Biden to Attend Fundraiser Held by Fossil Fuel Company Founder After Climate Fourm

[HiloHatti]

THE DAY AFTER Joe Biden participates in CNN’s climate forum in New York, the former vice president will head to a high-dollar fundraiser co-hosted by a founder of a fossil fuel company.

Andrew Goldman, a co-founder of Western LNG, a natural gas production company based in Houston, Texas, is co-hosting one of two high-dollar fundraisers Biden will attend in New York on Thursday. Western’s major project is a floating production facility off the northern coast of British Columbia designed to provide Canadian gas to markets in northeast Asia.

Goldman and Biden have deep ties: Goldman served as an adviser to Biden while he was in the Senate and was the northeast director of finance for Biden’s 2008 campaign. He’s also an executive at the investment banking firm Hildred Capital Partners. He and his partner at the firm, David Solomon, along with their wives Renee and Sarah, will host a private fundraiser for Biden at the Solomon house, CNBC reported. Goldman also co-founded De Cordova Goldman Capital Management, which invested in “natural resources and energy.”

According to the company’s website, Western deploys “innovative floating liquefaction technology at inland locations, specifically those that have existing pipeline access to natural gas basins.” The group says it’s “opening up markets for these resources, which are stranded behind burgeoning shale production.”

https://theintercept.com/2019/09/04/after-climate-forum-biden-heads-to-a-fundraiser-co-hosted-by-a-fossil-fuel-executive/

Not that I needed any more information to eliminate considering Biden, this is the last straw. Automatically disqualified

[floppyboo]

1. I felt for poor ol Uncle Joe

Both the kid and Cooper had the facts, but his excuse was he didn't know. He needs to fire some staff.

[BannonsLiver]

6. Is "kid" a new synonym for Sanders campaign operative?

[W_HAMILTON]

11. Actually, they apparently didn't have the facts.

At the end, Cooper had to clarify that the person did not currently have any role in the fossil fuel company, essentially confirming the fact that Biden and his team were CORRECT.

[George II]

23. Facts can be so inconvenient sometimes, can't they? Thanks!

[floppyboo]

67. Has he cancelled his fundraiser?

The guy is a major shareholder and co-founder. Don't know what his role was when he was one of Biden's 2008 campaign dude.

[W_HAMILTON]

73. I don't know that he should cancel the fundraiser.

This is the pledge being referred to:

"Taking the pledge means that a politician and their campaign will adopt a policy to not knowingly accept any contributions over $200 from the PACs, lobbyists, or SEC-named executives of fossil fuel companies — companies whose primary business is the extraction, processing, distribution, or sale of oil, gas, or coal."

How is he violating that pledge by attending a fundraiser that is co-hosted by someone that co-founded a company years ago but no longer has a current role in operations of the company?

[floppyboo]

75. I guess to some, the pledge isn't the main issue. 'It's the climate, (whatever bill said)"

[LanternWaste]

63. This is troubling for Bernie.

[progressoid]

68. wut?

[floppyboo]

76. As it should be for all citizens of the world. Good point.

edit: now he's got to be concerned about not only getting his message out, but educating Joe too.
edit again, thinking about it: it was fun for about a minute, now its not. I apologize to myself. feeling dirty. will take a shower.

[msongs]

2. so if biden is the dems nominee u will not vote for him. nt

[HiloHatti]

5. I Voted For HRC

And even though I live in Hawaii that will vote Blue no matter who the nominee is, I’ll vote for Biden...but I don’t think he’ll beat Trump.

[thesquanderer]

17. I think it's safe to assume that when someone on DU says they won't vote for someone...

...they almost certainly mean in the primary, and not that they wouldn't vote for him/her against Trump.

[at140]

33. SO obvious, but thanks for stating it again..nt

[BannonsLiver]

3. DISQUALIFYING!11!1

[True Dough]

4. The link is to The Intercept, whom I don't trust

but they cite a CNBC report in their story. That's really poor judgement, if true.

[Kurt V.]

