Edwards Slams Top Clinton Strategist's Ties to Blackwater

[jsamuel]

Source: ABC News

In a scathing attack, Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards went after front-runner Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., Friday, calling her a "corporate Democrat," comparing top Clinton campaign strategist Mark Penn to former Bush aide Karl Rove and assailing Penn's ties to Blackwater USA, the embattled private firm of military contractors accused by the Iraqi government of firing upon and killing 11 unarmed Iraqi civilians last month.

"Bush has been a perfect example of cronyism because Blackwater has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to Republicans and to President Bush," Edwards said in an interview with the Associated Press while campaigning in Iowa. "I also saw this morning that Sen. Clinton's primary adviser, Mark Penn, who is like her Karl Rove -- his firm is representing Blackwater."

...

In addition to his role as a top campaign consultant to the Clinton campaign, Mark Penn is the worldwide president and CEO of Burson-Marsteller. The firm's lobbying subsidiary BKSH helped Blackwater's top executive, Erik Prince, prepare for his congressional testimony this week.

Penn could not be reached for comment, but Burson-Marsteller spokesman Paul Cordasco said in a statement that "through a personal relationship, BKSH, a subsidiary of Burson-Marsteller, helped Blackwater prepare for their recent hearing before Congress. With the hearing over, BKSH's temporary engagement has ended."

The Clinton campaign had no comment.

Read more: http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/Story?id=3694881&page=1

---

http://jsamuelirregular.blogspot.com

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Donate!
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Kos had a post on Mark Penn earlier today:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/10/5/121023/721

[saracat]

1. No comment.Just like those who are asked to defend her votes. Go John.

[rinsd]

3. Wow it was up for all of 3 minutes.

:eyes:

Penn's PR firm was retained by law firms for the Blackwater and their contract is now over.

I guess I should be "proud" of Edwards undertaking this attack himself instead of hiding behind his wife like he usually does.

[saracat]

5. And Hill's using Bill as an attack dog doesn't count eh? Why does Hillary associate with people like

Penn and Murdoch? Why?

[TomInTib]

6. Because she is no different than the rest of 'em.

Sellouts, all.

Bought and sold, packaged and delivered.

[dickbearton]

48. If this is true, this should bring her down...

but of course the Criminal Bush was elected twice, when his
incompetence and corruption was known; but largely covered up.

[Blue Fire]

87. You can buy what you want at Wal-Mart.

But you don't actually get what you need.

[leftist_not_liberal]

125. Bought and sold, packaged and delivered.

True, indeed.

Moreso than most know...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=1987870&mesg_id=1988347

[sarcasmo]

153. Bingo.

[rinsd]

7. When you're derided as the "Breck Girl", having your wife do your attacking is stupid strategy.

None of the Dems will use that but you can bet your ass the GOP will.

[saracat]

9. And when your husband is called, I refuse to even say what the RW call Bill

it may be running on his legacy is not so intelligent either.The hatred of Clinton is still very real.Rest assured, he will be associated with all the GOP salaciousness.This can be turned against the Clintons. It serves as a reminder!

[RoccoR5955]

140. Hatred of Clinton is a MYTH!

Bill Clinton had a 60 some percent approval rating as his impeachment was going on. The only ones who 'hate' him are the same people who still love Bushco, Inc.

Personally, I believe that Mr. Clinton was the best Republican president we ever had. Mrs. Clinton will probably be as good.

Kucinich and Edwards are my candidates, in that order.

[Inspired]

16. So what does this have to do with Blackwater?????

[saracat]

18. Nothing. It was a side issue because Blackwater associations can't be defended!

So they attack Elizabeth and call John the Bdreck girl! Sigh.

[dickbearton]

50. Exactly, what the "Breck Girl" comment really shows is how stupid the Republicans are.

It says so much more about the person making the comment then
the person commented upon.

[martymar64]

135. Attacking the messenger and not the message

typical

[itsrobert]

27. Double standard. The Clintonites give Bill a free pass, but attack Elizabeth Edwards

Can someone say Sex discrimination?

[itsrobert]

28. Delete

nt

[emilyg]

42. Bill has never attacked.

[jgraz]

91. Hillary certainly did in '92

She slimed her way all up and down Wisconsin spreading lies about Jerry Brown.

[AdHocSolver]

97. Clinton needs the money and marketing expertise of the right wing to give her an image of leadership

Most Americans, of whatever party, are looking for a strong leader to undo the damage created by Bush/Cheney. Hillary Clinton is NOT a leader. She waits to see what the other candidates' positons are on the issues and then copies the ones that seem to have the best traction with the public. Her policies are announced with great fanfare and are designed to gull people into believing that she originated them.

One example is her so-called "health care reform package". Edwards came out with his plan months ago (around February, IIRC), and Obama announced his previously, also. The media played up Clinton's package as if it were "original", when her plan was a watered-down version of Edwards' and Obama's plans, and as people on DU pointed out elsewhere, favors the insurance companies over the people.

