Axelrod to US Chamber: What Are You Hiding That You Don’t Want the American People to See?

[kpete]

Source: ABC

Axelrod to US Chamber: What Are You Hiding That You Don’t Want the American People to See?

October 11, 2010 6:13 PM

We caught up with White House senior adviser David Axelrod today to chat about the current controversy about the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and whether any of its ads are being funded with foreign money.

TAPPER: So the chamber says no foreign money is paying for any of their political activities.

AXELROD: And I guess my answer to the Chamber is just disclose where your money is coming from and that will end all the questions. The fact is they are spending $75 million in this campaign and they will not disclose where one dime is coming from. And that's the problem with all of these organizations. We have tens of millions of special interest money coming into these campaigns and no record of where its coming from and that should be a concern to every voter in this country.

TAPPER: Their answer would be why should they disclose. No one's disclosing.

AXELROD: Right and they have a point there. We tried to pass a law in the Congress -- every Democrat in the Senate voted for it, every Republican in the Senate voted against it -- that said everyone has to disclose. That all these organizations would have to disclose where their money is coming from whether they are supporting Democratic candidates or Republican candidates. The Republicans blocked that bill and the question to them and their allies is: what are they hiding that they don’t want the American people to see?

Read more: http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2010/10/axelrod-to-us-chamber-what-are-you-hiding-that-you-dont-want-the-american-people-to-see.html

[David Zephyr]

1. This is how you do it. Hit the living hell out of them on this issue.

K&R.

[liberalmike27]

55. Right

I couldn't believe how obviously the guy on CBS this weekend tried to dismiss the allegation as unfounded too.

Seriously, the money goes into a big pool, right? It's like oil in the world, we really don't buy it from one place or the other, we just buy it, it goes into this pool, and we don't know where it goes, or comes from.

Likewise, maybe they do spend less than the amount given by Americans. But the contributors made by foreigners, allow them to do so, so how can you really say the organization isn't financed by foreigners, if part of what they spend is from foreigners, trying to influence our elections?

If Jewelers buy from a big pile of diamonds, where some are blood diamonds, he may indeed buy less diamonds from the pile than were provided from legitimate providers. But you can't guarantee that they didn't get one or two blood diamonds.

And what is the big deal? Why did they vote against the legislation to provide the source of funds on the ad? Why do republicans want to hide who is putting the ads on television?

[dennis4868]

2. I know the MSM narrative is that....

there is NO EVIDENCE that there are any foreign money being spent by the Chamber for the campaign adds but is this correct? Is there any actual and real evidence that foreign funds are being used to fund the ads against the dems?

[DJ13]

5. Is there any actual and real evidence

The singular nature of their account taking foreign contributions also being the account funding their campaign ads seems to be evidence.

Setting up an separate account with only US donations to fund the campaign would have been easy, provided they had no intentions of seeking foreign donations for their campaign.

[kpete]

6. how about this:

– The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has created a large presence in the small, oil-rich country of Bahrain. In 2006, the Chamber created a local affiliate called the “U.S.-Bahrain Business Council” (USBBC), an organization to help businesses in Bahrain take advantage of the Chamber’s “network of government and business relationships in the US and worldwide.” As the USBBC’s bylaws state, it is not an actual separate entity, rather it is simply an office of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s 501(c)(6) trade association. Many of the USBBC’s board members are Bahrainian, including Aluminum Bahrain, Gulf Air, Midal Cables, the Nass Group, Bahrain Maritime & Mercantile International, the Bahrain Petroleum Company (state-owned), Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company, and First Leasing Bank. With each of these foreign board members to the USBBC contributing at least $10,000 annually, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce raises well over $100,000 a year in money from foreign businesses through its operation in Bahrain. Notably, the membership form provided by the USBBC directs applicants to send or wire their money directly to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The membership form also explicitly states that the foreign-owned firms are welcomed.

– Like the Chamber’s involvement in Bahrain, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce operates in India through a group called “U.S.-India Business Council” (USIBC), which has offices around the world but is headquartered in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Dozens of Indian businesses, including some of India’s largest corporations like the State Bank of India (state-run) and ICICI Bank, are members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce through the USIBC. Annual membership dues range from $7,500 to $15,000 or more, and the money is given directly into the Chamber’s 501(c)(6) bank account. Like the USBBC, the USIBC generates well over $200,000 a year in dues for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce from foreign businesses. On the USIBC website, many of the groups lobbying goals advocate changing American policy to help businesses in India. Under the manufacturing policy goal, USIBC boasts that it “can play a helpful role in guiding U.S. companies to India, while supporting various policy initiatives that will enhance India’s reputation as a major manufacturing and investment hub.”

