2 million speaking fees he's currently expecting, and take a couple of months every two years to campaign, pro bono, for Democratic gubernatorial and congressional candidates, whether their races are close or not. "Unlike many presidents, Bill Clinton did not come from a wealthy family, nor did he have lucrative employment before his presidency. But since leaving office we estimate that Clinton has earned more than $125 million before taxes, with the vast majority of that coming from speaking fees." In other words, Clinton has used his status as ex-president to market himself to attain great wealth. I think this obliges him to give back to the party.
Read more: The Net Worth Of The American Presidents: Washington To Obama - 24/7 Wall St. http://247wallst.com/banking-finance/2010/05/17/the-net-worth-of-the-american-presidents-washington-to-obama/#ixzz2ctiubbq0
The Wall Street Journal, in evaluating the wealth of U.S. Presidents, identifies Clinton as the wealthiest living American ex-president. You got that right - wealthier than either of the Bushes.
His current worth is estimated at $55 million.Where did all that money come from? Speaking fees. CNN estimates he may have raked in as much as $89 million in speaking fees since he left the White House in 2001. " Unlike many presidents, Bill Clinton did not come from a wealthy family, nor did he have lucrative employment before his presidency. But since leaving office we estimate that Clinton has earned more than $125 million before taxes, with the vast majority of that coming from speaking fees. Clintons net worth was reduced in 2008 when his wife, Hillary Clinton, wrote off more than $13 million she loaned her campaign for her own presidential bid. Her campaign debt, once over $25 million, was just retired in January.
Read more: The Net Worth Of The American Presidents: Washington To Obama - 24/7 Wall St. http://247wallst.com/banking-finance/2010/05/17/the-net-worth-of-the-american-presidents-washington-to-obama/#ixzz2ctiubbq0
Bill Clinton has earned a whopping $500,000 speaking advance to deliver a 45 minute speech at the 90th birthday bash for Israeli President Shimon Peres putting Clintons price tag at roughly $11,100 per minute...."
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/bill-clinton-paid-500-000-speaking-advance-45-minute-speech-earning-11-100-minute-article-1.1361928#ixzz2ctfPeS2n
Earlier this week it was reported, including by TheBlaze, that former President Bill Clinton had charged his hosts $500,000, one year in advance, to deliver a 45 minute speech at an event honoring Israeli President Shimon Peress 90th birthday later this month.
That news sparked an outcry in Israel, because of the size of the honorarium and because a well-known non-profit group, the Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) was footing the bill for the speech along with the Peres Academic Center.
Now, the KKL-JNF says it is pulling its funding for the Clinton speech, with one member of the group telling the Israeli site Ynet, we decided to wash our hands of the event.
The half-a-million dollar payment was reported to be going to the William J. Clinton Foundation, not directly to the former presidents personal pocket.
Given the New York Times expose re the jumbled financial record-keeping/lack of boundaries between Clinton's Foundation, his wife's political activities and his personal wealth - one wonders where that money ended up. Further, after much negative publicity about this $1/2 million fee paid a year in advance for a 45 minute speech, Clinton indicated he would turn the money back to some Israeli charity.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/18/richest-us-presidents_n_2702647.html
In our updated list, the only currently living president who makes the wealthiest list is Bill Clinton, who now has an estimated net worth of $55 million. Clinton continues to make millions of dollars in speaking fees. This January, following an email from Bill Clinton to supporters, Hilary Clintons 2008 campaign debt was paid off.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/06/07/group-says-it-is-withdrawing-funding-after-outcry-over-500000-bill-for-bill-clintons-israel-speech/
A final comparison of Clinton to Truman. A quote from Truman's book, Mr. Citizen, published in 1960, expressing his opinion on declining offers of corporate positions at large salaries:
"I turned down all of those offers. I knew that they were not interested in hiring Harry Truman, the person, but what they wanted to hire was the former President of the United States. I could never lend myself to any transaction, however respectable, that would commercialize on the prestige and dignity of the office of the Presidency." Consequently, Harry Truman's net worth never reached one million dollars (calculated by the Wall Street Journal in 2010 dollars).
DFW
(54,369 posts)When people hire Bill Clinton to speak, it's not only because he used to be president. How often do prestige events seek to hire George W. Bush to speak? And what is he worth as a speaker anyway? $4.95?
Clinton happens to be a brilliant and charismatic speaker. I've seen him mesmerize a crowd both on TV and in a closed room from four feet away. His appeal is for real. His passion for charitable work is, too. Oh, he likes the money, don't get me wrong ("I've been poor and I've been rich and I like rich better" , but he knows that this point, he has enough of it, and puts plenty of what he takes in these days into the Foundation and the CGI.