A more recent example is the "anti-torture" pledge. Hillary was the last to sign on, and then apparently only because of the bad publicity it generated against her for not doing so.

The current crop of Republican candidates is generating so little enthusiasm among Republicans, that many would likely not even vote in 2008. However, consider that a Hillary Clinton candidacy would energize the right-wing and all Republicans to such a frenzy that there would be record turnouts to defeat her. This would not only give the Republicans eight more years in the White House, but through the coattail effect, could give them back Congress as well.

Hillary Clinton could not become the Democratic nominee without Republican money and Republican marketing expertise. That is why she associates with Penn and Murdoch.

A more enlightening question to answer is why right-wing Republicans such as Penn and Murdoch would help a Democrat such as Hillary Clinton. Perhaps my reply to your question provides an answer.

[crikkett]

109. money money money

money makes the world go round and round and round
-bryce robbley

[EFerrari]

11. Why should he "hide" behind Elizabeth? She seems to have

a mind of her own. We normally call that "partnership".

[saracat]

15. Only the Clintons are allowed to have a "partnership".At least Elizabeth

has never inferred she would be a "co-president" and expressed contempt for "cookie baking women who stood by their man" Oops, didn't Hillary "stand by her man"? Talk about a remark coming back to bite you in the butt!

[EFerrari]

17. I wish I could vote for Elizabeth OR Teresa.

:)

[saracat]

19. Me too, but I am happy with John!

[EFerrari]

20. I'd be very happy with any one of the four of them.

They are smart people with a great deal of integrity, imho. We'd be so lucky to have any of them. :)

[saracat]

23. Amen Sistah! SO why with such wonderful people is Hillary being crammed down out throats?

it isn't as though there is a shortage of great candidates for our side! GRRR.

[gateley]

41. I wholeheartedly agree. nt

[dickbearton]

51. Exactly, a partner...

Again the use of the word "hide" says more about the
person using it, then the comment itself.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

92. Amen, m'dear.

I know I wouldn't mind having a wife I knew would watch my back.

[EFerrari]

132. There's something in the culture that doesn't know or recognize

"playing well with others".

lol

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

133. Perhaps you need to read...

"The Sociopath Next Door". The author reckons 25% of Americans are diagnosable as having a personality disorder. Frankly, I see that as a low-ball figure.

As we both know, them folks don't know the first damn thing about playing well with others.

[EFerrari]

134. Sure, and it is cultural, too.

Remember those damn Puritans decided it was a good thing to inform on your family members. We've never really had a strong family ethic in this joint.

Distrust was a feature of American life from its inception -- witches, heretics, layabouts. And that's so very different from so many peoples who put family and tribe before anything, even before themselves. :shrug:

PDs that result from DNA are real and have a societal impact. Our long history of ditching intimates whenever they hit a problem also shapes what we call American culture.

[movonne]

12. I think that last remark about Elizabeth very distasteful...I also don't

see why everything that hillary gets called on you are right there to defend her..in your eyes she does no wrong...and if you can't see it then you are no better than the bush defenders...

[Tektonik]

22. You're incorrigible

You support a fascistic candidate, just fess up already and be open about it

[Pachamama]

141. The facts speak for themselves....Penn's ties alone to Blackwater, Burston-Marsteller etc.

is enough for me to just have more things that make me uncomfortable about "the system" and that its all biz as usual.

I want a change in this country. Change isn't coming with the status quo.

Enough said. Go John! :hi:

[Jack Bone]

2. These ties need some disinfectant...sunshine!!

:patriot:

[The M Double]

57. Outrageously

ridiculous logo/mascot or whatever in the hell that is Cleveland uses?

Imagine Buckwheat with an afro, big wide smile & a pic in his hair for a team called the "Negroes"?
... or an Alfred E. Newman logo for a team called the "Colonials"?

I know, off topic... But your icon troubles me.

[AzDar]

4. Jeebus.... Further promotes my theory that the Clintons are nothing but a

Bush clean-up crew.:puke:

[kysrsoze]

8. Apologists unite! Don't let this fact stand! It means NOTHING

Whuh eva.:eyes:

[saracat]

10. Yeah.Just like I was told her Kyl/Lieberman vote meant "nothing'.

Just like her Iraq war vote means "nothing'.

[kysrsoze]

13. Now that was a misogynistic comment from a hater if I ever heard one.

How DARE you! :toast:

[saracat]

14. Thank you .It means NOTHING!

;-) :toast: :bounce:

[knight_of_the_star]

155. To the barricades!

We must shout LALALALALALA loud enough to drown out the truth!

[Tektonik]

21. I think I'm still going to vote for Hillary over any Repub.

but I'm growing weary of Hillary, and she may as well just be a fucking GOP'er.

