Sanders plays politics distorting the facts for his own political agenda

[Evergreen Emerald]

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/senator-bernie-sanders-calls-hillary-clinton-foundation-money/story?id=30687863

"Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, said he is concerned by the millions of dollars flowing into the Clinton Foundation at a time when he thinks money plays too strong a role in politics.

“It tells me what is a very serious problem,” Sanders said in an interview with ABC News’ Chief White House Correspondent Jonathan Karl. “It's not just about Hillary Clinton or Bill Clinton. It is about a political system today that is dominated by big money. It's about the Koch brothers being prepared to spend $900 million dollars in the coming election."
------------------

The truth is that the goals of Koch and Adelson are nothing like the goals of the Clinton Foundation or Bill Gates Foundation. For him to lump them together is dishonest and playing the worst kind of politics.

Here is some of the live saving work the Clinton Foundation supports.
http://www.clintonfoundation.org/files/clintonfoundationaccomplishments.pdf
https://www.clintonfoundation.org/our-work/by-topic/climate-change

Climate Change:
Just one of many projects…
From making strides in energy efficiency through innovative business practices to a tree-planting program that generates income for farmers in Malawi, our work has reduced global greenhouse gas emissions by tens of thousands of tons per year while also creating local jobs and boosting economies. - See more at: https://www.clintonfoundation.org/our-work/by-topic/climate-change#sthash.jf6lcUd9.dpuf

Through our Trees of Hope program, more than 2,000 Malawian farmers have already planted more than 2 million trees, sequestering more than 200,000 tons of CO2. - See more at: https://www.clintonfoundation.org/our-work/by-topic/climate-change#sthash.jf6lcUd9.dpuf

Economic Development
Anchor Farm Project is one of many…
The Anchor Farm Project is a CDI-operated commercial farm that partners with thousands of neighboring smallholder farmers, providing them with access to quality inputs for maize and soy production as well as training and market accessSee more at: https://www.clintonfoundation.org/our-work/by-topic/economic-development#sthash.hKP0Fyfx.dpuf

Global Health:
By collaborating with manufacturers on the supply side and governments on the demand side – and transitioning the market to a high-volume, low-cost model – we have reduced the cost of key drugs and enabled millions of people to receive lifesaving treatment. We began our work in the Bahamas, and today, more than 70 countries are benefiting from treatments and diagnostics that we've helped to negotiate, and we've reduced the price of HIV/AIDS treatments up to 90 percent, and have provided more than one million HIV tests for infants in developing countries. - See more at:
https://www.clintonfoundation.org/our-work/by-topic/global-health#sthash.tzb9XRmR.dpuf

Women and Girls
Chakipi Acceso Distribution Enterprise
Chakipi Acceso is a last-mile distribution enterprise that equips women in Apurimac, Peru with sales skills training and consigned products such as packaged foods, personal care items, pharmaceuticals, solar lamps, and clean cookstoves
- See more at: https://www.clintonfoundation.org/our-work/by-topic/women-and-girls#sthash.279HxDcR.dpuf

Sanders supports are reacting in two ways:
1. denying he actually said what he indeed said
2. agreeing with him that the Clinton Foundation (and Hillary) is just as bad as Koch et. al.
Both are equally wrong, dishonest, ugly, and playing the worst kind of politics.

[shenmue]

1. True

[lumberjack_jeff]

2. Message coordination at its finest!

props to the Clinton Campaign - a very large and well oiled machine.

[Evergreen Emerald]

3. Nice attempt to personally attack me to avoid the FACTS

That takes some real talent to ignore the facts and go in for the attack.

[RobertEarl]

7. Let's hope that machine doesn't go over the cliff

When Bernie becomes the Democratic Party candidate for president, let us hope that the Clinton machine doesn't blow up like a nuke plant and pollute the atmosphere.

[Evergreen Emerald]

8. It won't, but the country will

Because a republican will become President. And we will continue down the porcelain bowl that Bush shoved American into when he was in office for eight years.

