Shock: Super Open and Transparent and Ethical Administration Trolling for Donations by Promising Access to Senior White House Officials

And the White House itself, of course, though they say the DNC pays for that privilege, so I guess that makes it... what?

High-dollar fundraisers have been promised access to senior White House officials in exchange for pledges to donate $30,400 personally or to bundle $300,000 in contributions ahead of the 2010 midterm elections, according to internal Democratic National Committee documents obtained by The Washington Times.

One top donor described in an interview with The Times being given a birthday visit to the Oval Office. Another was allowed use of a White House-complex bowling alley for his family. Bundlers closest to the president were invited to watch a movie in the red-walled theater in the basement of the presidential mansion.

Mr. Obama invited his top New York bundler, UBS Americas CEO Robert Wolf, to golf with him during the president's Martha's Vineyard vacation in August. At least 39 donors and fundraisers also were treated to a lavish White House reception on St. Patrick's Day, where the fountains on the North and South Lawns were dyed green, photos and video reviewed by The Times and CBS News also show.

Presidential aides said there has been no systematic effort to use the White House complex to aid fundraising, though they acknowledge the DNC has paid for some events at the presidential mansion.

Paid who? Do these checks go to the taxpayers or... what? Can I similarly "pay" for access in the White House?

These donors getting to bowl at the White House -- they're paying? I, as a taxpayer, get a cut of their rental of the presidential bowling alley?

Really?

What's the rent? Do I have to pay for shoes or are they comped?

Many guests at the White House not only had fundraising connections, but also have personal friendships with the president, Mr. Obama's aides said.

I'll bet. Someone gives me $100,000, you better believe I'm their buddy.

Michael Steele's statement:

“Bill Clinton turned the White House into a hotel and coffee shop. Now President Obama has turned the White House into a full service resort complete with amenities for the highest Democrat bidder. The seriousness of this issue requires an immediate investigation looking into the degree and details of fundraising efforts between the White House and DNC, whether there was any quid pro quo offered to donors, and the names of White House officials who were involved in such activities. The White House should also immediately release the names of donors who have accessed these perks or received special briefings from administration officials. Candidate Obama pledged to clean up the muddy waters of Washington, but President Obama has jumped in head first.”

Such things only happen when the press is doing its supposed job of watchdog, rather than its preferred role as presidential fluffer. And I'm sure they'll be getting right on that, following up on the Washington Times' story with tough, probing questions.

Right. They won't even do tough, probing Google searches on this stuff.

But have you heard about FoxNews? They "have a viewpoint," it seems.

Really, they do. The White House needs to "speak truth to power" to these viewpoint-type people.

Racist: A cat yowls at Obama for lying about "change."

posted by Ace at 01:10 PM

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