2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumBernie Sanders: Prolific Democratic Party fundraiser
http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/05/politics/sanders-democratic-fundraisers/index.htmlThe retreats are typically attended by 100 or more donors who have either contributed the annual legal maximum of $33,400 to the DSCC, raised more than $100,000 for the party or both.
Sanders has based his presidential campaign on a fire-and-brimstone critique of a broken campaign finance system -- and of Hillary Clinton for her reliance on big-dollar Wall Street donors. But Sanders is part of that system, and has helped Democrats court many of the same donors.
A Democratic lobbyist and donor who has attended the retreats told CNN that about 25% of the attendees there represent the financial sector -- and that Sanders and his wife, Jane, are always present...
notadmblnd
(23,720 posts)Thanks for debunking another HRC supporter talking point.
MADem
(135,425 posts)What he didn't mention: The Vermont senator and presidential candidate is a prolific fundraiser himself and has regularly benefited from the Democratic Party apparatus.......In 2006, when Sanders ran for the Senate, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee pumped $37,300 into his race and included him in fundraising efforts for the party's Senate candidates.
The party also spent $60,000 on ads for Sanders, and contributed $100,000 to the Vermont Democratic Party -- which was behind Sanders even as he ran as an independent.
Among the DSCC's top contributors that year: Goldman Sachs at $685,000, Citigroup at $326,000, Morgan Stanley at $260,000 and JPMorgan Chase & Co. at $207,000.
During that 2006 campaign, Sanders attended a fundraiser at the Cambridge, Massachusetts home of Abby Rockefeller -- a member of the same family whose wealth he had one proposed confiscating.....
http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/05/politics/sanders-democratic-fundraisers/index.html
notadmblnd
(23,720 posts)He received 37k, part of of being from bankers. Now, if bankers were 1/4 of the attendees at the retreat and Sanders received 37,300- divide that by 4 and it equals 9,325 paid to him by bankers that attended.
Gee, do you think he stashed all that money in the Cayman Islands or a Swiss bank account? I think you should get on the case and investigate this further. You should also examine all of the financial bills he voted on and discover what favors Sanders gave in return for this huge sum of money.
I'll be right here anxiously waiting with baited breath for your report.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)PonyUp
(1,680 posts)MADem
(135,425 posts)He hosted those fundraisers in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
In Martha's Vineyard, and in Palm Beach.
And he brought his wife to the parties, too.
notadmblnd
(23,720 posts)Just think, they probably spent an entire dollar on a chicken breast for her dinner! She's bought, I tell ya.
MADem
(135,425 posts)This was the thirty grand crowd.
It wasn't the rubber chicken and rice pilaf and overcooked vegetable dinner served at all those events he served as a host for, during all those years. I'm sure they were all very nice events. Top shelf!
I think the point is, though, that if Bernie can be not just attending --but HOSTING--these things for at least five years, and maybe ten, if you count that soiree at Ms. Rockefeller's house back in 2006, then maybe familiarity doesn't breed contempt or being "bought" or anything of that nature.
So, if Bernie can have a decade's worth of hobnobbing with BANKSTERS under his belt and not end up "bought," why is impossible to assume that others can't do the same?
Or is it only BERNIE who has sufficient strength of character to host luxury fundraisers and not be tainted, but no one else is strong enough?
See the conundrum, there?
notadmblnd
(23,720 posts)Now show me where it says the fundraiser was for him.
MADem
(135,425 posts)given "for" him-- THE YEAR HE WAS RUNNING FOR THE SENATE. Why in heck do you think he was there? Do you think he was moonlighting as the bartender? Come on!!!
2006 is when he had that VERY expensive campaign against that deep pocketed rich Republican. He needed every dime he could get.
That's why the Dems spent sixty grand on media buys for him--because his opponent was wealthy and was challenging him, hard.
During that 2006 campaign, Sanders attended a fundraiser at the Cambridge, Massachusetts, home of Abby Rockefeller -- a member of the same family whose wealth he had once proposed confiscating.