[RobertEarl]

10. Nah

Bernie will win because he is the people's candidate, not the big machine's candidate. You should not give up yet, there is still a chance we can save the country from the clutches of big money. Vote Bernie and do your part!

[Abukhatar]

31. ya lets play this along but

come election we better make sure the message gets out that we rally around one or the other else we get shafted

divide and conquer, split the vote, convince one group they have a chance to win...until it is too late

[John Poet]

48. THIS is the kind of BULLSHIT TALK

that will make it harder for me to vote for Hillary, if she's the nominee.

And I had NO problem doing it, before THIS kind of ASS-HATTERY got started.

Rethink your approach.

[NYC_SKP]

4. Nobody doubts that some good work is done, along with luxury African Safaris and Five Star meals.

Bill Clinton's Africa entourage
Donors and big campaign fundraisers join him on his annual foundation trip abroad.

On their nine-day trip to Africa, Bill and Chelsea Clinton are traveling with 20 wealthy donors and foundation supporters, a group that includes fundraisers for Hillary Clinton’s presidential bid and others who are expected to give generously to her campaign.

The opportunity to accompany Bill Clinton on trips across the globe on behalf of his philanthropic foundation has for years been considered both a reward for past donations and an inducement for future giving, say sources familiar with the foundation’s finance operation. This trip, they say, was an especially coveted invite — one that was extended to wealthy Clinton supporters.

Along this year for the annual foundation trip abroad is Jay Jacobs and his wife, Mindy, longtime Clinton fundraisers and foundation supporters. Jacobs, who has donated between $500,000 and $1 million to the foundation, is also a “Hillstarter,” a “Ready for Hillary” donor, and is planning to be a major fundraiser for Clinton campaign, as he was in 2008. Last month, Jacobs, the CEO of a chain of summer camps, brought Clinton in to give a paid speech at the American Camp Association, where he also lead a q-and-a session with her on the stage.

Lynn Forester de Rothschild is also on the trip; the billionaire CEO has donated between $100,000 and $250,000 to the foundation and her extended family has invested in the Clinton’s son-in-law’s hedgefund. De Rothschild has been a fierce Clinton supporter for years, and was one of the leading “PUMA” (“Party Unity My Ass”) activists after Clinton lost the Democratic primary to Barack Obama in 2008, going so far as to back Republican John McCain in the general election.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2015/04/bill-clintons-africa-entourage-117445.html#ixzz3Z68ZGgQQ

[Evergreen Emerald]

6. So what?

They get a nice hotel while they save the world.

[NYC_SKP]

11. So it's wasting the money given to help the poor. I'm embarrassed by that indulgence.

Only horrible people do that, take money and spend it on themselves and then take money to run for office from the same people.

[Evergreen Emerald]

22. You may want to look at the sources I posted and this:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026613995

[NYC_SKP]

24. I have gone over the Clinton Foundation financials, Form 990s, etc.

Only 32% of CGI revenue was spent on grants paid out.

Reported prior year figures reported on their 2013 Form 990:

Revenue: $28,221,924

Grants paid: $8,975,872

Salaries, benefits: $6,949,577

Other expenses: $12,296,668

Less than 32% of the revenue was spent on grants paid out.
Over 24% was spent on salaries and benefits.
"Other expenses" accounted for almost 44%.

http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2013/271/551/2013-271551550-0b0d6513-9.pdf

Not very charitable when you look at the details:



Hang on, there's more...

[NYC_SKP]

25. More from Clinton Foundation IRS forms. Damn, I'd like salaries like these!

.

Here, let me educate you and other readers:

It's a complex series of businesses within the greater organization:





And their expenses versus revenue figures are red flags for a supposed non-profit.





And the salaries, $464,229 plus benefits, OMG!





Really, Hillary should have recused herself from making decisions with potential donors to their foundation, or the foundation should have refused the money.

This is the classic conflict of interest she's put herself in, and by extension, MY PARTY.

She needs to go away.

[Evergreen Emerald]

35. I see that you have no experience

Running charity organizations. And the information you combed over, you have interpreted with no context or definitions.

Your bias is showing: "She needs to go away." Says it all.