PLEASE AL RUN! :cry:

[IndianaGreen]

73. If you vote for Hillary, you will be voting for four more years of war!

How many will die or be wounded while Hillary keeps combat troops in Iraq through 2013?

[Tektonik]

88. Well if Hillary ends up being the nom versus any of the repub.s

we'll be headed for more war anyhow, at least we'll maybe keep some human rights intact w/ Hillary rather than a pub :eyes:

[IndianaGreen]

142. Hillary has not committed to restore civil liberties

She supports PATRIOT and as President, she will use the Homeland security apparatus against the antiwar movement.

Don't forget that it was her husband Bill who first started CIA renditions way back in 1995.

[Kolesar]

147. She will use the Homeland Security apparatus against the antiwar movement.

:scared: Well, that's a thinker!

[eridani]

93. My sediments exactly

However, this is going to be a very hard sell to my lefty/Greeny friends who prefer just about any other Democrat.

[durrrty libby]

121. Your"sediments" ? Oh man, that describes this thread perfectly

[Vidar]

24. Applauding Edwards yet again. He's looking ever better as my

backup plan to Kucinich.

[gateley]

43. And I'm going to recommend that President Biden utilize Edwards in his

administration -- he'll be a great asset! :7

[Jackpine Radical]

25. Q: So tell us, Hillary--are there connections between Penn and Blackwater?

A: HYUCKHyuck Hyuckyuck Hyuckyuck Yuck Yuck Yuck Yuck Yuck Yuck Yuck Yuck Yuck Yuck Yuck Yuck Yuck Yuck Yuck Yuck Yuck Yuck Yuck Yuck Yuck Yuck Yuck Yuck Yuck Yuck Yuck Yuck.

[jillan]

26. He doesn't let anything go unnoticed - thank you John!

[itsrobert]

29. No wonder Hillary wants to attack Iran. More business for her buddies, Blackwater n/t

n/t

[Exultant Democracy]

30. Hillbots, how do you continue to defend the indefensible?

I'm sure Blackwater was happy with her vote on Kyl/Lieberman

[Seabiscuit]

63. After reading the OP, I think the Hillbots are in hiding.

[Yukari Yakumo]

83. So, how about those mortgage companies in Iowa? You know, the one Edwards worked for. {nt}

uguu

[Seabiscuit]

110. Wow. Nice defense of Hillary there. Not. Is that the best you can do?

You can go back into hiding now, Hillbot.

[Terri S]

31. Good for John! He's been calling her out for some time now..

Too bad the media fix is in, aparently. Nothing seems to stick to her. His campaign called her out for a fundraising lunch she had in FL awhile back too, where her high rollers got a special audience with members of Homeland Security Committee. If that wasn't blatent influence peddling, I don't know what is. And she isn't even elected yet.

link

[itsrobert]

32. I hear "Crickets" from the coming from the Clinton supporters

Thanks Senator Edwards, somebody finally shut them up. ;)

[AZ Criminal JD]

108. Those crickets are coming from your tinfoil

[The Backlash Cometh]

33. These are the kinds of conflicts of interest, which makes me nervous about

Hillary. You just can't sleep with the enemy, and still say you're going to be a vehicle of change.

[hisownpetard]

36. This bit of news may shake some people who were sitting on the fence. At the very least,

this is another sign of poor judgment on Hillary's part, getting so cozy with someone who's made huge profits
from the Iraq war.

Now, tell me again why she voted for the Kyl-Lieberman resolution...?

[illinoisprogressive]

34. I really like Edwards. If I had the money I would donate to him even if I support Obama

This guy deserves people to donate for his taking tough stands even if people are supporting others just to let him know we appreciate this.

[hisownpetard]

38. I agree with your sentiments, and I am also for Obama. So I'm making a contribution to Edwards

now which is double what I was going to contribute (still, not a lot, but I'm thinking that half
is from me, half from you).

[saracat]

47. Thank you.me too,this deserves support!

[eridani]

94. Yep, so far I've only donated to Kucinich

Thinking it might just about be time to hedge my bets with Edwards.

[JackORoses]

35. everything's for sale at Hill-Mart

[dickbearton]

54. No, everything is for sale in America...

Until legalized bribery (lobbying) is brought to an end, until
corporations are put in their place; the political system is
broken and not much good will come out of America.

[Vilis Veritas]

71. Nailed it.

Remove corporations from the protections afforded people.

We will not rid the country of the power brokers until we break their power.

No Fear.