78. the intercept has top notch journalists and do great reporting ( founder aside )

[EveHammond13]

7. don't care

[emulatorloo]

8. I wouldn't believe the Intercept if their tongue came notarized. They are good at half-truth smears

They were adamant that Russian interference in 2016 never happened. Glenn Greenwald was a frequent guest on Tucker Carlson show saying that.

Thanks for posting though.

[BannonsLiver]

10. +1

I’m constantly amazed people think it is a reputable news organization.

[George II]

25. Isn't Glenn Greenwald BFFs with Edward Snowden and Julian Assange?

[DrFunkenstein]

48. You Mean The Guy Who Won a Pulitzer and a Polk Award For Journalism?

He was a long-time reporter for The Guardian.

[oasis]

9. Joe's dedication to the issue of climate change is what really matters.

The staff of TheIntercept and Andrew Goldman most likely believe in science and are confident Joe will do all in his power to protect our planet.

[BannonsLiver]

15. I have no idea who Goldman is

But I can say without hesitation The Intercept (Glenn Greenwald) will work their collective asses off to make sure Joe Biden is never elected president. Believe that.

[George II]

26. And they'll probably work their collective asses off to make sure no Democrat is elected President.

[DrFunkenstein]

51. This Seems to Be a Recurrent Attack - Opposition to Biden is Opposition to The Democratic Party

It's a pretty transparent logical fallacy.

[emulatorloo]

79. No, Glenn Greenwald has a track record of writing negative op-eds about Democrats

That’s a fact. Add that to his frequent appearances of Tucker Carlson’s show to disparage Democrats and prop up Trump’s talking points about Russian interference.

No one here said “opposition to Biden is Opposition to the Democratic Party.” Try not to put words into DU’ers mouths they did not say.

[oasis]

27. Goldman's the guy who Joe's suppose to go easy on because

he's hosting the big dollar powwow.

[Autumn]

12. When it comes to climate change I'm with Kamala. Lead. Follow. Or Get Out The Way.

Link to tweet

[Sherman A1]

18. Interesting

I wasn't aware that the Executive Branch could dictate to the Legislative Branch how it conducts it's business or itself?

[George II]

29. A President can act in various ways and even issue Executive Orders, but he/she can't establish...

...either House rules or Senate rules. Any candidate that doesn't realize that (particularly one in the Senate) needs to step back and think about that.

[Autumn]

37. LBJ used to twist arms and lean on senators to get what he wanted, I'm sure Harris will be nicer

when she uses the bully pulpit


http://mentalfloss.com/article/18463/lbj-president-who-marked-his-territory

LBJ: The President Who Marked His Territory
BY JENNY DRAPKIN APRIL 18, 2008
National Archives
NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Lyndon Baines Johnson wanted to be remembered as the greatest president who ever lived. With that grand ambition in mind (and an ego to match), he launched such sweeping social programs as Medicare, Medicaid, Head Start, public radio, public television, and food stamps. Regardless, Johnson will probably be best remembered for his blinding arrogance, and what many would point to as the result of it—the Vietnam War.

But here, we're choosing to remember Johnson not by the many political wheels he set into motion, but by the stuff he kept by his side—and close to his heart.

His Toilet

Johnson lived to dominate, and he used crass behavior to bend people to his will. At 6-ft., 3-in. tall and 210 lbs., he liked to lean over people, spitting, swearing, belching, or laughing in their faces. Once, he even relieved himself on a Secret Serviceman who was shielding him from public view. When the man looked horrified, Johnson simply said, "That's all right, son. It's my prerogative." His favorite power ploy, however, seemed to be dragging people into the bathroom with him—forcing them to continue their conversations with the president as he used the toilet.

https://www.google.com/search?q=LBJ+photos+leaning+into+a+senator&rlz=1CAMWDF_enUS819&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=2yKtAPBr5pxh1M%253A%252CbvMzcPY3v2cV0M%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kTlPPZBbD8ayYldzoRare6GQ8MC0w&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwimjbejyrjkAhVOxVkKHdYoA4AQ9QEwAnoECAMQDA#imgrc=2yKtAPBr5pxh1M:&vet=1

[Sherman A1]

60. Twisting arms and using a bully pulpit are certainly within reason

stating that you will change the rules of the Senate as President is simply not either proper or possible.