[okaawhatever]

39. You mean the 500 anti-Hillary posts didn't give it away? nt

[GeorgeGist]

5. Interestingly ...

nothing in the video clip at your link backs up Jonathan Karl's claims. Wouldn't be the first time that Mr. Karl just makes shit up.

[leftofcool]

9. And that is just a small list of the good things done by the CGI.

It is indeed dishonest to lump the CGI with the Koch Bros.

[Evergreen Emerald]

12. Exactly. n/t

[magical thyme]

13. You left out the second half of the quote.

“So do I have concerns about the Clinton Foundation and that money? I do,” he added. “But I am concerned about Sheldon Adelson and his billions. I’m concerned about the Koch Brothers and their billions. We're looking at a system where our democracy is being owned by a handful of billionaires.”

They asked him specifically about Clinton. He used that question as a seque into his concerns about billions buying elections.

How do you think he should have answered the question? Do you honestly think that asked about the potential for influence via the Clinton Foundation, he was going to answer that there couldn't possibly be any influence?

Even Hillary herself has failed to answer that question directly. Asked a simple yes/no question:

"Secretary Clinton, your reaction please to these book allegations? Did foreign entities receive any special treatment for making any kind of donations to the foundation or your husband?"—ABC in Keene, New Hampshire, April 20

Clinton: "Well, we're back into the political season, and therefore we will be subjected to all kinds of distraction and attacks. And I'm ready for that. I know that that comes unfortunately with the territory. It is, I think, worth noting that the Republicans seem to be talking only about me. I don't know what they'd talk about if I weren't in the race. But I am in the race, and hopefully we'll get on to the issues, and I look forward to that."
http://www.nationaljournal.com/2016-elections/here-are-all-seven-media-questions-hillary-clinton-has-answered-during-her-campaign-20150427

[Evergreen Emerald]

14. So Have you now

Accused Clinton of quid pro quo? Such reckless accusations with nothing but right wing lies and distortion so toback him up.

[magical thyme]

15. no, nor has Sanders. Only Hillary can answer the question about Hillary.

Again -- how would *you* have answered that question?

He was asked about Hillary specifically. That is not a question he is in a position to answer -- only Hillary knows the answer.

I can't help that she didn't answer it, nor can I answer why she didn't say "no." Maybe she chose not to dignify it with an answer. Or, as I posted elsewhere, maybe she is so accustomed to deflecting questions that she automatically deflected.

So Sanders deflected the specific question to a general one about billionaires such as the Koch bros. and the others he listed.

[Evergreen Emerald]

17. I would have given him a list of life-saving

accomplishments that Clinton Foundation has done and likened them to Bill Gates--and not Koch.

Come, on. He is playing politics and attempting to cut down the competition a peg or two.

Ya know, he is human. Everything he does is not butterflies and flowers. He is not perfect and Clinton is not evil incarnate.

[magical thyme]

19. which is irrelevent to the question of whether the Clintons gave preferential treatment to donors

and there is no justification for any candidate to use their interview re: their candidacy to advertise the Clinton Foundation. The Foundation can pay for its own advertising.

[Evergreen Emerald]

20. You are now suggesting

that Clinton as Secretary of State committed illegal acts?

(Shake my head and sigh).

Dang. It gets ugly around here when the rightwing bigfatlie attacks are considered valid.

[magical thyme]

23. No I'm not. THAT IS THE QUESTION THAT SANDERS WAS ASKED!

That is the question that Sanders refused to take as bait, and smartly re-directed to the general issue of too much money in politics.

sheesh, you need to work on your reading comprehension. Sanders did not lie and is not a liar.

He was asked a "gotcha" question about Hillary and re-directed it to a general issue.

[PosterChild]

34. My answer would have been....

"No, I am not worried about donations to a charity that does good for the people of the world. I am worried about the Koch brothers trying to buy elections."

[magical thyme]

36. there is a reason they are concerned about the donations. it's not about what the charity does.

the question behind the question was about whether or not the donors get preferential treatment.

Bernie sidestepped that trap and changed the subject to one of his issues.