If Buono's numbers improve, by the way, I think Obama will get involved, but Virginia must take priority at this point. Maybe Cory Booker can help in the way of joint appearances in the meantime. What we can't overcome is the fact that Christie did go to bat for his state after Sandy in a big way, and didn't hesitate to work with Obama on relief when it was needed. He had nothing to lose (except maybe Ann Coulter, and she's no loss) and everything to gain, and he made clever use of that while he could. He put a lot of political capital in the bank that Buono has no chance to match before the election. It will be a sly campaign manager indeed that can present Buono in such a light that NJ voters look beyond that.
JustAnotherGen
(31,818 posts)You need to check out some of the stories being kept out of the media about people who are still suffering. I know the glitz and glamour of him in those Federal Tax Payer funded Stronger Than The Storm 2016 Presidential Election Commercials are shiny and polished and make people all fuzzy and warm -
But at least here in NJ - Democrat rank and file voters are coming home.
They are remembering - oh that's right! Republican Governor means you run the risk of a vaginal probe. Come make calls or canvass with us. I had three of those calls last weekend on first reach outs. They said (Democrats not likely voters - one stayed home last election and two voted against Corzine) it - they mentioned it - not me.
If Sandy was Christies gift - all of these IndieTeaPublicans spouting nonsense is Buonos gift.
And all you have to is look at Christies positions and it's clear as day - he would be President Vaginal probe.
Watch this:
http://www.buonoforgovernor.com/news/blog/2013-08-hurricane-sandy-andreas-story
Those Federal Taxes you pay - went for this:
http://www.app.com/article/20130802/NJNEWS2003/308020098/Chris-Christie-Sandy-TV-ads?nclick_check=1
DFW
(54,369 posts)My sister lives in NJ, and her husband is a staunch union man who despises Republicans with a passion. He grudgingly gave Christie passing marks for not ignoring Sandy as the Gulf Republicans wanted him to. Even NY, with its Democratic governor, didn't clean up the Sandy mess overnight. My elder daughter, who lives in Manhattan, was a volunteer on a clean-up brigade, and she said she thought it would take years to fully fix the damage she saw.
As for the social issues, no argument there. But Christie is no fool. He will hide behind the visible parts of his Sandy engagement, use the pics with Obama to his advantage, and remain silent about his awful social agenda until after the election when it is no longer a liability.
If I still lived in North America, I might indeed have come make calls and canvas, but it is awkward doing that with a full time job in a time zone 6 hours ahead of yours,
JustAnotherGen
(31,818 posts)And then he misappropriated it for his own personal gain.
I hope your son in law realizes that Christie is no friend to the Union man and woman.
And it's not just social issues. We are near the bottom of the barrel for job growth and near the top for unemployment. And our education system sucks - and it's not the fault of the teacher's union. Look what that asshole just appointed in Camden NJ to "run" the schools.
He's a piece of shit - we all know it - we cannot give him one iota of credit. He's not a string leader. He just uses his obesity as a front to be a bully. A very nasty and spiteful man that one is.
DFW
(54,369 posts)And he has no illusions about Christie being a friend to anyone not in a position to give him money or advance his political career.
Liberal_Stalwart71
(20,450 posts)and wake up FAST!! They are being FOOLED by this asshole Christie. I know that some of them are waking up, but not fast enough for my taste.
former9thward
(31,994 posts)Apparently there are some groups out there willing to pay more than $4.95 for him. I would not pay a nickel for him but I would not pay to hear Clinton either. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/george-w-bush-rakes-15-million-speaking-fees-leaving-office-report-article-1.143215
Beacool
(30,247 posts)You are quoting from The Blaze, a RW site????????????
As for the NYT's article, Media Matters pointed out various flaws in the Times' article.
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2013/08/16/president-clinton-refutes-ny-times-errors-in-fo/195451
Divernan
(15,480 posts)Or his $500,000 fee for a 45 minute speech? And don't ignore my main point, which is that the Democratic party OWES support to people who agree to run in races they have no expectation of winning; and people like ex-presidents, who made their post-presidential fortunes from their status as ex-presidents, OWE something back to the party which enabled them to gain office. If Clinton had not been elected President, where would he be today? An ex-governor of Arkansas would not command 1/2 million for a speech. He'd be keynoting Chamber of Commerce state conventions scouting for legal clients for his Little Rock law firm. And if his wife were not considered a likely candidate for president, I doubt people would be nearly as generous in their gifts to his foundation. I believe the New York Times article discussed how potential donors to the Foundation were strong-armed into donating to his wife's campaign fund.