[treestar]

61. IT's not the 60s any more

You are admiring the person described in that final paragraph? SMH.

[Autumn]

62. I admire that he was able to get things. Things like

Medicare, Medicaid, Head Start, public radio, public television, and food stamps. Ya know, things like that that benefit people. None of that shit would happen today with people like the republicans, who use their bully pulpit to keep their people in line to do shit like vote to cut Medicare, Medicaid, head start, destroy Obamacare that their own constituents rely on and all that other stuff.

[treestar]

65. So you are saying Congress did not want any of that

And they only voted for it because they were bullied.

[Lulu KC]

13. I dislike this, too, but

a friend who lives in Oregon who has worked hard for years fighting environmental degradation says that Asia, particularly China, switching to NG in the way described is a good first step away from coal. I never researched it enough to argue with him skillfully.
Still, of course, I don't dislike everything Joe does and I will certainly vote for him if he wins the nomination--without questions!

[redstateblues]

14. A swing. A miss. The intercept-really?

Try harder

[HiloHatti]

16. Here's CNBC's version

“...Andrew Goldman, a co-host of the event, was once a senior advisor to Biden when he represented Delaware in the U.S. Senate. After working with Biden, he later co-founded Western LNG, a natural gas production and transportation company out of Houston, Texas. Biden was one of at least 18 candidates to pledge not to take campaign contributions from the fossil fuel industry.”

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/04/joe-biden-goes-to-wall-street-for-fundraisers-after-climate-town-hall.html

[W_HAMILTON]

21. Wrong:

Link to tweet

[HiloHatti]

22. Sorry, An explanation is in order.

Goldman lists on LinkedIn that he's still a part of the company and the company lists him on their website as a part of the leadership. I’ll concede that Biden may not have known, but Goldman and Biden go back together for at least 10 years. So I’m suspicious. Cancelling that fundraiser would solve any issues.

[W_HAMILTON]

24. He is listed as a co-founder.

Anderson Cooper clarified -- conveniently at the end of Biden's town hall -- that Goldman has no role or responsibilities in the day-to-day operations of the company. If this is true, the question from that Sanders supporter and CNN's allowing it to be asked was a sad attempt at a hatchet job on Biden.

[George II]

31. Solve what "issues"?

[HiloHatti]

35. That Biden Pledged not to Accept Any Money

From the fossil fuel industry. Cancel the fundraiser and all doubts will be erased and he will be absolutely true to his pledge.

[George II]

38. Are any of the contributions (in the future, btw) from the fossil fuel industry?

[melman]

28. "He's not involved in the day to day operation"

Weasel words.

[W_HAMILTON]

30. No they're not.

What was weaselly was CNN allowing a Sanders supporter to ask a hatchet question of Biden that was apparently completely wrong in its premise.

[melman]

36. Yes they are

His involvement in "day to day operations" is an irrelevant technicality. Assuming it's even true to begin with.

Which seems doubtful given the fact his name is still on the 'leadership' page of their website.



https://www.westernlng.com/about

[W_HAMILTON]

42. A co-founder is a co-founder forever.

That doesn't necessarily mean they have a current role in the organization. I am sure the campaign will ask Goldman about his actual current connection with the company and if it turns out he has a more active role than was known, they will not go forward with the fundraiser. Having said that, the question itself was a hatchet job and it speaks poorly of that Sanders supporter and CNN for not properly vetting the question ahead of time.

And a clip about Cooper having to go back and correct their mistakes:

Link to tweet

[melman]

45. "That doesn't necessarily mean they have a current role in the organization."

It doesn't fucking matter what the "current role" is.

[W_HAMILTON]

50. Yes it does.

Read the fucking pledge:

"I pledge not to take contributions over $200 from oil, gas, and coal industry executives, lobbyists, and PACs and instead prioritize the health of our families, climate, and democracy over fossil fuel industry profits."

If Goldman is not any of those things, how the fuck is Biden breaking the pledge he signed?

