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Ear to the Ground

Clinton Gave Own Campaign $6.4 Million

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Posted on May 7, 2008
C$inton
observer.com

With little hope but big bank accounts left, Clinton has said she will stay in the campaign till the Democratic convention in August.

Between April 11th and Tuesday’s primaries, Hillary Clinton was forced to dig deeply into her personal coffers, giving her own campaign an additional $6.4 million in order to stay in the race for the Democratic nomination. Her campaign says she may “invest” more, though critics have more or less discounted Clinton’s chances to win.


The Guardian:

Hillary Clinton’s struggle to keep her campaign alive is being made tougher by a drying up of donors, forcing her to lend herself $6.4m (£3.2m).

Her poor showing in Tuesday’s primaries - losing badly in North Carolina and winning narrowly in Indiana - will make it even harder to attract donors for what many will regard as a doomed campaign.

She has been unable to compete with rival Barack Obama in terms of funding since last year and had to lend her campaign $5m in February. Although her campaign team claimed she raised $10m in 24 hours after winning Pennsylvania last month - sceptics are waiting to see the accounts - her campaign has been running with large debts.

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By PatrickHenry, May 9 at 4:59 pm #

You have lost your mind.

Report this

By cyrena, May 9 at 4:01 pm #

CY..Thanks for the tip. (Air-port geeze, just when I thought I might be free of such ‘connections’ smile)

I do have the software, and I guess it’s nice to know about those Wal Mart parking lots...then again, CY, I SWEAR I hope it doesn’t come to me hanging out in Wal Mart parking lots. OMG wink

Still...thanks!

Report this

By Conservative Yankee, May 9 at 3:53 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

The wireless system you want is called an “air port” (no kidding) some cell-phone providers, will make them available for a fee. Here in Maine I’ve found Walmart’s parking lots have unrestricted access to the internet seems their security isn’t too good, but I imagine in California, there are many places where you can get online without paying.

Oh yeah, your laptop must have the software allowing access!

Report this

By cyrena, May 8 at 8:29 pm #

Actually, I AM about to be homeless...my time here has run out, and unless I can first find something else, (at a far more expensive rent I’m afraid) and somebody to help me hustle this stuff together and get it to someplace else, I’m gonna be homeless). I’m the victim of a ‘purge’ going on in the housing in my area.

The practice isn’t ‘new’ here, but I’ve managed to escape the earlier cuts. I’ll keep my computer with me, but I’d appreciate any referrals to reliable wireless service for connecting to you all.

(Does anybody know how that works? Like do cell phone providers also provide wireless internet service, or do I have to roam from hot spot to hot spot..like those cafe’s and certain airport locations?) I swear I don’t know.

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By cyrena, May 8 at 7:07 pm #

You could always leave Maezeppa...why ‘suffer’ if you don’t have to?

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By Sang Ze, May 8 at 4:29 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

Clinton has shown clearly why anyone who votes for a Democrat is a naive fool, easily hoodwinked. At least in McCain, we have a candidate of stature and integrity, something the Democrats are incapable of producing. Viva la Republicans!!!

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By DennisD, May 8 at 12:42 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

Eric - BTW there is no Democrat or Republican party. Hasn’t been for many, many years.

You will knowingly or not cast your vote for the Corporate Party of America in November.

Happy Voting.

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By Dr. Knowitall, PhD, PhD, May 8 at 11:29 am #

If Cyrena had played her cards right, I would have been delighted to put out a communique to Hillary asking her if she couldn’t see her way clear to help out one of her staunchest supporters.  One thing I’ve learned from this campaign is NEVER BURN YOUR BRIDGES BEHIND YOU.  Take a lesson from Edwards. 
But, alas, Cyrena, you have burned that bridge.  You’ve blown it up.  You’ve charred it into smithereens.  Sad to say, it’s highly unlikely that you will get any help from Hill-the-Shill. 

And to all you TDers out there, let this be a lesson to all of us.  Never let your true feelings be known lest you end up needing help from some rich, powerful person. 

I’m starting a 3rd party and calling it the Pastel Chameleon Party.  Our platform slogan will be, “You’ll never know where we stand ‘til we need you and even then you won’t be sure.”

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By jackpine savage, May 8 at 7:45 am #

I read an editorial today suggesting that the Obama campaign repay all those debts...including the ones she owes to herself.  Now, in another campaign, i can see that.  But in this case, it would be a matter of Obama (his supporters) having funded the “kitchen sink”.  Ok, so even a case can be made for that in the name of “party unity”.

But can you imagine the feeling of all those who donated to Obama seeing their hard earned money going directly into the Clintons’ bank account?

And i too hope that you’re not really about to be homeless, Cyrena.

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By Conservative Yankee, May 8 at 7:44 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

A friend of my father’s who owns Merchants Auto in Manchester New Hampshire has been stiffed by Democrats for years.  He has a dart-board in his office with Gary Hart’s face on it. Gary has the distinction of owing Merchants more than any other candidate. I understand Hill is getting close.