[ChiciB1]

150. THAT'S Really Very Inventive... Some Here Actually Do Get It! n/t

[Clintonite]

37. Are You Serious!?!?

Give us a break with this post. He has a right to defend anybody he wants to and what does that have to do with Hillary? This is nothing more than a desperate John Edwards. His campaign is failing and the only hope, is to start a negative campaign that will not help him but only help the republicans. Wise up people. John Edwards is only crossing his name off of the V.P. list! Hillary will continue to take no prisoners! So all of you out there that hate Hillary so much, you will have an alternative in Asa Hutchinson or "Americas Mayor"

[emilyg]

44. John is desperate.

[dickbearton]

81. Emilyg, maybe you are the desperate one...

Desperate to avoid the truth.

[emilyg]

86. Perhaps your truth is not my truth.

:shrug:

[leftist_not_liberal]

120. But the objective facts are what they are., n/t

[knight_of_the_star]

156. The facts are the facts

You can't argue with something that's in black and white.

[durrrty libby]

122. Little money..........little support..........in his last throes.

[saracat]

46. You know, this is the kind of post that drove me away from the GE if she is the nominee.

Actually, at least Asa is honest about where he stands and there is very little difference between Rudy and Hillary.I do not want either to be elected but I see little difference. At least both are pro-choice and support gay rights.

[ima_sinnic]

58. keep telling yourself that. we see through your trojan horse candidate.

we see endless war, endless war profiteering, and even more corporate boot on our throats. but apparently that's all right with you. I think clinton worship is like a cult. I just don't get it. With all the really really good candidates, why choose someone who is simply more of the same old crap, dooming us to serfdom and debtor's prison?

[L. Coyote]

39. ABC News = ABC News = ABC News = ABC News = ABC News = ABC News n/t

[Bluebear]

106. The Nation, New York Times, AP

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campaignmatters?bid=45&pid=240313
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/05/clinton-strategist-represents-blackwater/
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jsSZnttcy_ZKNJfDowQ_ti4lHJBQD8S3AGCG3

[gateley]

40. Just today I was listening to Rachael Maddow speaking about Burson-Marsteller.

I apparently didn't listen long enough for the Clinton connection (if that's the point RM was trying to make), but my sense is that they're pretty devious and pretty damn powerful. I wonder why Clinton would associate with someone from a company like that - she has to know it will be commented on.

[disndat]

119. I think Rachel

Maddow said that Mark Penn is Hillary's big fund raiser right at the beginning of her reporting this Burton-Marsteller connection last night. Maybe that was where the Edwards campaign heard about it.

[gateley]

45. In this campaign, that's a ballsy statement -- good for Edwards. I'm impressed! nt

[Mojambo]

49. Burson-Marsteller is about as pure a form of evil as exists on this planet.

The fact that Penn sits so highly in Clinton's campaign is FUCKED UP.

[dickbearton]

74. K&R.

These companies and their owners and executives must be held
responsible for their actions. If they commit the crime, they
should do the time. Blackwater is a good example. The CEO
should be hung for murder, mass murder. Bush should be hung
for his complicity. Traitors and War Criminals, one and all.

[bvar22]

52. Nothing to add but a K&R.

It is soooo fuckin obvious to anyone who cares enough to look.


"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans. I want us to compete for that great mass of voters that want a party that will stand up for working Americans, family farmers, and people who haven't felt the benefits of the economic upturn."---Paul Wellstone

[David Zephyr]

53. Score a big one for John Edwards!

This is the thing that really sours so many activists and the base within the Democratic Party about the Clintons.

Good for John Edwards!

[Duncan]

55. Are we in hell yet?

How is it even remotely OK for a privately owned for profit corporate army to exist? Blackwater ain't no militia. What laws are in place to check and balance that sort of power? Why the fuck aren't these questions in the public discussion?

Timid little noises like "We need to begin mumbling about regulating their behavior."
WITFH?! WITGDMFH!?

:grr:

[defendandprotect]

67. Try looking for those questions in one of the "debates" -- !!!

The debates being run by private corporations ---

[peacebird]

56. Looks like 'Goldwaters Gal' hasn't forgotten her roots...

:eyes:

If I wanted to vote Republican-lite, I would. I don't. I am a longtime liberal progressive democrat. If sHillary is the nominee, I will NOT hold my nose and vote for her. I will write in a real democrat.

[Emillereid]

59. I am really beginning to like this guy. Gore/Edwards has a great ring to it.

WE CAN DO BETTER THAN HILLARY -- DON'T LET HER STEAMROLL THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY. She doesn't really stand for anything -- except power; corporate power at that.

[Seabiscuit]

60. I've been waiting for months for Edwards to go on the attack.

Finally, he blasted Hillary in one of many spots where she was vulnerable. The exposure of Penn's ties to Blackwater, and the comparison to KKKarl Rove was brilliant.

At this point, I'm an "anyone but Hillary" kinda guy where the primaries are concerned.

The MSM and pollsters are ignoring Edwards and Kucinich to their peril. Today on our local San Diego station which carries Air America, Ed Schulz was on doing a call-in straw poll, and 60% of the callers were backing Dennis Kucinich. Two callers referred to Hillary as the "anti-Christ".