Greed, gluttony and lust are referred to as sins of excess. Clinton seems to have gotten his gluttony and lust under control, but his greed is running rampant. Greed is an inordinate desire to acquire or possess more than one needs, especially with respect to material wealth. Whether it is the obsession of an individual to accumulate boundless wealth, or a politician selling out to special interest lobbyists, or of a corporation maximizing profits by exploiting workers, and/or promoting/marketing weapons of war and violence, it is the premier vice/sin driving our civilization into the mud.
And here's another evaluation of Clinton's "fund-raising" for you:
Jonathan Tobin, Senior Online Editor of the conservative Jewish publication Commentary Magazine, criticized the former president for shaking down the charitable group which raises questions not only of good taste but also of the propriety of one charitable endeavor profiting at the expense of the other. In an article titled, Bill Clinton's Big Israeli Payday, Tobin writes:
We are constantly reminded of the fact that theres no better gig in the world than being an ex-president. With lucrative book contracts (for books that dont always get read but for which publishers feel obligated to shell out big bucks in advances), highly paid speaking engagements and uncounted perks as well as lifetime security, our former commanders-in-chief live the rest of their lives high on the proverbial hog. And when theyre done repairing their personal finances, they can start foundations and shake down everyone who wants their ear or to link their names with a former president. Thats pretty much the story of the last 12 years of Bill Clintons life, as he has become a wealthy man as well as one with a personal foundation to which he can funnel almost unlimited amounts of contributions from those who wish to earn his good will or that of his wife, who has her own eye on the White House in 2016.
But there is a point when even the usual post-presidential gravy train becomes excess and it appears that Clinton has reached just such a moment. By accepting a $500,000 honorarium from the Shimon Peres Academic Center, Clinton has exposed himself and his hosts (which include the Jewish National Fund, which is co-sponsoring the event as part of its presidents summit in Israel this summer) to scorn and criticism. Clinton apparently demanded that the Center and the JNF pony up a cool half million and deliver it to his foundation a year in advance to secure his appearance at an event honoring the Israeli presidents 90th birthday. This raises questions not only of good taste but also of the propriety of one charitable endeavor profiting at the expense of the other.
The Center and the JNF attempted to recoup some of the money by charging those who attended the gala to take place on June 17 in Reshoot, Israel approximately $800 a head. But Peres was scandalized by the idea of asking so much from those coming to his birthday party and the Times of Israel reports he said he wouldnt attend if it was nothing but a fundraiser.
I agree with Tobin that there is something unseemly (a mild term - I would use "offensive" about Clinton, who was scheduled to receive the Israeli Presidents Award from Peres at an event scheduled for two days later, shaking down the JNF and its donor base for this kind of money for his personal charity. As New York Magazine noted, that amounts to $11,111.00 per minute. Or as one commenter to the Times of Israel article linked below noted, " $185 per second: even when he coughs, pauses and yawns."
Tobin concluded:
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2013/06/04/bill-clintons-big-israeli-payday-shimon-peres-jewish-national-fund/
http://www.timesofisrael.com/jnf-to-pay-bill-clinton-500000-for-45-minute-talk/
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/06/bill-clinton-speech-peres-500000-dollars.html
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)A charity that has helped thousands of people.
While the republican way is to write some book or make some 'movie' (like palins movie) use millions in campaign funds to buy your own book or movie tickets..then give the book/tickets free as party favors.
oh hooray the books a best seller!! the movies a huge hit!! the author made millions!!
Beacool
(30,247 posts)When the NYT's wrote their flawed article on the Clinton Foundation, it was reported by other media that 5M people living with AIDS are alive today thanks to the foundation. Aside from the thousands of people whose lives have been made easier for the myriad other things they provide, such as health clinics, eye glasses, hearing aids, etc.
As for Bill being paid for giving speeches, why shouldn't he get paid if there are people willing to pay him?
The Clinton hate in this place gets depressing at times.
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)That help to humanity is aside from their Foundation.. a real charity not the scammer "political charities" republicans are famous for.
Divernan
(15,480 posts)Sunlei
(22,651 posts)There's no 'standard' donation people give what they can afford.
Divernan
(15,480 posts)Sunlei
(22,651 posts)At least he has a real foundation that helps people. Not a 'political charity' like republicans use to pay their 'speakers' thousands in 'donation' money.
Beacool
(30,247 posts)Bill's average fee for a speech is $200,000. Corporations and other entities are happy to pay that amount to hear him speak because he a) is a former president and b) he's Bill Clinton, a dynamic, brilliant and well informed man.
His paid speeches are not related to the money he raises for his foundation. His speeches are how he makes his living money.
Go pick on a Republican, why don't you?
Gee.............
Beacool
(30,247 posts)Bill has campaigned for many candidates and will continue to do so.
As for his getting paid for giving speeches, why do you give a fig if someone wants to pay him $500K for a speech? Lucky him.