– Many foreign “AmChams” or Business Councils operate outside the direct sphere of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce but nonetheless send dues money back to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. For instance, the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt is a separate entity based in Cairo that raises hundreds of thousands of dollars from both Egyptian firms and American businesses. However, the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt calls itself “the most active affiliates of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in the” Middle East. Another foreign chamber, like the Abu Dhabi AmCham, which includes American firms and Esnaad, a subsidiary of the state-run Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, claims that it is a a “dues paying member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and part of the global network of American Chambers of Commerce.” In Russia, the relationship between the American Chamber of Commerce there and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce here is opaque. This might be because many of the dues-paying members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia are Russian state-run companies, like VTB Bank, and controlled by the Russian government. Asked by ThinkProgress if the Russian Chambers pay dues back to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Ksenia Forsheneva, the membership development manager at the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia, replied, “Unfortunately the information that you require is closed for the public.”

more (a ton of links):
http://thinkprogress.org/2010/10/05/foreign-chamber-commerce/
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2010/10/05-4

[DJ13]

12. Excellent info kpete

Thanks!

[lovuian]

16. these men should be locked up for traitors to this

country

they are so corrupt

[pnorman]

23. Valuable information. Thanks!

n/t

[creeksneakers2]

50. Since there is evidence of foreign money

Obama and Axelrod should use it. Demanding the Chamber prove the allegation false when Axelrod offers no evidence to support it looks very bad and is giving the GOP a ton of running room on this.

The GOP can also just as easily demand left wing groups disclose their money. The left wing groups won't do it either.

[BadgerKid]

7. It's a parsing issue

if you're a Star Wars fan, consider Obi-Wan's words to Luke:

"...what I told you was true... from a certain point of view"

So, there is "no evidence" because MSM and the GOP aren't looking.
Frankly, I am pleased that this birther-like issue is being thrown in their faces.

[fasttense]

30. Birther-like issue?

Oh yeah, like the birther's racist ideas are totally false and the US Chamber of Horror accepting foreign money, to ship your jobs out of the country, I mean to influence US elections is just so obvious, that the Dancing Supremes used it as an argument to indicate that Americans would never trust any organization using money in this manner.

Is that how it's a birther-like issue? The birther stupidity is totally false and the US Chamber of Horror issue has been used in arguments before our highest courts.

[tsuki]

14. Have you ever had a joint checking account?

The money coming in from Frank Lavin's overseas (China, India, Egypt, etc.) is going into their general account.

Of course, it is being used for political purposes. How do you separate the monies? You cannot. Can you tell the bank to pay for the times your partner talks on the phone out of his money, not yours? Or take the money for the light bill out of your money from the two weeks partner is gone?

People think TV ads, but it is more.

[ibegurpard]

27. this is a version of "so when did you stop beating your wife"

I approve
sometimes you have to get down in the gutter

[fasttense]

31. Gutter?????

Did you know this very same argument was used before the Dancing Supremes to encourage them to vote yes, on foreign campaign funding, I mean on the Citizen United case?

The argument before the Supremes went something like this: No American would be influenced by ads funded by foreign money because they would not trust the organization funding them. Americans are smarter than that, they would never trust an organization that accepted foreign money and could not show how those funds were spent.

I guess Americans aren't as smart as the Dancing Supremes thought.

[Enthusiast]

37. On C-Span this morning

they are saying, "Obama did it too."

Right out of the Rove handbook. Say your opponent did it too.

[AlbertCat]

42. "Obama did it too."

Even though he's not running this election.... and the Citizens United ruling had not happened during Obama's campaign. :eyes:

God, is that a lamer than usual "everyone's doing it!" excuse!.

[Pirate Smile]

3. Nice. K & R

[SpiralHawk]

4. What are the Republicons hiding from America?

What are the Republicons so ashamed of?

[Skittles]

9. they are never ashamed of ANYTHING

which is why they are able to do things that would turn the stomach of any decent person

[Enthusiast]

38. And that's a fact! nt

[karnac]

8. ALL that won't gladly bare their SINS should be presumed GUILTY

as charged.

that is what WE want. A pure AMERICA.

Afterall, even though we are all equal. some are more EQUAL than others.

and they have failed the test WE say. they are definitely proven guilty before the trial..