Not long ago ABC sponsored one of the debates and Kucinich was voted the winner of the debate hands down. They not only removed the poll from their website, and put up a new poll which got the same result, causing them to remove that one too, they also published a picture of the candidates onstage conspicuously cutting out DK. This kind of media manipulation is blatantly designed to keep Kucinich out of the public's mind, as if he didn't exist.

I have a gut feeling that due to this media and poll manipulation, the media and pollsters are so out of touch with the voters that the voters may shock the world during the early primaries and give DK a big lead, with Edwards taking second place, and Hillary looking like an "almost ran".

OTOH, if Hillary is leading after the early primaries, my wife and I have decided to vote in California for whoever looks like they have a chance to beat her. If Obama's close and Edwards is a distant third, we'll vote Obama. If Edwards and Obama are close we'll vote Edwards. If it looks like DK has any chance at all we'll vote DK.

So... to break it down, here are our preferences:

1. Kucinich
2. Edwards
3. Biden
4. Obama
5. Gravel
6. Dodd
7. Richardson

the "anti-Christ" doesn't make the list.

[defendandprotect]

68. A friend commented that Blackwater is a NC firm . .. .

and she was feeling nervous for Edwards over this challenge to the company ---

[Yukari Yakumo]

84. Indeed it is.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackwater_USA

HQ is at 850 Puddin Ridge Road, Moyock, North Carolina

[Seabiscuit]

111. Great logic your friend is displaying there.

Blackwater is from NC. Edwards is from NC. Feelin' "nervous".

Guess what? GWB is from Texas. The Dixie Chicks are from Texas. Feelin' "nervous"?

BWAHAHAHAHA!!!

[durrrty libby]

123. Edwards has little money...Little support.....He is in his last throes

That's the facts Jack

[Lucinda]

61. I'm not happy about this at all

Unless I am missing somehthing, this work done was much ado about nothing.

I'm still in JE's camp...but this just seems weak, and a little smarmy. The whole offhandedness of throwing out "I also saw this morning that Sen. Clinton's primary adviser, Mark Penn, who is like her Karl Rove -- his firm is representing Blackwater." is disturbing.

[Politicub]

62. Pretty low blow

Get ready for the pull no punches period to begin.

[Divine Discontent]

64. So....

how's that novel coming?

[NoodleyAppendage]

65. Go for it, John! Hillary must be destroyed.

Nothing less than the 2008 election and the future of the Democratic party rests upon our taking the part back from the DLC crew. Hillary is the worst choice if we want to win the general election. Repukes hate her...and a goodly number of Dems and Independents. She should stay in the Senate.

J

[paparush]

66. Watch the Press and the Pugs lay into Edwards like a pack of wild dogs....

Hillary has been ANNOINTED to face (lose) to Ghouliani.

Do not rock this boat.

[defendandprotect]

70. I agree with you -- and I'd love to see a female in the WH -- a strong, liberal female ---

If they push Clinton, I think Democrats are going to have a year long replay of Bill's "sins" --
His penis will be all over TV . . . I don't see that MSM has been depowered re their ability to pull the Swiftboating stuff again and again --

Granted, I'm hoping the MSM is cracking --
Granted, I'm hoping that corporations have overstepped and capitalism, itself, may bring them down --
Granted, I'm hoping that momentum will actually deliver Medicare for EVERYONE in this election ---
Granted, I'm hoping that the fanatical right will leave the GOP and go third party ---

Btw, amazing how they can do that, but Democrats can't give third parties any thought . . .
even as leverage against their own party -- hmmmm....

[defendandprotect]

69. While I'm happy to know the connections, I'm wondering how big the attack on Edwards

is going to be in return ----???

[Seabiscuit]

112. REAL big. Hillary will ask John how much he paid for his last haircut. BAM! POW! WOW!

:rofl:

[defendandprotect]

116. And obviously you know the answers to those dumb questions . ..

[Baby Snooks]

72. "Part of the right-wing conspiracy..."

If too many people make an issue of it, she will claim it's part of the right-wing conspiracy. Worked once, might work twice.

[Vilis Veritas]

75. Each new day that dawns makes me choke on the

spittle of my contempt for the corporo-fascist state.

What options do we have, anymore? I need to believe that the Dem front runner is different, but she ain't.

She never will be. She wants power so much, that it has corrupted her beyond pale. The media will never expose it. The 100,000 voices that DU reps will fade away as the curtain of the Gulag that is Amurika turns its back on history and enslaves the masses once again.

Keep your pencils sharp and your paper clips ready, there will be locks to pick and notes to write...

No Fear.

[Vilis Veritas]

76. .

delete

[mod mom]

77. WOW! Kos piece on Mark Penn and his anti-union work:

Mark Penn holds court in the HIllary camp -- her pollster and messaging guru.