Two years later, when then-Illinois Sen. Barack Obama was being nominated at the Democratic National Convention in 2008, Sanders was among the senators who met with Sen. Chuck Schumer's "Legacy Circle" donors who had given the legal maximum to the DSCC five years in a row or $500,000 over their lifetimes.
He paid dues to the DSCC, too, with his Progressive Voters of America political action committee cutting checks for $30,000 to the group during the 2014 election cycle.
http://www.localmemphis.com/news/bernie-sanders-prolific-democratic-fundraiser
Anyone who reads this can draw the obvious conclusion--Bernie is as much a "part of the system" as anyone else. Yes--THAT system...the one he decries.
So, if he can be "part of the system" and keep his hands clean, it's not really fair of him to conclude that only he has sufficient "purity" to behave in this fashion.
I'm really interested to know if Lockheed Martin representatives were at these fundraisers and retreats. Hopefully there will be more reporting on this.
notadmblnd
(23,720 posts)You talking about this statement?
Because it does not say that it was for Sanders re-election campaign.
Now really, would you hold a fundraiser for someone who advocates taking away all your money?
kath
(10,565 posts)They're BOTH bought! And evil! And Soooooshulist!
*credit to bmus for that one
George II
(67,782 posts)notadmblnd
(23,720 posts)I suggest giving your eyes and fingers a rest.
George II
(67,782 posts)George II
(67,782 posts)For the DNC, which means Democratic Senators, Representatives, Governors, and local candidates:
Clinton: $18,000,000
Sanders: $0
All of us local Democratic candidates thank you, Secretary Clinton. Bernie? No comment.
LoveMyCali
(2,015 posts)Thanks
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=1152105
Bernie raised money for Democrats, oh the horror.
MADem
(135,425 posts)What, it's only "OK" when "YOU" guys post it?
Hmmm?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1280111028
Pointing out a bit of cognitive dissonance (and this is a Big Chunk o'cognitive dissonance) is fair game.
This ain't LBN. The board moves fast.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)I used to refer to you guys as Hillary supporters but since you never post about her I decided that wasn't an accurate term.
cherokeeprogressive
(24,853 posts)Some of them just read it later than the others.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)cherokeeprogressive
(24,853 posts)It's almost enough to make me feel sorry... but I don't think empathy is allowed on socialist kibbutzes.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)And that every lie, every smear, every slur about a good man is one more thing they won't be able to take back when this is all over.
cherokeeprogressive
(24,853 posts)pangaia
(24,324 posts)I have no idea where that TITLE came from..
I just typed "I" and that's what showed up.
It makes about as much sense as the OP, and all the other dittos....which is probably ditti in Italian.
MADem
(135,425 posts)PonyUp
(1,680 posts)MADem
(135,425 posts)99th_Monkey
(19,326 posts)You are trying to have it both ways. no cigar.
MADem
(135,425 posts)Big Bankster fundraisers on Martha's Vineyard and Palm Beach for the last five years. And, ten years ago, he graced a fundraiser at the home of Abby Rockefeller!
That's all I'm doing.
And since I don't smoke, you can keep your cigars!
notadmblnd
(23,720 posts)There's a difference between attending a fund raiser and having one held for you. No?
MADem
(135,425 posts)He was a HOST--not just once, either....his name was on the invites!
Sanders has been billed as one of the hosts for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee's retreats for the "Majority Trust" -- an elite group of top donors who give more than $30,000 per year -- at Martha's Vineyard in the summer and Palm Beach, Florida, in the winter. CNN has obtained invitations that listed Sanders as a host for at least one Majority Trust event in each year since 2011.
He's been at this for awhile.
And apparently, he and Jane never miss the parties!!!
A Democratic lobbyist and donor who has attended the retreats told CNN that about 25% of the attendees there represent the financial sector -- and that Sanders and his wife, Jane, are always present.
http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/05/politics/sanders-democratic-fundraisers/index.html
MADem
(135,425 posts)He hosted them, and he's been hosting them for at least five years, at the Vineyard and Palm Beach.
And he brings his wife.