[melman]

53. Right

Because it doesn't specifically say "super-rich energy company founders" that makes it okay.


Stop.

[W_HAMILTON]

55. Facts matter.

Face it: it was a cheap gotcha question and it turned out to be based on a completely false premise.

[melman]

56. Nope

It wasn't a cheap gotcha and the premise wasn't false.

[W_HAMILTON]

59. Yes, it absolutely was.

The question asked by that Sanders supporter was "how can we trust you to hold these corporations and executives accountable for their crimes against humanity when we know that tomorrow you are holding a high-dollar fundraiser hosted by Andrew Goldman, a fossil fuel executive?"

Goldman is apparently NOT a fossil fuel executive and Anderson Cooper had to clarify that at the very end of Biden's town hall segment. CNN should have fact checked that Sanders supporter's question BEFORE it was asked, not after Biden said that, no, Goldman was not an fossil fuel executive based on the information his campaign had.

Shame on you for continuing to perpetrate this lie. Is it really worth your candidate winning the nomination if it takes lies against the opposition to do so?

[Hassin Bin Sober]

66. Andrew Goldman is listed on their page as part of the company "leadership"

I mean besides being a founder - which makes this silly hair splitting beyond ridiculous - he’s part of the company LEADERSHIP.


It’s right there in frogging bold faced type. Next to the President/CEO and senior VPs.


https://www.westernlng.com/about

https://www.westernlng.com/about#

[W_HAMILTON]

71. He's listed as a co-founder.

He will be a co-founder as long as the company exists -- that doesn't mean he has any current role in the company. I just recently worked for a company myself that lists one of the co-founders on a page like that, but they didn't have any active role in the operation or direction of the company -- it was just a legacy listing.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

72. So they are lying when he is listed as part of the leadership team?

Good lord...

[W_HAMILTON]

74. Who knows, but I'm sure the Biden team will ask about it.

Kinda like that Sanders supporter and CNN should have asked about it before allowing such a false premised question to be asked in the first place. A pathetic attempt at a hatchet job. If a Biden supporter had angrily asked Sanders a question whose entire premise was a lie, there would be no end to the """rigging""" and """corporatist media""" conspiracy theories we'd be enduring right now.

[Thekaspervote]

54. You nailed it!!

[Hassin Bin Sober]

69. How about when they are listed as a "leader" on the company website?

lead·er·ship
/ˈlēdərˌSHip/
noun
the action of leading a group of people or an organization.


From the “about us” page on Western LNG

[George II]

39. Can you explain that?

[melman]

41. Explain what?

[George II]

44. Didn't think so.

[melman]

47. If you want something explained

You should be able to say what it is.

[George II]

49. I have. Nothing has been forthcoming.

[melman]

52. No you didn't

You just said "that"


Does that mean explain the common term weasel words? Or does it mean explain how it is that's what she's doing.


I don't know. Because you would not say.


But that's okay we both know you didn't want any explanations anyway.

[George II]

57. Reread the subthread, okay?

[MarcA]

58. Agreed. A distinction without a difference. n/t

[LanternWaste]

64. This is troubling for Bernie.

[progressoid]

70. Indeed. n/t

[thesquanderer]

19. I'd like to hear more, but I think these purity tests can get out of hand.

Look hard enough, you'll find something "disqualifying" about everyone.

[Joe941]

20. This is concerning.

[WA-03 Democrat]

34. No it isn't

[jalan48]

32. Say it ain't so Joe.

[George II]

43. We don't need to wait for Joe, it ain't so.

[Ninga]

40. Geez peeps.i heard Joe say that as President he had no jurisdiction over States rights, but that

he would absolutely ban fracking on all Federal lands, and immediately order investigations into all the processes and effects of fracking.

[tirebiter]

46. Let's win this thing

Last edited Thu Sep 5, 2019, 12:18 AM - Edit history (1)

yes we really can

[underthematrix]

77. This is good news but to understand that you'll

have to metaphorically play the tape all the way through.

[Indykatie]

80. I'm A Big Biden Supporter but He/His Team Made A Rookie Mistake on This Fund Raiser. Optics Matter.