The old Highway Motel got so many bad checks from “election tourists” that they stopped taking checks from political candidates.

I could go on and on.. BUT Obama is not blameless, his campaign owes Merchants over 30k.  They’ll survive, but they always vote Republican. why?

Cause in New Hampshire the Republicans understand that the best way to lose votes is to be a deadbeat… McCain’s campaign, also used Merchants rent-a-cars, as did Mike Huckabee. both of these candidates left New Hampshire with their bills paid…

To me, this is important information as I head to the polls in the fall.

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By Maezeppa, May 8 at 4:40 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

Eugene McCarthy had a better chance of being elected than Obama does.  Thanks, Lefties.  I don’t care if the American public has to suffer the consequences of their follies but man, I’m hating the fact that I’m going to have to suffer along with them for the next for or eight years!

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By Conservative Yankee, May 8 at 4:38 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

I had a friend when I lived in the Bronx, years ago, who believed a political campaign was the perfect way to launder money. 9.9 k at a time, pumped through the “machine” and returned by “donors” non-taxable and untraceable.

all clean...well, sort-of.

Where did the Clintons (ran as middle-class-joe back in ‘92 remember?) get 110 million dollars?

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By Dr. Knowitall, PhD, PhD, May 8 at 3:41 am #

I predict that after Hillary repairs to her luxurious home in the northwest suburbs, and after all is said and done, she will emerge from this adventure even more fabulously wealthy than she was before she set out.

Her accountants will see to that.

The arrogance with which these people throw around financial fortunes like pocket change shows 1) a sore need for campaign reform and 2) there’s a huge canyon between the strata where these people graze and where we grovel.

BTW, cyrena, I hope you’re not really about to be homeless.

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By purplewolf, May 8 at 2:02 am #

Hillary has danced her way through this folly and now it’s time for her to make good on all of her past debts she has not paid to the hotels, caterers, car services, etc. Surely, with this most recent loan to herself she could manage to pay off those people whose business’s she has used this year,it wasn’t free you know, they have to pay their employees also. Hillary’s IOU is no longer valid for those people. Not quit being a deadbeat and pay up.

This just shows how badly she would handle the mountain of debt(and other people’s money)that the Bush regimne is leaving to the next unfortunate person who will be saddled with it, along with the job of being next president, that is, of course, if Bush actually does leave and doesn’t pull some type of stupid act, like another war in another country, thus making room for a new leader nul and void.

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By cyrena, May 7 at 11:45 pm #

Good question middlepath. Theoretically, it would be her ‘donors’. But then, that’s why she doesn’t have any ‘legal’ campaign money. All of her fat cat corporate donors have already given her the ‘max’ allowed by campaign finance laws. So, at some point, (maybe) she’ll work it out so that it appears like she’s being paid back by her campaign. She’ll have to fly around with suitcases full of money, or set up an elaborate way to shift it around.

Then again, she may not bother at all. Who would know anyway? It’s not like the repugs are gonna ask for receipts, and she’s got plenty more where that came from. How hard would it be for her to pay somebody to give her back her own money? (a little reverse loan-sharking operation)Or, maybe after she finally folds her tent, (if she ever does) she’ll re-incorporate it (the dead campaign) as part of Bill’s philanthropic venture, and then she can claim it as a charitable donation, and write it off on her taxes. That way, she’ll get an even bigger refund, since that’s the way the tax system is set-up here in America. (the more money you have, the less taxes you pay). So, we’ll all owe her and Bill.

Not bad for a half-year’s of hard work at terrorizing the country and insulting us all at the same time.

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By cyrena, May 7 at 10:17 pm #

Nope...not the first time. It was 5 million before. Thing is, she still isn’t paying any of her bills. The campaign still owes vendors all over the place.

So, I don’t know where the money is going. Meantime...I’m about to be homeless…

Now of course I understand that it’s HER money, and so she should be able to spend it however she wants I guess.

But then again, it’s OUR money being spent on murder and destruction that she would sure continue. So, I dunno…

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By driving bear, May 7 at 8:57 pm #

About 2 weeks before the Pa primary a conservative magazine reported that an “ unnamed member of Hillary campaign” said she had about an 10 % chance of winning the nomination. After Tuesday she has even less of a chance. Still she is spending this kind of money to stay in the race.

Therefore my advice to Obama and the democrats is to send Rabies to Denver because I suspect that traf ( not kosher) things will happen at the convention

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By Aegrus, May 7 at 7:44 pm #

Eh, you know, the past few weeks I’ve been a lot more complacent with Hillary’s campaign, but maybe that’s like seeing a snake get it’s fangs pulled out. I won’t say I was every a real big fan of the Clinton name, but that really doesn’t mean either Bill or Hillary are evil people.