The attendees are rich people and a quarter of them work in the financial sector--JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, etc.
http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/05/politics/sanders-democratic-fundraisers/index.html
Here's the link--give it the once-over. He's up in those Big Money fundraisers, and he's benefited from them in a big way, too--he got a fortune in 06--and he needed it, he was running against a rich guy that year.
99th_Monkey
(19,326 posts)kath
(10,565 posts)LIE.
here is an example from January: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251968425
They keep whipsawing back and forth on this (at least they're good at recycling )
Bernie doesn't raise money for the Party!!1!
Bernie attends swanky fundraisers for the Party!1!1 ZOMG!
See some of my posts (#69 and 71) below for more links to examples of this bullshit.
99th_Monkey
(19,326 posts)and lies 'help' your candidate win hearts and minds of voters?"
And notice this has nothing, absolutely nothing to do with the actual issues that effect most voters;
just a sorry-ass attempt to smear Sanders, while whining out of the other side of their mouths to accuse
Bernie of "smearing" Hillary by simply quoting her own words, or citing factual details of her donor base.
kath
(10,565 posts)So sad.
MADem
(135,425 posts)Surely you're not suggesting the report is not accurate?
pangaia
(24,324 posts)You certainly can read the words. You just don't understand the meaning.
MADem
(135,425 posts)in Martha's Vineyard and Palm Beach, attended by deep pocket corporatist donors from the financial sector, to include Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, et.al.
I totally understand that he's been doing this for at least five years, that he goes to these things and rubs shoulders with those "banksters," and he brings his wife.
I totally understand, too, that his 2006 campaign benefitted from tens of thousands of DSCC dollars--and that's aside from the money (which now seems paltry by comparison) that HILLPAC gave him ten years ago.
I totally understand that there's just a little cognitive dissonance working, here.
This is what happens when you move up in the polls. You shouldn't be surprised.
He does what everyone else does--they just don't try to suggest they're "above" it in any way. Maybe he should tone that end down, too.
The GOP have deep pockets, and he can't sustain himself on "Little People" donations forever. He's going to need some of that 'bankster' money again at some point in time.
polly7
(20,582 posts)John Poet
(2,510 posts)any money for the Democratic party! Now we won't have to hear that bullshit any more.
MADem
(135,425 posts)Armstead
(47,803 posts)Gosh, according to the Clintonistas, one days he's bad because he doesn't raise funds for Democrats.
The next day he's bad because he does participate in activities to raise funds for Democrats, and benefits from them.
He's so awful, the same damn story has to be posted four times in one day.
Can we get our memes straight?
MADem
(135,425 posts)I do think it's odd that he never mentioned that he's rubbed shoulders with these bank guys, and taken money from them that was used in his and other campaigns.
See--I guess it IS possible to be close to those Goldman Sachs and other assorted bank Big Wigs, and not be "tainted."
That's good to know!!
Armstead
(47,803 posts)MADem
(135,425 posts)The GOP have deep pockets and we must compete.
He's demonstrated that you CAN be in close proximity to the "Banksters" --for five to ten years, by all accounts -- and not be tainted by them.
How wonderful that we can put THAT meme to rest, too!
Armstead
(47,803 posts)Possibly the Worst Person in the World
MADem
(135,425 posts)This $27 a person thing is a cute meme, designed to make the True Believers feel like insurgents and outsiders, but it's not sustainable and at least he knows it.
And he's known it for at least ten years.
pangaia
(24,324 posts)You are really, really good at it.
MADem
(135,425 posts)If I see something that looks interesting, I'll comment on it.
This is an interesting report because it goes against the narrative that we've heard to this point. There's a bit of cognitive dissonance afoot, though--and that is troubling to some people.
Sunlight is the best disinfectant!
"This is an interesting report because it goes against the narrative that we've heard to this point."
Wrong.
MADem
(135,425 posts)fundraising events?
That is NOT the narrative I have heard to this point. In fact, I found this story VERY surprising indeed.
I never knew that Sanders didn't just attend these Big Money things, he was listed as a HOST on the invitations.
Who knew? Not me!
I thought he eschewed associations with the Morgan Stanley set. Apparently I was mistaken. He's been serving as a HOST of these events for years!
kath
(10,565 posts)Huh?