AtomicKitten
(46,585 posts)excerpts:
The congressional candidates former President Clinton is supporting in 2012 have something in common: They all backed his wifes presidential bid four years ago.
Sources close to Clinton said he wants to help those who put themselves on the line to support the former first ladys campaign for the White House.
Clinton insiders, who requested anonymity to be able to speak candidly, said Clinton is willingly carrying the burden of repaying those who worked for his wife four years ago.
http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/house-races/222099-bill-clinton-enters-2012-race-to-back-his-wifes-supporters
Beacool
(30,247 posts)Hillary couldn't payback these people for their support because she was the SOS, so Bill helped out. Same as any other politician would have done.
AtomicKitten
(46,585 posts)And proof positive that the only team the Clintons play for is themselves.
Bill Clinton back out campaigning 'for everybody that helped Hillary run for president' against Obama.
excerpt:
Bill, hoarse-voiced but with a glint in his eye, explained that this was his 80th event. He made crystal clear just who he was representing on the campaign trail and it wasn't Obama. "I planned to do about one stop for everybody that helped Hillary run for president because she's one of only two members of the president's cabinet who cannot participate in politics," he said.
davidpdx
(22,000 posts)But she has a long ways to go to get it closer. I don't think it has anything to do with Christie as others are suggesting. If she loses big and Obama invests time it will be an embarrassment. As some others suggested sending Bill Clinton in would be a big boost. If I were a strategist I'd do that way before bringing in Obama. Clinton would rally the base and if the polls closed within 5% then bring in Obama.
brooklynite
(94,517 posts)Buono closed the gap BY 10%...she's still 20% behind.
JustAnotherGen
(31,818 posts)From the NJ Party bosses (all on the take) or national Democrats.
Cool.
If she wins - she's only beholden to the people of NJ.
Only 20% to go!
Beacool
(30,247 posts)I hope that it doesn't come back to bite us in the butt if Christie becomes the Republican nominee in 2016.
CBHagman
(16,984 posts)[url]http://www.buonoforgovernor.com/[/url]
mgcgulfcoast
(1,127 posts)christie smooched up to the president before the election so now the president is paying him back.
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)EDUCATION
ENVIRONMENT
HEALTHCARE
TRANSPORTATION
WORKING FAMILIES
GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION
LGBT
ECONOMY AND JOBS
JustAnotherGen
(31,818 posts)Chris Christie is clueless to the precarious situation of many working people in NJ.
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)hit places that NEVER flooded. I think the state has major issues maybe due to climate change or drainage issues where a sea surge means major disaster.
Christie better hope a another hurricane doesn't come while he's on duty. Because he's not spending any time on future planning for the next hurricane.
I bet his mansion didn't flood at all.
JustAnotherGen
(31,818 posts)I guess folks had it pretty easy up in Mendham.
If a frankenstorm or Hurricane hits this season - people are going to see just how little has been done. They will also see has no vision or leadership plan on the environment.
I don't think the shore has been shored up. Driving down to Long Branch (we are more Asbury Park and Deal beach goers) a few weekends ago - I was stunned at how many homes still bear the marks of Sandy.
Liberal_Stalwart71
(20,450 posts)for the Democrat, then the problem lies with Democrats in New Jersey. Fuck em!
Beacool
(30,247 posts)The behavior of various local Democratic politicians has been disgraceful. They more or less endorsed Christie by not endorsing or campaigning for Buono. Unfortunately, I think that he will win the election and become a top contender for 2016. If he becomes the Republican nominee, we may really have a fight on our hands. A pox on all these Democratic politicians in NJ who are sitting on their hands and not helping Buono.
The only plus I see is that the conservative base despises Christie and calls him a RINO. So maybe we'll be lucky and he won't win the nomination.
JustAnotherGen
(31,818 posts)tabbycat that is very hooked into campaigns here in NJ. Try to find that posters posts - because they have a really good finger on the pulse of the machine. My thought is that if Christie wins - we need to primary every single one of them. Flat out refuse to vote for anyone that endorsed Christie.
Beacool
(30,247 posts)tabbycat31
(6,336 posts)If anyone has any questions for me about NJ politics PM me.
I'm out of state now, but am still pretty connected.
JustAnotherGen
(31,818 posts)I couldn't remember the 'numbers' at the end of your user name.
Liberal_Stalwart71
(20,450 posts)to vote for Chris Christie! None at all!!
Liberal_Stalwart71
(20,450 posts)over Chris Christie. Why should Obama break his back trying to get them to like her, anyway. Fuck them!
If Democrats are stupid enough to vote for that asshole, then fuck them all!!
Why do they need Obama to tell them to vote for a fucking Democrat in a fucking BLUE state? They need to go to hell!!