A lot of us got caught up in the campaign trail early, and were re-ignited through old scandals, voting records and things of that nature. If the healing process is going to begin, though, everyone has to be forgiven. It’s over, and I think everyone feels the same right now.

It’s time to move on to the next stage.

Report this

By Dr. Knowitall, PhD, PhD, May 7 at 6:36 pm #

Convince me that one running for prez who could lend themselves $6.4 million has an understanding of my plight/condition as a working class American.

This is not the first time, is it, that Hillary used her ATM card for this campaign?

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By PatrickHenry, May 7 at 4:52 pm #

The chapter of American politics titled “Clinton” is nearing completion.

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By rage, May 7 at 4:34 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

If she can’t quite bring herself to save face, she needs to at least consider saving the money. This is an outrageous waste of time, resources, and MONEY! This is her second confirmed loan-to-self. Worst of all, checks from Team Hillary are no longer honored most places. I have to wonder if the only reason she’s loitering around in this race is just to bilk the last few doners out of enough cash to break even when the dust settles on her in June.

Seriously, we would truly like thank Hillary for being a most engaging contestant in the Presidential Edition of Grasping at Straws. Give her a big round of applause. But, now she really needs to collect that consolation prize of a years supply of pickled swine knuckles so Vanna can show her off the stage. It’s time for America to greet the finalists for the November Lightening round, when our champs from both teams square off in a sudden death match. Hillary’s desperately holding onto the ever fading limelight is only wreaking havoc on the ratings.

It’s over for her. Hillary needs to beat it on back to the US Senate before fickle Albany finds someone less contemptuous to take her Senate seat in 2010.

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By cyrena, May 7 at 4:14 pm #

Aegrus,

She can’t. She honestly can’t. It’s like watching an addict. And you’re right. As much as I have come to despise her, (which is bad, because I didn’t always) it is actually painful to watch this. Every minute she loses that much more self-respect, and the image has become like that of some pitiful drunk, crawling on the ground, alternatively begging and wimpering for just one more chance, or just one more drink.

I don’t understand it. I want to find a way to get her into some sort of recovery or something. But, she’s not having it. Rather, she honestly believes that this is showing some sort of gumption, or determination on her part. All it shows is how much she’s unwilling to consider any reality. So, what does that say about the destruction she could and would continue, if she ever actually DID make it to the office? It’s like watching a rerun of Bush, and that’s the kind of nighmare I don’t think we’d ever survive.

Meantime, George McGovern has now asked her to please drop out. We see her and Bill’s answer to that.

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By james, May 7 at 1:09 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

Dear Senator Clinton,

New Math. Old Math. I don’t think you you should drop out of the race. Here’s some ideas.... You can filibuster the vote at the convention. You can cut off the electricity to the convention hall. You can fake a heart attack. You can take Chairwoman Pelosi hostage. You can take Sen. Obama hostage. You can go to court to enjoin the convention and have the primaries declared unconstitutional. You can continue to throw the kitchen sink and scorch the earth. You can cry. You can throw tantrums. You can tell more lies.  You can crown yourself with the crown of Charlemagne, turn this democratic party upside down and inside out until you get your way…

Blow through your husband’s funds and every other naive supporter’s funds on this planet. God knows, this money is meant for you. To hell with the unfortunate New York souls that could desperately use financial support.

Corporate raider, Gordon Gekko quoted it in the movie Wall Street - “Greed is Good”. Follow his playbook and continue to put your scruples, morals, values and ethics aside to win anyway you can.

Go get’em Tiger!

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By middlepath, May 7 at 12:42 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

Can someone explain to me, if Clinton “loans” her own campaign $6.4 million, then who pays her back?

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By Conservative Yankee, May 7 at 11:13 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

You’re right, I don’t want to see her leave “this way.” I would prefer someone hit her with a cream pie, knocking her into a swimming pool where some little kid pees on her.

I also think you are letting your guard down too early.  There is no cheap trick, no sleazy scam, no disgusting slimy assault that is too low for the business shill.

Finish her off now, of=r sure as shooting, like Dracula, she’ll be back.

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By Eric L Prentis, May 7 at 11:04 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

With the full complicity of the win-at-any-cost Sen. Clinton, Rush Limbaugh handed the very close Indiana primary to Sen. Clinton by getting enough Republicans to turn out and vote for her. It should be understood that Sen. Obama actually won the Indiana primary, after adjusting for the manipulation of the democratic process by the treacherous, Republican right-wing attack media. Republicans, for their own benefit, want Sen. Clinton to remain in the primary race even though everyone can see it is now hopeless. Honorable Sen. Clinton, do not become pathetic, please step aside for the good of the Democratic party.

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By Aegrus, May 7 at 10:21 am #

You know, I understand Hillary Clinton really cares and has a deep desire to lead our country, but she is hemorrhaging money with little perceivable progress. Hillary, no one wants to see you go out this way. Save some face, geez.

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