MADem
(135,425 posts)I think you're confused.
Go to the link and check the date--5 Feb 2016.
Not a month ago.
Sorry!
kath
(10,565 posts)In that post s/he excerpted and linked to a NYT article from July 2015 about the fundraising gathering http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/07/11/sanders-courts-marthas-vineyard-donors/
Before today, I had already read that story at least once, if not twice - when brooklynite posted it here in January and/or back in the summer.
On edit - the story also showed up on DU on Nov. 15 2015 http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251813438
And here's brooklynite again, posting about it on Dec 28 http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251952136#post11
MADem
(135,425 posts)This reporting by CNN is entirely separate from the NYT (from WAAAAY back in July of last year) or the comments of a DUer.
Sanders has been attending these fundraisers and retreats for at least five years. Who knows what might be dug up if they go back further?
It is a stand-alone article, the CNN piece. If you don't want to look at it, hit the trash thread button!
Get used to more inquiries along these lines. Your player is now in the big leagues. This is just the start of what "vetting" feels like. Either deal, or wheel!
kath
(10,565 posts)Know if there was a "vacation" in there) so you obviously spend a LOT of time here. If I can remember that Bernie's attendance at swanky fundraisers for the Dem Party on Martha's Vineyard has been reported here MULTIPLE times, so should you.
And since Bernie's attendance has been reported on before, and repeated here several times, this is really NOT a "bombshell", just because it appeared in a different news outlet.
What's more interesting is that you people go back and forth - one week you're complaining that "Bernie doesn't raise any money for the party" - clearly a LIE - then a few weeks or a month later you're complaining that he attends swanky fundraisers *FOR THE PARTY*.
And there was a thread in October which gave clear evidence that Bernie also does mail solicitations for the DSCC - http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251729744
And here's a thread from Jan. 2 complaining that he raises NO money for the party: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251968425
MADem
(135,425 posts)I've read threads that I haven't read?
Sorry--I didn't read those threads that said he was gallavanting around the Vineyard. I'm FROM Massachusetts, you see--that would have stood out in my memory.
Tell you what, kath....You wanna send me a list of every thread I need to see, because YOU say so, in future? Will that make you happy?
Here's a better plan--Get over yourself! No one died and made you the net nanny, kath!
Love the sneeringly dismissive "you people" descriptor--you should know that when you haul that out, you've lost the argument! Now we know you're piqued, for whatever reason. I'm still not sure what has you so upset...I guess it'll remain a mystery.
The point isn't that fundraising is a "bad" thing--the point is that Bernie has always said associating with those Goldman Sachs and other assorted Bankster-people is a "bad" thing.
And now we learn he's gone on RETREATS with them! That's just a tad hypocritical.
Like I said, I wonder if there were any Lockheed Martin (cough-F-35) people at those retreats and fundraisers!
I'm glad he's raising money for the party--now he'd just better ratchet back on the finger pointing about banksters, seeing as he's hobnobbing with 'em, too! LOL!
MrMickeysMom
(20,453 posts)Sanders has been an Independent while in Congress, but has caucused with the Democrats since he was elected to the Senate in 2006, helping them maintain their majority for eight years.
Michael Briggs, a Sanders spokesman, said Sanders has "raised more money for the Senate Democrats than almost any other member of the Senate Democratic caucus" because he sees helping the party regain the majority as critical.
Call Debbie!!!
MADem
(135,425 posts)Thanks MADem!
MADem
(135,425 posts)Hekate
(90,793 posts)MADem
(135,425 posts)Admiral Loinpresser
(3,859 posts)MADem
(135,425 posts)I followed it over from the "Latest" page.
Here's the link where I first saw it.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1280111028
Since so many people who contribute here aren't allowed to discuss material in that group, as it is a protected one, I thought it should be brought over to the "public" part of the board so that people who are excluded from that group could also comment on the piece.
Does David Brock have an email list? Do you have the link to that?
Admiral Loinpresser
(3,859 posts)But he runs a coordinated Super PAC for Hillary, so you could probably get on his mailing list. He also goes on TV and lies and sleazes a lot. But he must be OK, since he works for Hillary.