[PosterChild]

37. I think he could have done a better job - shut that crazy talk down completely /nt/

[BrotherIvan]

42. That's not his job

It's Hillary's job

[PosterChild]

44. No, civility in public discourse is a duty, ..

and it especially falls upon those seeking public office. As opposed to utilizing, encouraging or exploiting such misleading rhetoric.

[BrotherIvan]

45. He said, "I have concerns, I do"

It is her job to definitively put them to rest. Just to decide that something is off limits and is the third rail for your candidate is absurd. You know what ends all rumors: transparency, honesty. Put it out in the open, talk about it, and move on. Don't leave it hanging there for people to speculate on. Clinton should be on the shows talking about her platform, talking about what she plans to do for the American people, and squelching the talk of foundation cash. So far, she has answered very few questions at all about anything. I think her advisers are giving her extremely poor advice.

[PosterChild]

46. I read several different reports of his remarks....

... so I am well aware of what he said and the context. You are right, Hillary has the responsibility to address those concerns. I am right, Bernie has the responsibility not to exaggerate and exploit those concerns through moral equivication with the Koch brothers' propaganda machine.

[BrotherIvan]

47. I don't think Jeb will pull any punches

One of the many compliments I will give to Hillary is that I think she can take it. She is strong and a fighter and the Clintons have weathered many storms and always come out on top. I think her shellacking of the cretins in the Benghazi hearings was a thing of beauty. I think when she is strong and states her mind she is at her best.

[DFW]

16. About ten years ago, Bill Clinton remarked on the costs of the CGI compared to government help

He said that when he was in office and the Federal Government was involved in aid programs to third world nations, that costs ate up about 25% of the money they had available. He said that the CGI managed to do the same work or better with costs eating up only 4% of the money they had. When asked how come such a difference, he said, "because we were stupid, that's why!"

[karynnj]

18. Consider the meaning of "but" - it is used to CHANGE the topic of conversation

While saying he is concerned about the foundation -- and note the Senate was concerned before she was confirmed - hence the agreement that the Foundation basically ignored at a later point.

This is NOT equating the two - it is saying he is more concerned about the latter.

[AtomicKitten]

38. good analysis

[PosterChild]

21. equivocating the Clinton foundation with...

... the koch's political proaganda programs is a dirty smear.

[cyberswede]

26. So it's good that he didn't do that.

I presume you meant "equating" - he did no such thing.

[PosterChild]

33. The quote in the OP...

... Which is repeated in two other OPs, is a very clear attempt to equivicate the fund raising activity of the Clinton Foundation with the Koch brothers' propaganda operations.

By equivication, I mean moral equivication: Moral equivalence is a form of equivocation often used in political debates. It seeks to draw comparisons between different, often unrelated things, to make a point that one is just as bad as the other or just as good as the other.

http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Moral_equivalence

[Gothmog]

29. Agreed

This is an act of a typical politician

[Thinkingabout]

27. Could I ask what the Sanders charity has done?

Bernie should keep the subject between the lines. Jumping on the trash CGI and lump I with the Koch Brothers and Sheldon Adelson is not comparing like items. Bernie will have to do better. I realize this plays to his base but there are not enough votes in his base to get elected.

[Gothmog]

28. Bernie is going to bed with the right wing and the author of the Clinton Cash book

That is very very sad. I guess Bernie is a typical politician who can only win by tearing down the other side because he can not sell his own ideas

[Historic NY]

30. Well its finnally happening.......

just what the fucking GOP wants a my dog is better than your dog division here. Some of the same fucking people that get passes time and time again get to set the tone. And then it the usual non-democrats that come here to stir shit.

[hedda_foil]

40. Oh boy! My first political hide of the pre-season events!

Team Hillary's oppo is on the job.

[Evergreen Emerald]

41. I always wonder about people on a discussion

Board hiding posts....why not just talk to yourself in the mirror?

[ucrdem]

43. Gross. Next up: Greenwald's glowing endorsement followed by Asshat's.

And the charade will continue until Jebster wins in Nov. 2016.