We know about his anti-union work, which -- by the way -- has received scant critiques from unions:

The massive PR empire WPP Group acquired Penn's polling firm for an undisclosed sum in 2001 and four years later named him worldwide CEO of one of its most prized properties, the PR firm Burson-Marsteller (B-M) <...>

B-M has a highly confrontational relationship with organized labor. "Companies cannot be caught unprepared by Organized Labor's coordinated campaigns," read the "Labor Relations" section of its website (until it was scrubbed after Mark Schmitt of The American Prospect quoted the language in March). It consults frequently with George Washington University professor Jarol Manheim, author of The Death of a Thousand Cuts: Corporate Campaigns and the Attack on the Corporation and Biz-War and the Out-of-Power Elite: The Progressive-Left Attack on the Corporation. And it lends help to some of the most controversial union-busting efforts in America.

-snip
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/10/5/121023/721

[Yukari Yakumo]

78. Attempting (poorly) to do guilt by association. How pathetic can he get?

Let's see... "Mark Penn, who is like her Karl Rove"... Riiiight. By the same token I can say "Jonathan Prince is like Edwards' Karl Rove".

And the second part "his firm is representing Blackwater", sounds a lot like the same argument the ReThugs used to shame lawyers from representing Gitmo detainees.

This statement reeks of desperation.

[David Dunham]

80. What about Edwards ties to companies foreclosing on mortgagees?

Edwards ignores that and his many other problems.

[Yukari Yakumo]

82. Ohh... good one.

As the saying goes about people who live in glass houses.

It is rather pathetic that all Edwards can do is snipe at Hillary's staff and not HRC herself or her policies, especially when he himself is guilty of the same thing.

[emilyg]

85. It's called desperation.

[Name removed]

90. Deleted message

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

[Seabiscuit]

113. "many other problems"? He got a haircut? He built a house?

All mortgage companies foreclose on mortgagees who default. And virtually all mortgage companies have been guilty of dealing in subprime loans over the years.

Whoopdeedoo.

Edwards never "worked for" any mortgage companies. He's self-employed.

Amazing how these DLC'ers sound exactly like GOP'ers.

He doesn't have a top campaign director with corrupt ties to Blackwater, whose firm prepared Blackwater's main guy to fudge his testimony before Congress.

[ChiciB1]

145. Looks Like It's "Red Flag" Time... If THIS Compares... You Lost Me!!

Now, go ahead and list all the rest of crap! Let's just hear it ONE MORE TIME!

But the REALLY SAD PART is that more likely than not... Hillary will squelch this story, cackle a little and it will go away... meanwhile MSM who rakes in the money will JUMP on Edwards!!

I WONDER when this MANIA will end! I'm really sorry about this, but I don't see much difference between Hillary Clinton and many conservatives! I know she's DLC, but that last vote really did it for me, and WHO was it WHO CALLED HER ON IT?? John Edwards!

Go, Johnny, Go!

[Counciltucky]

79. First Whitewater, now Blackwater...

(Hey, SOMEONE had to make the pun.)

[Baby Snooks]

102. Not very funny pun...

And of course she will blame Blackwater on the right-wing conspiracy the way she blamed Whitewater on the right-wing conspiracy.

[Counciltucky]

103. Tough crowd, tough crowd... n/t

[ChiciB1]

144. I Didn't Think About That One... IT IS FUNNY... Or Weird!! n/t

[Trajan]

89. I love Edwards ..... I will vote for either .....

But doesnt Edwards have a 'Karl Rove-like' figure(s) somewhere in his entourage ?

HIS ties to nefarious elements in american polity are established as well .... Are they intentional or accidental ? ..... I would guess HERS are accidental as well ....

A bit hypocritical of him, but hey: It's the crazy season ..... ALL of them say silly stuff ....

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

95. Frankly, I don't see this as silly. At all.

For all the sturm und drang about "terrorists", concerns like Blackwater, Dyncorp and the others could be the leading edge of the true real and present danger to the US. Their loyalties are to their paymasters and idealogical masters. When such a concern works with one of the campaign mucky-mucks of the putative Democratic frontrunner, it is entirely appropriate that this be raised as an issue, along with one hell of a lot of eyebrows, for it points out clearly the incestuous and disconnected-from-the-rest-of-the-nation-and-world fugue state that most in Washington DC lives within, for verily, the message I get is that us one-fodder-units are likely too dumb to glom onto the connection and divine its meaning in The Big Picture. Oops. Guess that one didn't quite work out.

If the Democratic rank and file were to keep silent about this, it would point to something very wrong indeed in said rank and file. Something unhealthy. The revulsion stated above is entirely appropriate, hardly silly.