MADem
(135,425 posts)The author is a fellow named Eric Bradner. Here's his bio page at CNN: http://www.cnn.com/profiles/eric-bradner
I can't say his face rings a bell, but I don't watch CNN a lot, so I don't know all the players. It doesn't seem like he's intersected with either of the Democratic candidates in his career, thus far:
Eric Bradner is a reporter for CNN Politics, tracking 2016's presidential race, hot statewide campaigns, Capitol Hill and breaking news stories. He writes CNN Politics' nightly newsletter Nightcap.
He comes to CNN after covering international trade -- including President Barack Obama's efforts to negotiate massive new deals with the Asia-Pacific and the European Union -- at POLITICO. Bradner learned politics while tracking Mitch Daniels and Mike Pence as the Indiana Statehouse bureau chief for the Evansville Courier & Press. His four-year stint in Indianapolis included reporting on fights over labor rights and education reforms, as well as several House and Senate campaigns, not to mention Super Bowl XLVI.
Bradner cut his teeth in journalism covering a triple-murder and the nationwide manhunt that ensued in an internship with the Courier & Press. He later covered cops and courts and wrote about ex-felons' voting rights during a summer at The Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville.
Bradner was born in Louisville, Ky. and grew up in the nearby Southern Indiana town of Greenville. He now lives in the Washington, D.C. area, but maintains his rabid Louisville basketball allegiance.
Admiral Loinpresser
(3,859 posts)He probably is expected to do that to maintain his seniority and other Senate perks. Now how did this attenuated connection affect his position on Glass-Steagall again?
MADem
(135,425 posts)to put him in his Senate seat!!
I seem to remember his wife got paid to do some of those media buys out of the campaign coffers--but who knew the money FOR the media buys was coming straight from the DSCC!
No one is saying that his attendance at parties and retreats where a quarter of the guests were from the financial industry influenced him unduly.
But if he can stay on the straight and narrow, then he shouldn't be accusing others of snuggling up to "banksters" just like he was doing, but not being able to remain "pure" like he did. I mean, that sounds a little hypocritical to me. He's going to have to adjust his stump speech (again).
Admiral Loinpresser
(3,859 posts)Wall Street doesn't contribute to Bernie's campaign. They are afraid of him.
Wall Street gives money to Hillary to increase her obscene personal fortune as well as her "charitable" Clintonian foundation. They also give her buttloads of cash for her campaign. They love her.
What am I missing?
That is going to hurt.
Admiral Loinpresser
(3,859 posts)The truth is that Hillary's top donors are from Wall Street and Bernie's aren't. The truth is that Hillary is an institutional racist and Bernie is not.
MADem
(135,425 posts)I think you're unintentionally revealing your inner feelings, there, sport...
Admiral Loinpresser
(3,859 posts)The Network that conjured up this false equivalency hit piece? The network that has fundraisers and lobbyists raising money for Hillary? The network that employs media whores like Cuomo? They shouldn't even have a license to broadcast. They are pathetic spewers of disinformation. They are enemies of the people. But go ahead and pretend that those shills for the Establishment are actual journalists.
Not one of their hacks would qualify to work for actual journalists, people like Bill Moyers, Amy Goodman, Thom Hartmann or Cenk Ungyur.
treestar
(82,383 posts)Raising money? From banksters and corporatists? What a disappointment!
Walk away
(9,494 posts)I would check and see if Lockheed is donating to him. How many people who work for guns or weapons manufacturers have donated to Bernie????
MADem
(135,425 posts)Boeing, Sikorsky, Bell, Raytheon, all those players...
See, with this bundled up money, it's possible to spend BANKSTER/MIC cash without having it traced to those sources--it's "laundered" in effect, by the DSCC and the DHCC "bundlers."
Spazito
(50,453 posts)Good read, thanks for posting this.
NastyRiffraff
(12,448 posts)Thanks for posting, MADem. Oh, and K&R
MADem
(135,425 posts)MoonRiver
(36,926 posts)brer cat
(24,605 posts)Thanks for sharing. K&R