I am happy

:D

pogo was right

[JDPriestly]

11. We want an open America.

Purity is not the issue. Openness is the issue. I want to know where the money funding my candidates comes from. It's about transparency.

If Saudi Arabia, China, Libya or Venezuela for that matter can pay for ads to influence the outcome of our American elections, we are in big trouble. As it is, we have no idea where the money supporting some of these nutty candidates is coming from. Saudi Arabia, China, Libya and, yes, Venezuela might just delight in seeing our representative democracy fail. And pushing candidates like Christine O'Donnell would be the perfect way to start real problems in our country.

[OxQQme]

15. erm, xQQme JDPriestly

why on earth do you believe that a democratic, representative based, presidential country would be gleeful if ours were to fail?

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0108140.html

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

is it pride, or propagandized prejudice, or other?

[Matariki]

10. Someone explain to me again about the concept of a majority.

If every Democrat in the Senate voted for it, the count would have been 59 to 41. So why doesn't *anything* the Democrats push for pass?

[boppers]

21. Majority is not "a slightly greater amount" in Senate context.

Put simply, you have to get 60 votes... just in order to stop the current debate, and hold a vote.

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

The republicans don't even have to vote for *or* against a measure, they can simply argue that more discussion is needed before an actual vote on a measure is taken.

[AlbertCat]

44. they can simply argue that

No... they simply have to THREATEN to argue more!

If Harry Reid would just MAKE them ACTUALLY filibuster, then they'd fold like a wet house of cards. He did this once, didn't he? and it worked.

We need a stronger leader in the Senate. Make the repugs fulfill their threats and punish... even just a little, conservadems who hold up important Democratic causes.

[emulatorloo]

47. Voting against cloture = filibustering. All they have to do is vote against cloture

and it won't go to a majority vote. It isn;t like Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

[SlimJimmy]

57. That's it,

you are officially kicked out of the Democratic voter pool. ;-)

[defendandprotect]

13. Democrats are 30 years late to this battle -- but let it begin ... !!!

[Rosa Luxemburg]

17. Perfect!

[tavalon]

18. Let's enjoy the next month

The Obama administration has finally realized they have to tack left to get us to be enthusiastic. So, we might as well enjoy this.

[thanks_imjustlurking]

19. FINALLY! Go get 'em! nt

[lonestarnot]

20. Everyone can thank Judge Grimace and pugs for this bullshit.

[DBoon]

22. like "just how us the birth certificate"?

good for the goose, good for the gander

[fasttense]

32. The two issues are hardly related.

One (birther nonsense) is patently false, inspired by hatred and bigotry.

The other (the US Chamber of Horror gets Communist China's money and spends it the way China wants) was actually argued before the Dancing Supremes and anyone with common sense can see what is going on.

[DBoon]

53. if tey can raise a fuss in the media about a totally bogus issue

why can't we do the same for a legit issue

[Arkana]

24. Axelrod's getting out the hammer and turning on some Manowar.

[tavalon]

25. What if Al Queda is funding Republicans?

Even better framing.

Wait. We could use the dead guy's name:

How do we know that Osama Bin Laden isn't funding Republicans?

Best.Framing.Ever.

[fasttense]

33. Actually, it is not just framing.

It makes common sense. If the US wanted to ensure Chavez was not reelected and Venezuela allowed for foreign campaign contributions, do you think the US would stand back and NOT participate??? Hell, they participated, through the CIA, even without it being legal in Venezuela.

We have handed our enemies a very powerful tool. To go directly to American voters and tell them absolutely anything they want, day after, day after, day after, day after, day........

It's amazing what advertising can do and Americans respond to it so well.

I think we have just sold Communist China that rope.

[old mark]

63. how do you know they are not...Osama's son has stated his dad was glad Bush had been elected...

because W. could be more easily manipulated and was more likely to start a long, demaging war in Afghanistan...I have NO DOUBT that many of the countrys sending money to the insane right are our political enemies, and that they have much in common with the GOP and the banks...they don't want the Democrats to succeed.

mark

[Divine Discontent]

26. yep! hammer them on it EVERY DAY from here on out!!! Are the bad guys funding the GOP??? makes you

wonder??!! Remember, as we heard, the worst one's son just said his dad was THRILLED when DIM SON B*sh was "elected" president in 2000. Saying that Dim Son would break America going after him.... sure did!

[indimuse]

KNR! n/t

[indimuse]

28. KNR! n/t

[Historic NY]

67. ROFLMAOL

[Scurrilous]

29. K & R

:thumbsup:

[truthisfreedom]

34. Are the terrorists funding the republicons? Of course they are. They love hate... it justifies

their sick causes. As long as there's rethuglicon hate, there will be terrorists funding them.