A digression, but not to you, but the to assembled: coy "Breck Girl" references are really tacky and unseemly and make no points for your side with anyone with two dendrites to rub together. Putting them in the same thread where you bemoan the use of right-wing memes against your candidate is mind-roasting. I guess we weren't supposed to notice that, either.

[Trajan]

98. I think my question is: How much would she know of this connection between Penn and Blackwater ?

Penn has been a long time campaign strategist for the Clintons .... And given that Blackwater and their nefarious ilk have only of late become financially beneficial (astronomically speaking), would Hillary automatically know of a strong relationship between Blackwater and Penn ? ..... I guess my ultimate statement would be : How would Hillary know this ? ..... and is the implication that she is seeking those with such ties specifically ?

It is agreed though: as a matter of public trust, such ties MUST be revealed, and once revealed, a candidate should demand a detachment of either the advisor from the firm, or the candidate from the advisor ...... We should brook no outright mercenary relationships with our party ... The whole privitization effort reeks of war profiteering, and is simple ugly from a human perspective ....

I think these issues are valid in that sense, but I would question whether Hillary should be condemned from seeing Penn as an old chum-advisor, versus her being depicted as intentionally seeking those with such ties ..... In the end: Penn must either divest, or go away .... And Hillary should force the issue ...

[Lugnut]

96. K&R n/t

[LibertyorDeath]

99. "corporate Democrat," If she wants to be prez

She has to sell her soul to Corporate America

That's the Price.....

[sellitman]

100. Ok...I'm donating to Edwards now...

He is sounding more and more like a viable Kucinich.

[jsamuel]

101. Thank you!

here is a link:
http://www.actblue.com/page/4edwards4progress

[durrrty libby]

136. He can't come up with enough smears to save himself. Saweee

[backscatter712]

104. I'm done with Hillary.

Not that I really supported Hillary, before, it was a meh.

Now, it's time to make it our mission in life to break that bitch's political ambitions.

Associating with and hiring Blackwater's shill crossed the line. It proved she cannot be trusted. At all. She's dead to me - a virtual Republican who happens to be polluting our party.

[emilyg]

107. Your language is disgusting.

[backscatter712]

115. Grow some thicker skin.

This is a political site. Expect angry tirades and bad words.

[emilyg]

117. I don't mind tirades and bad words. But the w and b words disgust me.

[durrrty libby]

124. You are as delusional as hell..Enjoy

[backscatter712]

137. Ah, I see the pro-Hillary contingent is now representing.

So, how does it feel to be a fascist-lite?

Because that's what Hillary is - no tinfoil about it, she employs a campaign strategist that works for Blackwater. Explain to me how this is acceptable, and I'm delusional?

[happygoluckytoyou]

105. TELL ALL THE DEMS YOU KNOW

GET YOUR FRIENDS REGISTERED AND LET'S PUT EDWARDS FORWARD FOR THE PRIMARY....

THE GOP IS HOPING TO SNEAK CLINTON THROUGH THE PRIMARY....



WE NEED A TRUE FRIEND OF LABOR IN OFFICE......

[durrrty libby]

131. Edwards..Little Money..Little Support...In his last throes. Deal with reality

[MilesColtrane]

149. Check the ActBlue stats.

http://www.actblue.com/page/du-presidential

The netroots support for Edwards clearly blows past all other candidates.

Over 51,000 Edwards donors on ActBlue raising more than 4 million dollars...

6,000 plus of those donors are DUers.


My candidate may be trailing the frontrunner in total money raised, but then again he's not attending fundraisers hosted by Rupert Murdoch.

...a badge of HONOR.

[JDPriestly]

114. Here's the lowdown on Penn

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/29/AR2007042901661.html

It is an amazing read. I didn't like Hillary before. I like her far less now. We do not need Hillary. She is just a part of the same machine that has been running Washington for decades now. Kick them out. All of them. Once and for all.

[defendandprotect]

118. National Security wing of the Democratic Party . . .

Overall -- more really bad news re DLC and Hillary ---


And, DLC/"pro-Israel" seems to be code for "New World Order" -- PNAC military attacks on ME


QUOTE: Penn -- who saw the merits of invading Iraq before the war began.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
QUOTE . . .

In their $5 million Georgetown mansion, Penn and his wife, Nancy Jacobson, a former staff member for Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) who is now a fundraiser with the Clinton campaign, run something of a salon for like-minded friends. They recently threw a book party for Jeffrey Goldberg, the New Yorker writer, to celebrate the release of his memoir on Israel. On another occasion, they hosted David Brooks, the conservative New York Times columnist, for a dinner party and political discussion.

Penn has deep roots in the national security wing of the Democratic Party, along with other centrist Democrats -- some of them Jewish and pro-Israel, like Penn -- who saw the merits of invading Iraq before the war began.

