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ProSense Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Oct-22-07 08:50 PM
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Phone Companies Seeking Immunity Gave Money to Senator

Phone Companies Seeking Immunity Gave Money to Senator

By ERIC LICHTBLAU and SCOTT SHANE
Published: October 23, 2007

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 — Executives at the two biggest phone companies contributed more than $42,000 in political donations to Senator John D. Rockefeller IV this year while seeking his support for legal immunity for businesses participating in National Security Agency eavesdropping.

The surge in contributions came from a Who’s Who of executives at the companies, AT&T and Verizon, starting with the chief executives and including at least 50 executives and lawyers at the two utilities, according to campaign finance reports.

The money came primarily from a fund-raiser that Verizon held for Mr. Rockefeller in March in New York and another that AT&T sponsored for him in May in San Antonio.

Mr. Rockefeller, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, emerged last week as the most important supporter of immunity in devising a compromise plan with Senate Republicans and the Bush administration.

more
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liberal N proud Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Oct-22-07 08:51 PM
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1. And the Justice Department will look the other way
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lonestarnot Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Oct-22-07 08:52 PM
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2. Well no wonder he "emerged...as the most important supporter of immunity."
:smoke:
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mod mom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Oct-22-07 08:53 PM
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3. Doesn't the Rockefeller family have enough $ that they can't be bought?
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AzDar Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Oct-22-07 08:53 PM
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4. We clearly have the best government money can buy.
:puke:
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MadMaddie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Oct-22-07 08:56 PM
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5. This is a huge conflict of interest....
So when is he up for reelection?
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fenriswolf Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Oct-22-07 09:00 PM
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6. is that the same rockerfeller
as in the robber baron rockerfeller?
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rhett o rick Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Oct-22-07 10:39 PM
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7. I heard Sen Dodd has put a hold on a bill that would give telephone
corporations immunity for violating the FISA laws and the Constitution. Anyone have info on this bill.??
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Blackhatjack Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Oct-22-07 10:42 PM
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8. I doubt he needs the $, but creates the appearance of a conflict of interest...
Why did he not just reject the $42k in campaign contributions? Seems like a no-brainer for someone holding his position vis-a-vis the contributors.

Just like shooting yourself in the foot, politically.
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Horse with no Name Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-23-07 12:43 PM
Response to Reply #8
13. Like any other bazillionaire
He would rather spend someone else's money....just like Blackwater, just like Halliburton, just like Exxon, just like a whole list ad infinitum.
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Lone_Star_Dem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-23-07 12:45 PM
Response to Reply #8
14. That's what I wondered about when I read this earlier
It's obvious that this would come back and bite him in the ass. Why accept the money in the fist place?

Was it to be a taste of things to come? Or was he really this politically ignorant?

I cannot for the life of me figure it out.
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ProSense Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-23-07 07:26 AM
Response to Original message
9. Kick! n/t
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Selatius Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-23-07 12:21 PM
Response to Original message
10. Fuck you, Rockefeller. You're better off on Wall Street than in the Senate. n/t
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sicksicksick_N_tired Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-23-07 12:35 PM
Response to Original message
11. Bad news.
He never was a very strong representative. However, there doesn't appear to be a strong replacement.

It's disappointing to read this news, to say the least.
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gratuitous Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-23-07 12:39 PM
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12. Wow, the media bulldogs are right on this!
Funny, though, how they can't quite figure out if Ted Stevens of Alaska or Hot Tub Tom DeLay or any Republican -- up to and including convicted felon Duke Cunningham -- are swapping votes for financial favors. Yeah, Rockefeller looks real bad here, and deserves any and all scrutiny for taking telecom money while championing their ex post facto immunity; but when it's an "R" taking bribes and subverting the people's business, the microscope seems to be in the shop.
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