[Kolesar]

35. The media is not going to question where media dollars come from

The networks and broadcast stations just want to sell commercials

[Hekate]

36. Enthusiastically kicked and recced

[Enthusiast]

39. K&R

Unreal!

[Botany]

40. Simple Meme

Red China is sending money to the Chamber of Commerce to help republicans
keep up the outsourcing of US jobs.

[Raksha]

46. EXACTLY!!!

[myrna minx]

41. K&R n/t

[felix_numinous]

43. K+R!

:kick:

[ProSense]

45. WSJ whines

Crocodile tears from Wall Street

[emulatorloo]

48. Don't you mean MWSJ? Murdoch Wall Street Journal . . . n/t

[AAAProgressive]

49. OT but important

Sarah Palin's speech in San Diego: Sarah, the Demagogue, comes unglued - Exclusive recording
http://palingates.blogspot.com/2010/10/sarah-palins-speech-in-san-diego-sarah.html
A must listen - also transcribed.

[emulatorloo]

51. Holy crap -- how much did they pay here for that crazed rant?

[AAAProgressive]

52. SP Pac

Looks like her PAC report has been filed: $1.2M for the third quarter
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1010/43468.html

Plus!
Palin Warns of ‘Armageddon,' 'Third World War' in Exclusive Newsmax Broadcast
Video
http://barracudabrigade.blogspot.com/2010/10/palin-warns-of-armageddon-third-world.html

[creon]

54. For sale

It does not take a lot of figuring for foreigners to determine that the US government is for sale.

Some are, today, taking advantage.

[ItNerd4life]

56. WOW! I can't believe people are K&R this. Let's accuse without FACTS!

What? Are Democrats now into witch hunts? Prove you aren't a witch!

What a stupid statement!

[ProSense]

58. Um,

believe it.

[Ikonoklast]

64. Then why are they refusing to disclose?

Use the same tactics on them that they so love to use on everyone else:

"If you're not guilty, you've got nothing to hide."

They must have something to hide.

[freebrew]

65. Facts are:

The Chamber is accepting donations from foreign sources. These assets are fungible. They go into a central account. All bills are paid from this account.

So, foreign monies are included in ads for political purposes. There is no way around it.
The Chamber is acting illegally.

[Cognitive_Resonance]

59. Sweet! Stick it to 'em. Make them squeal and squirm! nt

[HughBeaumont]

60. Hiding?

It's to the point where this WHOLE bunch - the Republican party and the old/new money that backs them - can go into an auditorium, guarded by Xe . . .

. . . then hack into retirement accounts and steal it all. "STOP us. We DARE you."

. . . bring out a family and shoot them on live TV. "STOP us. We DARE you."

. . . announce 1 million job cuts, just because. "STOP us. We DARE you."

. . . spin a wheel, and whatever city it lands on, send an ICBM to it. "STOP us, bitch. We DARE YOU!"

And will we do anything?

NO.

We'll just continue to blame Obama and the Democrats for everything, love this greedy bunch of assholes and their personal party, give them another decade of trickle-on, laissez-faire, give them carte blanche to ruin everything and watch as this nation gets destroyed.

Look at this board. WE'RE not even on the same page. Between the "they're all the same"-ers, the DLC apologists, the ones who support neolib economics and the ones who'd rather talk about dry humping while letting threads on plutonomy sink like a stone, how is any kind of movement for change ever going to get started??

Is it all hopeless?

Will people start realizing who the REAL enemy of this country is?

Will we finally have the gumption to do SOMEthing . . . ANYthing about them?

[alp227]

61. FactCheck.org has been defendign the CoC

http://factcheck.org/2010/10/foreign-money-really/
http://factcheck.org/2010/10/the-chamber-and-foreign-contributions/

But all I want is the CoC to straight up disclose how its funding works explicitly or else continue to be hammered.

[Blacksheep214]

62. Selling our elections to terrorists?

HOW do we know that terrorist organizations aren't funding this election, pushing cash through all these front groups?

I do believe that the Dept. of Homeland Security should look into this possible breach of American security in an attempt to topple our entire government.

Keep in mind the damage a single hold vote has. It has screwed aid for Haiti, unemployment benefits, etc.

One Angle, O'Donnell, et al could freeze our government and render it incapable of responding to an emergency.

[Uncle Joe]

66. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, kpete.