"Penn has always believed that strength is critical for running the country, and that people want to have a president who's going to be willing to defend the country -- that's the number one criteria," said Al From, the chief executive of the Democratic Leadership Council, who considers Penn a friend.

[durrrty libby]

126. NAh. She will be a fabulous president.

[saracat]

128. This doesn't bother you at all? You are shameless.

"Penn has deep roots in the national security wing of the Democratic Party, along with other centrist Democrats -- some of them Jewish and pro-Israel, like Penn -- who saw the merits of invading Iraq before the war began."

[creeksneakers2]

129. Some things in there about Penn I really don't like

Penn's giving terrible advice on supporting the military industrial complex. Penn is friends with the DLC and took part in right wing Israeli politics. The "make you look weak" fiction Penn promotes is at odds with polls that show Americans want a milder US role in the world. Hillary keeps Penn on because she believes he does a great job but Penn is poorly serving Hillary with his advice on national security matters.

This specific attack by Edwards makes me think less of Edwards, not Hillary. This is a guilt by association smear with distant and weak associations. The worst of the worst deserve representation when they go before Congress. I'm glad Blackwater got it.

For me, this whole thing confirms my preference for Chris Dodd. Dodd says he'd get rid of missile defense and lunatic projects that the military is now running. Our nation can't afford to retire the baby boom generation, maintain a safety net, pay off enormous debts, maintain the Bush tax cuts and keep a giant military to police the world at the same time. Ending tax cuts for the rich won't produce enough revenue. World policemen status has to end and spending on the military has to be cut drastically.

[formercia]

127. Let's not forget Blank Rome

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/trey-ellis/why-is-hillary-in-bed-wit_b_17396.html?view=print
The Huffington Post
October 6, 2007


Why Is Hillary in Bed with Blank-Rome?

Posted March 16, 2006 | 12:57 AM (EST)

Senator Clinton was right to out the "vast right-wing conspiracy" that targeted her husband's presidency. Now why are she and Senator Kennedy allowing the "ATM of the GOP," uber-lobbying law firm Blank-Rome, to host $1000-a-plate luncheons for them? Blank-Rome, where Swift Boat retired Rear Admiral William Schachte is a lobbyist. Blank-Rome, where Bush Pioneer and re-elect Rick Santorum national finance director David Girard-diCarlo is chairman. Blank-Rome, who lobbied their pals at FEMA to award a no-bid contract to one of their clients to rebuild classrooms after Katrina at double the wholesale price.


I understand why Blank-Rome is finally starting to spread the wealth to Democrats. Perhaps more than any other lobbying firm in Washington they had hitched their wagon to the Bush administration. Now that the sun is setting on that empire Blank-Rome will either have to adapt fast or die. They've hired Heather Podesta, wife of Democratic super-lobbyist Tony Podesta and brother-in-law of one of my heroes, former Clinton chief of staff and now President for the Center for American Progress, John Podesta.

What I don't understand, however, if Democrats are truly serious about distancing themselves from the Republican "culture of corruption," is how they can be in bed with people like this? Are they really the only ones out there with money? Don't they see that the strings attached might be antithetical to every thing they stand for?

--snip--

[creeksneakers2]

130. Gotta' have money and gotta' get it from somewhere n/t

[Gravel2008]

138. Wow, the Hillbots are all mysteriously absent on this...

I guess when you can't defend something, it's better to keep hiding under your rock!

[Forkboy]

139. Oh they're here...trying to turn this against Edwards.

Hillary supporters only defense all along here has been, "they do it too."

Penn is pure shit.And the defense of him is pure shit, too.

[ChiciB1]

143. WEEELLLL.... Tomorrow Is SUNDAY! Whudya Thunk?? Will MSM

"do their job" or not? So far, MOST of the Clinton associations, connections and MONEY DONORS just keep getting fanned!!

If I've said it once, I've said it a hundred times... There IS some REASON behind Poppy Bush & the BIG DAWG love-fest from way back! Remember when Poppy named Bill as a representative of something big down in Texas?? Sorry, I don't remember what it was, but it was a couple of years back, and I was a little befuddled by it at the time, now I think some dots are getting linked together.

THERE IS SOMETHING that smells, sorry to say it... but even IF I had been a H. Clinton supporter up until now, this seems just a tad too cozy!!

[ProudDad]

146. hillary and mark penn -- birds of a feather (n/t)

[leaninglib]

148. All the slammin' in the world will not change that fact that

John Boy will be heading back to his big house, while Hillary heads for the White House.

[Bluebear]

151. That's all you can say in response to this?

[leaninglib]

154. Well, I could have made some disparaging remarks,

but there really is nothing else to say about this matter.

[sarcasmo]

152. For those that don't know.

Blackwater money equals hardcore Reich winger Dick Devos money.

[Jacobin]

157. The neo-con junta is now utterly complete. Submit to the new rulers

And go die in the Middle East for oil.