Obama Team Turns Scrutiny on Bill Clinton

[tekisui]

LAWYERS for Barack Obama's transition team have begun vetting the business and philanthropic interests of former US president Bill Clinton as the President-elect considers whether to appoint his wife, Senator Hillary Clinton, as secretary of state.

The move is being viewed as a sign that Senator Clinton is being seriously considered for the position.

But Mr Clinton's finances and activities could pose a conflict of interest. He has refused to disclose — and is not legally required to — the donors who funded his presidential library and his charitable foundation.

Among the William J. Clinton Foundation donors who are publicly known are the Saudi royal family, the king of Morocco, a foundation linked to the United Arab Emirates, the governments of Kuwait and Qatar and a Ukrainian tycoon who was the son-in-law of the former Soviet republic's ousted authoritarian president.

Early this year there were media reports that Mr Clinton had travelled to Kazakhstan with a Canadian mining magnate, Frank Giustra, to meet its dictator president. Mr Giustra later won three lucrative uranium mining contracts from the government and then donated $US31 million to Mr Clinton's charity.

more: http://www.theage.com.au/world/obama-team-turns-scrutiny-on-bill-clinton-20081117-692j.html

[boobooday]

1. Sounds like he is now a professional lobbyist

I don't like it.

[Skwmom]

3. Just think how much more he'll be able to make if his wife is SOS.

Plus, don't forget the votes he can deliver via his pals in the Congress.

[babylonsister]

2. How does 'theage' know Obama's lawyers are vetting Bill?

Because they say it, it's true? I don't think this will go well regardless...

[City Lights]

4. NYTimes is reporting the same thing:

A team of lawyers trying to facilitate the potential nomination spent the weekend looking into Mr. Clinton’s philanthropic organization, interactions with foreign governments and ties to pharmaceutical companies, a Democrat close to both camps said. While Mr. Clinton has used his foundation to champion efforts to fight AIDS, poverty and climate change around the world, he has also taken millions in speaking fees and contributions from foreign officials and businesses with interests in American governmental policies.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/17/us/politics/17memo.html?_r=1&hp=&pagewanted=all&oref=slogin

[babylonsister]

5. Thanks. So Senator Clinton is being vetted for something.

I do hope she makes it through the process and her hubby doesn't drag her down.

[City Lights]

6. Same here...we shall see. nt